Can I pay attny over time?

[pinkygreen]

My mother passed away and I hired an attorney (recommended by the atty who did Mom's will but practices in a different county) to handle her small estate
(didn't go to probate). The attorney and I never had a written agreement and to
put it in a nutshell, I think he padded his hours (a lot). I have no recourse, but...
his statement doesn't have a "Pay By Date" or "Due Date" or "Minimum Amount
Due" ...I would like to know what I'm obligated to pay him. Can I legally pay him
say, $100 a month for several years? (We've been tangling about the hours and
the "extras" that he claims...it would make me feel better to pay him a small
amount over time.(His bill is over $4,000...shocking since I thought it would be
around $2,000.) Please advise. Thank you in advance.

 

[ALawyer]

That's being passive aggressive. Don't play games. If you think the fee is too high, get a second opinion, negotiate it down, or ask the bar association. But you owe him the fee money now, and he'd be entitled to interest.