How Much Does a Living Trust Cost in Texas?

Assets properly transferred to a revocable living trust avoid probate in Texas. This means beneficiaries receive their inheritance without court involvement, public records, or the delays of the probate process. Probate on a $500,000 estate in Texas costs about $30,659 in court and professional fees.Tex. Est. Code §§ 205.001/205.006 (small estate), 256.003 (4-year will filing deadline), 257.001 (muniment of title), 305.101 (bond), 308.051 (publication), 352.002 (executor commission; cash-flow base with § 352.002(b) exclusions and 5% gross-FMV cap), 352.051 (attorney fees), 355.001 (general claim presentment), 355.060 (121-day claim bar), 401.001-401.003 (independent administration); Tex. Loc. Gov’t Code § 135.102 (consolidated probate filing fee, S.B. 41 2021); re-verified 2026-07-14 against tcss.legis.texas.gov (codified Estates Code text)Verified Jul 14, 2026 See estimated fees with the Texas probate calculator.

Online trust services cost $30-$600 upfront compared to $4,130-$6,195 for an attorney in Texas. However, total cost depends on subscription fees, amendment charges, and life event updates over time. This calculator projects the full cost across providers.

Only assets not transferred into the trust go through probate. Common oversights include bank accounts, vehicles, and real estate that were never retitled to the trust. A pour-over will catches these assets and directs them into the trust through probate, but proper funding avoids that step entirely.

Many online trust services charge annual subscription fees ranging from $0 to $240/year. These may include document access, minor amendments, or attorney consultations. Attorney amendments in Texas cost $413 to $826 for simple changes and $1,652 to $3,304 for major updates like divorce or remarriage.

The decision depends on estate size, asset types, family situation, and Texas probate costs. Trusts provide probate avoidance, privacy, and faster asset transfer but cost more upfront than a will. The Texas trust needs assessment compares the two approaches.