How Much Does Estate Planning Cost in South Australia?

Estate planning costs in South Australia can range from a low-cost DIY option through to several thousand dollars for a more complex estate plan. 

 As a guide, publicly advertised South Australian fixed-fee examples show simple solicitor-prepared Wills from around $689 to $1,100 for one person, and basic estate planning packages including a Will, Enduring Power of Attorney and Advance Care Directive from around $1,320 to $1,430 for one person.

Couples’ packages commonly sit higher, with public examples ranging from around $1,760 to $2,599, depending on what is included and how complex the advice is.  

That said, price should not be the only factor. A cheap document may be fine for a very simple situation, but estate planning is about making sure the right people have authority, the right assets go to the right people, and the risk of future disputes is reduced.

What does estate planning usually include in South Australia?

A basic estate plan in South Australia usually involves more than just a Will. It may include: 

Will

Sets out who receives your estate after you die and who is responsible for administering it. 

Enduring Power of Attorney

Allows someone you trust to manage financial and legal affairs during your lifetime, including if you lose capacity. 

Advance Care Directive

Records your wishes for future health care, living arrangements, personal matters and end-of-life decisions, and can appoint substitute decision-makers. 

Superannuation death benefit nominations

Helps direct what happens to your superannuation death benefit, which may not automatically follow your Will. 

Letter of wishes

Gives practical guidance to your executor, family or trustees, especially around personal wishes, children, funeral preferences or discretionary decisions. 

A valid Will is the key document for controlling how your estate is distributed after death. SA.GOV.AU explains that making a valid Will is the only way to be sure your property is distributed according to your wishes, and that without a legal Will, South Australian intestacy laws determine how your estate is divided. 

Typical estate planning costs in South Australia

The cost depends on whether you prepare documents yourself, use the Public Trustee, or work with a private solicitor. 

Why do estate planning fees vary so much?

Estate planning is not priced only by the number of pages in the documents. The cost usually reflects the advice, risk assessment and tailoring required. 

A simple Will may be lower cost where you have a straightforward family structure, simple assets, no business interests and clear beneficiaries. The cost can increase where there are blended families, former partners, children from different relationships, overseas assets, family trusts, companies, self-managed super funds, vulnerable beneficiaries or a high risk of dispute. 

The more complex your circumstances, the more important it is that your documents work together. A Will that says one thing, a superannuation nomination that says another, and jointly owned property that passes outside the estate can create confusion for the people left behind. 

Is a cheap Will enough?

Sometimes a simple Will is enough. For example, a person with straightforward assets and clear wishes may not need a complex estate plan. 

However, the risk with a very cheap or DIY Will is that it may not properly deal with the practical issues that often cause problems later, such as: 

family members who may expect to receive something; 

who should act as executor; 

what happens if a beneficiary dies before you; 

who looks after minor children; 

whether superannuation is covered; 

whether jointly owned assets form part of the estate; 

whether a business, trust or company is involved; 

whether there is a risk someone may challenge the estate. 

A solicitor-prepared estate plan is not just about document drafting. It should include advice on whether the structure actually matches your wishes and your family circumstances. 

What about superannuation?

Superannuation is often one of a person’s largest assets, but it is commonly misunderstood in estate planning. 

The Australian Taxation Office explains that when a person dies, their super fund usually pays the remaining super to a nominated beneficiary, and that fund rules may allow binding or non-binding death benefit nominations. MoneySmart also notes that you can nominate one or more eligible people to share in your super death benefit and recommends seeking legal advice if you are unsure how to organise it.  

This is one reason a proper estate plan often includes reviewing superannuation nominations, not just preparing a Will. 

When does estate planning cost more?

Estate planning will usually cost more when your lawyer needs to consider: 

blended family arrangements; 

children from previous relationships; 

a second marriage or de facto relationship; 

minor children or guardianship wishes; 

a beneficiary with disability, addiction, bankruptcy or relationship risk; 

family trusts or companies; 

business succession; 

rural or farming assets; 

self-managed super funds; 

overseas assets; 

concerns about capacity or undue influence; 

the need for a testamentary trust; 

a high likelihood of an estate dispute. 

These situations do not always mean your estate plan will be expensive, but they do mean you should get tailored advice rather than relying on a generic template. 

Has South Australian estate law changed recently?

Yes. On 1 January 2025, important changes to South Australian Wills and Estates law came into effect with the commencement of the Succession Act 2023. The Legal Services Commission encouraged South Australians to use the changes as a reason to consider their personal circumstances and ensure they have a current Will, Power of Attorney and Advance Care Directive in place.  

This does not automatically mean your existing Will is invalid, but it is a good reason to review your documents, especially if your family, assets or wishes have changed. 

Need help with estate planning in South Australia?

At Brite Legal, we help South Australians prepare clear, practical estate planning documents, including Wills, Enduring Powers of Attorney and Advance Care Directives and Testamentary Trusts.

To understand what your estate plan may cost, book a free enquiry call with our team.

We can discuss your circumstances, explain the documents you may need and provide a clear estimate before work begins. 

Written by Brite Legal
Reviewed by Georgia Hunter, Solicitor

Georgia is a solicitor at Brite Legal, assisting clients with estate planning, family law, property settlement and mediation matters across South Australia. This article has been legally reviewed to help ensure the information is accurate and up to date at the time of publication.