What is the attorney's fee for probating a will?

Lawyers commonly use one of three methods to charge their clients for probate work: flat fee, hourly rate or percentage of the value of the estate, according to Nolo. Some lawyers let their clients choose the method of billing.

Lawyers who charge by the hour have various hourly rates, depending on the lawyer's experience, the demographics of the area the lawyer practices law in, and whether or not the law firm is big or small, says Nolo. Lawyers may decide to charge a flat fee to avoid the need to keep a time sheet. Lastly, Nolo indicates that lawyers who charge a percentage of the estate base their calculations on the gross value of the estate.