Estate planning is a crucial part of financial management. While the process might seem daunting, having a well-structured estate plan can provide peace of mind and ensure your wishes are carried out after your death. In this blog post, we will discuss the costs associated with estate planning in Montana, and provide a detailed breakdown of the services these prices typically cover.
1. Initial Consultation
The first step in estate planning is an initial consultation. This is often a meeting with an attorney to discuss your needs, understand the process, and see if their services align with your circumstances. In Montana, the costs for an initial consultation can range from $100 to $500.
At Snug, you can get started for free and only pay when you’re ready to finalize your documents.
2. Estate Plan Drafting
Estate plan drafting involves the creation of legal documents such as a will, trust, power of attorney, and health care directive. The cost of a comprehensive estate plan drafting in Montana can range from $900 to $4950, depending on the complexity of your estate and the attorney's experience.
The cost of creating a will in Montana can range from approximately $250 to $1000, while a trust typically costs anywhere between $900 and $3450.
At Snug, any member can create a Power of Attorney and Health Care Directive for free. A Will costs $195 and a Trust costs $500. This offers most families an affordable and comprehensive solution to their estate planning needs.
3. Document Review
If you already have estate planning documents and need them reviewed or updated, attorneys in Montana typically charge between $450 and $2000. This cost varies based on the number of documents and the extent of updates required.
At Snug, you can upload and review any existing documents. As part of the review, you’ll see key details for each document and a personalized plan to update and maintain each document.
4. Individual Document Preparation
Specific document preparation, like drafting a single will or power of attorney, can cost between $150 and $500 per document. The cost depends on the complexity of the document and the attorney's experience and expertise. Trusts often cost more.
If you already have a baseline estate plan and only need one or two new documents, this might be a good route for you. Otherwise, it is often most cost effective to prepare all documents at once.
At Snug, you can create individual documents or entire estate plans whenever you want. Any member can create a Power of Attorney and Health Care Directive for free. A Will costs $195 and a Trust costs $500. For many families, this is a great option to get you fully covered and save some money while doing it.
5. Trust Administration
Trust administration is a process that begins after the death of the person who created the trust, known as the grantor. It involves managing and distributing the assets within the trust according to the grantor's instructions. In Montana, the costs for trust administration can range from $1350 to $4950 or more, depending on the complexity of the trust and the services required.
6. Probate
Probate is the legal process that happens after a person dies and leaves behind a will. It involves proving the will is valid, identifying and inventorying the deceased person's property, having the property appraised, paying debts and taxes, and distributing the remaining property as the will directs. The cost for probate in Montana can range from $2700 to $6950 or more. The actual cost can vary greatly depending on whether the estate is simple or complex, and whether there are any legal disputes over the will or estate.
7. Hourly Legal Advice
For ongoing advice or assistance from an attorney, you may be charged an hourly rate. In Montana, an estate planning attorney typically charges between $150 and $500 per hour.
8. Flat Fee Services
Some attorneys offer flat fee services for specific tasks, such as preparing a basic will or trust. In Montana, an estate planning attorney typically charges between $250 and $3450 or more, depending on the complexity of the task.
9. Court Fees
If your estate planning involves court proceedings, you'll have to pay court filing fees. In Montana, court filing fees can range from $100 to $500 or more.
10. Notary Fees
Lastly, many estate planning documents require notarization. In Montana, you can expect to pay between $10 and $50 per document for notary services.
While the cost of estate planning in Montana can vary, it's an essential investment in your future and the future of your loved ones. Always ask for a detailed fee schedule or quote before hiring an attorney to ensure you understand the full scope of potential costs. Remember, the peace of mind that comes from knowing your estate is well-managed and your wishes will be honored is priceless.
