Legal Question in Wills and Trusts in Illinois

who pays for legal fees

One of the beneficiaries of an estate hired a lawyer to represent her while the estate was being settled. She has presented the bill for the estate to pay. What circumstances would warrrant the estate to pay these expenses.


Asked on 8/23/04, 3:01 am

2 Answers from Attorneys

Thomas Moens Moens Law Offices, Chartered

Re: who pays for legal fees

I can't think of a circumstance which would warrrant the estate to pay this expense.

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Answered on 8/23/04, 8:28 am

Re: who pays for legal fees

One of the only reasons that a court would allow attorney's fees to be paid (other than for the attorney for the estate) is if the representation of the individual BENEFITTED the estate.

If the representation was only to benefit the individual, then the fees will unlikely be approved by the court.

Sometimes this situation occurs in a will contest.

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Answered on 8/23/04, 9:28 am


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