Transparent and Value-Driven Attorney Fees
At Rod of Iron Trusts and Estates Counsel, we are dedicated to building strong, lasting relationships with our clients—relationships founded on trust, honesty, kindness, and generosity, values deeply rooted in our Christian faith. We recognize that discussing attorney fees is a critical part of the legal process, and we are committed to providing clear, transparent information to ensure you feel confident in your decisions.
Our goal is to help you understand our pricing structure so you can make informed choices that best suit your unique situation. We believe in open communication and take the time to present tailored options that align with your specific needs.
When it comes to litigation, trust administration, and mediation, we advocate for hourly fees, as they are often the most cost-effective option for our clients. While contingency fees may seem appealing at first, we have seen many instances where clients end up feeling like they’ve lost too much of their rightful inheritance. Our priority is to help you avoid that outcome, ensuring that you receive fair, transparent legal representation without unnecessary financial burdens.
Probate Fees
Probate attorney fees in California are set by state law and calculated based on the gross value of the estate. On average, these fees amount to approximately 2.5% of the gross estate value.
Under California law, the executor or appointed representative of the estate is entitled to the same fee as the attorney, so the combined cost typically represents around 5% of the gross estate value.
Probate fees are paid at the conclusion of the process. However, court filing fees and other upfront costs are typically paid by the proposed personal representative at the start, and generally run around $1,500.
Conservatorship Fees
Conservatorships often involve ongoing court oversight, accountings, petitions, reporting requirements, and legal issues that can vary significantly from case to case. As a result, legal services are billed on an hourly basis the rate of which will be discussed with you during your initial conference. We work with you to provide clear expectations regarding anticipated costs and the scope of representation so there are no surprises.
Guardianship Fees
Guardianships often involve ongoing court oversight, accountings, petitions, reporting requirements, and legal issues that can vary significantly from case to case. As a result, legal services are billed on an hourly basis the rate of which will be discussed with you during your initial conference. We work with you to provide clear expectations regarding anticipated costs and the scope of representation so there are no surprises.
Inheritance Investigation Fees
Inheritance investigation is available on an hourly or flat rate basis depending on the scope of work. We will discuss the right structure for your situation during our initial conference.
Litigation Fees
Hourly
Bryan provides services based on an hourly billing model. The initial retainer is determined by the specific requirements and scope of the representation, and will be discussed during the initial consultation.
Contingency
Bryan is committed to ensuring access to justice and, recognizing that some individuals may not have the means to afford legal representation, he accepts a select number of cases on a contingency basis. This approach enables those without the financial resources to seek redress and access the courts.
Under our contingency fee arrangement, our fee is 30% of any recovery obtained if the case is settled before trial. Should the matter proceed to trial and a recovery is obtained post-trial, the fee will be 40% of the recovery amount.
Please note that contingency fee arrangements are not available for services such as private mediation or case evaluations.
Unsure about which billing option is best for your situation? There’s a way to evaluate whether an hourly or contingency fee arrangement is more beneficial for your case. Click here to learn more.
