How Much Does a Living Trust Cost in Virginia?

Assets properly transferred to a revocable living trust avoid probate in Virginia. 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 Virginia costs about $32,886 in court and professional fees.Va. Code § 64.2-601 (small estate $75K threshold and 60-day waiting period), § 64.2-600 (small asset definition, personal property only, real property excluded), § 64.2-1208 (fiduciary compensation; reasonable, no statutory percentage), § 64.2-504 (bond requirement), § 64.2-505 (bond waiver by will), § 64.2-508 (notice to heirs/beneficiaries within 30 days; no newspaper publication), § 64.2-529 (PR liability protection after 12 months from qualification), § 64.2-550 (creditor proof-of-debts hearing before commissioner of accounts; newspaper publication required), § 64.2-1200 (Commissioner of Accounts), § 64.2-1300 (inventory due within 4 months of qualification), § 64.2-1304 (PR accountings to commissioner of accounts; first account due within 16 months of qualification), § 58.1-1712 (state probate tax $0.10/$100; $15K exemption), § 58.1-1718 (optional local probate tax = 1/3 of state tax), § 17.1-275(A)(3) (circuit court qualification fees: $20/$25/$30 by estate value tier; $5K or less no fee); law.lis.virginia.gov; vacourts.govVerified Jul 14, 2026 See estimated fees with the Virginia probate calculator.

Online trust services cost $30-$600 upfront compared to $3,770-$5,655 for an attorney in Virginia. 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 Virginia cost $377 to $754 for simple changes and $1,508 to $3,016 for major updates like divorce or remarriage.

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