By Attorney Season A. Chisholm, Spanski Law, PLLC · Last reviewed September 22, 2026
The short answer
Estate planning costs in Florida depend on which documents your situation calls for, not on a one-size-fits-all package. A will-based plan costs less than a trust-based plan because there is less to draft and no trust to fund. At Spanski Law, estate planning is handled for a flat fee that is quoted in writing before any work begins, after a complimentary 15-minute call or in-person consultation. Probate fees are estimated in writing before anything is filed with the court.
Key facts
- How Spanski Law charges
- A flat fee for estate planning, quoted in writing before any work begins
- Probate fees
- Estimated in writing before anything is filed with the court
- First step
- A complimentary 15-minute call or in-person consultation, at no charge
- What a will-based plan includes
- A will, powers of attorney, health care documents, and often a Lady Bird deed
- What a trust-based plan adds
- A revocable trust, a pour-over will, and the funding work that retitles assets
What determines the cost of an estate plan?
The cost of an estate plan is driven by which documents your situation calls for and how much coordination those documents require, not by the size of your estate alone.
- A will or a revocable living trust, and the documents that accompany each.
- Powers of attorney and health care documents, which most adults need regardless of the rest of the plan.
- Deeds, such as a Lady Bird deed or a deed transferring the home to a trust, which are prepared and recorded separately.
- Property in more than one state, a blended family, or a beneficiary who needs an inheritance managed over time, each of which adds drafting work.
Because the right documents depend on your family and your assets, a meaningful quote comes after the firm understands your situation, not from a price list.
How much does a will cost in Florida?
A will is usually the least expensive estate planning document because it is a single document. Most Florida will-based plans also include powers of attorney and health care documents, and often a Lady Bird deed for the home.
Online will forms cost less than an attorney-drafted plan, but they often miss Florida's signing formalities, the homestead rules, and the powers that must be separately initialed in a Florida power of attorney. Those mistakes usually come to light only when the documents are needed, and correcting them after a death or an incapacity costs far more than the original drafting.
How much does a living trust cost in Florida?
A revocable living trust costs more than a will because the work includes the trust itself, a pour-over will, and the funding, meaning the deeds and account changes that move your property into the trust.
A trust that is never funded does not avoid probate, so the funding work is part of the cost of a trust-based plan, not an optional extra. For many Florida families whose main asset is the home, a will paired with a Lady Bird deed accomplishes the same goal for less. Season explains which approach fits your circumstances during the first conversation, and Spanski Law quotes the flat fee in writing before any work begins.
How much does a Lady Bird deed cost in Florida?
A Lady Bird deed is a single recorded document, so it is one of the more modest estate planning costs. It is often prepared alongside a will and powers of attorney.
The deed must be drafted around Florida's homestead rules and recorded in the official records of the county where the property is located. A title issue found before signing is far easier to correct than one found after a death, which is why the deed is prepared only after the current title is reviewed.
How much does probate cost in Florida?
Probate costs depend on the size and complexity of the estate and on whether the estate qualifies for summary administration. Spanski Law provides a written fee estimate before anything is filed with the court.
Summary administration, the simplified process generally available for estates of $150,000 or less (raised from $75,000 on July 1, 2026) or when the person died more than two years ago, usually takes one to three months and costs less than formal administration. Formal administration usually takes six to twelve months and includes a three-month period for creditors to file claims. Court filing fees are set by the county and are separate from attorney fees. Spanski Law handles uncontested probate in any Florida county and provides a written fee estimate during the first conversation.
How does Spanski Law quote its fees?
Estate planning is handled for a flat fee, quoted in writing before any work begins, so you know the full cost before you decide anything.
A 15-minute call or in-person consultation
Season or her staff learn about your family, your home, and your goals, at no charge.
A recommended plan and a written flat fee
Season recommends the documents that suit your situation, and Spanski Law quotes the flat fee in writing before any work begins.
No surprises later
The quoted fee covers the agreed work. If your situation changes mid-plan, any change in cost is discussed with you before the work continues.
What does the first conversation cost?
Nothing. The first step is a complimentary 15-minute call or in-person consultation with Season or her staff.
During that conversation you will hear which documents your situation calls for and what the work would cost, quoted in writing. You will speak with an attorney or a paralegal, not an intake screener.
Common questions
How much does a will cost in Florida?
A will is usually the least expensive estate planning document, and most will-based plans also include powers of attorney, health care documents, and often a Lady Bird deed. Spanski Law quotes a flat fee in writing after a complimentary 15-minute call or in-person consultation, before any work begins.
How much does a living trust cost in Florida?
A trust-based plan costs more than a will-based plan because the work includes the trust, a pour-over will, and the funding that retitles your property into the trust. The exact flat fee is quoted in writing before any work begins.
Does Spanski Law charge by the hour for estate planning?
No. Estate planning is handled for a flat fee that is quoted in writing before any work begins. Probate fees are estimated in writing before anything is filed with the court.
What does the first consultation cost?
Nothing. The first step is a complimentary 15-minute call or in-person consultation with Season or her staff, and you will hear the quoted fee for any recommended work before deciding anything.
Are online will forms cheaper than hiring an attorney?
The forms cost less up front, but they often miss Florida's signing formalities and homestead rules. Correcting those mistakes after a death or an incapacity usually costs the family far more than attorney-drafted documents would have.
Learn more
General information about Florida law as of the date this guide was last reviewed. It is not legal advice and is not a substitute for a conversation about your own circumstances.
Questions about your own situation?
A 15-minute call or in-person consultation
She will listen, explain the options that apply to your situation, and put any fee in writing before work begins.