Will vs Trust: Real Cost Comparison for 2026

The sticker price is misleading. A will is cheap to make but can be expensive to administer. A trust is expensive to make but cheap to administer.

Up-front costs - DIY will: $0-$100 - Online guided will (VoiceWill™): subscription, typically under $200/year - Attorney-drafted will: $300-$1,500 - Revocable living trust (attorney): $1,500-$3,500 - Full estate plan with trust (attorney): $2,500-$5,000+

Administration costs - Will-only estate: probate fees of 3%-7% of the estate, plus 6-18 months of court time - Funded living trust: typically 0%-1% to settle, no probate, often complete in 60-90 days

When each makes sense A **will** is enough if estate is modest, no out-of-state property, family is OK with probate.

A living trust is worth it if estate is over $500K, you own property in multiple states, or you want privacy (probate is public).

The most common mistake Paying $3,000 for a beautiful living trust and never **funding** it. An unfunded trust is an expensive piece of paper. Re-title your assets the same week.