How much does a will cost in Illinois?
Illinois law sets what a valid will requires, not what one costs, so the price depends on who prepares it and how much the document has to do. Hart David Carson LLP publishes a flat fee for its Illinois Family Plan, which includes a will naming a guardian: $1,250 for one person or $1,750 for a couple if engaged by December 31, 2026.
What the law requires of every will
Cost starts with what the document must be. Under 755 ILCS 5/4-1, a person who is at least 18 years old and of sound mind and memory may make a will. Under 755 ILCS 5/4-3, every will must be in writing, signed by the testator, and attested in the presence of the testator by two or more credible witnesses.
Those requirements are the same whether the will is simple or elaborate. Section 4-3 does not list notarization among them.
What drives the cost
The largest factor is the work the will has to do. A will that leaves everything to a spouse and names one guardian takes less drafting than one that provides for children from two marriages, holds property for minors until a set age, or deals with a family business.
The second factor is what comes with it. A will is often signed alongside powers of attorney for property and for health care, and the price of a package depends on how many documents it contains.
The third is how the fee is set. Some lawyers bill by the hour and some quote a flat fee in advance. A flat fee tells the client the full cost before the work begins. This page does not quote market price ranges, because they vary and cannot be verified from an official source.
Why the signing matters as much as the drafting
A will that is drafted well can still fail at the signing table. Under 755 ILCS 5/4-6, if a gift is made to a person who attests the will, or to that person's spouse, the gift is void as to that beneficiary unless the will is otherwise attested by a sufficient number of other witnesses. The statute then limits what that beneficiary may still receive.
Witness statements also matter later. Under 755 ILCS 5/6-4, the witnesses' statements needed to prove the will may be made by an attestation clause or an affidavit signed by the witnesses and attached to the will, in place of testimony before the court.
Naming a guardian
For parents of minor children, the guardian designation is often the reason to make a will. 755 ILCS 5/11-5 allows a parent to designate a guardian in any writing, including a will.
The firm's published flat fee
The Illinois Family Plan from Hart David Carson LLP includes a will naming a guardian, both Illinois statutory powers of attorney, and a living will on request. The fee is $1,250 for one person or $1,750 for a couple if engaged by December 31, 2026. From January 1, 2027 it is $1,500 for one person and $2,000 for a couple. The plan is for Illinois residents only.
People who want to begin on their own can use the firm's free Document Studio, which drafts documents online. The first call with the firm is free.
About this page
The statutes cited here were checked in November 2026. This page is general information and is not legal advice about any person's estate.
Sources
Each figure and rule above comes from the official source listed here, read in November 2026. Fees and statutes change, so confirm the current figure with the state before you file.
- 755 ILCS 5/4-1 ilga.gov
- 755 ILCS 5/4-3 ilga.gov
- 755 ILCS 5/4-6 ilga.gov
- 755 ILCS 5/6-4 ilga.gov
- 755 ILCS 5/11-5 ilga.gov
This guide is general information, not legal advice, and reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship.
Have an attorney do it for a flat fee
Frequently asked
Is there a set price for a will in Illinois?
No. Illinois law sets what a valid will requires, not what one costs. The price depends on who prepares the will and how much the document has to do.
How many witnesses does an Illinois will need?
Two. Under 755 ILCS 5/4-3, a will must be attested in the presence of the testator by two or more credible witnesses.
What does Hart David Carson LLP charge for a will?
The firm's Illinois Family Plan, which includes a will naming a guardian and both Illinois statutory powers of attorney, is $1,250 for one person or $1,750 for a couple if engaged by December 31, 2026. It is $1,500 and $2,000 from January 1, 2027.