Flat-fee estate planning on the South Shore
Most estate planning attorneys won't tell you what it costs until you're already in the room. I don't work that way. Everything I offer is flat-fee, which means you know the number before you call, and it doesn't change based on how long we spend together or how many questions you ask along the way.
The prices below cover what most South Shore families actually need. If your situation calls for something different, I'll tell you that plainly in our first conversation. Which is always free.
Every flat fee covers the full engagement from start to finish. That means your free consultation, all drafting and revisions, document execution with a licensed notary and witnesses, premium printed originals on archival paper in a keepsake binder, and electronic scanned copies of your signed documents before you leave the office. No add-ons. No surprises.
Trust-based plans
For most South Shore homeowners, a revocable living trust is the better long-term choice. It keeps your estate out of probate court, protects your family's privacy, and gives everyone a cleaner path when it matters most. Every trust plan I offer includes the deed transfer to fund the trust. That step is where most plans quietly fail when it's handled elsewhere, and it's included here at no additional charge.
Individual trust plan
$3,500
- –Revocable living trust
- –Pour-over will
- –Durable power of attorney
- –Healthcare proxy + HIPAA authorization
- –Deed transfer to fund the trust
- –Document execution with licensed notary and witnesses
- –Premium printed originals in a keepsake binder
- –Electronic scanned copies before you leave
Couple trust plan
$4,500
- –Joint or separate revocable living trusts
- –Two pour-over wills
- –Two durable powers of attorney
- –Two healthcare proxies + HIPAA authorizations
- –Deed transfer to fund the trust
- –Document execution with licensed notary and witnesses
- –Premium printed originals in a keepsake binder
- –Electronic scanned copies before you leave
Will-based plans
A will-based plan is the right starting point for younger families, people early in the planning process, or anyone who wants to get the foundational documents in place and build from there. Every plan includes a last will and testament, a durable power of attorney, and a healthcare proxy with HIPAA authorization.
Individual essentials
$1,800
- –Last will and testament
- –Durable power of attorney
- –Healthcare proxy + HIPAA authorization
- –Document execution with licensed notary and witnesses
- –Premium printed originals in a keepsake binder
- –Electronic scanned copies before you leave
Couple essentials
$3,200
- –Two last wills and testaments
- –Two durable powers of attorney
- –Two healthcare proxies + HIPAA authorizations
- –Document execution with licensed notary and witnesses
- –Premium printed originals in a keepsake binder
- –Electronic scanned copies before you leave
MassHealth protection planning
If protecting the home from a MassHealth claim is part of your goal, the planning centers on an irrevocable trust. This is different work from a revocable trust, not an upgrade to it, and it does different things. I'll tell you plainly in our first conversation whether it fits your situation.
MassHealth protection plan, individual
$5,500
- –Irrevocable Medicaid Asset Protection Trust
- –Deed transfer of the home into the trust
- –Pour-over will
- –Durable power of attorney
- –Healthcare proxy + HIPAA authorization
- –Document execution with licensed notary and witnesses
- –Premium printed originals in a keepsake binder
- –Electronic scanned copies before you leave
MassHealth protection plan, couple
$7,500
- –Irrevocable Medicaid Asset Protection Trust
- –Deed transfer of the home into the trust
- –Two pour-over wills
- –Two durable powers of attorney
- –Two healthcare proxies + HIPAA authorizations
- –Document execution with licensed notary and witnesses
- –Premium printed originals in a keepsake binder
- –Electronic scanned copies before you leave
These are flat fees for a standard single-property plan. Three things change the scope: more than one property, an outstanding mortgage on the property going into the trust, or real estate outside Massachusetts. If any of those apply, I'll give you the number before any work begins.
Both trusts together
Many families need both. The house goes into the MassHealth trust. Everything else goes into the revocable trust. The two are drafted to work together. Doing both at the same time costs less than doing them years apart, because the foundation documents are drafted once.
Both trusts, individual
$6,500
- –Revocable living trust
- –Irrevocable Medicaid Asset Protection Trust
- –Deed transfer of the home into the MassHealth trust
- –Pour-over will
- –Durable power of attorney
- –Healthcare proxy + HIPAA authorization
- –Document execution with licensed notary and witnesses
- –Premium printed originals in a keepsake binder
- –Electronic scanned copies before you leave
Both trusts, couple
$8,500
- –Joint or separate revocable living trusts
- –Irrevocable Medicaid Asset Protection Trust
- –Deed transfer of the home into the MassHealth trust
- –Two pour-over wills
- –Two durable powers of attorney
- –Two healthcare proxies + HIPAA authorizations
- –Document execution with licensed notary and witnesses
- –Premium printed originals in a keepsake binder
- –Electronic scanned copies before you leave
These are flat fees for a standard single-property plan. Three things change the scope: more than one property, an outstanding mortgage on the property going into the trust, or real estate outside Massachusetts. If any of those apply, I'll give you the number before any work begins.
Individual documents
Sometimes you need one document rather than a full plan. These are the flat fees for standalone work.
Uncontested probate
If someone close to you has passed and the estate needs to go through the Massachusetts probate process, I start with a full review of the matter for a flat fee. After the review, if you choose to move forward, the $1,500 review fee is credited toward the total cost of the probate engagement. The final price is determined after the review, based on the complexity of the estate.
Probate matter review
$1,500
- –Full review of the probate matter
- –$1,500 credited toward total probate cost if you proceed
- –Final price determined after review
Court filing fees are paid separately and passed through at cost, typically around $390 for informal probate in Massachusetts. Probate engagements vary based on the number of assets, account complexity, real estate involved, and any creditor or tax issues.
Your first conversation is free
If you're ready to get a plan in place, or just trying to figure out which direction makes sense for your family, I offer free consultations for families across the South Shore and South Coast. We'll look at your actual situation, talk through what fits, and I'll tell you honestly what I'd recommend. No sales pitch. No pressure. Just a clear answer.
Book Your Consultation(781) 724-1721 | Start@JCullenLaw.com