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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]I've been working on getting our estate planning done right now and have gotten a couple of quotes. A solo practitioner working out of their house quoted me 3K. A different solo practitioner working out of Bethesda office space quoted 2K. (Which surprised me - I just assumed the one working out of their house would be cheaper. But I did get the sense from talking with that attorney that they favored a more collaborative approach and would spend more time talking through options than the attorney charging 2K, so perhaps the more expensive attorney just knows they put more hours into each client.)

I'm waiting to hear back from a small boutique firm with 4 or 5 attorneys working out of Rockville for their quote, though they have told me thus far that they wait until after an initial consultation in order to decide whether they'll charge by the hour or charge a flat fee. Given the price differences, I do think it's worthwhile to call around. When my in-laws updated their estate planning a year or two ago, different attorneys in the Bethesda firm they went to charged different amounts. (The in-laws didn't remember what they paid when I asked.)

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What does the size of the firm or the workspace setup have anything to do with the quality of the advice you receive? And why do these and the price seem to be the only criteria you are considering? The price should reflect the complexity of the matter, the expertise of the attorney, the liability the attorney assumes and the time that goes into advising you. $2k or $3k are insultingly cheap. This equates to an hourly rate lower than that of a plumber. And the plumber does not assume long-term professional liability in the amount of several millions of $$.

I am a tax and estate attorney. I handle complex matters with international components. My hourly rate at $430 is way lower than what my peers with lesser qualifications charge ($800+). I chose to work as a sole practitioner in order to have the flexibility to care for my young child (and thank goodness for that, see Covid). Over the years plenty of big law firms approached me and asked me to join them. But, I would have had to raise my hourly rate to at least $650 to pay for their overhead and partner profit. My service would have been the same. [/quote]

Since you are experienced with the complications presented by international components, I would be very interesting in talking to you if possible.  I am a non-American citizen living in Maryland.  Is there a way I can contact you?[/quote]

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