Understanding the costs associated with estate planning in the Philippines is essential for anyone looking to secure their legacy. While the law allows for a certain level of flexibility, the "price tag" of a Last Will and Testament is influenced by the type of will you choose, the complexity of your assets, and the current standards set by the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP).
In the Philippine context, legal fees for a will are generally split into two categories: Drafting (Professional Fees) and Notarization.
1. Types of Wills and Their Cost Implications
There are two types of wills recognized under the Civil Code of the Philippines, and each comes with a different price entry point.
Holographic Will: This is a will that is entirely handwritten, dated, and signed by the testator (the person making the will).
Cost: Technically ₱0 if you do it yourself. However, legal consultation is highly recommended to ensure you don't accidentally violate the "legitime" (the portion of the estate reserved by law for compulsory heirs).
Notarial Will: This is a formal, typewritten document that requires at least three witnesses and must be acknowledged before a Notary Public.
Cost: This is where the bulk of professional legal fees are concentrated due to the strict formalities required for its validity.
2. Estimated Fee Breakdown (2026 Estimates)
Legal fees vary significantly between Metro Manila and the provinces. High-tier law firms will naturally charge more than solo practitioners.
Drafting and Legal Review
The drafting fee covers the lawyer’s time in interviewing the client, reviewing titles of properties, calculating the legal shares (legitime), and ensuring the will cannot be easily contested in court.
| Complexity Level | Estimated Fee Range (PHP) |
|---|---|
| Simple Estate (e.g., one condo, bank accounts, one heir) | ₱15,000 – ₱30,000 |
| Moderate Estate (multiple properties, business interests, several heirs) | ₱40,000 – ₱80,000 |
| Complex/International (cross-border assets, trusts, complex heirship) | ₱100,000 – ₱250,000+ |
Notarization Fees
Notarizing a will is more expensive than a simple affidavit. Because a Notary Public must verify the identity of the testator and all three witnesses simultaneously, and because they assume significant legal liability, the "notarial fee" is higher.
- Flat Fee: Many notaries charge between ₱2,000 and ₱10,000 for the act of notarization alone.
- Percentage-Based: Some IBP chapters or law firms may charge a percentage of the total estate value (often 1%), though this is more common for deeds of sale than for wills.
3. Factors That Influence the Final Bill
- Asset Liquidity and Location: If your lawyer has to verify property titles in different provinces or check the status of corporate shares, expect the "out-of-pocket" expenses to rise.
- The "Hassle" Factor: If the lawyer needs to travel to a hospital or a residence to facilitate the signing (especially for elderly or ill testators), travel fees or home service fees (ranging from ₱3,000 to ₱10,000 per visit) are standard.
- IBP Minimum Wage Schedules: Each IBP chapter (e.g., IBP Makati, IBP Cebu) issues a "Schedule of Minimum Attorney's Fees." Lawyers generally treat these as a floor, not a ceiling.
4. Hidden and Future Costs
It is a common misconception that paying for a will is the final expense. In the Philippines, all wills must undergo Probate (a court proceeding to prove the will is valid) after the testator passes away.
- Probate Legal Fees: These can be much higher than the drafting fees, often involving an "Acceptance Fee" (₱50,000 to ₱150,000+) and "Appearance Fees" (₱3,000 to ₱5,000 per court hearing).
- Estate Taxes: Regardless of the will, the estate must pay a 6% Estate Tax on the net estate value to the BIR before titles can be transferred to the heirs.
- Documentary Stamp Tax (DST): Notarized documents usually require a DST, though for a will, this is a minor cost (typically under ₱100).
Summary Checklist
If you are planning to visit a lawyer for a Last Will and Testament, expect a starting budget of approximately ₱25,000 to ₱40,000 for a standard, professional service that includes both drafting and notarization. While "notary-only" stalls near city halls might offer lower rates, a will is a high-stakes document; a single procedural error can lead to the "intestate" distribution of your assets, effectively rendering the will a very expensive piece of scrap paper.