Transparent Pricing
Fees and Services
I believe you should know what to expect before you hire an attorney. Below you will find flat fee pricing for most of the services I offer. Final fees are always discussed and agreed upon before any work begins.
Estate Planning
Flat fee pricing for all estate planning services. Every package includes a thorough consultation to understand your family's needs, goals, and circumstances before any documents are drafted.
Learn more about our Estate Planning services →Essential Will Package
A complete estate plan for individuals and families who want full protection without the complexity of a trust. The package includes the four core estate planning documents along with the consultations and tax analysis needed to put them in place correctly.
What's Included
- Estate planning consultation and analysis
- NJ inheritance tax consultation
- Last Will and Testament with general and specific bequests
- Trusts for minor children or grandchildren (within Will)
- Appointment of Executor and alternates
- Guardianship designations for minor children
- Waiver of requirement for bond
- Burial and final arrangement instructions
- General Durable Power of Attorney
- Advance Healthcare Directive (includes living will)
- HIPAA Authorization for medical information
Comprehensive Trust Based Estate Plan
For clients who want to avoid probate, maintain privacy, or have more complex planning needs such as blended families, multiple properties, out of state real estate, or taxable estates.
What's Included
- Everything in the Essential Will Package, plus:
- Revocable Living Trust
- Pour-over Will
- Trust funding guidance and instructions
- Certificate of Trust
- Assignment of Personal Property to Trust
Individual Services and À la Carte Pricing
Individual documents are available for clients who do not need a full package, or who need to update a single document within an existing plan.
| Last Will and Testament (Individual) | $1,300 |
| Last Will and Testament (Married Couple) | $2,000 |
| General Durable Power of Attorney | $425 |
| Advance Healthcare Directive | $425 |
| HIPAA Authorization | $225 |
| Revocable Living Trust (trust document only) | $3,250 |
| Irrevocable Trust (trust document only) | $3,500 |
| Special Needs Trust | $3,750 |
| Estate Tax Consultation and Analysis | $550 |
| Deed Transfer into Trust (per property) | $650 |
| Home or Hospital Visit (within 20 miles) | $450 |
Ready to start your estate plan? I offer a free initial conversation to understand your goals and recommend the right package for your situation.
Schedule a ConsultationResidential Real Estate
Flat fee representation for residential purchases and sales throughout New Jersey. You will work directly with me from contract through closing.
Learn more about our Real Estate services →Full Representation (Purchase or Sale)
Complete legal representation for a standard residential real estate transaction, from contract to closing.
What's Included
- Review and negotiation of the contract of sale
- Attorney review letter and contract modifications
- Advice on all contingencies (financing, inspection, appraisal)
- Review of home inspection report and repair request letter
- Home inspection addendum preparation
- Review of title search and resolution of title issues
- Review of mortgage commitment and loan documents (buyers)
- Preparation of deed and closing documents (sellers)
- Review of survey
- Review of closing disclosure / settlement statement
- Attendance and representation at closing
- Post-closing follow up
Individual Services and À la Carte Pricing
Additional services for transactions requiring more than standard representation.
| Contract Review and Attorney Review Letter Only | $850 |
| Contract Drafting (For Sale By Owner) | $1,350 |
| Addendum to Contract of Sale | $750 |
| Closing Attendance Only (no prior representation) | $850 |
| Home Inspection Consultation and Repair Letter | $600 |
| Residential Lease Review and Consultation | $850 |
| Residential Lease Drafting | $1,500 |
Buying or selling a home in New Jersey? Contact me early in the process; ideally before signing a contract, so I can protect your interests from the start.
Schedule a ConsultationProbate and Estate Administration
Guidance through the New Jersey probate process. Simple probate in New Jersey is typically straightforward; I help families navigate it efficiently while ensuring all legal requirements are met.
Learn more about our Probate services →Simple Probate Administration
For estates that are uncontested, have a valid Will, and do not involve complex assets, litigation, or tax issues.
What's Included
- Consultation with executor or administrator
- Preparation and filing of probate application
- Appointment of executor or administrator
- Guidance on marshaling assets and notifying beneficiaries
- Guidance on creditor claims and estate debts
- Preparation of estate accounting
- Assistance with asset distribution
- NJ inheritance tax guidance (if applicable)
Individual Services and À la Carte Pricing
Complex estates, contested matters, and estate litigation are billed hourly or quoted after an initial consultation.
| Probate Application and Appointment of Executor Only | $1,750 |
| NJ Inheritance Tax Return Preparation | Quoted after consultation |
| Contested Probate or Estate Litigation | $425/hour |
| Estate Accounting Preparation | Quoted after consultation |
| Renunciation of Executor | $600 |
Navigating probate after the loss of a loved one is difficult. I handle the legal process so you can focus on your family.
Schedule a ConsultationElder Law
As both an attorney and a Registered Nurse with emergency department experience, I bring a unique perspective to elder law matters. I understand the medical realities of aging, not just the legal ones.
Learn more about our Elder Law services →Medicaid Planning
Asset protection and eligibility planning for clients who may need long-term care, whether that planning is done proactively or in response to a current need.
What's Included
- Comprehensive review of assets, income, and family circumstances
- Medicaid eligibility analysis under current NJ guidelines
- Asset protection strategy development
- Preparation or update of estate planning documents as needed
- Guidance on exempt and non-exempt asset transfers
- Coordination with financial advisors as needed
- Medicaid application preparation and submission
Uncontested Guardianship
For families seeking court appointment of a guardian for an incapacitated loved one, where all parties are in agreement.
What's Included
- Initial consultation and case evaluation
- Preparation and filing of verified complaint
- Coordination with court-appointed attorney
- Preparation of all supporting documentation
- Court appearance
- Preparation of Judgment of Guardianship
- Guidance on guardian duties and annual reporting
Individual Services and À la Carte Pricing
Elder law matters vary significantly in complexity. Hourly rate for non-flat-fee services is $425/hour.
| Elder Law Consultation (up to one hour) | $425 |
| Contested Guardianship | $425/hour + filing fees |
| Crisis Medicaid Planning | Quoted after consultation |
| Nursing Home / Long-term Care Consultation | $425 |
| Review of Long-term Care Insurance Policy | $650 |
Elder law planning is most effective when done early. Whether you are planning ahead or facing an immediate need, I can help.
Schedule a ConsultationDeed Preparation and Recording
Deed preparation services for property transfers, estate administration, divorce, and trust funding. All fees are exclusive of county recording fees.
Learn more about our Real Estate services →| Quitclaim Deed (intra-family transfer) | $750 |
| Quitclaim Deed (into LLC or trust) | $900 |
| Quitclaim Deed (divorce or probate transfer) | $850 |
| Bargain and Sale Deed | $750 |
| Deed and Title Research | $450 to $600 |
Prices do not include county clerk recording fees, which depend on the number of pages in the recorded document.
Important Information About Fees
All prices listed are starting fees for standard matters. Complex situations, unusual circumstances, or matters requiring additional time and expertise may result in a higher fee, which will be discussed with you in advance.
A signed retainer agreement is required before any work begins. No attorney-client relationship is formed until a retainer agreement has been executed by both parties.
Fees do not include third-party costs such as court filing fees, county recording fees, title search charges, or other out-of-pocket expenses, which will be itemized separately.
Payment is accepted by check or credit card. A 3.5% processing fee applies to credit card payments. The firm does not accept cash.
Fee schedule is subject to change. Fees in effect at the time a retainer agreement is signed will govern for that matter.
The Himmel Law Firm serves clients throughout Elizabeth, Union County, and New Jersey. Our fee schedule reflects the firm's commitment to providing experienced, personalized legal counsel at rates that are fair and predictable. If you have questions about pricing for a matter not listed above, contact us at (908) 671-1434 for a consultation and custom quote.
Hourly Rate
For matters not covered by a flat fee, including contested litigation, complex guardianships, and advisory services.
Ready to Get Started?
Every legal matter begins with a conversation. Contact me today to schedule a consultation and receive a clear fee quote tailored to your situation.