Legal Cost Guide
How Much Does Estate Planning Cost?
Estate planning fees range from $300 for a basic will to $5,000+ for a comprehensive plan with a revocable living trust and ancillary documents.
Estate planning is one of the few legal services where flat fees dominate. The right price depends on the documents you actually need.
A simple will from an attorney typically costs $300–$1,000. That covers a properly executed will, often paired with a basic durable power of attorney and health-care directive. For young families without significant assets, this tier is often the right starting point.
A revocable living trust package — trust document, pour-over will, powers of attorney, health-care directive, and deed transfers — generally runs $1,500–$3,500 for an individual and $2,000–$5,000 for a couple. Trusts cost more up front but typically save the estate substantial money and time at death by avoiding probate.
Complex estate plans involving business succession, irrevocable trusts, special-needs planning, or estate-tax minimization are usually billed hourly or as larger flat fees, often $5,000–$25,000+. On the back end, probate itself carries its own costs — court fees, executor compensation, and attorney fees that in many states scale with estate size and can reach 3%–7% of gross estate value.
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Frequently Asked
What Clients Ask
How much does a will cost?
A simple attorney-drafted will typically costs $300–$1,000. Pre-printed and software-based wills are cheaper but more likely to fail on technicalities.
Is a living trust worth the cost?
For most homeowners and anyone with assets over $150,000, yes. The probate avoidance and privacy benefits typically outweigh the higher upfront fee.
How much does probate cost?
Probate costs vary widely by state. Some states cap attorney fees by statute (often 2%–4% of estate value); others bill hourly. Total probate costs commonly run 3%–7% of gross estate value.
Can I do estate planning online?
Online tools work for the simplest cases. They struggle with blended families, business interests, real estate in multiple states, and tax-sensitive estates — situations where attorney involvement pays for itself.