Why Waiting Until Later Is the Most Expensive Choice You Can Make
Most people ask the same question when they first start thinking about estate planning.
How much does an estate plan cost?
The honest answer is simple.
A lot less now than what it will cost your family later.
At Shore Estate Law, we meet families every year who learn this lesson the hard way. They assumed everything could be handled together, informally, and without a formal plan. Unfortunately, the legal system does not work that way. Without clear written instructions, the state steps in, the courts get involved, and your loved ones are left navigating months of paperwork and thousands of dollars in avoidable expenses.
A Family Story That Happens Far Too Often
When Mark’s father passed away without a will or any estate planning documents, the family expected the process to be quick and straightforward. Instead, they found themselves stuck in a long and stressful probate process.
Across many states, probate can take nine to eighteen months or longer. For Mark’s family, that meant:
- Over $20,000 in attorney fees
- Around $5,000 to $8,000 in court and administrative costs
- Additional taxes depending on state law
- Countless hours missed from work
- Family tension over decisions no one felt comfortable making
By the time everything was finally settled, the true cost was closer to $60,000 to $90,000 when financial and emotional costs were added together.
And the hardest part? Almost all of it could have been avoided.
What Probate Typically Costs in the United States
While every state is different, most families can expect probate to involve:
- 3 to 7 percent of the estate’s value in legal fees and administrative costs
- Additional state taxes depending on local law
- Months or even years of delays before assets are distributed
For a modest $300,000 estate, those percentages alone can mean $9,000 to $21,000 in fees. For larger estates, the numbers climb quickly.
That does not include the strain on family relationships, the time spent tracking down assets, or the emotional weight of handling legal issues during a period of grief.
Why an Estate Plan Costs Less Than You Think
A well designed estate plan is not just a stack of documents. It is a strategy that helps you:
- Avoid or significantly reduce probate
- Make distributions faster and easier for your loved ones
- Minimize or eliminate unnecessary taxes and fees
- Prevent family conflict
- Protect your legacy and clearly document your wishes
Most importantly, it gives your family peace of mind. And peace of mind should never come with a six figure price tag.
The Best Time to Plan Is Always Before You Need It
The cost of estate planning is predictable and manageable. The cost of waiting is not.
Whether your goal is protecting your home, simplifying things for your children, or gaining clarity and control over your future, starting now is always the smartest financial and emotional decision.
If you are ready to understand your options and protect your family from the true cost of figuring it out later, we invite you to take the next step.
Register for a Workshop or Request a Consultation to learn how to build a plan that saves your family time, money, and stress.
