(a) Except for attorneys representing creditors, the judge may allow fees for attorneys representing interested parties.

(1) At the discretion of the judge, these fees may be charged against the interests of the party represented or as a cost of administration.

(2) Petitions for allowance of fees must be filed before the close of the last hearing.

(b) Nothing in this section prevents an attorney from petitioning for additional fees to be considered at the disposition of a petition for rehearing and again after an appeal on the merits. An order allowing attorney fees is subject to a petition for rehearing and to an appeal.