The cost of an NY Estate Lawyer, like Jason W. Stern, varies based on the case and fee structure. Our legal fee’s are charged on a contingency basis whereby our clients are not billed until the conclusion of the estate and all of the legal work administered. We understand quality legal representation in NY estates is vital however not everyone can afford to absorb the astronomical hourly legal fee’s most firms charge which could easily exceed $500.00 per hour. Customarily the legal fees for straightforward NY estates mirror the executor’s commission schedule which is calculated on a percentage of the estate (2-5% or scaled, e.g., 5% of the first $100,000, 4% of the next $200,000), or a flat fee for more modest simple cases (e.g., estates with a surviving spouse and no disputes). Hourly billing suits lighter workloads but can easily rise and become out of hand with complex probate or litigation. Percentage fees offer clarity, assuming the lawyer handles most tasks. Flat fees work for straightforward estates but may adjust if issues arise.