What Does Estate Planning Cost in California?

Major life events like marriage, divorce, or having a child often require updating your estate plan. Some providers require purchasing an entirely new plan, while others offer amendments. Attorney amendments in California typically cost $1,728 to $3,456 for major changes.

Online services have lower upfront costs ($0 to $549) compared to attorneys in California (around $432/hour for trusts). However, total lifetime cost depends on subscription fees, amendment charges, and how often life events require updates. This calculator compares the full cost across providers.

Many online estate planning services charge annual subscription fees ranging from $49 to $199 a year. These subscriptions may include document access, minor amendments, or attorney consultations depending on the provider and tier.

Trusts cost more upfront than wills but can save money long-term by avoiding probate. In California, an attorney-prepared trust typically costs $4,320 to $6,480, while a will costs $1,329 to $2,658. Assets passing under a will go through probate, which adds about $27,235 in costs for heirs on a $500,000 estate. See a detailed breakdown with the California trust cost calculator.

Probate on a $500,000 estate in California costs about $27,235 — roughly 5% of estate value — including attorney fees, executor fees, court costs, and publication costs.Cal. Prob. Code § 10810Verified Sep 8, 2026 Estates with a trust can bypass probate entirely, potentially saving heirs thousands of dollars. Estimate probate fees with the California probate calculator.