Estate Planning Legal Service - Flat Fee Policy
Understanding Flat Fees. With over a decade of experience, we have developed an efficient process that enables us to offer flat-fee estate planning services. By anticipating common issues and applying my expertise, we provide comprehensive, predictable legal support that eliminates the uncertainty of hourly billing. This approach simplifies costs for clients and demonstrates our commitment to transparency and value.
The flat fee is the entire payment for the specified legal work to be performed by our firm,
The firm earns the flat fee upon payment, which will be deposited into our business account rather than a client trust account.
Services under flat fees are not unlimited, and additional fees may apply under the terms of "Additional Fees May Apply" below.
When our representation of you ends, you will not be entitled to a refund of any portion of the flat fee unless otherwise allowed under the terms of "Termination" below.
Additional Fees May Apply. Flat fees follow a “one size fits most” approach, which works for the vast majority of clients. However, if a client’s decisions, revisions, or inquiries significantly exceed the flat-fee parameters, additional fees may apply. These situations typically arise during document drafting and preparation or when extra staff time is required.
Document Drafting and Preparation Process. Although this is a prepaid, flat-fee matter, additional fees may apply in certain situations. The Five Stages of Estate Planning with Ampersand Law Addendum (provided with the Client Agreement) outlines our process and details when additional fees may be charged, including:
Intake Review: If the information the client provides differs significantly from what was discussed during their consultation, additional drafting time will be required.
Draft Review: If the clients request major changes or structural modifications beyond what they provided in their intake forms.
Before the Final Deadline: If the client requests any edits or changes (other than correcting typos or errors), or if we need to spend time addressing substantial questions about the documents, their use, or alternative document options.
After the Final Deadline: If the client requests any edits or changes (including correcting typos or errors), or if we need to spend time addressing substantial questions about the documents, their use, or alternative document options.
Extra Staff Time. Our services extend beyond document drafting and preparation. The flat fee covers regular updates, informational emails, progress check-ins, and reasonable client communication via email (preferred) or phone (by appointment) to address their questions. If a client’s requests exceed the included scope, we will notify them before proceeding. The most common situations where this occurs are:
Extensive or repeated consultations beyond the initial scope,
Detailed or complex inquiries needing significant research or preparation, and
Any other support services that go beyond the reasonable amount of time included in the flat fee.
Hourly Rates for Additional Fees. Our firm bills at $350.00 per hour for attorney time, $225.00 per hour for paralegal time, and $150.00 per hour for legal assistant time. Any reference to “hourly rate” or “billed hourly” in this policy or the Client Agreement refers to these amounts. All hourly work is subject to a $200.00 minimum fee. These rates are reviewed annually and may be adjusted in January. We will notify current clients if rates change for reasons other than the annual adjustment.
Termination. If a matter is terminated, a portion of the prepaid flat fee may be refunded upon voluntary termination. Either party may terminate the Client Agreement ement before the signing appointment. Fees are refundable only if they exceed the value of completed work, calculated at my hourly rate. Upon termination, we will provide an accounting of time spent, legal fees earned, and any refund due. All refunds are reduced by 3% to cover processing and transaction fees. If your prepaid flat fee exceeds the total legal fees earned, we will refund the difference within 15 days. However, if a matter is terminated automatically, no refund is available. Automatic termination occurs if an estate planning matter is not completed (as indicated by the signing appointment) within six months. Unless otherwise agreed in writing, the matter will automatically terminate at that time, and the client will forfeit any right to a refund of the prepaid flat fee.