Fees
Estate-planning fee schedule
Updated January 6, 2026
These flat fees took effect on January 1, 2026. Your exact fee is confirmed in writing in your engagement letter before we begin. Couple pricing covers two spouses who plan together, each receiving their own coordinated documents. We represent couples jointly only with both spouses' written consent, which the engagement letter explains.
Court costs, filing fees, and recording fees are not included in the prices below. They're billed at cost with no markup.
Simple will
| Package | Individual | Couple |
|---|---|---|
| Simple will | $750 | $1,200 |
A simple will includes:
- A will naming your executor and alternates and directing who receives your property
- Nomination of a guardian for minor children
- A basic trust to hold a young beneficiary's inheritance until an age you choose
- A self-proving affidavit, so the witnesses don't need to testify when the will is probated
- One round of revisions and an in-office signing meeting with witnesses and a notary
A simple will doesn't include powers of attorney or medical directives. Those are part of the Essentials package.
Essentials package: will, powers of attorney, and directives
| Package | Individual | Couple |
|---|---|---|
| Essentials | $1,450 | $2,400 |
The Essentials package includes everything in the simple will, plus:
- Statutory durable power of attorney for financial matters
- Medical power of attorney
- Directive to physicians and family or surrogates, often called a living will
- HIPAA authorization
- Appointment of agent to control disposition of remains
- Declaration of guardian in the event of later incapacity or need of guardian
Learn what these documents do in Powers of attorney and medical directives.
Revocable living trust package
| Package | Individual | Couple |
|---|---|---|
| Revocable living trust package | $3,500 | $4,500 |
The trust package includes:
- A revocable living trust
- A pour-over will
- All Essentials documents
- A certification of trust to show banks and title companies
- One deed transferring your Texas home into the trust
- A 30-minute funding meeting and written instructions for moving accounts and other assets into the trust
Additional deeds, such as for a second Texas property, are $350 each. For how trusts and wills compare, see Wills vs trusts in Texas.
Updates and single documents
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Codicil (will amendment) or trust amendment | from $450 |
| Plan review for existing clients | $250, credited toward any update |
| Transfer on death deed, standalone | $450 |
| Additional deed to trust | $350 each |
Probate and estate administration
Probate fees depend on the estate: whether there is a will, what kinds of assets are involved, and how many heirs or beneficiaries there are. After reviewing the estate, we quote a flat fee, typically within these ranges:
| Proceeding | Typical flat fee |
|---|---|
| Small estate affidavit | $1,500–$2,500 |
| Muniment of title | $2,500–$3,500 |
| Independent administration with a will, uncontested | $4,500–$7,500 |
| Determination of heirship and administration without a will | $6,000–$10,000 |
When someone dies without a will and the court must determine the heirs, the court appoints an attorney ad litem to represent unknown or absent heirs. The ad litem's fee is set by the court, is separate from our fee, and is usually paid from the estate.
If an estate can't be priced in advance, we bill hourly with a $3,500 retainer. We don't handle contested probate, such as will contests; if a dispute arises, we'll help you find litigation counsel. Learn more in What probate is and when it's needed.
What's not included
- Court filing fees and court costs
- Newspaper publication of the notice to creditors
- Certified copies of letters testamentary or letters of administration
- County recording fees for deeds
- Appraisals and valuations
Paying your fee
Flat fees are paid 50% when you sign the engagement letter and 50% before your documents are signed or filed. Fees of $2,000 or more, including the couple Essentials package, both trust packages, and most probate matters, can be split into three monthly payments with no interest. The $150 consultation fee is credited toward your fee if you hire us within 60 days. See How we bill for details.
This is general information, not legal advice.