How much does a will cost in Texas? (2026)
Typical Texas estate plan costs
| Plan | Typical attorney fee* | What it includes | Best when… |
|---|---|---|---|
| Simple will | $500–$2,000 | A will, often signed with a self-proving affidavit | Single person, simple estate, adult heirs you trust |
| Will-based estate plan (recommended baseline) | $1,000–$2,500 | Will + financial POA + medical POA + HIPAA + directive to physicians | Most Texas families — protects you in life and death |
| Revocable living trust package | $1,500–$5,000 | Trust + pour-over will + POAs + funding/re-titling of assets | Out-of-state property, blended family, privacy, incapacity planning |
| Annual or 5-year review | $0–$500 | A short meeting to confirm everything still fits | After marriage, divorce, a death, a new child, a move |
*Typical Texas market ranges, not a quote. Regan Law Firm confirms actual fees at consultation.
What you’re actually paying for
The price tag on a will isn’t for the paper — it’s for the judgment that goes into it. A Texas estate plan has to navigate community property, intestate succession, homestead, blended families, business interests, beneficiary designations, and the tax and Medicaid issues that come with each. The cheapest moment to handle any of these is before they become a probate problem.
Why a living trust costs more
Will vs. trust — which one do I need in Texas?
For most Texas families with a straightforward estate, a will-based plan is the right baseline. A living trust earns its higher cost when you have out-of-state real estate, a blended family, a special-needs beneficiary, strong privacy concerns, or want a seamless plan for incapacity. The decision is worth getting right.
→ Deeper read: Do I need a will or a trust in Texas?
Is it cheaper to make a will, or to pay probate later?
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a will cost in Texas?
- A simple attorney-drafted will in Texas typically runs $500–$2,000. A will-based estate plan that adds a financial power of attorney, a medical power of attorney, a HIPAA release, and a directive to physicians generally runs $1,000–$2,500. A revocable living trust package costs more — typically $1,500–$5,000 — because it requires re-titling assets into the trust.
- Is a $99 online will valid in Texas?
- Texas recognizes wills that are properly signed and witnessed under the Texas Estates Code, including handwritten (holographic) wills. The execution can be valid; the document still fails often. DIY wills routinely miss formalities, create ambiguity, ignore community-property issues, or pick the wrong path for blended families. Most of the cost a will avoids is paid later, by the family, fixing it in probate.
- How much does a living trust cost in Texas?
- A revocable living trust package in Texas typically costs $1,500–$5,000. The price includes the trust itself, a pour-over will, the durable and medical powers of attorney — and the funding work to actually move assets (your home, accounts) into the trust. An unfunded trust avoids nothing.
- Is it cheaper to make a will or pay probate?
- Almost always cheaper to make a will. A Texas probate (with no will and no plan) usually costs the family more than a thoughtful will-based plan would have cost — and the family pays the bill from the estate.
- How often should I update my Texas will?
- Review it after any major life change — marriage, divorce, a death in the family, a new child, buying or selling a home or business — and at least every 5 years even if nothing has changed. Texas law and tax thresholds also move. Small updates are inexpensive; an out-of-date plan can be expensive.
Related: Do I need a will or a trust in Texas? · How much does probate cost in Abilene? · Estate planning attorney in Abilene, TX
Dollar figures shown are typical Texas market ranges, not a quote. General information about Texas law, not legal advice.