How much does a will cost? Compare online will services, attorney flat fees, and full estate plans โ get a realistic lowโhigh cost range in seconds.
Basic services run $0โ$100 (free templates to low-cost tools); guided services with attorney review run $100โ$250. Adding POA and healthcare directive documents costs more but covers a fuller plan.
Flat-fee simple wills typically run $300โ$1,500 (commonly $300โ$1,000). Hourly: $150โ$500/hr ร 1โ2 hours (simple) or 4โ8 (complex). Add-ons stack on top.
A comprehensive attorney plan bundles a will, durable POA, healthcare directive, and revocable living trust for $2,000โ$5,000+. Couples typically pay 1.5โ2ร the single price.
Inputs: Basic online will service ($0โ$100) + POA/healthcare bundle (+$30โ$90).
Calculation: Low = $0 + $30 = $30. High = $100 + $90 = $190.
Inputs: Flat-fee simple will ($300โ$1,500), durable POA (+$150โ$500), healthcare directive (+$150โ$500).
Calculation: Low = $300+$150+$150 = $600. High = $1,500+$500+$500 = $2,500.
Inputs: $300/hr ร complex estate (4โ8 hours).
Calculation: Low = $300 ร 4 = $1,200. High = $300 ร 8 = $2,400.
Inputs: Comprehensive attorney plan ($2,000โ$5,000+) ร couple multiplier (1.5โ2ร).
Calculation: Low = $2,000 ร 1.5 = $3,000. High = $5,000 ร 2 = $10,000.
Note: Examples use 2026 average estimates. Actual pricing varies by state, firm, and estate complexity โ get itemized quotes from at least two providers.
Basic service $0โ$100 ยท Guided with attorney review $100โ$250. Bundle (POA + healthcare directive): +$30โ$90 on basic, +$50โ$150 on guided plans.
Base simple will $300โ$1,500 (commonly $300โ$1,000). Add-ons: durable POA +$150โ$500, healthcare directive +$150โ$500, guardianship +$0โ$300, revocable living trust +$1,500โ$5,000 (whole package).
Rate $150โ$500/hr ยท Simple will 1โ2 hours ยท Complex estate 4โ8 hours. Add-on documents stack on top.
Single comprehensive plan $2,000โ$5,000+ (will + POA + healthcare directive + trust). Couples typically pay 1.5โ2ร for two-person plans.
| Document / Service | Typical Range |
|---|---|
| Online basic will (DIY / guided) | $0 โ $100 |
| Online guided will with attorney review | $100 โ $250 |
| Attorney simple will (flat fee) | $300 โ $1,500 |
| Durable power of attorney (add-on) | +$150 โ $500 |
| Healthcare directive / living will (add-on) | +$150 โ $500 |
| Guardianship provisions for minor children | +$0 โ $300 (often included) |
| Revocable living trust (whole package) | +$1,500 โ $5,000 |
| Full estate plan (will + POA + healthcare + trust) | $2,000 โ $5,000+ |
Ranges reflect typical U.S. pricing in 2026. Metro-area firms and complex estates land at the high end; online options and flat-fee rural attorneys at the low end.
A will names who inherits your assets, who handles your estate (executor), and who cares for minor children. It takes effect only at death and must go through probate โ a public court process typically costing 3โ7% of the estate. A simple attorney will runs $300โ$1,500; online versions cost $0โ$250.
A revocable living trust holds assets during your lifetime and passes them to heirs without probate, and names a successor trustee for incapacity. Setup costs $1,500โ$5,000+ and assets must be retitled into the trust. Trusts suit sizable estates, out-of-state property, or privacy concerns; many people pair one with a pour-over will as a catch-all.
Dying without a will means dying intestate โ state law, not your wishes, decides who inherits. Most states follow a strict order: spouse first, then children, then parents and siblings. Unmarried partners, friends, and charities typically receive nothing, a court-appointed administrator runs the process, and courts decide guardianship for minor children.
Intestacy also means probate costs can exceed what a will would have cost โ administration fees, court filings, bonds, and attorney time are paid from the estate first, often totaling several thousand dollars. Writing a will for $0โ$1,500 is usually far cheaper than leaving your estate to the state's default formula.
Consider online services for simple estates. Free templates and guided tools ($0โ$250) work well for straightforward situations โ one home, no business, adult beneficiaries โ as long as you follow your state's execution rules: signed, witnessed, and sometimes notarized.
Shop flat-fee attorneys. Many estate lawyers quote a flat $300โ$1,500 for a simple will, and bundling a will, POA, and healthcare directive costs less than buying each separately. Employer legal benefits (like LegalShield, ~$25/month) often cover will drafting nearly free. Update every 3โ5 years or after major life changes โ updating costs far less than redrafting.
โ ๏ธ Legal Disclaimer: This tool provides general educational estimates only โ not legal advice. Estate planning laws vary by state, and the validity of wills and trusts depends on proper execution and your specific circumstances. Consult a licensed attorney in your state before finalizing any estate planning documents.
โ ๏ธ Financial Disclaimer: Cost ranges are 2026 estimates based on typical U.S. pricing and vary by state, firm, estate complexity, and chosen service. Online prices, attorney fees, and trust costs change over time. This calculator is educational only and not a quote or guarantee of any provider's pricing.
Whatever route you choose, get itemized quotes from at least two providers, confirm what's bundled, and make sure your documents meet your state's formal requirements.