| Option | Typical Cost |
|---|---|
| Simple / straightforward | $8–$10 |
| Standard complexity | $32–$52 |
| Complex / contested | $56–$91 |
| High-stakes litigation | $100+ |
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| Expense | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| County filing fee | $10–$100 | Most common method |
| State filing fee | $25–$150 | Required in some states |
| Publication requirement | $40–$200 | Required in NY, CA, and others |
| Renewal (every 5 years) | $10–$50 | Most states require renewal |
A DBA (also called fictitious business name, trade name, or assumed name) lets you operate under a business name without forming an LLC or corporation. Total cost: $20–$300 depending on your state and county. The process takes 1–4 weeks. A DBA does NOT provide liability protection, does NOT create a separate legal entity, and does NOT protect your business name in other counties or states. For $50–$500 more, forming an LLC provides actual legal protection and is almost always the better choice for any business generating revenue.
Dba costs are driven primarily by complexity and whether the matter is contested. Simple, uncontested matters with clear documentation can often be handled at flat-fee rates. Once disputes arise, costs shift to hourly billing and become much harder to predict.
Geography matters more than most people realize. Attorney rates in New York or San Francisco can be 2–3 times higher than in smaller markets for the same type of work. If your matter does not require a local attorney, hiring outside a major metro can save substantially without sacrificing quality.