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Chapter 4. How much does an estate plan
cost? What factors affect the cost?

Many factors need to be considered when
trying to determine the appropriate cost of an
estate plan.

The cost of wills.
Wills are initially cheaper than revocable living
trusts. Other factors to be considered are:

 Whether there’s a second marriage or
children from prior relationships;

 The amount of wealth involved may play
a factor in the overall cost of your estate
plan because there are more issues
(methods of distributing the estate) to be
considered and more options (reducing
estate taxes and charitable giving
opportunities) with your wealth;

 The ages of the intended heirs (the older
the heirs are the less protection with
regard to maturity issues);

 Whether distribution will be by lump-
sum format without guidance,
distribution triggers, or if you determine
you want to provide some guidance and
asset protection to your loved ones;

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