When it comes to estate planning, many folks are deterred from doing so because of the anticipated cost of retaining an attorney to provide advice and draft documents.
However, basic estate planning may not cost as much as you think. To prepare estate plans, a lawyer may charge a flat fee between $300 and $1,200, with an average price closer to $1,000. Some estate planning attorneys bill clients by the hour — the hourly rate will depend primarily on the lawyer’s experience and training, where you live, and the size of the lawyer’s firm. Lawyers in big firms generally charge higher rates than sole practitioners or small firms, unless a small firm is made up of lawyers who specialize in sophisticated estate planning and tax matters. In the end, preparing an estate plan is well worth the money to ensure your wishes and values are honored when you pass.
To learn more about the estate plan preparation process and receive a referral list of estate planning attorneys who are friends of Seattle Humane, contact Scott Fraser, Esq., Major and Planned Giving Director, at scott@seattlehumane.org or 425.373.5387.