How Much Does a Will Cost in Florida?

A simple attorney-drafted will in Florida typically costs $300 to $600. A complete estate plan that bundles a will with a durable power of attorney, healthcare surrogate designation, and living will typically runs $800 to $1,500. A full plan built around a revocable living trust that also keeps assets out of probate runs $3,500 to $8,000.

But the cost of a will is only half the question. The other half is what happens if the document is wrong, incomplete, or executed incorrectly. In Florida, the consequences show up in probate court, where a single missed witness can invalidate years of planning.

This guide explains how much a will costs in Florida, what drives the price up or down, exactly what Florida law requires for a will to be valid, and the honest answer to whether a $29 online will is worth the risk. Florida families who want to understand the full picture should also read how to make a legal will in Florida before making any decisions.

How Much Does a Will Cost in Florida? At a Glance

Price varies significantly depending on how you get the document and what it covers. Here are the typical ranges:

At The Schoonover Law Firm, every service is priced as a flat fee confirmed in writing before any work begins. There are no hourly invoices and no estimates that grow after the fact.

How Much Does a Simple Will Cost in Florida?

A simple will typically costs $300 to $600 at a Florida estate planning attorney. For a married couple who want coordinated wills, the combined price is usually $500 to $1,200.

A simple will covers:

• Who inherits your assets and in what shares
• Who serves as your personal representative, the person responsible for managing your estate after your death
• Who cares for your minor children if both parents are gone
• Contingent beneficiaries, meaning who inherits if your primary beneficiary dies before you do

What a simple will does not cover:

• Probate avoidance. A will still goes through Florida probate court, a process that typically takes 9 to 18 months and costs roughly 3% of your estate’s value in statutory attorney fees. Families who want to skip that process need a revocable living trust or a Lady Bird Deed for real estate, not a will alone.
• Trust provisions for vulnerable beneficiaries. A simple will distributes assets outright at death. If a beneficiary has a disability, struggles with addiction, or is a minor who should not receive a large sum at once, adding a testamentary trust alongside the will is the right approach.
• Business succession. If you own a share of a business, a standard will rarely addresses what happens to that interest. Business succession planning requires separate documents coordinated with your overall estate plan.

Most Florida estate planning attorneys recommend bundling a will with a durable power of attorney, a healthcare surrogate designation, and a living will. These four documents protect you both during incapacity and at death, and buying them together is almost always less expensive than purchasing each one separately. Understanding what happens if you become incapacitated without a power of attorney in Florida explains why that pairing matters so much.

What Affects the Cost of a Will in Florida?

Several factors move the price of a Florida will up or down from the typical range.

1. Complexity of Your Estate

A will for a single person with one beneficiary and no real estate is the simplest document an estate planning attorney writes. Price rises when your estate includes multiple properties, children from prior relationships, specific bequests to many different people, or conditions on when and how beneficiaries receive their share.

2. Whether It Is a Couple’s Plan

Two coordinated wills for a married couple cost more than one will but less than two completely separate plans. Coordination is especially important for blended families, where the wrong distribution language can create direct conflicts between a surviving spouse’s rights and children from a prior relationship.

3. Whether a Trust Is Needed

When a revocable living trust is the better planning tool, the will becomes a pour-over will that works alongside the trust. That combination costs more than a standalone will, but it delivers something a will alone cannot: a path around Florida’s probate process. Understanding how a revocable living trust works in Florida helps clarify when that upgrade is worth the additional cost.

4. Hourly vs. Flat-Fee Attorney

An attorney who bills hourly at $250 to $450 per hour in Miami-Dade can produce a simple will in 2 to 3 hours, putting the base cost at $500 to $1,350 before revisions, phone calls, and the signing appointment. A flat-fee attorney gives you a fixed price upfront. For a clearly defined deliverable like a will, flat-fee pricing is almost always more predictable.

5. Geographic Location Within Florida

Attorney rates in Miami-Dade tend to be higher than in rural counties. Estate planning attorneys in Miami, Coral Gables, and Brickell commonly charge $400 to $700 for a simple will. Firms in smaller markets may charge $250 to $450 for the same document.

Does a Will Avoid Probate in Florida?

No. This is one of the most common misconceptions about wills in Florida. A will does not avoid probate. In fact, a will is the document that goes through probate court. The Florida probate process is how courts supervise distribution of a deceased person’s estate, and the will is the set of instructions that guides that process.

Here is what probate actually involves in Florida:

• A personal representative named in your will files the document with the probate court
• The court supervises the payment of debts, taxes, and expenses before anything passes to beneficiaries
• Florida law allows statutory attorney fees of roughly 3% of the estate’s value, so on a $400,000 estate that is approximately $12,000 in fees alone
• The entire process typically takes 9 to 18 months before beneficiaries receive anything
• Everything filed in probate becomes a public record, including the value of your assets and who inherits them

What actually avoids the Florida probate process: a properly funded revocable living trust passes assets directly to beneficiaries with no court involvement; a Lady Bird Deed does the same specifically for real estate; and correctly updated beneficiary designations on life insurance policies, 401(k) plans, IRAs, and bank payable-on-death accounts transfer those assets outside of probate entirely.

A will is still essential even when you have a trust. It catches any asset not titled in the trust’s name and names a guardian for minor children. But for families who own a home, understanding probate vs trust administration in Miami makes it clear why a will alone is rarely the most efficient plan for a Florida homeowner.

Does a Will Need to Be Notarized in Florida?

Florida has specific execution requirements for a valid will. Getting them wrong, even with a well-drafted document, can result in a court refusing to admit the will to probate.

Florida will execution requirements under Florida Statutes Section 732.502:

• The testator must sign the will, or direct someone to sign in their presence and at their direction if they are physically unable to do so
• Two witnesses must be present at the time of signing. They must watch the testator sign and must also sign in each other’s presence and in the testator’s presence
• Notarization is not required for a will to be valid in Florida, but it is standard practice for a specific reason

Making the will self-proving: When the testator and both witnesses sign an affidavit before a notary at the time of execution, the will becomes self-proving under Florida Statutes Section 732.503. This means the witnesses do not need to appear in court during probate to confirm their signatures, which is a significant practical advantage. Tracking down a witness years or decades after the signing is often difficult or impossible.

Any attorney-drafted Florida will should be executed with two witnesses and a notary, making it self-proving. Failing to do so is the most common reason a DIY will is challenged in Florida probate court. When what happens after someone dies in Florida includes a contested or defective will, the costs to the estate and the family are far greater than the cost of getting proper legal advice in the first place.

Online Will vs. Attorney in Florida: An Honest Comparison

Online will services have made it easier than ever to produce a will document without a lawyer. Whether that is actually better for your family depends on your situation. For Florida families with real estate, minor children, blended households, or significant retirement accounts, an attorney-drafted will is almost always the better choice.

When an online will might be sufficient: A single adult with modest assets, one or two beneficiaries, no real estate, no minor children, no blended family, and no concerns about a beneficiary’s ability to manage an inheritance responsibly, who is also confident they can carry out the execution correctly with two witnesses and a notary.

When an online will creates more risk than it eliminates: Any Florida homeowner who wants their property to pass cleanly to family, any parent with minor children, anyone in a second marriage or blended household, anyone with significant retirement accounts or beneficiary designations that need updating, and anyone who owns a business interest. In every one of these situations, the cost of a mistake far exceeds the cost of getting it right.

How Much Does a Will and Power of Attorney Cost in Florida?

Most estate planning attorneys bundle four documents together because a will alone leaves your family unprotected during incapacity. The difference between a healthcare surrogate and a durable power of attorney is important here: the power of attorney covers financial decisions, while the healthcare surrogate covers medical ones. Both are needed, and neither is a substitute for the other.

For homeowners, adding a Lady Bird Deed to the plan passes real estate directly to named beneficiaries at death, outside of probate, and typically costs an additional $500 to $1,000 on top of the basic bundle. A full trust-based plan that includes a revocable living trust, will, Lady Bird Deed, and all supporting documents typically runs $3,500 to $8,000. Families who want to understand what goes into funding a revocable living trust should review how that process works before deciding whether a trust is the right fit for their situation.

The Real Cost of Not Having a Will in Florida

The cost of a will is straightforward to calculate. The cost of dying without one is harder to predict and almost always higher.

Under Florida’s intestacy laws, which are the rules that apply when someone dies without a valid will:

• Unmarried partners inherit nothing, regardless of how long the relationship lasted or how much they contributed to a shared life.
• Stepchildren have no inheritance rights unless they were legally adopted.
• The estate still goes through probate, but now the court decides who manages it and in what order assets are distributed.
• Blended families face immediate conflict. A surviving spouse may receive only half of the estate when children from outside the marriage exist, which can force a home sale or a costly buyout.
• The court appoints a stranger as administrator rather than a personal representative you chose and trusted.

There is also the cost of a poorly executed will. A DIY document that fails in Florida probate court can trigger a contested proceeding, with attorney fees running $5,000 to $30,000 or more depending on the dispute. And for families already dealing with what happens after someone dies in Florida, adding a legal challenge to that process compounds the loss at the worst possible time.

How Much Does a Lawyer Charge for a Will in Florida?

Florida attorney fees for wills vary based on experience, billing method, and estate complexity. Here is what to expect across different types of firms:

Before hiring any Florida estate planning attorney, ask two questions: “Is this a flat fee or hourly?” and “What exactly does that price include?” A flat fee should cover drafting, any revisions before the signing, and attendance at the signing appointment itself. If any of those are billed separately, the final cost will be higher than the headline number.

How to Keep Will Costs Reasonable Without Cutting Corners

Getting a properly drafted will does not have to be expensive. These are the factors that make the process efficient:

• Come to the consultation prepared. Know who your beneficiaries are, who you would name as personal representative, and who you would name as guardian for minor children. An attorney who starts from a clear picture drafts faster and more accurately.
• Bundle the four core documents. Buying a will, durable power of attorney, healthcare surrogate designation, and living will together is almost always cheaper than buying each one at a separate time.
• Choose flat-fee over hourly. Flat-fee billing rewards efficiency and gives you certainty from the first conversation. Hourly billing rewards time spent, which is rarely in your interest.
• Be honest about complexity. A straightforward single-person estate does not need a $6,000 trust-based plan. An estate planner who listens to your situation and recommends what you actually need will save you money compared to one who defaults to the most expensive option.
• Plan to update it over time. A will drafted at 35 may be completely outdated at 55. Understanding how to update or change your will in Florida makes it easier to keep the document current after a marriage, divorce, new child, or change in assets.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a will cost in Florida?

A simple attorney-drafted will in Florida costs $300 to $600. A couple’s will package runs $500 to $1,200. A complete basic estate plan that includes a will, durable power of attorney, healthcare surrogate designation, and living will typically runs $800 to $1,500. At The Schoonover Law Firm, all prices are flat fees confirmed in writing before any work begins.

How much does a simple will cost in Florida?

A simple will that names beneficiaries, a personal representative, and a children’s guardian typically costs $300 to $600 at a Florida estate planning attorney. Most firms recommend bundling it with a durable power of attorney, healthcare surrogate, and living will for $800 to $1,500 combined, since all four documents protect you both during life and at death.

How much is a will?

A simple attorney-drafted will is $300 to $600 for a single person and $500 to $1,200 for a couple. A full estate plan bundle that adds a power of attorney, healthcare surrogate, and living will runs $800 to $1,500. Online will templates cost $20 to $100 but do not include legal review or supervised execution.

How much does it cost to have a will made?

Expect to pay $300 to $600 for a simple individual will at a Florida estate planning attorney. A couple’s plan runs $500 to $1,200. A complete four-document bundle that also covers incapacity planning typically costs $800 to $1,500. At The Schoonover Law Firm, the exact price is provided on the first consultation with no hourly billing.

What is the average cost of a will in Florida?

The average cost of a simple attorney-drafted will in Florida is $400 to $700 for a single person and $700 to $1,200 for a couple’s package. A complete four-document bundle averages $800 to $1,500. DIY online wills cost $20 to $100 but do not include legal guidance, Florida-specific review, or supervised execution.

What is the typical cost of a will?

For a Florida resident working with an estate planning attorney, the typical cost of a will is $300 to $600 for a simple individual document, $500 to $1,200 for a couple’s plan, and $800 to $1,500 when bundled with the three other core estate planning documents. These are flat fees at most estate planning firms.

Does a will avoid probate in Florida?

No. A will goes through probate and does not avoid it. The probate process is how Florida courts supervise distribution of a deceased person’s estate. What actually avoids probate in Florida is a funded revocable living trust, a Lady Bird Deed for real estate, and beneficiary designations on financial accounts.

Does a will need to be notarized in Florida?

A Florida will must be signed by the testator in the presence of two witnesses, who also sign in each other’s presence. Notarization is not required to make a will valid, but adding a notary makes the will self-proving under Florida Statutes Section 732.503, which means witnesses do not have to appear in probate court later. All wills drafted at The Schoonover Law Firm are made self-proving at signing.

What is the difference between an online will and an attorney will in Florida?

An online will fills in a template for $20 to $100 with no legal review and no supervision of the signing ceremony. An attorney-drafted will is tailored to your situation, reviewed for Florida law compliance, and executed with proper witnesses and a notary. The risk with online wills is execution: a missed witness or improper signing can invalidate the document entirely in probate court.

How much does a lawyer charge for a will in Florida?

Florida estate planning attorneys typically charge $300 to $700 for a simple individual will on a flat-fee basis, or $250 to $450 per hour on an hourly basis. A couple’s will package runs $500 to $1,200. A full estate plan bundle including a will, power of attorney, healthcare surrogate, and living will is typically $800 to $1,500.

How much does a will and power of attorney cost in Florida?

A bundled estate plan that includes a last will and testament and a durable power of attorney typically costs $800 to $1,500 at most Florida estate planning attorneys. Most firms include a healthcare surrogate designation and living will in the same bundle, since all four documents form a complete incapacity and end-of-life plan.

Should I get a will or a trust in Florida?

Most Florida estate plans include both. A will names your beneficiaries, personal representative, and children’s guardian. A revocable living trust lets assets pass directly to beneficiaries after death without probate court, often saving families $5,000 to $20,000 or more in fees and a year of waiting. If you own real estate or want to avoid the probate process, a trust paired with a will is usually the better fit.

Is a DIY will valid in Florida?

A DIY will can be legally valid in Florida if it is properly executed, meaning signed by the testator in the presence of two witnesses who also sign in each other’s presence. The risk is that if any step is missed, or if a provision conflicts with Florida law, the will can be challenged or partially invalidated in probate court.

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