Estate planning costs $300 to $7,000 per plan in 2026
Estate planning costs $300 to $7,000 per plan in 2026. Lawvex lists a basic will at $300 to $1,000 and a full plan with a trust, will, and powers of attorney at $3,000 to $7,000. Ethos lists a trust by an attorney at $1,500 to $5,000. LegalZoom says an attorney trust is $1,500 to $4,000. Online tools cost less. Complex estates cost more.
What price guides say
We checked 3 price guides and read every number on their pages on October 7, 2026. They do not all measure the same thing, so read each line for what it counts.
| Source | What it found |
|---|---|
| LegalZoom | LegalZoom lists a DIY living trust at $400 to $1,000, an attorney trust at $1,500 to $4,000, and lawyer time at about $370 per hour. |
| Lawvex | Lawvex lists a basic will at $300 to $1,000, a trust at $1,500 to $3,500 for one person, and a full plan at $3,000 to $7,000. |
| Ethos | Ethos lists an attorney will at $300 to $1,000, an attorney trust at $1,500 to $5,000, and online wills at $10 to $250. |
Estate planning cost by paper and provider
| Item | Cost | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Basic will, attorney | $300 to $1,000 | Lawvex (California) |
| Living trust, one person | $1,500 to $3,500 | Lawvex (California) |
| Living trust, couple | $2,500 to $5,000 | Lawvex (California) |
| Full plan with trust and powers of attorney | $3,000 to $7,000 | Lawvex (California) |
| Trust by an attorney | $1,500 to $5,000 | Ethos |
| Online will | $10 to $250 | Ethos |
| DIY living trust | $400 to $1,000 | LegalZoom |
| Living trust by an attorney | $1,500 to $4,000 | LegalZoom |
Every number in this table was read on one of the source pages listed at the bottom of this page.
What pushes the price up
| What | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Papers you need | Ethos lists a will at up to $1,000, a living trust at up to $5,000, and a power of attorney at up to $500. |
| Will or trust | Lawvex lists a trust at $1,500 to $3,500 for one person and $2,500 to $5,000 for a married couple. A basic will is $300 to $1,000. |
| Lawyer or online | Ethos lists online will services at $10 to $250 and online trust services at $400 to $1,000. A lawyer costs more but gives advice. |
| Hourly or flat fee | Ethos lists lawyer time at $250 to $450 or more per hour. LegalZoom says the average will and trust lawyer charges about $370 per hour. |
| Size and place | Big estates, business owners, and blended families need more work. Lawvex lists California prices, and costs in your state can differ. |
What the price includes
A flat fee plan often covers a meeting, the drafts, changes, and the signing. A full plan may include a will, a trust, powers of attorney, and health care papers. Lawvex lists that kind of plan at $3,000 to $7,000. Extra costs can include moving assets into the trust, probate filing, and later changes. Lawvex lists formal probate filing in California at about $435. It does not include tax or extras the provider adds on the day.
Who charges this and how it is billed
Estate planning lawyers, online services, and trust companies offer this work. Lawyers usually bill a flat fee for a set package, or an hourly rate. LegalZoom says the average will and trust lawyer charges about $370 per hour. Online services charge a set price for a set of forms. Ethos lists online trust services at $400 to $1,000. Ask what is in the price, such as meetings, changes, and filing. Ask if you pay all at once or in parts.
When you need this
You need an estate plan if you own a home, have kids, or want to choose who gets your things. A power of attorney lets someone act for you if you are sick. Update your plan after a marriage, a divorce, a birth, or a big move. Even a simple will is better than none.
How to judge your quote
- Is the fee flat, and which papers does it cover?
- Does the price include moving assets into the trust?
- What will updates cost later, such as after a move or a birth?
- Who does the work, a lawyer or a helper, and who do you call with questions?
- Compare the total with the range above: $300 to $7,000 per plan for most people in 2026.
Ways to pay less
- Start with a will if your life is simple. Lawvex lists a basic will at $300 to $1,000, much less than a trust.
- Try an online service for easy needs. Ethos lists online will services at $10 to $250 and online trust services at $400 to $1,000.
- Ask for a flat fee. Hourly rates run $250 to $450 or more at Ethos, so a flat price helps you plan what you will pay.
- Bundle the papers. Ask for a will, power of attorney, and health care papers in one plan, which may cost less than three separate jobs.
- Come prepared. List your assets, who gets what, and who will act for you. A ready client uses less lawyer time.
How we got these numbers
The range on this page comes from LegalZoom, Lawvex and Ethos. We opened each source page and read every number on it on October 7, 2026. Where the sources disagree, the table above shows each one so you can see the spread. These are planning ranges, not quotes. The written price you are given is the real price.
Common questions
How much does estate planning cost in 2026?
Sources range from $300 to $7,000. Lawvex lists $3,000 to $7,000 for a full plan, and Ethos lists $1,500 to $5,000 for a trust by an attorney.
How much does a will cost?
Lawvex lists $300 to $1,000 with an attorney. Ethos lists online wills at $10 to $250.
How much does a living trust cost?
LegalZoom lists $1,500 to $4,000 with an attorney and $400 to $1,000 for a DIY trust. It says complex estates can exceed $5,000.
How much does an estate lawyer charge per hour?
LegalZoom says about $370 per hour on average. Ethos lists $250 to $450 or more.
How much is a power of attorney?
Ethos lists a financial power of attorney at up to $500 and a health care one at up to $500.