what is the typical cost for an attorney to write up a family trust?

by Maryse Lakin MD 5 min read

Creating a simple trust could cost less than $100 through a digital service. Having a lawyer create a trust for larger or more complicated estates could cost you $3,000 or more in some places. Consider drafting other estate planning documents — like a will or power of attorney — at the same time as your trust.

Hiring an Attorney
Attorney costs are usually the majority of the expense related to drafting a trust. The cost for a lawyer to draft a living trust can range from $1,000 to $1,500 for individuals and from $1,200 to $2,500 for those that are married. Legal fees are based on the lawyer and the situation.

Full Answer

How much does a trust Attorney cost?

Jan 20, 2022 · It may cost least $1,000 to have an estate attorney set up a trust for you. Your overall trust costs will increase any time you seek legal advice and need to pay legal fees. For some assets you transfer into a trust, you may also pay filing fees for changing the name on a title, deed, registration, or license.

How much does it cost to create a living trust?

May 05, 2017 · With that being said, if you are working with an attorney who charges $250 per hour, then the cost of preparing your living trust will probably be about $2,500. If you are working with an attorney charging an average of $400 per hour, your trust will run closer to $4,000.

How much does it cost to have an estate attorney set up?

Dec 18, 2021 · Hourly Rates for Trust and Estate Attorneys Across the Country by Learn More Updated: Dec 18th, 2019 TYPICAL HOURLY FEES $250 - $310 On average, trust and estate attorneys charge a minimum of $250 per hour and a maximum of $310. FREE CONSULTATION 30-60 minutes Most trust and estate attorneys offer free consultations, typically for 30-60 …

How much does it cost to set up a revocable trust?

Aug 15, 2018 · On average, the complete process of setting up an irrevocable trust could run anywhere from as little as $1,000 to as much as $7,000 for a complex setup. According to Lodmell.com, the cost of setting up an irrevocable trust can run anywhere from $2,500 to $7,500. Dummies.com states that an irrevocable living trust typically costs $1,000 to $3,000 per …

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How much does it cost to create a trust?

Creating a simple trust could cost $120 or less through an app or digital service. Having a lawyer create a trust for larger or more complicated estates could cost you $3,000 or more in some places. Consider drafting other estate planning documents — like a will or power of attorney — at the same time as your trust.

What is trust funds?

This includes trust funds, which are trusts that distribute assets over a period of time.

Who is Derek from Policygenius?

Personal Finance Expert. Derek is a personal finance editor at Policygenius in New York City, and an expert in taxes. He has been writing about estate planning, investing, and other personal finance topics since 2017. His work has been covered by Yahoo Finance, MSN, Business Insider, and CNBC.

What is corporate trustee?

Corporate trustees are financial institutions that manage trusts and this option would significantly increase the cost of trust management. (Learn more about trustee fees .) In a worst case scenario, like if you create a trust yourself and later realize there’s a mistake, you may need to update your trust document.

Can you create a trust after you die?

You want to create a trust through your will. Called a testamentary trust, this type of trust won’t be created and funded until after you die. Drafting the trust document may require more planning than a living trust. You may also need a lawyer to create or adjust your will, which will cost more.

What happens to a trust after death?

After death, a trust usually allows your loved ones to avoid the probate process, where a probate court determines who will get your things. A strong will can make probate smoother, but a trust can still offer more of a guarantee that your exact wishes are followed. Learn more with our article on trusts vs wills.

Do I need a lawyer to make a will?

You may also need a lawyer to create or adjust your will, which will cost more. You want to create an irrevocable trust. An irrevocable trust is one that generally cannot be changed or closed once you create it.

Why is a trust called a living trust?

It is called a “living” trust because it is established while you are alive. This written agreement is also often “revocable” – meaning that you can change terms and conditions of it as long as you are mentally competent.

What is a living trust?

A living trust documents who should receive your assets if you are unable to use them, because of illness, injury, death, or some other condition. To best protect you, your assets, and the beneficiaries, the living trust also puts in place a neutral third party.

Can you download a living trust?

The most important thing in establishing your living trust? Get the help of an estate planning attorney. Yes, you can download template documents yourself from some website, and yes, you could discuss the details with un-trained, un-professional friends or relatives, but – why risk it ?

Hourly Fees for Estate Planning Attorneys

When estate lawyers bill by the hour, they may charge different hourly rates, depending on the client and the type of service being provided. Many of the lawyers in our study reported a range of hourly fees, with minimum and maximum rates that averaged $250 and $310, respectively.

Flat Fees for Estate Planning

Attorneys often charge a fixed or “flat” fee to handle certain matters related to estate planning or administration. For instance, lawyers may quote you a single price to prepare a simple estate plan or will, to handle a typical probate proceeding, or to prepare a particular legal document.

Other Types of Fee Arrangements

When lawyers are handling probate work, a few states (including California and Florida) allow them to charge a certain percentage of the value of the probate estate.

Free Consultations

Given the potential expense of hiring a lawyer, it’s helpful to know that most estate planning and probate attorneys offer a brief initial meeting without charge. Across the country, nearly two-thirds (63%) of the lawyers in our study said they offer free consultations.

How much does it cost to set up an irrevocable trust?

According to Investopedia, a traditional irrevocable trust will likely cost at least a few thousand dollars and much higher .

How is a trust established?

The trust is established by a trust agreement, which is a written document that details the relationships of the participants and illustrates how the property indicated in the trust will be managed and distributed. The trust agreement is typically prepared by an attorney and executed in accordance with state law.

What is a qualified personal residence trust?

Qualified personal residence trust – since the value of your home can rise and fall, this type of trust allows the terms and conditions of your trust to fluctuate with the market price of your home rather than being a fixed amount.

What is irrevocable trust?

An irrevocable trust is an estate planning arrangement that cannot be changed or altered once set up. It can help an individual avoid paying for estate and gift taxes in the future by removing property from your possession. “ Lawyer ” ( CC BY 2.0 ) by Wesley Fryer.

How much does it cost to make a revocable trust?

On average, the cost can range from $20 (preparing your own trust) to several thousand dollars (involving an attorney).

What factors increase the fee for a revocable trust?

In addition to estate value, other factors that can increase the fee for a revocable trust include the number of beneficiaries you want to include, the number of states in which you own real property, whether you own any business interests and the type of administration you want from the trustee.

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