2026 Estate Planning: Fees Explained

Flat fees, quoted up front once I understand what your plan needs. No hourly billing, no surprise invoices.

Fees and Billing

Most estate planning work I do is billed as a flat fee. You’ll know the cost before we start, once I understand your situation.

A complete trust-based plan — the trust, the pour-over will, the incapacity documents, and the deed that moves your California home into the trust — is a flat $4,100 for a married couple, $3,700 for one person. For comparison, probate on a $1,000,000 California estate runs about $46,000 in fees set by law. If your plan needs more than the standard package, you’ll have the adjusted number in writing before anything starts — never after.

What Drives the Fee?

The fee reflects the planning process, not just the documents. You’re 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’s designed to reduce future problems and ensure your plan actually works when it matters.

How the Flat Fee Works

Most families’ plans are the standard flat fee: $4,100 for a married couple, $3,700 for one person. If yours needs more — a business, out-of-state property, special-needs planning — I’ll confirm the adjusted flat number after our first conversation, before any work begins. No surprise invoices. No pressure to decide on the call.

The documents are only the output. You’re paying for the process that makes them work.

Probate

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

California law sets probate fees based on estate value, not hours worked. If probate is appropriate for your situation, I’ll explain what’s statutory and what may vary.

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. I’ll explain the billing arrangement before any work begins.

Fit

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

Your Next Step

Talk to Eric — a free 30-minute call, no pitch. You’ll 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.