What Is The Cost Of A Simple Estate Planning Package

People frequently delay drawing up a Will or other pieces of an estate plan because of concern for the cost. However, the cost of preparing a simple estate plan package is very reasonable. Compared to the expense of handling your estate without a Will or other estate planning documents, it is a bargain.

The prices stated below are ballpark estimates for Texas only, subject to change over time, and based on the details and complexities of each individual situation.

Parts Of A Complete Simple Estate Planning Package

When we visit with clients about estate planning, we generally talk about a number of parts to the package, not just a Will or trust.

Most people focus on drawing up a Will as estate planning. There are several other key documents, however, to cover how to handle major life events that would affect your estate. A key example is the possibility of becoming incompetent as a result of dementia or Alzheimer's disease.

These are the key documents we generally include in a simple estate planning package:

• A Will (with or without testamentary trust provisions included)
• A Statutory Durable Power of Attorney (for business matters)
• A Combination Directive to Physicians (Living Will), Medical Power of Attorney, and HIPAA Release
• A Declaration of Guardian
• Possibly a Lady Bird Deed (Transfer on Death Deed) (for real estate or minerals)

Some situations will call for more complicated estate planning, such as Special Needs Trust provisions in a Will, a living trust, or other arrangements. However, for most people, a simple estate planning package is all they need.

Average Cost Of A Simple Estate Planning Package

Watch the video below to learn more about how much you may have to invest in a simple estate planning package or keep reading to find out the individual cost of each part of the package.

A simple Will—where a husband and wife leave their estate to each other on death and to adult children on the death of the survivor—usually would range between $500 and $750 per person.

If there are minor children whose interests you would want to be held in trust until you believe they are mature enough to manage their inheritance (they would receive the inheritance at age 18 otherwise), the cost will likely be $750 to $1,000 per person. Any other special trust provisions you include also will increase the cost, depending on their complexity. 

A Special Needs Trust to provide for a beneficiary who may be receiving social security disability, Medicaid, or other government benefits, which you want to protect, will add considerably more expense to the package. However, an outright bequest to such a person might disqualify them from receiving benefits that far exceed the cost of the Special Needs Trust.

The Statutory Durable Power of Attorney, the Combination Directive to Physicians (Living Will), the Medical Power of Attorney, the HIPAA Release, and the Declaration of Guardian are lumped together in one fee structure. It is important to include these documents in your estate plan so that you are in charge of designating who will manage your financial affairs if you become incompetent, and who will make medical decisions for you if you are unable to do so yourself. The cost of this package is, on average, $500 to $750 total per person.

A Lady Bird Deed or Transfer on Death Deed can be used to provide the beneficiaries of real estate or mineral interests in Texas that will pass automatically to the beneficiaries you name upon your death. Either one of these deeds can be a very effective estate planning tool for many reasons, as discussed in this blog. 

If we prepare a Lady Bird Deed or Transfer on Death Deed for real estate you own, the fee for this generally ranges from $350 to $500 total, depending on the complexities of beneficiaries and the number of properties involved. In addition, there will be filing fees to record this deed wherever the real estate is located.

How Much Will Your Estate Planning Cost?

As mentioned above, the cost of a simple estate plan will vary based on your state, personal assets, and circumstances. While these numbers may be overwhelming, the cost of estate planning is well worth it, as it will save your family additional costs and frustrations in the future.

If you are in the Texas area and would like to discuss the best procedure for your estate planning, contact Adair M. Buckner using the button below to request a free initial consultation*.

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* The free consultation does not cover the actual review of documents or giving legal advice on a specific situation.

** This material has been prepared for informational purposes only, and is not intended to provide, and should not be relied on for, specific tax, legal, or accounting advice. We can only give specific advice upon consulting directly with you and reviewing your exact situation.