2026 estate planning costs at a glance
| Document or package | Typical 2026 cost |
|---|---|
| Basic will | $300 to $600 |
| Financial power of attorney | $150 to $450 |
| Healthcare directive / advance directive | $150 to $600 |
| Bundled essentials (will + powers of attorney + healthcare directive) | $1,500 to $2,000 |
| Revocable living trust (simple) | $1,500 to $2,500 |
| Revocable living trust (complex) | $3,000 to $7,000 or more |
These are national ranges. Your actual cost depends on the firm you choose and how complex your situation is. Bundling almost always costs less than buying each document separately, and couples usually save by planning together.
What actually drives the price
Price tracks complexity, not paperwork. The main factors:
- Will versus trust. A will is the lower-cost foundation. A trust costs more because it does more: it avoids probate, adds privacy, and controls how assets are managed and distributed.
- What you own. Real estate, a business, equity, or assets in more than one state add work and cost.
- Your family situation. Blended families, young children, or heirs who need protection call for more tailored structure.
- Taxes. Most families will not owe federal estate tax in 2026, since the exemption is $15 million per person. Plans built around tax strategy cost more, but most people do not need that layer.
- Funding the trust. A trust only works if your assets are actually transferred into it. Make sure funding is included, or you may pay for a trust that controls nothing.
Flat fee versus hourly: why it matters
Here is a number worth knowing: in a 2026 study of estate planning pricing, only about a third of firms would give pricing upfront. That is the problem with hourly billing. You do not know the total until the bill arrives.
A flat fee fixes that. You know the price before you start, you can compare options fairly, and you are not penalized for asking questions. For standard estate planning, where the work is well understood, there is no good reason the price should be a mystery.
That is how we price. You get a clear quote for a defined scope, so you can decide with the full picture in front of you.
Is online estate planning cheaper?
Yes, online software is cheaper upfront, often under $200. The risk is what you do not see. Documents that are not signed, witnessed, or notarized correctly for your state can fail when they are needed. A plan that does not fit your situation can create the exact court process and cost you were trying to avoid. For simple needs it can work. For a founder, a business owner, an athlete, or anyone with real assets, the savings rarely justify the risk. See the estate planning mistakes that cost families thousands.
What is the right level for you?
- Just starting out, few assets: the bundled essentials (will plus powers of attorney plus healthcare directive) usually cover you.
- Homeowner, business owner, or parent: a revocable living trust is often worth the added cost for privacy, probate avoidance, and control.
- Business, significant assets, or multistate: expect a more tailored plan, and ask for a flat quote on the full scope.
Not sure which one fits? Get started and we will point you to the right starting place.
Key takeaways
- In 2026, expect roughly $300 to $600 for a basic will and $1,500 to $3,500 for a living trust.
- Bundled packages and couples planning together cost less than buying documents one at a time.
- Complexity, not your state, is the biggest driver of price.
- Most families will not owe federal estate tax in 2026, so tax-driven plans are the exception.
- A flat fee tells you the cost before you commit. Insist on knowing the price upfront.
Frequently asked questions
A basic will typically costs $300 to $600. Bundling it with powers of attorney and a healthcare directive usually brings the per-document cost down.