Fees — Al Stam

Our Philosophy

Fees Aligned with Your Interests

As an independent professional fiduciary, Al Stam charges reasonable, transparent fees for the professional services rendered. Our fees are governed by California law and the terms of the trust, will, or court order — and are subject to court approval in conservatorship and probate matters.

We believe that clear, honest fee communication is foundational to the trust relationship. Every engagement begins with a written fee agreement, and we provide itemized invoices detailing every hour worked and every expense incurred.

Our hourly rates and fixed fees are subject to reasonable negotiation and depend on the complexity of the case, ensuring that the fee structure is always proportionate to the nature and demands of each engagement.

Professional Hourly Rate

$150–275

per hour · depending on complexity

This Rate Covers

Trust and conservatorship administration

Agent under DPOA services

Family office management

Probate estate settlement

Special needs trust administration

Property oversight and management

California Probate Code §10800

Statutory Probate Fee Schedule

For formal probate proceedings, California Probate Code §10800 sets statutory fees for both the executor (personal representative) and the estate attorney, based on the gross value of the probate estate — not the net value after debts. These fees are subject to confirmation by the San Diego Superior Court or applicable county probate court. In addition to the statutory fee, the court may allow extraordinary fees for work beyond the normal scope of administration. In addition to the statutory fee, the court may allow extraordinary fees for unusual or complex work.

Gross Estate Value	Statutory Rate	Fee on This Tier
First $100,000	4%	$4,000
Next $100,000	3%	$3,000
Next $800,000	2%	Up to $16,000
Next $9,000,000	1%	Up to $90,000
Next $15,000,000	0.5%	Up to $75,000
Above $25,000,000	Court Determined	Per court order

Example: An estate with a gross value of $1,000,000 would generate a statutory fee of $23,000 (4% × $100K + 3% × $100K + 2% × $800K). The same fee is payable to the attorney for the estate. Extraordinary fees require separate court petition and approval.

Fee Structure

Fees by Service Type

Trust Administration

Hourly

$150–$275/hr. Billed monthly with itemized invoices. Minimum retainer may apply depending on estate size and complexity.

Probate Estate Settlement

Statutory + Hourly

California statutory fee per Probate Code §10800 (see table above). Extraordinary services billed hourly with court approval.

Conservatorship

Hourly · Court Approved

$150–$275/hr. All fees subject to annual court review and approval as part of the accounting process.

Family Office Management

Hourly or Retainer

Monthly retainer or hourly billing depending on scope and engagement. Discussed and agreed in writing before engagement commences.

Special Needs Trusts

Hourly

$150–$275/hr. Billed against the trust, not the beneficiary personally, to preserve benefit eligibility where applicable.

Agent under DPOA

Hourly

$150–$275/hr. All actions documented and reported. Written fee agreement signed before any authority is exercised.

Bill Pay Services

Hourly

$150–$275/hr. Comprehensive bill management — bills mailed to us, reviewed, and paid on time. All accounts kept current with full reporting.

Important Disclosures

Fee Notes

The administration of fiduciary accounts often requires the retention of professionals with expertise beyond that of the Fiduciary. Examples of such professionals include (with no limitations): financial advisors or portfolio managers, attorneys, financial planners, bookkeepers, accountants and other tax professionals, real estate brokers and agents, appraisers and other non-financial asset valuation specialists, property and asset managers, care managers and providers, offshore corporate agents and offshore company administrators, and notaries. These expenses will be paid directly by the fiduciary account and not from the fees paid to us.

For purposes of Probate Estate Settlement, examples of extraordinary hourly services that may be charged by the hour include but are not limited to: litigation (except residential unlawful holdovers), management of closely held business interests, intellectual property, or oil, gas and mineral interests, forensic audits, custom reporting, matters pertaining to hazardous waste, bankruptcy, foreclosure, long term care, public benefits, project management, as well as the coordination of professional services for legal, tax and medical issues.

The sale, acquisition, leasing and/or (re)financing of: real estate; closely held business interests; intellectual property; oil, gas and mineral interests; and any other non-financial assets; shall be charged a one-time extraordinary fee equal to 1% of the total consideration of the transaction(s).

Administrative and support tasks handled by qualified staff at a reduced rate of $50–$75/hr, ensuring cost efficiency for clients.

How We Bill

Our Billing Practices

Transparency

Itemized Invoices

Every invoice details the date, task, time spent, and hourly rate. No vague entries, no surprises.

Predictability

Monthly Billing

Invoices issued monthly for the prior period. Conservatorship fees require and are subject to annual court approval.

Written Agreement

Fee Agreement First

A written fee agreement is signed before any engagement begins. You know exactly what you're agreeing to.

Out-of-Pocket

Costs Passed Through

Out-of-pocket expenses (filing fees, appraisals, postage) are billed at cost with receipts. No markup.

Common Questions

Fee FAQs

Who pays the fiduciary's fees?

Fees are typically paid from the trust, estate, or conservatorship assets being administered — not personally by the beneficiaries or family. In some cases, fees may be tax-deductible as an administrative expense.

Is an initial retainer required?

A modest retainer may be required depending on the size and complexity of the engagement. This is discussed upfront and credited against the first invoice. All terms are set out in the written fee agreement.

Are fiduciary fees tax-deductible?

In many cases, professional fiduciary fees are deductible as administrative expenses of an estate or trust. We recommend consulting your CPA or tax advisor, as deductibility depends on the nature of the engagement and current tax law.

Do probate fees require court approval?

Yes. Statutory probate fees are confirmed by the court upon petition. Extraordinary fees require a separate petition explaining the additional work performed. Conservatorship fees are reviewed and approved by the court annually.

Are fees negotiable?

Statutory fees set by California law are fixed and not negotiable. For hourly engagements, the rate reflects the professional expertise and complexity involved and is established in the written fee agreement before work begins.

What if the scope of work changes?

If the scope changes materially — for example, an estate is more complex than initially anticipated — we will discuss the impact on fees before proceeding. No additional work is performed without your awareness and agreement.