Trust Cost: Average Fees Explained

Trusts come in many forms, and the price tag depends on which kind you need. A trust is a legal arrangement in which one person, the trustee, holds property for the benefit of someone else. Some trusts can be changed during your lifetime and others cannot, and that difference shapes both the drafting work and the cost.

This guide covers trusts in general, including the costs people overlook after the paperwork is signed. For the revocable living trust specifically, see the separate living trust cost guide. Consult a licensed attorney in your state before choosing a trust type.

A revocable trust can be amended or cancelled by the person who created it. It is the more common choice for everyday estate planning. An irrevocable trust generally cannot be changed once it is signed, and it is used for goals such as asset protection or certain tax planning. Because those goals require careful drafting, irrevocable trusts and other specialized structures tend to take more attorney time.

A trust for a child with special needs, a charitable trust, or a trust holding a business interest would also usually cost more than a standard family trust. The sources used for this page do not publish a separate price for each type, so ask any attorney to quote the specific structure you have in mind.

Attorney pricing rises with the complexity of the estate.

The range above, $2,000 – $5,000, comes from SmartAsset. Very complex trusts for high-net-worth families run $5,000 – $7,000. On top of drafting, moving assets into the trust requires paperwork, which starts around $350.

Some online companies offer trust documents at a flat rate. Trust & Will lists its individual trust plan at $499.

Online plans suit simple situations where the same person wants a standard trust and has no unusual assets. They generally do not include custom legal advice, so a family with a blended household, a business, or property in more than one state may be better served by an attorney.

Many attorneys quote a flat fee for a trust package, but some bill by the hour.

LegalZoom lists the average rate for a will and trust lawyer at $370/hr. Hourly work is harder to predict, so ask for an estimate in writing and find out what happens if the matter becomes more involved than expected.

The bill does not end when the trust is signed. When the person who created the trust dies, someone must carry out its terms: collect assets, pay debts, and distribute property. That work has its own cost, and an irrevocable trust may need ongoing administration for years.

In California, LegalZoom lists attorney fees for an uncontested trust administration at $3,000 – $10,000. A professional fiduciary in the same state charges $100 – $250/hr. Those figures are for one state, and fees elsewhere may differ. Some trustees are family members who serve without charge, which lowers the cost.

• Trust type. Specialized or irrevocable trusts take more drafting.
• Size and mix of assets. Real estate, businesses, and investments add steps.
• Number of beneficiaries and conditions. Staged distributions or restrictions lengthen the document.
• Attorney location and experience. Rates differ by market.
• Funding help. Retitling assets may be included or billed separately.
• Future administration. A professional trustee or fiduciary adds ongoing fees.

Published figures vary because they describe different products. One source may be pricing a single trust document, while another prices a full estate plan that includes a will, powers of attorney, and a trust.

SmartAsset reports $2,000 – $5,000, while LegalZoom cites $2,000 in its estate planning guide. Use both as starting points and gather written quotes.

Beyond the headline fee, a few smaller charges tend to appear. Notary fees, certified copies of documents, and recording fees for deeds can each add something to the bill. If you name a bank or professional trustee, they may charge an annual fee for managing the trust. Ask about these items when you collect quotes, so you can compare offers on the same basis.

Whether a trust justifies its price depends on your goals. A trust can help with probate avoidance, incapacity planning, or controlling how a beneficiary receives money. Someone with modest assets and no complicating factors may find a will is enough. A licensed estate attorney in your state can compare the options for your situation.