10 estimators for family law, estate planning and legal process costs
Legal processes are intimidating partly because their costs and formulas are hidden behind consultations. Much of it, though, is public: child support follows published state guideline models, small-claims courts publish their filing fees and limits, and estate-planning documents have well-known market price ranges. These tools surface that public math so you can walk into any consultation informed.
A clear boundary, stated plainly on every page: these are educational estimators, not legal advice, and never a substitute for a licensed attorney in your state. What they do well is preparation — realistic expectations about amounts, costs and processes before the meter starts running. And because legal matters are sensitive, every input stays in your browser.
The income-shares math 41 states use, overnight adjustments, and the add-on lines (health premiums, childcare) that reshape the base number. Open the Child Support →
Income-gap formulas and duration-by-marriage-length benchmarks, the post-2019 tax reality, and what actually ends or modifies support. Open the Alimony →
The marital-vs-separate sort, 50/50 vs equitable math on your actual balance sheet, and the three traps: the house, the pension, the commingled inheritance. Open the Asset Split →
A needs score from the factors that actually matter (businesses, kids from prior marriages, debt gaps), the can/can't table, and honest cost ranges. Open the Prenup →
The will-vs-trust decision computed from probate pain and assets, the four-document core everyone needs, and prices from $150 online to $3,500 trust packages. Open the Estate Planning →
A situation-based chooser across the four POA types, agent-selection rules, honest costs, and why banks reject stale documents. Open the Power of Attorney →
The sue-or-walk math: fees, hours, judgment-collection reality (the step everyone forgets), and why the demand letter wins half these fights free. Open the Small Claims →
The three routes (marriage, divorce, petition) priced end-to-end, and the Social-Security-first update sequence that prevents ID limbo. Open the Name Change →
Recovery hours and dollars by theft type, the FTC-report-first playbook, and the free three-bureau freeze that outperforms every $25/month service. Open the Identity Theft →
Check types priced, the what-they-can-see lookback table, and the FCRA adverse-action rights that let you dispute errors before they cost you the job. Open the Background Check →
How to Choose the Right Tool
Family-law questions route to the Child Support and Alimony estimators (guideline math by state model) and the Divorce Asset Split simulator for community-property vs equitable-distribution scenarios. Planning ahead, the Estate Planning Cost and Prenup tools compare document costs against what they protect. For process costs — Small Claims filing, Name Change, Background Checks, Identity Theft recovery — each tool itemizes fees and typical timelines so nothing about the process is a surprise.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this legal advice?
No. These tools explain published formulas, fees and typical costs for educational purposes. Laws vary by state and change over time — always consult a licensed attorney for your situation.
How accurate are the child support and alimony estimates?
They implement the published state guideline models (income shares, percentage-of-income, Melson). Courts can and do deviate from guidelines, so treat results as the starting point a judge would look at.
Are my details confidential?
Yes — incomes, assets and family details are processed entirely in your browser and never transmitted.
Do these tools cover my state?
The family-law tools include state-by-state model selection; the fee-based tools show ranges and link the official fee schedules where they vary by county.
Explore More WiserWork Categories
WiserWork offers 295 free browser-based tools across 22 categories — all private, all free, no sign-up required.