How much does a will cost in Adelaide?
Will costs in Adelaide range from $550 for straightforward cases to $3,500+ for complex estates with testamentary trusts. Here's what drives the price.
Straightforward wills in Adelaide typically cost between $550 and $850 per person. Wills that include testamentary trusts, blended-family provisions, or business succession clauses range from $1,500 to $3,500. Most lawyers now quote a fixed fee for wills after an initial consultation, so you know what you'll pay before any work begins.
What drives the price of a will
Complexity of the estate
A single person with a home, superannuation, and a bank account is straightforward. Add investment properties, shareholdings, family trusts, or a business – and drafting time increases significantly.
Family structure
Single wills for couples are simpler. Blended families with children from previous relationships need careful drafting – often rights of residence or testamentary trusts. Family provision risks also need to be anticipated and documented.
Testamentary trusts
Building a testamentary trust into a will adds $1,000 to $2,500. For estates over about $1 million, the tax savings on distributions to minor beneficiaries typically recover this cost in the first year or two.
Business interests
Succession for business assets (shares in a family company, units in a trust, partnership interests) requires coordination with the underlying company or trust structure – and often an accountant. Fees typically add $1,500 to $4,000.
What's included in a fixed fee
A proper fixed fee for a will should cover the initial consultation, drafting, revision, execution meeting, witnessing, and delivery of originals and digital copies. Ask for what's specifically included – some quotes are ‘drafting only' and exclude witnessing.
DIY will kits vs lawyer-drafted
Will kits cost around $50 to $200. The cost of fixing a DIY will when something goes wrong – either through a probate application that hits problems, or a contested estate – almost always exceeds what a lawyer-drafted will would have cost in the first place.
Summary
For most Adelaide families, a lawyer-drafted will is a small expense compared to the assets it protects. Fixed-fee quotes remove the risk of hourly-rate drift. Testamentary trusts cost more but often pay for themselves through tax savings alone.
Talk to Sam about your situation
If this article raised questions for your own circumstances, Sam Michele offers free 20-minute initial consultations. Learn more about our wills service, or book a consultation.
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Disclaimer: This article is general information only and does not constitute legal advice. Estate planning is deeply personal - every family's circumstances are different. For advice specific to your situation, please contact Rosewood Succession Solicitors.