--- title: "How Much Does Estate Planning Cost in 2026?" description: "Clear 2026 pricing for wills, trusts, and powers of attorney, what drives the cost, and why a flat fee beats an hourly surprise." lang: en json-ld: | [ { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "LegalService", "@id": "https://jacobslegacycounsel.com/#legalservice", "name": "Jacobs Legacy Counsel", "alternateName": [ "Legacy Counsel by Jacobs Counsel", "Jacobs Legacy" ], "url": "https://jacobslegacycounsel.com", "description": "Fixed-fee estate planning for high-net-worth families, founders, executives, and professional athletes. 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Bundling it with powers of attorney and a healthcare directive usually brings the per-document cost down." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "How much does a living trust cost?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "A simple revocable living trust generally runs $1,500 to $2,500, and a complex trust can reach $3,000 to $7,000 or more, depending on your assets and goals." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Why is estate planning so much cheaper online?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Online tools cut cost by removing tailored legal work and review. That can be fine for very simple needs, but documents that are not valid in your state, or that do not fit your situation, can cost far more later." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Do I pay a flat fee or by the hour?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "It depends on the firm. We use flat fees for standard estate planning so you know the price before you start. Many firms bill hourly and will not quote upfront." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Will I owe estate tax?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Most people will not. For 2026, the federal estate tax exemption is $15 million per person, or $30 million for a married couple. State rules can differ, so confirm for where you live." } } ] } ], { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://jacobslegacycounsel.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "HOW Much Does Estate Planning Cost", "item": "https://jacobslegacycounsel.com/how-much-does-estate-planning-cost" } ] } ] --- A Practice of [Jacobs Counsel LLC](https://jacobscounsellaw.com) Serving NY · NJ · OH — Vol. 2026 [Legacy Counsel ](/) Firm Resources Estate Planning Trusts [Probate & Admin](/probate-trust-administration)[Pricing](/pricing)[Book Call](https://cal.com/drewjacobs/estate-planning)[Start Intake](/get-started) Menu 1. [Home](/) 2. HOW Much Does Estate Planning Cost 1. [Home](/) 2. [Blog](/blog) 3. How Much Does Estate Planning Cost in 2026? Estate Planning · Pricing # How Much Does Estate Planning Cost in 2026? Quick answer In 2026, a basic will typically runs $300 to $600, a living trust runs about $1,500 to $3,500, and a bundled package of a will, powers of attorney, and a healthcare directive usually costs $1,500 to $2,000. Complex plans with a business, real estate, or tax planning can run higher. The biggest variable is not your state, it is the firm and the complexity of your situation. A flat fee tells you the price before you commit. Hourly billing does not. Drew Jacobs, Esq. Legacy Counsel by Jacobs Counsel LLC Published June 28, 2026 Last updated June 28, 2026 8 min read ## 2026 estate planning costs at a glance Typical 2026 estate planning costs by document and package 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. ### Want a real number for your situation? Tell us what you have and what you need. We'll send a clear flat-fee quote. [Start your estate plan](/get-started)[Email us →](mailto:drew@jacobscounsellaw.com) ## 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](/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](/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. ### Know the price before you commit. Tell us your situation and we will give you a clear, flat-fee quote. [Start your estate plan](/get-started)[Email us →](mailto:drew@jacobscounsellaw.com) ## Frequently asked questions ### How much does a will cost in 2026? 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. ### How much does a living trust cost? ### Why is estate planning so much cheaper online? ### Do I pay a flat fee or by the hour? ### Will I owe estate tax? On this page 1. [2026 estate planning costs at a glance](#at-a-glance) 2. [What actually drives the price](#what-drives-price) 3. [Flat fee versus hourly: why it matters](#flat-vs-hourly) 4. [Is online estate planning cheaper?](#online) 5. [What is the right level for you?](#right-level) 6. [Key takeaways](#key-takeaways) 7. [Frequently asked questions](#faq) This article is educational and not legal advice. Estate planning, right of publicity, and tax rules vary by state and change over time. Confirm how the law applies to your situation with a qualified attorney before acting. Estate Planning & Legacy Counsel Legacy Counsel by Jacobs Counsel. Fixed-fee estate planning, trusts, wills, and generational wealth strategy for high-net-worth families. 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All rights reserved. Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. **Jurisdiction.** Drew Jacobs is licensed to practice law in New York, New Jersey, and Ohio . Estate planning is highly state-specific — laws governing wills, trusts, probate, estate and inheritance tax, and asset protection vary materially by jurisdiction. We represent clients whose residence, primary assets, or business interests are situated in NY, NJ, or OH. For matters involving other states, we coordinate with qualified local counsel. Nothing on this site constitutes legal advice or an offer to represent you in a jurisdiction in which we are not licensed.