Your Guide to Estate Planning Costs
How much does estate planning cost?
That’s one of the first questions we’re asked. We know there’s a lot to consider when it comes to estate planning. Whether you’re starting with a will-based plan or exploring a comprehensive trust-based plan, our goal is to help you understand what you might invest and why.
How much does probate cost in Tennessee?
Before you consider the investment you are willing to make for your estate planning, you should understand the costs your loved ones will be responsible for without proper planning. On average, a probate case in Tennessee costs $15,000 and takes 9-12 months to close.
When you don’t have a plan or just have a will, your family is left to navigate this process causing delays, confusion, and hassle. The costs associated with probate aren’t just handled by your estate. Often, your loved ones are spending thousands of dollars of their own money just to get access to your estate which could take months or even years.
Why Estate Planning Costs Can Vary
Estate planning isn’t one-size-fits-all. Your situation, goals, and needs are unique. Your estate plan should be too.
Here are just a few factors that can influence the cost of your plan:
- The type of plan (will-based, trust-based, etc.)
- Family structure and beneficiaries (e.g. individuals vs. couples, minor children, blended families)
- Real estate or out-of-state property holdings
- Business ownership
- Special needs planning
- Charitable or legacy goals
Consider this...
Take building a home for example. You wouldn’t find one cost for every home. Each home is priced based on things like the square footage, number of bedrooms, or the size of the plot of land. Then, when you factor in upgrades, you expect the cost to increase. Just like building a home, the cost of your estate plan may be impacted by the complexity of the planning you are looking for.
Our Commitment
As you consider the cost of estate planning, we also want you to feel confident in choosing the right team to partner with you in protecting what matters most.
We're committed to making estate planning simple because we put ourselves in your shoes and understand what it's like to walk through this process as a client.
By focusing exclusively on estate law, we simplify complex legal matters without sacrificing the sophistication needed to achieve your goals.
Rather than overwhelming you with endless options, we offer carefully crafted packages that work for most families, allowing us to dedicate more time to what matters most: customizing those packages to fit your unique situation and specific needs. Our selection of add-on services ensures comprehensive coverage, giving you confidence that nothing important has been overlooked.
They made the entire process very easy to understand and we were able to simply walk through all of the decisions we needed to make for our estate planning. I avoided this process for some time because it was overwhelming and seemed difficult but they showed us that this was way easier than what we had in mind and no matter what the scenario, our family would be taken care of.
-Â John
We believe in transparency and fairness, which is why we offer flat-fee pricing that gives you real numbers and clear expectations from the start.
After guiding hundreds of families and individuals through estate planning, we've learned that every situation is unique and deserves a tailored approach.
That's why we begin every relationship with a complimentary Discovery Call - an opportunity for us to understand your specific circumstances, goals, and needs so we can provide you with a personalized quote that reflects exactly what you may need depending on your goals.
When we went through the details, they were very thorough. We met with their funding team to ensure our assets are properly accounted for in the trust. At first we were not sure of the costs, but realizing all the documents they provided and the work the funding team needs to transfer items in the trusts, it’s worth the price. The team makes you feel at ease and helps identify things that need to be included in the trust that I would have never thought of.
-Â Trisha
Why We May Not Be For You
If your primary concern with estate planning is the cost, you’ll find many options online that may be the price point you want. But what they often don’t include is the personalized legal guidance, plan customization, and ongoing support that protect your plan from becoming outdated, incomplete, or legally ineffective when your family needs it most.
The harsh reality? You won’t be around to see if it works or not. Your family will suffer any consequences. We’ve helped many families navigate the probate process for loved ones who thought they had everything taken care of.
They made such a complicated and confusing process so easy! They are very easy to communicate with and are very helpful explaining the legal things in layman's terms. Don't waste your time trying to "do it yourself" through an online estate planner, because it will not cover everything as thoroughly as they do at Linville Estate Law. And when it comes to this type of thing you want all your bases covered, and everything to be done PERFECTLY.
-Â Elizabeth
You may also find other firms or attorneys that are willing to provide estate planning for less. To be honest, not all law firms are created equal.
Let’s say you are experiencing blurry vision. You certainly wouldn’t go to a heart doctor to solve your problem. And you could go to your primary care doctor, but they’d ultimately refer you to an eye doctor. The point is that there are many firms who could help.
Our firm is dedicated only to estate law. Which means you have a focused team ready to partner with you to help you protect what matters most.
We are so happy with the attorneys we dealt with at Linville Estate Law. They made our estate planning easy. I would recommend them to anyone looking to get their estate affairs in order. We have worked with other attorneys that just push you through. This group is truly different.
-Â Renee
What You Can Expect To Invest
As we’ve noted before, there’s a lot that can factor into what you might spend on estate planning. Our packages typically fall between $2,000 and $8,000. Here’s a look at our packages and what they typically include.
Starter Plan
This plan offers the basic essentials you need to start building a foundation for any future planning.
Includes:
- Last Will & Testament
- Financial Power of Attorney
- Health Care Power of Attorney
- Living Will
Core Plan
This plan goes beyond the basics to preserve your legacy and keep your family out of court and conflict.Â
Includes:
- Everything in the Starter plan, plus
- Revocable Living Trust
- One Deed for Primary Residence
Premier Plan
(Our Most Popular!)
This plan offers dedicated guidance and support from our team to ensure your plan is fully implemented.
Includes:Â
- Everything from Starter & Core plans, plus
- Up to 4 additional TN deeds
- Full funding services
- A free year of our client care program
- A free Nokbox
Medicaid Protect Plan
This plan provides a robust option to secure your assets, protect your home, and ensure you’re prepared for Medicaid eligibility.
Includes:
- Everything in Starter, Core, and Premier plan, plus
- Irrevocable Trust