Probate Roundup 2014.10.6

Estate of Stephen XXXX.  Estate appraised at $204,659.04.  Statutory attorney fees to be $7,272.25 upon approval.  Statutory administrator fees (i.e., Stephen died intestate - - meaning without a will...so he has an "administrator" instead of an "executor") to be $7,272.25 upon approval. Total fees prayed for = <$14,000.00.  Looks like another probate that could have been avoided by proper trust planning.