Bill would end guidelines on estate administration attorney fees

Sen. Aaron Bean

The presumed reasonable fees for estate administration attorneys set out in state law would be replaced by a provision telling consumers they can negotiate and get prices from more than one lawyer, under a bill that has passed the Senate Judiciary Committee.

SB 954, sponsored by Sen. Aaron Bean, R-Jacksonville, cleared the committee 8-3 on March 15 after debate, including opposition from the Bar’s Real Property, Probate and Trust Law Section. It would amend F.S. §733.6171, which sets a presumed fair fee based on a percentage of the estate’s value.