How Much Does a Living Trust Cost?

A living trust costs from close to nothing for a do-it-yourself form to a few thousand dollars for an attorney-drafted one. Most people land in one of three tiers: DIY (roughly $0 to $150), an online guided service (about $150 to $600), or an attorney (about $1,000 to $3,000 for the trust, more for a full plan). Which is right depends on how complicated your estate is.

By Settled Estate Editorial Team

Published: July 16, 2026Updated: July 16, 2026

The Short Answer

There is no single price, because a “living trust” can mean a $50 template or a $3,000 attorney engagement that includes advice and a coordinated plan. The figures below are typical market ranges; online services such as Trust & Will and LegalZoom publish flat prices, and attorney fees vary by state and situation, so treat these as a guide and confirm the current price before you buy.

Cost by Route

Route	Typical cost	Best for
DIY form or software	$0 to $150	Simple estates, comfortable doing it yourself
Online guided service	$150 to $600	Straightforward estates wanting guardrails
Attorney, trust only	$1,000 to $3,000	A more involved estate or a desire for advice
Attorney, full plan	$2,000 to $5,000+	Business, multi-state property, blended family, special needs

The full-plan tier bundles the trust with a pour-over will, a financial power of attorney, and an advance directive, which is what most people actually need.

What Drives the Price

How complex your estate is. A business, property in more than one state, a blended family, or a special needs beneficiary all raise the cost.
Advice, not just a form. Attorney pricing pays for judgment: how to title assets, how the trust interacts with taxes, and what your state requires.
Whether you buy the whole plan. A standalone trust costs less than a trust bundled with a will, powers of attorney, and a health care directive.
Where you live. Attorney rates and recording fees vary widely by state and county.

Ongoing Costs

A revocable living trust has little ongoing cost while you are alive. It uses your own Social Security number and files no separate tax return, and you can amend it yourself. The real ongoing task is funding: retitling assets into the trust and keeping new ones titled correctly, which can involve small recording fees for deeds. An irrevocable trust is different, since it often files its own return and can carry trustee fees.

Is It Worth It?

Compare the up-front cost against what your family would otherwise pay in probate. A funded trust keeps the estate out of court, which saves time, fees, and privacy, and it manages your affairs if you become incapacitated. For a simple estate with little that would go through probate, a will may be enough. For a home, multiple accounts, or an estate in a state with expensive probate, a living trust often pays for itself. See probate vs. trust and will vs. trust to weigh the choice.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a living trust cost?

It depends on how you create it. A do-it-yourself form or software costs roughly $0 to $150. An online guided service commonly runs about $150 to $600 for a trust-based plan. An attorney-drafted living trust typically runs about $1,000 to $3,000, and a full plan that adds a pour-over will, powers of attorney, and a health care directive commonly runs $2,000 to $5,000 or more. The wider the estate and the more customization you need, the higher the cost.

Is it cheaper to make a living trust or a will?

A will is cheaper up front. A simple will costs less to draft than a trust, because a trust document is longer and you also have to fund it. The comparison changes at death: a will usually goes through probate, which has its own fees, while a funded trust avoids probate. For estates that would face meaningful probate costs, the trust can be cheaper overall.

Why do attorney living trusts cost more?

An attorney tailors the trust to your assets and goals, advises on funding and taxes, and coordinates the trust with your will, powers of attorney, and beneficiary designations. You are paying for judgment and for a document built for your situation, which matters most when you own a business, real estate in more than one state, a blended family, or a beneficiary with special needs.

Are there ongoing costs to a living trust?

A revocable living trust has few ongoing costs while you are alive. It uses your own Social Security number and does not file a separate tax return, and you can amend it yourself. The main added work is funding: retitling assets into the trust and keeping new assets titled correctly, which may involve recording fees for deeds. Larger or professionally managed trusts can carry trustee fees.

Does a cheap online living trust actually work?

For a straightforward estate, a reputable online living trust can be valid and effective, as long as it meets your state’s signing rules and you actually fund it. The risk is not usually the document; it is leaving the trust unfunded or missing a complication an attorney would have caught. If your situation is simple, online can be a reasonable choice; if it is not, the attorney fee often pays for itself.

Information current as of July 16, 2026

Settled Estate is not a law firm, and this content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Probate laws and procedures in your state can change. Consult with a qualified attorney for advice specific to your situation. Full disclaimer.