What to Expect When You Hire an Estate Planning Lawyer

(A no-surprises guide for first-timers)

You’ve finally decided to stop procrastinating. The kids are growing, the 401(k) is growing faster, and the “what-ifs” keep you up at night. So you Google “estate planning attorney near me” and book a consultation.

Now what?

Here’s a step-by-step walkthrough of what actually happens when you engage an estate planning lawyer—minus the legalese and the $500/hour shock.

Step 1: The Initial Consultation (Usually Free or Low-Cost)

Duration: 30–60 minutes Cost: $0–$250 (many offer free 15-minute phone screens)

What Happens:

• You’ll fill out a short intake form (net worth, family tree, assets, goals).

• The lawyer asks: “What keeps you up at night?”

• They explain options: Will vs. Trust, probate vs. non-probate, tax thresholds.

Red Flag: If they push a $5,000 trust package before hearing your story, run.

Pro Tip: Bring a one-page summary:

Family: Spouse (Sarah), Kids (Emma 12, Jack 9)  
Assets: House ($800k), 401(k) ($450k), Crypto ($80k)  
Goals: Avoid probate, fund college, protect from divorce  
Concerns: Blended family, special-needs sibling

Step 2: The Data-Gathering Phase

Timeline: 1–2 weeks after consult

You’ll Receive:

• A secure client portal link (e.g., Smokeball, Clio, MyCase).

• A checklist:

  • Deeds & mortgage statements

  • Retirement/Investment account statements

  • Life insurance policies

  • Business operating agreements

  • Prior wills/trusts

Why It Matters: A $2 million estate with a missing beneficiary designation can derail everything.

Step 3: The Design Meeting

Duration: 60–90 minutes (in-person or video)

What You’ll See:

A visual estate plan flowchart (your assets → trusts → beneficiaries).

Side-by-side comparison:

Scenario Will Only Revocable Trust

Probate? Yes No

Cost ~$1500 ~ $3k–$5k+

Privacy Public Private

You Decide:

• Guardians for kids

• Trustee vs. executor

• Age-based distributions (25/30/35)

• Special needs trusts

• Pet trusts (yes, really)

Step 4: Draft Review & Revisions

Timeline: 1–3 weeks

You’ll Get:

• Clean PDFs with highlightable comments enabled.

• A 10-minute Loom video walking through key clauses.

TypicalTweaks:

• “Change Emma’s trust from 25 to 30.”

• “Add a no-contest clause.”

• “Name my sister as backup trustee.”

Unlimited Revisions? Most firms allow 1–2 rounds included; extra rounds = ~$250–$500.

Step 5: The Signing Ceremony

Duration: 30–45 minutes

What You Need:

• Two witnesses (not beneficiaries)

• A notary (often in-office)

• Photo ID

Bonus: Many firms record a 2-minute video of you confirming:

“I am of sound mind, not under duress, and this reflects my wishes.” (Gold for contested wills.)

Step 6: Funding the Trust (The Part Everyone Skips)

Your To-Do List (with lawyer’s templates):

1. Quitclaim deed → house to trust

2. Letter to banks/brokerages → retitle accounts

3. Beneficiary updates → life insurance, 401(k), TOD/POD

Lawyer’s Role:

• Provides pre-filled forms

• Follows up in 30 days (email: “Did Vanguard update yet?”)

Step 7: The “Life Changes” Check-In

Built-In Maintenance:

• Year 1: Free 15-minute review

• Every 3 years: $250–$400 tune-up

• Major events (birth, death, move, $100k+ windfall): Call immediately

How Much Will This Cost? (2025 Averages)

Service Flat Fee Range

Simple Will (couple) $800–$1,500

Revocable Trust Package $2,500–$4,500

Complex (business, SNT) $5,000–$10,000+

Hourly (if needed) $300–$600/hour

What’s Included:

• All meetings, drafts, signing, funding instructions

• Digital + physical binder

• Scanned originals in fireproof vault

What Not to Expect

Myth Reality

“I’ll meet once and be done” Expect 3–5 touchpoints over 6–8 weeks

“They’ll handle taxes” Estate planning ≠ tax prep (different CPA)

“It’s set-it-and-forget-it” Review every 3 years or after life events

Your 3-Question Litmus Test (Ask at Consult)

1. “Walk me through a time a client’s plan failed—and how you fixed it.”

2. “How do you make sure my trust gets funded?”

3. “What’s your process if I move to another state?”

Good answers = confident, specific, client-story-driven.

Final Checklist Before You Sign

• Visual flowchart provided?

• Funding instructions included?

• Digital asset clause added?

• Backup executors/trustees named?

• Copy stored in your safe + cloud?

Bottom Line

Hiring an estate planning lawyer isn’t like ordering takeout—it’s a collaboration. You bring the family details; they bring the legal guardrails. Done right, you’ll leave with a plan that works whether you die tomorrow… or in 50 years.

Ready to start? Book a 15-minute clarity call—most firms won’t charge. Your future self will thank you.

Disclaimer: Not legal advice. Fees and processes vary by state and firm.