Cost is the first question most Miami clients ask, and the honest answer is that it depends on what you need. This guide breaks down the typical fee structures under Florida practice, what drives the price up or down, and how the upfront cost compares to what your family would otherwise spend in probate.
How Florida Attorneys Usually Charge
Most estate planning in Florida is billed as a flat fee for a defined package rather than hourly, so you know the price before you start. Complex situations, business interests, or blended families may shift to hourly work. Either way, you should receive a written engagement that spells out what is and is not included.
What a Will-Based Plan Typically Includes
A foundational package usually bundles a Florida will (§732.502), a durable power of attorney (Ch. 709), a health care surrogate designation, and a living will. For an individual or couple with straightforward Miami assets, this is the most economical route and commonly lands in the low four figures. It does not avoid probate, but it puts the core decisions in place.
What a Trust-Based Plan Adds
A revocable living trust (Ch. 736) package costs more because there is more work: the trust document itself plus the funding, meaning retitling your home, accounts, and other assets into the trust. South Florida families often choose this to keep real estate and investments out of the Miami-Dade probate court. The funding step is where some firms cut corners, so confirm it is included rather than billed separately later.
Why Two Quotes Can Differ So Much
Price gaps usually come down to scope. A homestead handled with a Lady Bird deed, an elective share issue for a second marriage (§732.2065), business succession, or out-of-state property all add drafting time. Cheaper online forms skip the Florida-specific analysis that prevents the homestead (Art. X, §4) and witnessing problems that surface in probate.
Compare It to the Cost of Probate
Florida charges no state estate or inheritance tax, so planning is rarely about avoiding tax here. The real comparison is probate cost. Formal administration in Miami-Dade involves court filings, attorney fees, and personal representative fees, often calculated against the estate value, and it commonly takes many months. Summary administration is cheaper and faster but only available for limited estates. A few thousand dollars in planning frequently saves a multiple of that in administration and delay.
What to Ask Before You Pay
Confirm whether funding is included, whether future updates cost extra, and exactly which documents you receive. A flat quote with no funding is not really a finished trust plan.
Get a Florida Quote
Fees vary with your specific assets and family, and no article can price your plan precisely. Speak with a licensed Florida estate planning attorney for a written quote tailored to your Miami situation.
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