the Price of Estate Planning Services

I had my estate planned by an attorney in town. There was a fee of $2,000, which included drafting of all the basic estate legal documents, filing same with the court, notary fees, and consultations with the attorney.

The service I got was good. It took awhile to get an appointment with the attorney, but that can be expected. Once we got in, the procedures were fairly simple. I had to list all of my belongings, bring in bank statements, etc., and figure out where I wanted my various belongings to be distributed once I pass. The attorney had much valuable advice since that's what she specialized in. While this was the first time I had ever planned an estate, she had done so numerous times. Her hourly rate was approximately $175, and then there were fees for the notary service, filing with the court, copies, etc. All in all, I think the expense of the estate planning was well worth the peace of mind that it brought.

I would check in the phone book to see what attorneys in your area specialize in estate planning. Then, call well ahead of when you plan to meet with the attorney, as they are very busy people and it can take awhile to get in. Then, have your legal documents and account statements all together so it goes smoothly.