Whether you’re launching your own estate practice or expanding your services, one of the most common questions for estate lawyers is: How much should I charge? In 2025, clear, competitive pricing is not just important for profitability, it's a key driver for managing client expectations and building trust.
Here’s what Canadian estate lawyers need to know about setting fees, charging for disbursements, and presenting pricing with confidence.
Flat fees are the norm
According to our most recent Estate Practice Report published earlier this year, 91% of Canadian estate lawyers now charge flat fees for standard will and power of attorney packages. This model provides clients with price certainty while allowing you to standardize your workflow.
Importantly, flat fees ensure that streamlining your processes improves—rather than reduces—your bottom line. The primary goal of process improvement should be to elevate client experience and increase your volume, thereby boosting revenue, not reducing it.
The average fees for a spousal estate plan file,including wills and powers of attorney, are:
- $1,450 across Canada
- $1,750 in the Toronto/GTA, Metro Vancouver, and Calgary
- $1,350 in larger and mid-sized cities
- $1,150 in small towns
Interestingly, years of experience don’t impact pricing. Lawyers with less than 5 years in the field charge the same as those with 20+ years. So don’t underprice your services—your value is in the outcome you deliver.
Pro Tip
This is where the value of a tool like eState Planner comes into play. eState Planner helps lawyers, at all experience levels, deliver superior client service through its intake process, planning error-prevention features, and peer-reviewed and customizable precedents.
Charging for complex files: multiple wills
When working on complex files, estate lawyers charge extra for multiple wills. These are primarily used to reduce probate tax or serve clients with private corporations or significant business assets. But what’s an appropriate fee for drafting multiple wills?
Pro Tip
Most firms charge an additional $500 to $1,500 for drafting multiple wills
Make sure this surcharge is explained clearly in your engagement letter and your initial client discussion. It reflects both the added complexity and the liability involved.
Disbursements: what to include (and what not to)
Estate planning work is generally light on disbursements, but that doesn’t mean they should be absorbed into your base fee.
Typical disbursements include:
- Software use (for the use of specialized software such as eState Planner)
- Title or corporate searches (often needed for secondary wills)
- Courier or postage (for delivering originals)
Best practice: Be transparent. Itemize disbursements separately and get client approval in advance. Avoid “admin fees” unless justified and disclosed.
Should you ask for a deposit?
In 2025, only 50% of firms require a deposit, even though over 60% of surveyed firms use written retainers. What it means is that a significant number of estate lawyers are taking on files without upfront financial security, something worth reconsidering in today’s practice environment.
As an estate lawyer, requesting a retainer deposit isn't just about protecting your time; it's about setting clear expectations and ensuring client commitment. A modest deposit (e.g. $250–$500 for a standard plan, more for complex or multiple will files) helps establish professionalism, weeds out non-committal clients, and provides peace of mind while you work.
Build pricing into your process
Clarity and confidence are essential, particularly in today's market where DIY solutions emphasize convenience, transparency, and affordability. Display your pricing on your website (even if it's just a "starting at" range), explain your value in straightforward language, and implement a standardized engagement letter template for consistency.
Pro Tip
Tools like eState Planner can help you automate your workflows, reduce time per file, and deliver value that matches your price point.
Final thoughts
Clients value predictability and transparency. By adopting a clear flat-fee model, charging fairly for added complexity, and managing disbursements ethically, you can align your pricing with modern client expectations—and your own bottom line.
Ready to elevate your practice? Book a demo to see how eState Planner can improve your estate planning practice.
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