Probate attorney fees

[chuckycheese]

I'm the executor for my mother's estate (she's still living but quite old) which is valued at about 2.5 million dollars. I believe that most attorneys charge about 2 to 4 percent for handling probate matters. In her case, it simply would be unfair to do so because she owns no real property, has no debts and I could turn her assets into cash in, literally, 5 minutes.

Is there any good reason why a reasonably smart and well-educated guy like myself couldn't handle the probate matters adequately? Also, how likely is it that an attorney would realize the simplicity of the matter and act on my behalf for a reasonable fee? Thanks for any advice and insight. By the way, she is an Oregon resident.

**edit** Sorry, I should have submitted this under the Estate Administration section...

[aaron]

You may wish to consider trying to handle the estate yourself, and hiring a lawyer or accountant on an hourly basis as needed for specific advice or tasks.

[chuckycheese]

Thank you very much, Aaron! I probably should have also mentioned that I plan to have her CPA handle the tax issues (she's already gifted the maximum). Also, her will is extremely simple and straight forward. I do agree that getting some good advice along the way would be a wise thing to do.