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  • Home
  • About Us
    • Gratia Schoemakers
      • Community Outreach Program
    • Testimonials
  • Virtual Services
  • Estate Planning
    • Estate Planning Basics
    • Last Will and Testament
    • Revocable Living Trusts
    • Durable Power of Attorney
    • Medical Power of Attorney
    • Living Will
    • Family Estate Planning
    • LGBTQ Estate Planning & Asset Protection
    • Kids Safety Plan™
    • Business Succession Planning
    • Guardianship
      • Guardianship Planning
    • Special Needs Planning
    • Legacy Preservation Planning
    • Asset Protection
    • Trusts
    • Pet Trusts
    • Gun Trusts
  • Probate
    • Texas Probate Guide
    • Probate of a Will
    • Texas Affidavit of Heirship
    • Texas Small Estate Affidavit
    • Texas Heirship Determination
    • Texas Muniment of Title
    • Trust Administration
  • Family Law
    • Divorce
    • Collaborative Divorce
    • Mediation
    • Custody / Visitation
  • Blog
  • FAQs
    • FAQs – Videos
    • FAQs – Estate Planning
    • FAQs – Beyond Money in Estate Planning
    • FAQs – Divorce and Estate Planning FAQs and Myths
    • FAQs – Estate Planning for Newlyweds Myths and FAQs
    • FAQs – Estate Planning for Young Adults
    • FAQs – The Estate Planning Cast of Characters
    • FAQs – Expecting an Inheritance
    • FAQs – Myths and FAQs – Planning for Conflict Prone Families
    • FAQs – New and Expanding Families
    • FAQs – Pet Trusts
    • FAQs – Probate
    • FAQs – Standalone Retirement Trust Myths and FAQs
    • FAQs – Trust Modifications
    • FAQs – Unwinding Obsolete Planning
    • FAQs – Why You Want to Avoid Probate
    • FAQs – Year-End Planning Myths and FAQs
  • Contact
    • Virtual Estate Planning Login
    • Client Portal

Cost

3 Simple Ways to Avoid Probate Costs

September 5, 2022 By Gratia P. Schoemakers, Esq.

probate costs

The bad news: probated estates are subject to a variety of costs from attorneys, executors, appraisers, accountants, courts, and state law.  Depending on the probate’s complexity, fees can run into tens of thousands of dollars. The good news: probate costs can be reduced by avoiding probate.  It’s really that simple. Here are three simple ways […]

Filed Under: Estate Planning, Trusts, Wills, wwPROBATE Tagged With: Beneficiaries, Cost, Living Trust, Probate, Probate Costs, Probate Court, Property

3 Ways to Minimize Estate Planning Fees

July 16, 2018 By Gratia P. Schoemakers, Esq.

3 Ways to Minimize Estate Planning Fees Today, it is impossible to put together even a simple estate plan without the assistance of an experienced estate planning attorney.  Why?  Because estate planning laws vary greatly from state to state and these laws are extremely convoluted and constantly changing. One wrong word, one missing signature, or […]

Filed Under: Estate Planning, Wills, wwPROBATE Tagged With: Cost, Estate Plan

How to Minimize Legal Fees After Death

June 1, 2018 By Gratia P. Schoemakers, Esq.

Death is a costly business.  Aside from funeral expenses, legal fees can take a big chunk out of how much is left for your loved ones after you’re gone. But it doesn’t have to be this way.  Careful planning can minimize the legal fees your loved ones will pay after you die.  Here’s how: Make […]

Filed Under: Estate Planning Tagged With: Cost, EP Update, Estate Plan, Probate, Taxes, Update

Skyrocketing Probate Fees – Another Reason to Avoid Probate Court

August 3, 2015 By Gratia P. Schoemakers, Esq.

As of July 1, 2015, Connecticut probate courts earned the dubious distinction of charging the highest probate fees in the U.S..  Amazingly, the Connecticut legislature voted to completely cut general fund support for the state’s probate courts for the next two fiscal years, thereby creating a $32 million deficit.  In order to cover the shortfall, the […]

Filed Under: Estate Planning Tagged With: Beneficiaries, Cost, Privacy, Probate, Probate Costs, Probate Court, Trust

5 Most Expensive States for Retirees in 2015

July 16, 2015 By Gratia P. Schoemakers, Esq.

While there are many factors to consider when choosing the place where you will retire, the ones that will impact your wallet may be the most important.  Why?  Because having a low crime rate and beautiful weather will be irrelevant if high costs deplete your retirement nest egg faster than anticipated. Recently Investopedia.com compared cost-of-living […]

Filed Under: Estate Planning, Retirement Tagged With: Cost

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