2026 Estate Planning: Fees Explained

Most estate planning work I do is billed as a flat fee. You will know the cost before we start, once I understand your situation. For comparison, probate on a $1,000,000 California estate runs about $46,000 in fees set by law.

What is included in the flat fee

How Ridley Law compares

*Ranges based on 2025-2026 surveys of California estate planning attorneys. Actual fees vary by location, complexity, and attorney experience.

How the flat fee works

The documents are only the output. You are paying for the process that makes them work. The full walkthrough is on our five-meeting system page.

Other fees

Why DIY plans often cost more

Online templates look cheap until something goes wrong. A trust that does not properly account for California community property rules, misses a beneficiary designation conflict, or fails to fund assets into the trust is worse than no trust at all. Families who start with a DIY plan and end up in my office typically spend more fixing the problems than they would have spent on a complete plan from the start. The worst outcomes I see in probate court almost always trace back to a form someone filled out without legal advice.

What drives the fee

The fee reflects the planning process, not just the documents. You are paying for my time, judgment, and advice, not a binder full of paper.

Factors that affect cost: the number and type of assets you own, real estate ownership and titling, business interests, planning for children or blended families, special circumstances like special needs or Medi-Cal planning, and the coordination required to transfer assets into your plan properly.

My practice is built around depth, not volume. Expect multiple conversations, detailed review, and a planning process that extends beyond drafting documents. My approach takes time because it is designed to reduce future problems and ensure your plan actually works when it matters.

Probate and trust administration

I handle probate matters selectively, typically where there is an existing relationship or where court involvement is unavoidable.

California law sets probate fees based on estate value, not hours worked (Prob. Code 10810). On a $1,000,000 estate, the statutory fees for the attorney and executor together total about $46,000. On a $500,000 estate, about $26,000. These are set by law; no attorney can charge more, and few charge less.

If probate is appropriate for your situation, I will explain what is statutory and what may vary. For most families, a trust-based plan eliminates probate entirely, which is one reason the upfront cost of a trust looks different when you compare it to what probate would cost later.

When a trust creator dies, the successor trustee has legal obligations: notifying beneficiaries under Prob. Code 16061.7, managing assets, filing tax returns, and distributing property according to the trust terms. I guide successor trustees through this process, typically on a flat or capped-fee basis depending on complexity.

If you are a successor trustee and not sure where to start, the successor trustee guide walks through the timeline and obligations. You can also use the successor trustee timeline tool to map out your deadlines.

Other matters

Certain work outside standard estate planning, trust administration disputes, ongoing advisory relationships, or matters requiring extended legal involvement, may be handled on retainer or hourly. Hourly work is billed at $500 per hour. Business entity formation is the exception on the business side: it is a flat fee, set out on the entity formation page. I will explain the billing arrangement before any work begins.

Fit

If you are shopping for the lowest price or looking for a quick document package, we are not the right fit. My practice is designed for clients who want thorough planning and a process that holds up over time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the consultation really free?

Yes. The first call is 60 minutes, by phone or video. You will hear what your plan needs, what the flat fee would be, and what you can skip. No pitch, no pressure.

Do I need a trust, or is a will enough?

That depends on what you own and who you are planning for. In California, any estate over $208,850 in non-trust assets goes through probate. If you own a home, you are almost certainly above that threshold. A trust avoids probate entirely. I will tell you during the consultation whether a trust makes sense for your situation. You can also try the trust-or-will tool for a quick assessment.

What if my situation is more complex than the standard plan?

Business interests, out-of-state property, blended families, special-needs beneficiaries, or Medi-Cal planning all affect the scope and cost. Those plans are quoted: I will give you the adjusted flat fee in writing after our first conversation, before any work starts.

How long does the process take?

Most families sign about five weeks after the first meeting. The timeline depends on how quickly we receive information from you and any third parties (like title companies or financial institutions). I do not rush the process, but I do not let it stall either.

Do you offer payment plans?

Yes. If a payment arrangement would help, just ask during the consultation. I would rather do the plan right than have cost be the reason someone skips it.

What happens after the plan is signed?

You will receive a complete set of original documents, digital copies, and detailed funding instructions. The signing happens at your home, with a notary who comes to you, even nights and weekends. I follow up to confirm that assets are properly retitled into the trust. If your circumstances change later (new property, new marriage, new grandchild), you can call to discuss whether an amendment is needed. Amendments in the first year after signing are free.

Your Next Step

Talk to Eric, a free 60-minute call, no pitch. You will hear what your plan needs, what the flat fee would be, and what you can skip. Call 805-244-5291 or book a time online.

Related reading: Estate Planning in Los Angeles