While hourly rates are available, when creating an estate plan we work primarily on a project fee basis.  At the end of our initial consultation, after having learned the complexity of the situation and the scope of your estate planning needs, we will quote a flat fee. The fee will depend on the following factors:

• the complexity of your situation (international aspects, family relationships, nature and number of assets);
• the number and complexity of the documents that will need to be created;
• the amount of time required to prepare the documents;
• the level of expertise required;
• the level of risk we assume by representing you.

We advise on:

• US federal laws (for example federal tax laws, or immigration and citizenship), including their application to international clients or foreign assets.
• The laws of the jurisdictions where we are licensed to practice law, currently Virginia, Maryland, the District of Columbia and Germany;
• The laws of the European Union;
• International conventions;
• Bilateral treaties entered into by the United States and Germany.

For questions related to the laws of other jurisdictions where we are not licensed we work with competent local attorneys.

Initial consultations are offered for one hour at $300.

Please prepare our Estate Planning Worksheet prior to our initial consultation upload it to your secure client portal. This will allow us to maximize the efficiency of our meeting. We will ask targeted questions and offer you various solutions for your concerns. This will enable you to decide how to proceed.

At the first meeting, we will give you specific legal advice on the optimal structuring of your estate, and will discuss the nature of the documents that need to be prepared and describe what we propose to do.

All estate planning packages include the following:

• Advice regarding the titling of assets and beneficiary designations;
• A durable financial power of attorney for each spouse;
• A medical power of attorney with living will provisions.

 

Depending on the complexity of your situation one of our three Estate Planning Packages will be the  best fit for you:

Basic International Estate Plan

$2000 for a single person, $3000 for a married couple

Best choice for whom?	What is covered?	What is included?
Persons with no minor children.	Thorough analysis of your situation, with a special emphasis on international aspects. Analysis of goals and wishes, and the best ways of reaching them. Tax optimization Up to three meetings (not including the initial consultation or the signing) Two rounds of revisions Unlimited questions for two months after the signing.	Your Estate Planning Guide — a handbook authored by us that provides information on the various options available to you Will(s) (no testamentary trust) Financial Power of Attorney Healthcare Power of Attorney Review and advice regarding titling of assets Review and advice regarding beneficiary designations on financial accounts Advice regarding immigration status Your Estate Plan Explained — a book authored by us with explanations of all provisions in your estate plan

 

Average International Estate Plan

$5000 for a single person, $ 10,000 for a married couple

Best choice for whom?	What is covered?	What is included?
Persons with minor children Blended families Overseas assets	Thorough analysis of your situation, with special emphasis on international aspects. Analysis of your goals and wishes, and the best ways of reaching them. Tax optimization Up to four meetings (not including the initial consultation or the signing) Up to four rounds of revisions Unlimited follow-up questions for four months after signing.	Your Estate Planning Guide — a handbook authored by us that provides information on the various options available to you Will(s) Draft new revocable trust(s) or testamentary trust(s) Financial Power of Attorney Healthcare Power of Attorney Review and advice regarding titling of assets Retitling of assets as needed Review and advice regarding beneficiary designations on financial accounts Advice regarding immigration status Your Estate Plan Explained — a booklet authored by us with explanations of all provisions in your estate plan

 

Complex International Estate Plan

$8000-$10,000 for a single person, $13,000-$15,000 for a married couple

Best choice for whom?	What is covered?	What is included?
Persons with ownership interests in businesses Persons with existing revocable trusts Persons with minor children Blended families Overseas assets	Thorough analysis of your situation, with special emphasis on international aspects. Analysis of your goals and wishes, and the best ways of reaching them. Tax optimization Up to six meetings (not including the initial consultation or the signing) Up to six rounds of revisions Unlimited follow-up questions for six months after signing.	Will(s) Revised revocable trust(s) Financial Power of Attorney Healthcare Power of Attorney Review and advice regarding titling of assets Retitling of assets as needed Review and advice regarding beneficiary designations on financial accounts Advice regarding immigration status Your Estate Plan Explained — a booklet authored by us with explanations of all provisions in your estate plan

Should the scope of the work greatly change during the course of the representation, we will discuss and prepare a fee agreement to cover the additional work.

Custom estate plan quotes are available.

Note: The pricing for all documents covers the drafting and signing of the initial documents. Additional charges apply for any changes (codicils) or amendments made after the document has been signed.

Hourly Consultations

Regular consultations are available at our usual hourly rate.