How much does a trust cost?
One of the most frequently asked questions that I receive is “How much will it cost to get my affairs in order?” or “How much does a Trust cost?” What our clients like is that we have clear, up front pricing. During our initial consultation we’ll discuss what it is that you want to accomplish and the simplest way to do so. Typically, our clients know to the penny what the amount will be before we get started.
Why is up front pricing better than hourly billing?
When attorneys bill hourly, they have an incentive to work slow. And because clients know that each phone call or email will be logged and billed for, clients are hesitant to ask questions. With up front pricing, we encourage you to contact us throughout the process- after all, it is your estate plan that we are putting together, we want to work with you to make sure that it does just what you want it to do. Communication is key to making sure that happens.
The Cost of Not Planning
Consider Alex who never got an estate plan because she was concerned about how much it would cost. When Alex died, her children had to take time off of work to travel from St. Louis to Cape Girardeau, hire an attorney in Cape Girardeau, and pay the attorney an out-of-pocket retainer to represent them. At the end of each month, Alex’s children received an invoice for the work that the probate attorney performed the prior month. Needless to say, it quickly became expensive. And the expense went on for month after month. Finally, after 10 months, the children were able to get the probate case closed. Yet, for 10 months, Alex’s children had to waste their time and money in probate court. The point of this example is clear- Alex was penny wise and pound foolish. By not planning while she was alive, it ended up costing her children much more money, not to mention the time, aggravation, and hassle of her children having to deal with court proceedings over 10 months in a county an hour and a half away.
How Do I Get Started on a Will or Trust?
My practice is focused on Estate Planning (Wills & Trusts) and Elder Law (Asset Protection). This is what we deal with day in and day out. The first step is scheduling an initial consultation where we will discuss what it is that you want to accomplish and then the simplest way to make that happen. Call 573-334-5125 and speak with Heather or Theresa to get a consultation scheduled today.
