Will and Living Trust Cost Calculator
Compare the real cost of estate planning options — simple will, revocable living trust, full estate plan — across DIY, online service, and attorney drafted. See break-even between trust setup cost and probate avoidance savings.
| DIY (templates) | — |
| Online (LegalZoom, Trust & Will) | — |
| Attorney drafted | — |
| Probate cost without trust | — |
| Savings if trust avoids probate | — |
A will and a revocable living trust both transfer your estate at death — but the cost, privacy, and probate consequences are very different. The right choice depends on estate size, state probate cost, and how much complexity you want to manage during your life.
Will vs Living Trust — Key Differences
Will: directs distribution at death; goes through probate court (public, 6–24 months, fees 3–5% of estate). Living trust: avoids probate if funded; private; instant distribution; costs more upfront but saves on probate. Both can name guardians for minor children — a trust does not eliminate the need for a pour-over will.
Real 2026 Costs
DIY template: $50–$300 (Quicken WillMaker, free state forms). Online (LegalZoom, Trust & Will): $89–$799 depending on scope. Attorney-drafted: $600–$4,500. State variance is large — CA, NY, MA, IL skew high; TX, OK, KS skew low.
When a Trust Pays Off
A funded revocable trust pays off when: estate > $150K, you own real estate (especially in multiple states), you want privacy (probate is public), or you want to control distributions to minor or spendthrift heirs over time. For estates under $100K with simple beneficiary designations on retirement and life insurance, a will is often enough.
Last updated May 2026. Sources: ABA Estate Planning, AARP Estate Planning Guide.