What Does Estate Planning Cost in Massachusetts?

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 Massachusetts typically cost $1,568 to $3,136 for major changes.

Online services have lower upfront costs ($30-$600) compared to attorneys in Massachusetts (around $392/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 $0 to $240/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 Massachusetts, an attorney-prepared trust typically costs $3,920 to $5,880, while a will costs $1,161 to $2,322. Wills require probate, which adds about $30,739 in costs for heirs on a $500,000 estate. See a detailed breakdown with the Massachusetts trust cost calculator.

Probate on a $500,000 estate in Massachusetts costs about $30,739 — roughly 6% of estate value — including attorney fees, executor fees, court costs, and publication costs.M.G.L. c. 190B §§ 1-307, 3-301, 3-302, 3-303, 3-306, 3-307, 3-308, 3-501, 3-603, 3-706, 3-707, 3-715, 3-719, 3-720, 3-801 (Reserved), 3-803, 3-1201 (all fetched live on malegislature.gov, verified 2026-07-14); Mass. estate tax per Ch. 50 of the Acts of 2023 (mass.gov)Verified Jul 14, 2026 Estates with a trust can bypass probate entirely, potentially saving heirs thousands of dollars. Estimate probate fees with the Massachusetts probate calculator.