Late discovery of no signed letter of agreement by PR while scrutinizing final bill from estate attorney

Although it is strongly recommended to have a signed letter of engagement to avoid future misunderstandings regarding fees, it is not required in Maryland.   The absence of a written engagement agreement does not mean that the attorney does not get paid.  In probate matters in Maryland, all attorneys' fees must be appoved by the Orphan's Court prior to the attorney getting paid.  Absent a valid signed Consent to Pay Fees, the attorney must file a Petition for Counsel Fees, along with an Invoice, requesting payment for work performed on behalf of the estate, which must be reasonable based on the circumstances and the issues involved in the estate.