How Much Does a Living Trust Cost?

A living trust can avoid probate entirely, which costs 4% to 8% of a $500,000 estate depending on the state. For estates over $100,000, the probate savings usually exceed the trust creation cost. Trusts also provide privacy since they do not go through public probate court. Use our Do I Need a Trust? tool to see if a trust makes sense for your situation, or compare with our Probate Cost Calculator.

Setup cost depends on provider type (online service vs. attorney), complexity of your estate, whether you need individual or couples coverage, and your state. Attorneys charge state-specific hourly rates for initial trust creation; online services use flat upfront pricing; subscription services spread cost over time. Some providers include amendments while others charge per change. This calculator shows the state-specific upfront and lifetime breakdown.

SimplyTrust includes life-event amendments in the subscription and builds the trust online in roughly 15 minutes. Ongoing costs for other providers include subscription fees, amendment fees for life events, and potential refunding costs if you need to move assets.

Online services work well for straightforward estates. Attorneys are commonly used for complex assets, blended families, business interests, or special needs beneficiaries. This calculator helps you compare total costs across both options. You can also create a Revocable Living Trust directly with SimplyTrust.