Florida estate planning pricing varies enormously — from a few hundred dollars for a DIY form to $8,000 or more for a comprehensive plan at a large firm. Understanding what drives those costs and what you actually need is the key to making a smart decision for your family.
Here is an honest breakdown of what Florida estate planning services cost in 2025 and what each approach includes.
Florida Estate Planning Costs at a Glance
DIY / Online Service
- Standardized forms
- Not FL-specific
- No attorney review
- Miss FL homestead rules
- Miss FL POA requirements
Online + Attorney Review
- FL-specific documents
- Attorney review included
- Trust, Will, POA, HC docs
- Execution support
- 3–5 day turnaround
Traditional Firm
- In-person appointments
- Attorney-drafted
- 3–8 week timeline
- Complete FL compliance
- Higher hourly billing
Large / Specialty Firm
- Complex trust structures
- Tax planning included
- Multi-attorney teams
- SLAT, GRAT, ILIT drafting
- Ongoing relationship
What Each Document Typically Costs in Florida
| Document | Typical Standalone Cost | Included in Package At |
|---|---|---|
| Last Will & Testament | $400–$900 | Every package |
| Revocable Living Trust | $1,500–$3,000 | Trust & comprehensive packages |
| Durable Power of Attorney | $250–$500 | Every comprehensive package |
| Healthcare Surrogate Designation | $200–$400 | Every comprehensive package |
| Living Will / Advance Directive | $150–$300 | Every comprehensive package |
| HIPAA Authorization | $100–$200 | Every comprehensive package |
| Lady Bird / Enhanced Life Estate Deed | $350–$750 | Add-on |
| Trust Amendment | $350–$900 | Separate engagement |
| Trust Restatement (major revision) | $1,200–$2,500 | Separate engagement |
Why the Cheapest Option Costs More in the End
A $299 LegalZoom will package seems attractive until you consider that a Florida will goes through probate — costing 3–5% of your gross estate in statutory fees. A $500,000 estate with a LegalZoom will could cost your family $15,000–$25,000 in probate fees. The $4,000 trust that avoided probate pays for itself many times over.
What Drives Estate Planning Costs
Complexity
A straightforward revocable trust for a single individual with simple assets and no tax concerns costs significantly less than a plan involving business interests, blended families, special needs beneficiaries, retirement account coordination, or estate tax planning. The more variables involved, the more attorney time required.
Individual vs. Couple
Married couples typically need two sets of estate planning documents — but most firms charge a package rate for couples that is less than twice the individual rate. A couple's comprehensive plan typically costs 25–40% more than the individual plan, not double.
Hourly vs. Flat Fee
Traditional Florida estate planning attorneys often bill hourly ($250–$500/hour) for estate planning work, which can make costs unpredictable. Flat-fee pricing — which Cornerstone uses — gives you cost certainty upfront. You know the exact cost before you start.
The True Cost of NOT Having an Estate Plan
Florida intestacy — dying without a will or trust — means the state determines who gets your assets under F.S. § 732.101 et seq.. Probate is required, costs 3–5% of the gross estate, and takes 6–18 months. If you have minor children, a court appoints a guardian. If you are incapacitated without a POA, a court-supervised guardianship may be required — which typically costs $3,000–$10,000 or more to establish and involves ongoing court oversight of your financial decisions.
The cost of not planning almost always exceeds the cost of planning.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Cornerstone's flat-fee plans include everything — trust, will, POA, healthcare directives — drafted for Florida law and reviewed by Arthur Simpson, Esq. before delivery. Start online in under 30 minutes.
See Pricing and Start Your Plan →This article is for general informational purposes only. Pricing information reflects general market rates as of 2025 and may vary by firm, complexity, and geographic area. Contact Cornerstone Wealth & Legacy Law for specific pricing for your situation. Arthur Simpson, Esq. is licensed to practice law in the State of Florida.