ABA Family Legal Guide

Estate Planning

Estate-Planning Basics

Working with a Lawyer

If I use a lawyer, how much should I expect to pay?

Among other factors, it depends on the size and complexity of your estate, the average legal fees for estate planning in your area, and your lawyer's experience. You'll pay more if your estate exceeds $1.5 million and you are interested in minimizing federal estate taxes and state inheritance taxes.

A lawyer's help doesn't have to be exorbitant. Many lawyers will see you for an initial consultation at no charge. You'll be able to discuss fees based on the specifics of your financial situation and exactly how you wish to distribute your estate. Ask the lawyer to give you a price or range of prices for preparing a will or estate plan; it might be cheaper than you think. Often, lawyers have a written fee schedule for various kinds of wills. If yours doesn't, before you give the final go-ahead to draw up your will, ask the estimated cost (or at least a range of likely costs).