Process & Pricing

our process

Here's a little info on my process. First, I want this to be easy for you — no need to stress about gathering information ahead of time or researching every decision on your own. The internet's a great resource if you want to explore on your own, but I can save you a lot of time and energy. I know the questions that matter most and what really counts when it's time to actually administer these documents.

For most clients, we start with a short introductory Zoom or phone call, where I explain the documents I provide, the cost, and what to expect. Next, we have a more substantive Zoom or in-person meeting where I walk through the documents and decisions in detail — ideally getting all your input right then. Within 2–3 weeks, I send drafts for your review. If you have questions or changes, we can hop on another call or handle it by email. Once everything's settled, we meet to sign the final documents — I provide the witnesses and notary. That's it. Not rocket science.

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Step 1: Introductory Call

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Step 2: deatiled Discussion & Document Creation

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Step 3: Draft review & Follow Up

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Step 4: Document signed & finalized

How do I bill for my Work?

I know a lot of clients don't love (or don't quite understand) traditional attorney billing, which relies on an hourly rate. Many years ago I moved away from that model and now offer flat-rate pricing for almost all of my services. For estate planning, I offer several flat-rate tiers based on the complexity of your needs, and I also offer flat rates for estate and trust administration. I don't bill for copies, mailing, travel, or short phone calls, so you won't see unexpected upcharges. During our initial call or Zoom, I can usually tell you the expected price right then.

For the occasional matter that does require hourly billing, I'll give you a range of expected fees — or better yet, a "not to exceed" amount — upfront rather than an open-ended estimate. Having a concrete cost expectation helps clients feel comfortable engaging fully and asking questions, which leads to a better experience for both of us. As part of my service, I generally don't charge for follow-up calls or questions clients have months or even years later — this keeps communication open and helps clients avoid confusion or mistakes down the road.

Payment Options

I aim to please when it comes to billing, but I also expect prompt payment. For estate planning, I generally collect my fee at the signing conference. If a client isn't able to come back in relatively soon after I send drafts, they can expect an invoice by the start of the following month. I don't ask for deposits or advance payment, but I do consider my full fee earned once the documents are drafted — even if we still have edits to make. That said, I honor my flat fee even for clients who take a while to get back in for signing.


For estate administration work, I generally bill half my fee once the estate proceeding is opened with the court, and the balance once the 90-day inventory is filed.

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To pay by credit card

Call 919-451-5441 and I'll take your information over the phone (or in person at our signing conference).

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To pay by check

Bring it to our signing conference or mail it to:


J. Alan Campbell Law
PO Box 850
Hillsborough, NC 27278