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Fourth, decedent's estate was large, and HBW undertook
significant responsibility in representing it. The amount
involved (i.e., the size of the estate) is a significant factor
in determining whether the fees are reasonable. See In re Estate
of Freeman, supra at 484. Decedent's estate is valued at
$17,181,224.41. Because the estate is large, HBW took on a great
deal of responsibility in representing it. A mistake could have
resulted in a considerable loss to the estate and, ultimately, to
the decedent's beneficiaries.
While the previous factors favor petitioner, there are other
factors we must consider. First, HBW performed 555.7 hours of
service on behalf of petitioner for fees of $368,100. Respondent
contends that such large fees are per se unreasonable, because
they are excessive when compared to the number of hours worked.
Time spent, however, is not the most important factor in
determining whether the fees are reasonable. In re Brehm's
Estate, 322 N.Y.S.2d 287, 290 (App. Div. 1971); In re Snell's
Estate, 235 N.Y.S.2d 855, 860 (App. Div. 1962); In re Potts'
Estate, supra at 657; Estate of Gillett, 527 N.Y.S.2d 690, 691
(Sur. Ct. 1988); In re Kentana's Estate, supra. Therefore, while
this factor favors respondent, we decline to adopt respondent's
proposed time-clock approach.
Second, the representation of petitioner did not involve any
particularly difficult issues. Mr. Lyddon testified that the
administration of the estate was not difficult, because Fleet
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