Transparent pricing shown before you commit. Contested litigation starts with a $5,000 flat fee for the initial scope—not the entire contest. Contested cases may incur additional flat fees only when listed litigation events actually occur. Payment plans are available.
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Wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and healthcare directives drafted to Illinois legal standards. Every package includes attorney consultations related to the written scope, notarization, a physical & digital portfolio, and client portal access.
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Start online without a consultation, or talk with us first—free and no obligation.
Start online without a consultation, or talk with us first—free and no obligation.
Start online without a consultation, or talk with us first—free and no obligation.
Fixed fee includes one advanced irrevocable trust. Each additional advanced trust is $5,500.
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Covers one membership year. New planning strategies or replacement documents require a separate fixed-fee service.
Start online without a consultation, or talk with us first—free and no obligation.
Start online without a consultation, or talk with us first—free and no obligation.
Start online without a consultation, or talk with us first—free and no obligation.
Start online without a consultation, or talk with us first—free and no obligation.
Start online without a consultation, or talk with us first—free and no obligation.
Start online without a consultation, or talk with us first—free and no obligation.
Start online without a consultation, or talk with us first—free and no obligation.
Start online without a consultation, or talk with us first—free and no obligation.
Start online without a consultation, or talk with us first—free and no obligation.
Start online without a consultation, or talk with us first—free and no obligation.
Start online without a consultation, or talk with us first—free and no obligation.
Start online without a consultation, or talk with us first—free and no obligation.
Attorney guidance for individuals serving as trustee. Note: Illinois Estate Law provides consulting only and does not serve as trustee.
Attorney guidance for individuals serving as trustee
Flat annual fee of $5,000. Work beyond ten attorney hours requires a separate written engagement. Illinois Estate Law does not serve as trustee.
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Flat-fee guidance for executors and families through Illinois probate — from opening through closing. Uncontested matters are flat-fee. Contested matters start with a $5,000 flat fee for the initial scope—not the entire contest. Additional flat fees apply only when listed litigation events actually occur. Surety bond premiums, if required, are paid directly to the bond provider and are not included.
Small Estate Affidavit and Attorney Letter of Direction — no probate case opened
This is not a probate court filing. If an institution refuses the affidavit and requires Letters of Office, the matter becomes a Standard Probate and is quoted separately.
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Uncontested estates valued at $4,000,000 or less
Uncontested matters only. Surety bond premium, if required, is paid directly to the bond provider and is NOT included in the flat fee.
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Uncontested estates exceeding $4,000,000
Full uncontested probate administration from opening through closing. The additional 0.5% of estate value is charged at the time of administration only if the estate value exceeds $4,000,000, due to estate-tax complexity. Surety bond premium is excluded.
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Applies when a previously closed probate estate is reopened due to newly discovered assets.
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$2,500 per heir. Does not include contested hearings or motions to contest a will.
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Fixed fee for accepted uncontested substitute-counsel matters through routine closing.
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Start online without a consultation, or talk with us first—free and no obligation.
Starts with a flat fee
Starts with a $5,000 flat fee for the initial contested scope—not the entire contest. Contested cases may incur additional flat fees only when listed litigation events actually occur. Each additional scope and fee is explained in writing before it is incurred.
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Review the complete contested-matter event fee list for the specific motions, discovery, depositions, hearings, will-contest phases, and trial work that may create an additional flat fee.
Wrongful Death Cases: Ask us about our special wrongful death attorney referral pricing. Schedule a consultation or call (312) 373-0731.
The firm offers three real-estate fee structures: Sale Representation, FSBO, and Bond in Lieu of Probate. Seller representation fees are paid at closing from sale proceeds. FSBO includes added coordination because there is no listing agent. Bond in Lieu is a limited qualifying estate process, not full probate. Third-party closing costs and surety premiums are separate. Deed preparation remains a separate à la carte category, with recording included in the listed deed fee.
When the sole estate asset is real estate
For an estate whose only asset requiring administration is Illinois real estate, when all heirs agree and the title company and surety approve the process. Not a full probate. The surety premium, third-party charges, and contested work are not included.
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Seller represented by a licensed real estate agent
For an Illinois residential seller who already has a listing agent. The $750 attorney fee is paid at closing from sale proceeds. Buyer representation, brokerage services, and third-party closing costs are not included.
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Seller has no listing agent
The $1,500 attorney fee is paid at closing from sale proceeds. We do not act as a broker, market or show the property, find a buyer, or set the sale price. Third-party closing costs are not included.
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À la carte deeds — recording fee included on each.
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These services solve different versions of the same problem: who can legally act for another person. A power of attorney is voluntarily signed while the person can appoint an agent; guardianship is a court process used when that authority is unavailable or inadequate.
$500 individual / $750 joint
Property and health care POAs prepared together.
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$5,000 flat
All filing fees included. Bond premiums and GAL fees are separate.
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$7,500 total
$2,500 emergency add-on plus the full uncontested case. Includes filing of the emergency motion and temporary-guardianship petition during the same calendar week when purchased by Tuesday.
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Starts with $5,000
Initial scope only. Additional flat fees apply when listed litigation events actually occur.
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Unsure which service applies? Compare power of attorney and guardianship or book a free consultation.
The things other firms nickel-and-dime — included in your flat fee, every time.
Every service and its exact flat fee, in one place. Individual / Joint pricing shown where applicable.
| Service | Individual | Joint | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Estate Planning — Packages | |||
| Trust Package | $3,500 | $5,000 | |
| Probate Avoidance Package | $1,750 | $2,250 | |
| Will Package | $1,250 | $1,750 | |
| DIY Estate Plan Review | $750 | $1,000 | |
| Estate Tax Planning Package | $15,000 | $20,000 | Fixed fee includes one advanced irrevocable trust. Each additional advanced trust is $5,500. |
| Annual Review Membership | $599 | — | Covers one membership year. New planning strategies or replacement documents require a separate fixed-fee service. |
| Estate Planning — À La Carte & Add-Ons | |||
| Revocable Living Trust | $2,500 | $3,500 | |
| Last Will and Testament | $750 | $1,250 | |
| Powers of Attorney | $500 | $750 | Power of Attorney for Healthcare & Power of Attorney for Property. Joint includes two of each. |
| Healthcare Directive (Living Will) | $350 | — | |
| Trust Restatement | $2,000 | $3,000 | |
| Will Amendment | $500 | $750 | |
| Trust Funding Guidance | $1,500 | — | Guidance for retitling up to 15 financial assets into your trust. You complete the transfers with your institutions. Does not include real estate / deed transfers. |
| Medicaid Asset Protection Trust | $6,500 | — | Standalone long-term-care asset-protection planning |
| Irrevocable Life Insurance Trust (ILIT) | $5,500 | — | Standalone life-insurance and estate-tax planning trust |
| Special Needs Planning | $5,500 | — | |
| Estate Tax Planning (Add-On) | $5,000 | — | |
| Probate & Administration | |||
| Small Estate Administration | $1,000 | — | Small Estate Affidavit and Attorney Letter of Direction — no probate case opened |
| Standard Probate | $5,000 | — | Uncontested estates valued at $4,000,000 or less |
| Large Estate Probate | $5,000 + 0.5% of Estate Value | — | Uncontested estates exceeding $4,000,000 |
| Probate Reopening | $2,500 | — | Applies when a previously closed probate estate is reopened due to newly discovered assets. |
| Heir Representation | $2,500 | — | $2,500 per heir. Does not include contested hearings or motions to contest a will. |
| Partial Probate | $3,500 | — | Fixed fee for accepted uncontested substitute-counsel matters through routine closing. |
| Spousal Representation | $4,500 | — | |
| Contested Probate | Starts with $5,000 | — | Starts with a flat fee |
| Trust Administration | |||
| Trust Administration Consulting | $5,000 / Year | — | Attorney guidance for individuals serving as trustee |
| Real Estate & Deeds | |||
| Bond in Lieu of Probate | $1,500 | — | When the sole estate asset is real estate |
| Sale Representation | $750 | — | Seller represented by a licensed real estate agent |
| For Sale By Owner (FSBO) Representation | $1,500 | — | Seller has no listing agent |
| Additional Deed Transfer to Trust | $500 | — | Per deed, recording fee included. For funding multiple properties into an existing or newly created trust. |
| Quitclaim Deed | $500 | — | Recording fee included. |
| Transfer on Death Instrument (TODI) | $500 | — | Recording fee included. |
| Life Estate Deed | $500 | — | Recording fee included. |
| Powers of Attorney & Guardianship | |||
| Powers of Attorney | $500 | $750 | Property and health care POAs prepared together. |
| Adult Guardianship — Uncontested | $5,000 | — | All court filing fees included; bond premiums and guardian ad litem fees billed separately. |
| Emergency + Full Adult Guardianship | $7,500 | — | $2,500 emergency add-on plus the full case. Includes filing of the emergency motion and temporary-guardianship petition during the same calendar week when purchased by Tuesday. Filing fees included; bond premiums and GAL fees separate. |
| Minor Guardianship — Uncontested | $5,000 | — | Flat fee. |
| Contested Guardianship | Starts with $5,000 | — | Initial scope only. Contested cases may incur additional flat fees when listed litigation events actually occur. |
| Annual Report on the Ward | $750 / year | — | Personal annual report preparation and filing. Estate accounting is not included in this fee. |
*Flat fees on all standard matters, including uncontested probate and uncontested guardianship. Contested matters start with a $5,000 flat fee for a defined initial scope—not the entire contest. Contested cases may incur additional flat fees only when listed litigation events actually occur.
At Illinois Estate Law, we offer innovative estate planning and probate solutions that can be customized to fit your unique needs.
Event-based contested fees
Contested cases may incur additional flat fees, but a contested case does not automatically incur every fee below. The initial $5,000 flat fee covers a defined opening scope—not the entire contest. An additional flat fee applies only when the listed event actually occurs, after the work and fee are explained in writing. Fees are shown from least expensive to most expensive.
| Litigation event or phase | Flat fee | When it applies |
|---|---|---|
| Subpoena | $750 per recipient | A subpoena is prepared and issued. |
| Nonroutine Unopposed Motion | $1,250 | A substantive motion is required and no party opposes it. |
| Discovery Citation | $3,500 per respondent | A citation proceeding is initiated against a person or institution. |
| Deposition | $3,500 per deposition | Preparation and attendance for one deposition lasting up to four hours. |
| Contested Motion | $3,500 | Briefing and argument are required on a contested, non-dispositive motion. |
| Mediation | $3,500 | Preparation for and attendance at one mediation session; mediator fees are separate. |
| Initial Contested Matter Scope | $5,000 | Contested representation begins. Covers initial review, appearance, strategy, and case planning—not the entire contest. |
| Written Discovery Phase | $5,000 | Interrogatories, document requests, or requests to admit are served or answered. |
| Extended or Expert Deposition | $5,000 per deposition | A deposition exceeds four hours or involves an expert witness; expert fees are separate. |
| Dispositive Motion | $5,000 | A motion to dismiss, summary judgment motion, or comparable case-dispositive motion is prepared or defended. |
| Evidentiary Hearing | $5,000 per hearing day | Witness testimony or evidence is presented outside the final trial. |
| Additional Will Contest Trial Day | $5,000 per day | A will-contest trial continues beyond the first three trial days included in the trial phase. |
| Formal Proof of Will | $5,500 | An interested person demands formal proof of the will. |
| Contested Creditor Claim | $10,000 | A creditor claim requires an evidentiary dispute or trial. |
| Contested Accounting | $12,500 | An estate or trust accounting is formally challenged. |
| Will or Trust Construction | $12,500 | Court interpretation of a will or trust becomes necessary. |
| Contested Heirship | $15,000 | Competing or disputed heirship claims require litigation. |
| Asset Recovery or Title Citation | $20,000 | Litigation is required to recover estate property or determine title. |
| Full Will Contest — Pretrial Litigation | $25,000 | A will contest proceeds beyond initial pleadings into full pretrial litigation. Covers pleadings, case management, standard written discovery, and pretrial conferences; depositions, experts, mediation, and trial are separate. |
| Will Contest Trial Preparation and Trial | $25,000 | The court sets the will contest for trial. Covers motions in limine, witness and exhibit preparation, pretrial submissions, and the first three trial days. |
| Fiduciary Removal or Surcharge | $25,000 | Removal, breach-of-duty, or surcharge litigation begins. |
Appeal: Individually quoted flat fee
A notice of appeal is filed or appellate representation is requested.
To help you choose the right estate planning package, you can take our estate planning quiz available on our website. Additionally, you can book a consultation with one of our experienced attorneys who will guide you in selecting the best package for your specific needs.
Each fixed-fee package includes the attorney consultations reasonably needed to complete the written scope of that service. New work, contested issues, or work outside the package scope requires a separate written engagement before additional fees are charged.
Concrete prices are published on this page. Contested matters start with a $5,000 flat fee for a defined initial scope—not the entire contest. Contested cases may incur additional flat fees only when a listed litigation event actually occurs. Each additional scope and fee is explained in writing before it is incurred. See the event-based fee list above.
Each service card identifies what is included and any separate third-party costs. Probate packages include filing and creditor-publication charges; a required surety-bond premium is paid separately to the bond provider.
Trust packages include the listed funding guidance, notarization, and one deed. Additional deeds are $500 each. Any other excluded cost is disclosed in the applicable service description or engagement agreement.
Our attorneys have worked at firms that bill clients hourly and we can confidently say, we won't go back. We believe estate plans are essential and therefore, you should not have to pay an arm and a leg to get your affairs in order.
Yes -- as to real estate. We draft one (1) deed for you and record it with the Recorder of Deeds as part of the service. Trust funding guidance for your other assets is also included: we tell you exactly what to retitle and how, and you complete those transfers with your institutions. Additional deeds beyond the first are $500 each for completion and recording.
Yes -- trust funding guidance is included in all trust packages and trust services at no additional cost. We review your assets, tell you which ones belong in the trust, and give you the trust certification, letters of instruction, and step-by-step direction you need. You complete the transfers with your banks and financial institutions; we do not retitle your accounts for you. We do draft and record one (1) deed to transfer real estate into the trust as part of the service. Additional deeds beyond the first are $500 each. Trust funding guidance is also available as a standalone a la carte service for $1,500 for clients who already have a trust.
Absolutely, we offer flexibility in our services. If you decide you need a different product than the package you initially chose, we can customize and adjust your package to better suit your needs.
We recommend reviewing and possibly updating your estate planning documents whenever significant life changes occur. These events include, but are not limited to:
Regularly reviewing your estate planning documents ensures they accurately reflect your current life situation and wishes.
Yes! Once you choose your package, you will sign a Client Services Agreement that outlines the terms of the attorney-client relationship, which includes attorney-client privilege.
All of our attorneys are licensed by the Supreme Court of Illinois and have significant estate planning and probate experience.
Yes – we use a secure online questionnaire to gather your personal information, which complies with PCI Level 1 and HIPAA.
We offer two options: (1) Online Notarization through an online notary platform or (2) Mobile Notarization in which a notary travels to your home. Online notarizations are included for both A la Carte services and all packages. Mobile notarization is included only for packages.
You will work with a dedicated attorney who will handle your matter from start to finish. We may have a paralegal assist with administrative and scheduling functions.
Yes. Our $599 annual review membership includes an annual attorney review meeting and up to two simple amendments each year. Work outside that scope is quoted separately.
Estate-planning timelines depend on the package, complexity, and how quickly information and approvals are provided. Same-week appointments are often available. Illinois probate commonly takes many months because of creditor periods, tax work, asset administration, and court scheduling.
We offer a service to review and modify DIY and previously drafted estate plans. Our review service includes a comprehensive review of your plan and a 1-hour review session with our attorney. Any amendments and modifications to your existing plan will be tracked for transparency.
Absolutely. Our staff is experienced in estate planning for blended families and business owners, and we provide special add-on services for special needs planning and estate tax planning.
No. You may choose a service and get started online without a consultation, or schedule a free consultation first. Each fixed-fee package includes the attorney consultations reasonably needed to complete its written scope.
In-person meetings are available for current clients at our physical offices throughout Illinois. Please visit our office locations page to find the nearest office.
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