There are two ways to purchase estate planning documents; in a complete set or by each individual document. The more cost effective way is to have your planning done all at one time. However, there are situations where a single specific document is needed immediately or client has already had some documents drafted. The pricing below details both full estate plan pricing and prices for the individual documents.
The Complete Estate Planning Package Includes:
- Two Attorney consultations (initial consultation and signing consultation)
- Revocable Living Trust
- Trust Synopsis (a summary in plain English not legalese)
- Separate Schedule “A” – Initial Trust Assets
- Pour-over Will(s)
- Trust Certification
- Durable Power of Attorney for Financial Affairs
- Advance Health Care Directive with a place to write out burial or cremation wishes
- Assignment of Tangible Personal Property with a place to write out gifts of personal property
- Nomination of Guardian for Minors (if any)
- Community Property Declaration (where appropriate)
- Preparation and recording of a deed to transfer one property to your trust
- County preliminary change of ownership report for recorded deed
- Indexed and Organized Trust Portfolio/Binder
- All required witnessing and Notary fees
Complete Estate Plan(s) |
Price |
AARP, Qualified Employees, and Client Referral Pricing |
| Estate Planning Package (for a unmarried person) | $1895 | $1516 |
| Estate Planning Package (Married Couple) | $2295 | $1836 |
| Estate Planning Packages (2 individuals – 2 separate packages – some restrictions apply – call for more information) | $3790 | $2274 ($1137 each) |
The fees quoted above are for ordinary and customary estate planning documents and will apply to about 95% of our clients. However, occasionally a client’s particular situation requires more complex drafting or additional legal work. In those situations, the standard rates will apply for all but the additional work requested or required. The following are some examples of situations where additional attorney work might be necessary:
Additional Provisions and/or Other Attorney Work |
Fee |
AARP, Qualified Employees, and Client Referral Pricing |
| Bypass trust provisions. Commonly referred to as A-B provisions. Usually recommended for estates exceeding the individual estate tax exemption (currently $13 million). | $500 | $400 |
| Special needs trust provisions. Usually needed if an heir is handicapped or disabled and receiving government benefits. Protects the heir from losing his or her benefits and stops the government from taking the inheritance. | $250 | No Charge – Included if needed |
| Assignment of business interests. Necessary when a client owns a corporation, limited liability company, partnership, or other business entity. | $125 | $100 |
| Drafting and recording of specialty deeds. Occasionally clients need to remove a name on a property or to clear title before transferring into their trust. Recording fees are not included, usually around $30. Also, for any California properties which are not your primary residence, there is an additional $77 state mandated SB2 – Building Homes and Jobs Act fee per deed. |
$200 plus recording fees | $160 plus recording fees |
| Drafting and recording of deeds for additional properties (concurrent with trust signing). Many of our clients own more than one property. The full estate plan package includes one deed for the transfer of one property. The fee quoted here is for each additional deed and includes the drafting of the deed, the drafting and filing of the required Preliminary Change Ownership Report and the Notary fees. Recording fees are not included, usually around $30. Also, for any California properties which are not your primary residence, there is an additional $77 state mandated SB2 – Building Homes and Jobs Act fee per deed. |
$200 plus recording fees Out-of-state deeds are $250 plus recording fees |
$160 plus recording fees Out-of-state deeds are $200 plus recording fees |
| Drafting and recording of deeds for future properties acquired. The fee quoted here is for each future property transferred and includes the drafting of the deed and the drafting and filing of the required Preliminary Change Ownership Report. Recording fees are not included, usually around $30. Also, for any California properties which are not your primary residence, there is an additional $77 state mandated SB2 – Building Homes and Jobs Act fee per deed. |
$250 plus recording and Notary fees Out-of-state deeds are $300 plus recording fees |
$200 plus recording and Notary fees Out-of-state deeds are $240 plus recording fees |
| Hourly Rate. Our office strives to set flat rates on legal services so that clients will always know exactly what to expect regarding fees. In those unusual situations where a client requests work for which no flat rate has been established and cannot be estimated, our hourly rate will apply. | $500 | $400 |
Most clients choose to have complete estate plan packages done because the documents end up being less expensive and the notary and recording fees are included. However, occasionally situations will arise where a client simply wants an individual document. In those cases, the fees are as follows:
Individual Estate Planning Document(s) |
Price |
AARP, Qualified Employees, and Client Referral Pricing |
| Stand Alone Living Trust | $1295 | $1036 |
| Stand Alone Will (individual) | $500 | $400 |
| Stand Alone Wills (married couple) | $750 | $600 |
| Durable Power of Attorney | $125 + Notary | $100 + Notary |
| Advance Health Care Directive | $125 + Notary | $100 + Notary |
| Nomination of Guardian for Minor Children | $125 | N/C |
We are legal service providers for:
Trusts and Estate Planning
Why do Estate Planning?
Trusts and Other Estate Planning Documents
Tax Benefits
How to Get Started
Frequently Asked Questions