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Thinking about setting up a revocable living trust, but not sure what it’ll cost you? That’s one of the first questions most people ask, and it’s a smart one.
The truth is, costs can vary widely depending on your financial goals, estate complexity, and where you live, but understanding what goes into those costs gives you the power to plan better. Whether working with an attorney or going the DIY route, knowing the price range helps you make confident, intentional decisions.
At BetterWealth, we believe estate planning should be as precise and empowering as it is protective, and that includes knowing what you’re really paying for.
In this blog, we will talk about:
Let’s break it down so you can decide what works best for your plan and your budget.
Knowing what to expect in cost helps you plan your estate efficiently. Prices vary widely depending on where you live, how complex your trust is, and the fees charged by professionals. Understanding these factors gives you more precise control over your estate planning budget.
Across the U.S., the average cost to create a revocable living trust typically falls between $1,500 and $3,000. Some simpler trusts can cost as little as $400, while more complex ones may reach $4,000 or more. If you use an attorney, fees often dominate the price.
DIY services or online platforms may charge less, usually under $1,000, but they might not offer personalized guidance.
Costs differ depending on your state and city. For example, California often sees higher prices, with attorney fees for a trust sometimes reaching $5,000 to $10,000 or more.
This reflects local living costs and the complexity of state laws. In states with lower living costs, you could pay closer to the lower end of the national range. Urban areas tend to have higher prices than rural ones. Before deciding, check local options to understand the typical fees you will face based on your location.
Attorneys usually charge a flat or hourly fee for creating a revocable living trust. A flat fee is standard and covers all services related to drafting and funding the trust. Hourly rates vary but range from $150 to $400 per hour.
If your trust is complex or you need additional documents, costs can increase. Additional fees may apply for related services like creating wills, powers of attorney, or transferring assets into the trust.
Several specific details influence the cost of a revocable living trust. These include the complexity of your estate, the number of assets or properties you include, and whether you are setting up the trust for yourself alone or as a married couple.
The more complex your estate, the higher the cost to draft a trust. A simple estate with few assets, like basic bank accounts and personal belongings, requires less time and fewer legal steps. The trust needs more detailed work if your estate involves businesses, investments, or special instructions.
Complex estates often require specialized provisions for different asset types, including contingencies for tax planning or asset protection. Each added layer of complexity means your attorney must spend more time drafting, reviewing, and customizing your trust document. This can increase costs significantly, sometimes doubling or tripling the fees compared to a bare trust.
The total number of assets or properties also affects your trust’s cost. Managing just a few assets inside the trust is simpler and less time-consuming. However, the setup takes longer if your trust needs to cover multiple real estate properties, business shares, retirement accounts, and other investments.
Each asset may require specific language and careful coordination to ensure proper transfer and management within the trust. For example, real estate titles need updating, and business interests may require valuation or special handling. The time your attorney dedicates to organizing and protecting these assets increases the overall cost.
The cost and structure of a revocable living trust can vary depending on whether it’s set up by an individual or a married couple.
Aspect
Individual Trust
Married Couple’s Trust
Cost
Generally lower
Higher due to added complexity
Assets Covered
Only the individual’s property and accounts
Both spouses’ assets and ownership types
Complexity
Simpler drafting and management
More complex, addressing joint ownership and spousal rights
Provisions
Focused on one person’s wishes and beneficiaries
Often includes survivor benefits, spousal rights, and transfer rules
Legal Review
Basic review needed
Extra legal drafting and review required
Long-Term Benefit
Effective for single estate planning
Simplifies management and provides stronger family wealth protection
While an individual trust may be less expensive, a joint trust for married couples often proves more valuable in the long run by ensuring smoother transitions and greater protection.
Creating a revocable living trust involves costs tied to legal help, online services, and necessary paperwork processing. These elements affect the overall cost and the level of customization and support you get.
Attorney fees are usually the most significant part of the cost. Lawyers charge between $1,500 and $3,000 on average to draft a revocable living trust. The price varies based on your estate’s complexity and your location. A lawyer will review your assets, help tailor the trust, and ensure it meets your goals. Some attorneys offer flat fees, while others bill hourly.
Hiring an experienced attorney adds confidence that your trust is legally sound and reduces potential errors. In some states, costs go higher, especially in places like California, where fees can reach $5,000 to $10,000. Consider this if your estate is large or complicated, or if you want personalized legal advice.
Online platforms provide a cheaper alternative for setting up a revocable living trust. These services usually cost between $200 and $500. They offer templates and step-by-step guidance, but limited personalized help. If your estate is straightforward and you understand the legal language, online options might fit you.
However, they may not cover complex situations or special asset types. They typically lack the ongoing support you get from a lawyer. Online trusts require you to be confident in completing paperwork correctly. You’ll save money but trade off expert advice and customization. Make sure to check reviews and the service’s reputation before choosing.
You will need to pay to have your trust documents notarized. Notaries ensure the signature is valid and the trust is executed correctly. Notary fees generally range from $10 to $50, depending on the state or provider. Some states require you to file the trust or related documents with local offices, although many revocable trusts do not require public filing.
If filing is needed, expect small fees between $25 and $100; budget for these smaller but necessary costs when planning your trust setup. Working with a lawyer or a service can clarify what fees apply in your area and prevent surprises later.
You have different options when creating a revocable living trust. Whether you should do it yourself or hire an attorney depends on your budget, the complexity of your estate, and how much risk you are willing to take.
DIY trust kits can cost as little as $50 to a few hundred dollars. These kits and online services offer a low-cost way to create a basic trust. Attorney-prepared trusts usually cost between $1,000 and $8,000. Simple trusts often fall around $1,000 to $2,500, while complex trusts with tax planning can reach $7,000 or more.
The cost reflects the level of professional help. An attorney will customize your trust to fit your specific needs and state laws, while DIY options use generic forms that may not cover unique situations.
When setting up a trust, you can choose between doing it yourself or hiring an attorney. Each option has its pros and cons.
Aspect
DIY Trust
Attorney-Prepared Trust
Cost
Lower upfront cost
Higher initial fees
Customization
Limited, may not cover unique needs
Tailored to your specific situation
Risk of Errors
Higher mistakes or missing details can cause legal issues or probate delays
Lower—professional guidance reduces errors
Tax & Asset Protection Advice
Not included
Expert advice available
Best For
Simple estates with clear goals
Complex estates require detailed planning and protection
DIY trusts can save money in straightforward cases, but an attorney’s expertise ensures your legacy is safeguarded for more complicated estates.
Setting up a revocable living trust is just the start. You should expect some extra costs down the line. These can include fees when you change your trust, manage it over time, or create related documents to fit your estate plan.
Your financial or family situation may change, and updating your trust can be necessary. Amending your trust usually involves legal help, which, depending on complexity, can cost between $200 and $1,000 per change.
Simple updates like changing beneficiaries or trustees are cheaper. More complex revisions, such as adding new assets or changing terms, cost more. Frequent updates can add up, so group changes can save money. If you update the trust yourself, some expenses may be lower, but you'll make errors that cause bigger costs later. Having an attorney review your updates protects your plan and your family.
Once your trust is active, someone must manage it. If you serve as trustee, you cover your own time and any legal or tax advice yourself. If not, a professional trustee, like a bank or trust company, will charge fees. Professional trustee fees usually run from 0.5% to 2% of the trust's assets annually.
This covers managing investments, tax filings, and distributing assets per trust instructions. These fees can add up, especially for larger estates. Administration may include ongoing legal or tax help. You might pay hourly fees or fixed rates for services like filing tax returns or transferring assets. Budgeting for these costs prevents surprises.
Your trust can’t stand alone. To complete your estate plan, you’ll need other documents, such as a will, power of attorney, and healthcare directive. Preparing these may add a few hundred to over a thousand dollars. A pour-over will, which catches assets not in your trust, is common and has separate drafting costs.
Powers of attorney and healthcare directives usually involve smaller fees but are vital for managing your financial and medical decisions if you can’t. Updating these documents alongside your trust helps keep your plan consistent. Bundling these services with your trust setup often saves money and creates a more straightforward path to protect your assets and legacy.
When working with estate planning professionals, you can control the cost of setting up a revocable living trust by choosing innovative strategies. Knowing how to package services and shop locally will help you find better prices without sacrificing quality.
Many estate planning lawyers offer package deals that include a revocable living trust, wills, powers of attorney, and healthcare directives. Bundling these services often lowers the total price compared to buying each separately. Look for firms that clearly list package options, so you know what’s included.
Usually, paying for a complete package saves money and creates a coordinated plan that works well together. Before you sign, ask if the bundle covers both drafting and updates. Some providers charge extra for updates, so a comprehensive package with free revisions can reduce your long-term costs.
Costs for revocable living trusts vary by location. You can save money by comparing estate planning lawyers in your area rather than paying for out-of-state or big-city rates. Check reviews and ask for quotes from several local attorneys who specialize in trust services.
A smaller, local firm may offer lower prices and more personalized service. Also, consider lawyers who provide transparent pricing upfront, avoiding surprise fees. Some may offer flat fees, which help you budget better than hourly rates. If you have a simple estate, mention that when asking for estimates. This helps professionals give you a realistic price instead of one based on complex cases.
Still wondering what goes into the cost of setting up a revocable living trust? You're not alone. Even if you’ve read up on pricing, minor details, hidden fees, and practical scenarios can affect your pay. These FAQs fill in the blanks.
Generally, no, creating a revocable trust is considered a personal legal expense. However, some related legal fees might qualify as tax-deductible if they directly relate to managing income-producing assets. Check with a tax advisor for specifics tied to your situation.
Not necessarily. There are no built-in annual fees unless you hire a professional trustee. If you’re managing it yourself, ongoing costs usually come from updates, legal advice, or related tax filings, and only when needed.
Your trust will remain valid, but you may need to update it. Different states have different laws and requirements. It’s smart to have an estate attorney review your trust after moving to ensure it still aligns with local regulations.
Yes, and some people do. Starting with a basic DIY trust can save money, and you can later have an attorney review or revise it as your estate grows. Just be sure the original setup wasn’t flawed or incomplete.
Yes, especially asset transfers and updates. Transferring property titles, funding the trust, or updating documents after life changes often bring surprise fees. Some people also forget about notary charges, or the cost of creating pour-over wills and powers of attorney.
In most cases, yes. Bundled services usually include a trust, a will, a power of attorney, and a healthcare directive. This not only saves money compared to buying each item separately but also ensures your documents work together as one unified plan.
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