Estate planning is not a price tag, it is a risk profile. That is especially true for affluent Floridians whose wealth often spans homes in multiple states, closely held businesses, concentrated stock positions, irrevocable trusts, and family dynamics that do not fit any template. When clients ask what a will costs, the honest answer is that the will itself is rarely the center of gravity. The will anchors a broader plan that may include a revocable trust, powers of attorney, advance directives, and sometimes a web of tax-focused entities. Each component affects cost. So does the attorney’s experience, the sophistication required, and the time needed to coordinate with CPAs, financial advisors, and corporate counsel.

This article spells out how Florida lawyers price will creation for high‑net‑worth clients today, what drives the variability, and where spending more genuinely reduces risk. I will use real numbers, common fee structures, and typical scenarios from a Florida practice, including cases around Tampa, Brandon, and the Gulf Coast. While every matter is unique, the ranges below reflect what I see in the market for estate planning Florida practitioners delivering bespoke work, not download‑and‑sign templates.

The will is the backbone, not the whole body

If you own a homestead in Hillsborough County, a beachfront condo in Sarasota, an S‑corp in Brandon, and an investment account with a concentrated tech stock, a will alone will not keep your estate out of probate or minimize taxes. In Florida, the will must pass through probate unless assets transfer by operation of law or via trust. High‑value estates often layer a revocable living trust to avoid ancillary probate for out‑of‑state properties and to streamline administration. Durable powers of attorney, health care surrogates, and HIPAA authorizations handle incapacity, and beneficiary designations control retirement accounts and life insurance.

The cost conversation starts with the will because it is the formal expression of your dispositive intent. But for affluent individuals, the will’s clauses need to harmonize with trust provisions, tax elections, and business succession documents. Drafting that ecosystem takes more lawyer time than the will itself, and the price reflects that integration.

Typical fee ranges in Florida for affluent clients

Lawyers in Florida structure fees in three main ways: fixed fee for a defined scope, hourly billing, or a hybrid. For high‑net‑worth matters, fixed fees are common for the core plan, then hourly for advanced components. Here is what affluent Floridians typically see for a complete base plan that includes a will, revocable trust, financial power of attorney, health care documents, and deed work to fund the trust:

Simple high‑asset plan with a single revocable trust and pour‑over will: $3,500 to $7,500 when there are no business interests, no complex beneficiary issues, and straightforward titling. Think retired couple with brokerage accounts, homestead, and one out‑of‑state vacation home. Moderately complex plan with multiple trusts: $8,000 to $15,000 if you have blended families, creditor protection goals for beneficiaries, or need specialized provisions for a beneficiary with special needs or divorce‑proofing concerns. Advanced plan with tax strategy and business coordination: $15,000 to $40,000+ when the plan introduces spousal lifetime access trusts, irrevocable life insurance trusts, qualified personal residence trusts, family limited partnerships, or cross‑border issues. Add more if there are multiple operating companies, professional practices, or high‑risk assets.

A will alone, drafted for an affluent client but without a revocable trust or extensive tax planning, can run $1,500 to $4,000. Few high‑net‑worth clients choose that path because probate exposure in multiple jurisdictions and the administrative burden outweigh modest savings.

Hourly rates for Florida estate law attorneys handling affluent matters typically range from $350 to $900 per hour depending on reputation, board certification, and geography. Senior partners at boutique firms often sit between $500 and $750 per hour. Associates and paralegals who handle data collection, titling schedules, and deed preparation may bill $150 to $350 per hour.

What drives cost more than anything else

The biggest cost drivers are complexity and coordination. Complexity does not just mean more documents. It means more judgment calls, more what‑if modeling, and more time to ensure titling, beneficiary designations, tax assumptions, and business agreements point in the same direction.

Family structure changes the drafting burden. A second marriage with children from prior relationships often requires nuanced marital trust design to protect a surviving spouse while preserving inheritances for children. Gifts to a child with creditor issues or a rocky marriage prompt discretionary trusts with spendthrift clauses, naming an independent trustee. Charitable intent introduces private foundation or donor‑advised fund coordination.

Asset mix matters. If a client holds 60 percent of their wealth in a single pre‑IPO equity position with a lockup, tax and liquidity planning must be woven into the estate plan. Rental properties and short‑term rentals in different states invite entity planning and a trust funding checklist that does not leave a deed behind. Waterfront properties with unique homestead considerations in Florida require special counsel on creditor protection and devise restrictions if the property is homestead and the client is married.

Business ownership elevates the scope. An operating company with key employee reliance calls for buy‑sell agreements, life insurance review, and trustee capacity to vote shares. That increases attorney time. Coordinating with corporate counsel and the CPA adds hours that a simple will engagement will not see. I often spend as much time reconciling an S‑corp shareholder agreement with a testamentary trust’s distribution standard as I do drafting the will.

Tax posture is the next driver. The federal estate tax exemption is historically high, yet slated to fall at the end of 2025 unless Congress acts. High‑net‑worth Floridians should consider portability elections, lifetime gifting strategies, and basis optimization. Careful drafting to preserve step‑up in basis while protecting assets from creditors takes more pages and more iterations. Those iterations carry cost, but they often save seven figures later.

Florida‑specific items that change the calculus

Florida’s homestead rules are not casual details. If you are married and own homestead property, you cannot freely devise it by will without spousal consent. Improper devises produce partial intestacy and a mess in probate. Drafting around homestead requires marital waivers or trust structures that comply with constitutional limits. The lawyer’s experience with estate planning Florida homestead nuances directly affects your cost and your risk.

Florida also has no state estate or inheritance tax, which shapes strategies. With no state estate tax to worry about, emphasis often shifts to basis step‑up, creditor protection, and income tax planning. Retitling homestead to a revocable trust must preserve Florida homestead creditor protection and tax benefits. Deeds need precise language. This is not a place to copy a form from another state.

Ancillary probate for out‑of‑state real estate pushes most affluent clients toward a revocable trust. If you own a condo in New York and a cabin in North Carolina, a Florida will alone will subject your estate to multiple probates. The cost of setting up and funding a Florida revocable trust is almost always lower than the eventual cost of multi‑state probates.

When a higher fee is worth it

Clients sometimes compare a $1,200 will package to a $9,000 full plan and ask why the gulf exists. The difference is often invisible until someone is hospitalized or passes away. I have watched expensive probates unfold because a client relied on a simple will that Shaughnessy Law estate planning failed to coordinate retirement beneficiary designations. The IRA went outright to a child with ongoing litigation, then got garnished. Fixing that after death was impossible. A trust with spendthrift language would have preserved the asset.

On the front end, paying more for a well‑funded revocable trust, with detailed schedules and a funding meeting where accounts and deeds get retitled, saves heirs months of court administration and many thousands in statutory probate fees and personal representative commissions. In Florida, probate attorney compensation is frequently based on a percentage of the value of probate assets, not just the complexity. Avoiding probate for a $4 million estate through proper trust funding can save far more than the delta in planning fees.

Advanced planning fees are also justified when family dynamics require guardrails. If you want to support a child in recovery without enabling relapse, or protect a physician child from malpractice claim exposure, a discretionary trust with an institutional co‑trustee is worth the effort and expense. That drafting is technical and must anticipate decades of administration.

Fee structures you can expect from reputable firms

Established Florida estate planning practices often quote tiered fixed fees for the base plan, then identify add‑ons for specific strategies. You may see a package that includes a revocable trust, will, durable power of attorney, health care surrogate, living will, HIPAA release, and deed work, with a single price. The engagement letter will then list “menu” items for additional trusts or tax strategies at fixed or hourly rates.

Shaughnessy Law Estate Planning, or other boutique practices in the Brandon FL area, typically anchor fees with a diagnostic meeting, then deliver a proposal that matches the asset and family profile. Many affluent clients appreciate this predictability. Hourly billing comes into play when you involve outside advisors, need iterative modeling, or request expedited turnaround for a pending transaction or travel. Expect retainers commensurate with scope, and clarity on what is included, such as trust funding assistance and post‑signing checklists.

The hidden costs that surprise clients

The first hidden cost is failing to fund the trust. You can sign the most elegant revocable trust in Hillsborough County, but if the brokerage accounts and out‑of‑state properties remain titled in your name, probate awaits. Some firms include funding assistance, others provide a checklist and leave the retitling to you. The difference can be several hours of paralegal time and a handful of deed recording fees now, or months of probate later.

The second is beneficiary designations. Retirement accounts, annuities, and life insurance pay by contract. If those designations contradict the will or trust, the plan splits. Updating designations is not expensive, but it requires precision, especially if you want to use accumulation trusts for retirement assets to control distributions while navigating SECURE Act rules. The drafting time to tailor these provisions increases fees, yet it guards against rapid withdrawals and tax inefficiency after death.

The third is corporate clean‑up. Affluent clients often bring LLCs formed years ago with missing operating agreements, or S‑corps with out‑of‑date shareholder restrictions. Aligning those documents with the estate plan sometimes reveals gaps that need fixing. This is not technically “will cost,” but it is part of responsible estate planning and affects the final invoice.

Cost breakdown by scenario

Consider three vignettes that mirror cases I’ve handled.

A retired couple in Apollo Beach holds a $2.5 million portfolio, Florida homestead, and a North Carolina mountain house. They want equal shares to two adult children with good financial habits. We set up a joint revocable trust, pour‑over wills, powers of attorney, and health care documents, plus deeds to transfer both properties to the trust. Funding included retitling brokerage accounts and updating beneficiary designations. Fixed fee: about $6,000. Recording fees and title updates added roughly $400. There was no probate, and administration after the second death took months, not years.

A physician in Brandon with a $4 million estate, including a surgical practice and rental properties in Georgia, has two children, one with special needs. The plan required a third‑party supplemental needs trust, creditor‑protected lifetime trusts for both children, practice succession coordination, and careful homestead treatment for the primary residence. We layered a revocable trust with separate continuing trusts, drafted a robust durable power of attorney, and coordinated with corporate counsel on a buy‑sell. Fixed fee for the estate plan: $14,000. Additional corporate agreement revisions billed hourly at $4,500. The client avoided ancillary probates and positioned assets to safeguard the special needs child’s benefits.

An entrepreneur with $20 million of concentrated pre‑liquidity stock, a Naples condo, and a Delray homestead wants philanthropic impact and spousal access. We implemented a revocable trust, spousal lifetime access trust for a portion of the equity, irrevocable life insurance trust, and a donor‑advised fund strategy coordinated with the investment team. The drafting required substantial tax modeling and coordination meetings across advisors. Total fees: $38,000. The plan balanced flexibility with tax efficiency ahead of a potential exemption sunset.

Probate as a pricing comparator

When clients balk at planning costs, I walk them through Florida probate math. For estates that pass through probate, attorney compensation is often presumed reasonable at a percentage of the estate’s value, starting at 3 percent of the first $1 million and stepping down for higher tranches, subject to adjustment. On a $3 million estate, that guideline can be $60,000 or more, not including personal representative fees or extraordinary services. Even when negotiated lower, probate eats time and money. A well‑funded trust typically pays for itself many times over.

Timelines and what affects them

From engagement to signing, affluent estate plans usually take four to eight weeks. The first week is intake and goal setting. Drafting takes one to three weeks, with another week for client review and revisions. If the matter involves tax modeling or business document updates, expect eight to twelve weeks. Clients sometimes need extra time to make decisions about trustees and distribution standards. Rushing can be done, but it increases fees due to evening or weekend work and compressed coordination with third parties.

After signing, trust funding can add two to six weeks depending on banks and custodians. Deeds typically record within days in Florida counties, but out‑of‑state properties have their own rules and costs.

Choosing the right attorney for your profile

Affluent clients benefit from counsel who does this work daily. A general practitioner may offer a competitive price on a will, but nuanced drafting around homestead, creditor protection, retirement distributions, and business succession pays dividends. Look for:

Significant experience with estates at or above your asset level and complexity, including business ownership or multi‑state property. A clear, written scope of services that includes trust funding support and coordination with your CPA and financial advisor.

Fee shopping is rational, but choose value over headline cost. A firm with a thoughtful intake process, clear communication, and a track record of smooth administrations after a client’s death will save your family stress and expense. Local knowledge matters too. Practices like shaughnessy law estate planning in the Brandon FL area understand county recording quirks, regional fiduciary options, and how local courts handle homestead and elective share disputes.

Where you can legitimately economize

Not every estate requires exotic trusts. Many high‑net‑worth families can achieve 90 percent of their goals with a revocable trust, solid incapacity documents, and careful titling. Avoid over‑engineering. If you do not face federal estate tax exposure or complex family dynamics, you may not need an irrevocable trust today. Invest instead in making sure your beneficiary designations are correct, your trust is fully funded, and your successor trustees understand their duties.

Document organization also saves billable time. Provide clean account statements, entity documents, and prior estate plans. Identify all jurisdictions where you own property. Name realistic fiduciaries who will accept the role. Clear inputs translate to lower costs.

Updating and maintenance costs

Estate planning is not a one‑and‑done event. Major life changes, tax law shifts, and asset moves warrant review. Many firms offer maintenance programs that include periodic check‑ins and updates at reduced rates. Otherwise, expect hourly charges for amendments, often $350 to $600 per hour for attorney time, plus paralegal support for funding updates. Simple amendments to a revocable trust and will might run $500 to $2,000. Larger overhauls, such as adding a special needs trust after a diagnosis, may resemble a partial re‑engagement.

When the federal estate tax exemption changes, affluent families often revisit portability elections, gifting, and trust design. Budget for a review the year before and after major tax sunsets. Spending a few thousand on a proactive tune‑up can protect millions.

The peace‑of‑mind dividend

It is easy to focus on line items and miss the outcome. The right plan removes logistical burden from your spouse and children, keeps family business private, and prevents judges from making decisions better made at your kitchen table. For affluent Floridians, it also protects homestead rights, honors the intent behind your charitable and legacy goals, and integrates with the financial strategies your advisor implements.

If you operate in the Tampa Bay corridor or around Brandon, engaging a firm steeped in estate law and local practice gives you an edge. The cost of will creation, framed properly, is the cost of clarity. Invest enough to ensure your plan works on the toughest day of your family’s life, not just on the day you sign. That usually means a comprehensive package rather than a will in isolation. The price varies, but the value, when done well, is concrete and lasting.

Shaughnessy Law
Address: 618 E Bloomingdale Ave, Brandon, FL 33511
Phone: +1 (813) 445-8439

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Estate Planning in Florida: Your Questions Answered

Do I really need a will if I don't have a lot of assets?

Yes, you absolutely need a will even with modest assets. A will isn't just about dividing up money—it's about making sure your wishes are followed. Without one, Florida's intestacy laws decide who gets what, and that might not align with what you want.

Plus, if you have minor children, a will lets you name their guardian. Without it, a judge makes that call. Even if you're not wealthy, having a will saves your family unnecessary headaches during an already difficult time.

What's the difference between a will and a trust in Florida?

A will goes through probate court after you pass away, while a trust lets your assets pass directly to beneficiaries without court involvement. The will becomes public record and probate can take months, but trusts keep things private and often move faster.

In Florida, probate can be expensive and time-consuming, especially if you own property here. Trusts also give you more control—you can set conditions on when and how beneficiaries receive assets. The downside? Trusts cost more upfront to set up, but they often save money and hassle later.

How does Florida's homestead exemption affect my estate plan?

Florida's homestead laws provide special protections and restrictions that directly impact who can inherit your home. Your primary residence gets special protection from creditors, and there are restrictions on who you can leave it to if you're married.

You can't just will your homestead to anyone you want—your spouse has rights to it, even if your will says otherwise. This trips people up all the time. If you own a home in Florida, you need to understand these rules before finalizing any estate plan.

Can I avoid probate in Florida?

Yes, you can minimize or avoid probate through several strategies. Setting up a revocable living trust, using beneficiary designations on accounts, owning property as joint tenants with rights of survivorship, or using transfer-on-death deeds for real estate all work.

Many people use a combination of these. That said, probate isn't always the enemy—Florida has a simplified process for smaller estates under $75,000. The key is understanding what makes sense for your specific situation rather than avoiding probate just because someone told you to.

What happens if I die without an estate plan in Florida?

Your estate goes through intestate succession, where Florida law determines who inherits based on a predetermined formula. Generally, everything goes to your spouse, or if you don't have one, it's divided among your children.

No spouse or kids? Then parents, siblings, and other relatives. It sounds straightforward, but it gets messy fast—especially with blended families, estranged relatives, or if you wanted to leave something to a friend or charity. The process takes longer, costs more, and might not reflect your actual wishes at all.

Do I need to update my estate plan if I move to Florida from another state?

Yes, you should have a Florida attorney review and likely update your estate plan when you relocate here. Estate planning laws vary significantly by state, and what worked in New York or California might not hold up here.

Florida has unique rules about homestead property, different probate procedures, and its own requirements for valid wills. Your out-of-state documents might technically be valid, but they could create problems or miss opportunities for Florida-specific protections. It's usually not a complete overhaul, but adjustments are almost always needed.

How do power of attorney documents work in Florida?

A power of attorney authorizes someone to make decisions on your behalf if you become incapacitated. In Florida, you need two types: a durable power of attorney for financial matters and a healthcare surrogate (similar to a healthcare power of attorney elsewhere).

The financial POA lets your agent handle banking, pay bills, manage property—basically anything money-related. The healthcare surrogate makes medical decisions. These documents are crucial because without them, your family might need to go to court for guardianship, which is expensive and invasive.

What's a living will, and is it different from a regular will?

A living will is completely different from a regular will—it outlines your end-of-life medical preferences while you're still alive but incapacitated. It tells doctors what life-prolonging measures you want if you're terminally ill or in a permanent vegetative state.

A regular will, on the other hand, distributes your property after you die. You need both. Florida has specific requirements for living wills—they need to be witnessed properly, and you should make sure your doctors and family have copies.

How much does estate planning typically cost in Florida?

Estate planning in Florida typically costs anywhere from $300 for a simple will to $5,000+ for complex plans. A simple will might run $300-$800, while a complete estate plan with wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and healthcare directives usually costs $1,500-$3,500 for most people.

Complex situations with business interests, multiple properties, or tax planning can run $5,000 or more. It may seem like a lot upfront, but compare that to probate costs—which can easily hit 3-5% of your estate's value. Good planning pays for itself.

Can I create my own estate plan using online forms?

You can create your own estate plan using online forms, but it's risky unless your situation is very simple. Online forms work okay for single people with straightforward assets and clear beneficiaries.

However, Florida has specific rules about witness requirements, homestead restrictions, and other legal nuances that generic forms might miss. One mistake can invalidate your documents or create problems your family has to sort out later. For most people, the few hundred dollars saved isn't worth the risk. At minimum, have an attorney review any DIY documents before you finalize them.

Shaughnessy Law
Address: 618 E Bloomingdale Ave, Brandon, FL 33511
Phone: +1 (813) 445-8439

Estate Planning in Brandon, Florida

Shaughnessy Law provides estate planning services in Brandon, Florida.

The legal team at Shaughnessy Law helps families create wills and trusts tailored to Florida law.

Clients in Brandon rely on Shaughnessy Law for guidance on probate avoidance and asset protection.

Shaughnessy Law assists homeowners in understanding Florida’s homestead exemption during estate planning.

The firm’s attorneys offer personalized estate planning consultations to Brandon residents.

Shaughnessy Law helps clients prepare durable powers of attorney and living wills in Florida.

Local families choose Shaughnessy Law in Brandon, FL to secure their legacy through careful estate planning.