Kennesaw, GA asked in Family Law and Probate for Florida

Q: i was my uncle's PR,, I have paid in attorney fees, more than his estate is worth. How can I end this mess?

Everything was left to my aunt but after her death in 2014, his lawyer told me I was required to file his will for probate. I am not a beneficiary and after 2 years, i have paid over $50,000 in attorneys fees and am out of funds. I want to fire the second attorney I hired because nothing has been accomplished and she wants another $13,000 to continue. I paid the original attorney over $30,000 and now the second over $20,000 plus appraisal fees, storage fees, etc. I want to close the estate because there are no assets even close to that. Why can I not file to close the estate myself and not pay an attorney any further fees?

Related Topics:
1 Lawyer Answer
Mr. Long H. Duong
Mr. Long H. Duong
Answered
  • Probate Lawyer
  • Gainesville, FL
  • Licensed in Florida

A: No other attorney can really comment on the fees you've been charged because we aren't privy to the representation agreement you signed nor the amount of work that was involved.

That said, if there are no further tasks that remain, you could try to set a hearing date with the court and explain your situation. I can't promise this will end your case but the judge will likely ask your attorney what tasks remain and accelerate some kind of activity towards closing out the case.

Best of luck.

Justia Ask a Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask a Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.

The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and Justia, or between you and any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask a Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.

Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.