You want your family to inherit smoothly, privately and without months in probate court. A flat fee living trust attorney helps you set up a revocable living trust that does exactly that, for a price you know up front.
A living trust holds your assets during your life and passes them to your beneficiaries at death. Furthermore, because the trust owns the assets, they usually avoid probate. As a result, your family can often settle things faster and more privately.
However, a trust only works if it is drafted correctly and funded properly. In fact, an unfunded trust is one of the most common estate planning mistakes. Therefore, this guide explains how living trusts work, what they cost, and how to make sure yours does its job.
How a revocable living trust works
You create the trust and usually act as your own trustee. Consequently, you keep full control. You can buy, sell and spend trust assets just as before. Moreover, you can change or revoke the trust at any time.
You also name a successor trustee. If you become incapacitated or pass away, that person steps in. They manage the assets and distribute them under your instructions, usually without court supervision.
Why people choose a trust over a will
A will must go through probate before assets pass. Probate can be slow, public and costly, especially in some states. In contrast, a funded trust usually avoids it. Additionally, a trust can manage assets for young beneficiaries over time, rather than handing everything over at 18.
What a trust does not do
A revocable trust does not usually reduce income tax. Similarly, it does not protect assets from your own creditors or from nursing home costs. For those goals, see our guide to irrevocable and asset protection trusts.
Flat fee living trust cost
Many people search for a flat fee living trust attorney because hourly estate planning can be unpredictable. A fixed fee removes that uncertainty. Therefore, you know the full price before you start.
Our Living Trust service starts at $199. The standard package tailors the trust to your family and assets. Meanwhile, the premium package adds attorney review and extra revisions. In addition, every trust comes with funding instructions.
The complete package
A trust works best with supporting documents. For example, a pour-over will catches assets left outside the trust. Likewise, a durable power of attorney and a healthcare directive cover incapacity. Our Estate Plan Bundle includes these together at a lower combined price.
Funding your trust — the step people miss
A trust only controls assets titled in its name. Consequently, if you sign a trust but never move assets into it, those assets may still go through probate.
Funding means retitling. For instance, real estate is transferred by deed to the trustee. Similarly, bank and brokerage accounts are retitled or given trust beneficiary designations. Retirement accounts, however, usually stay in your name with beneficiary designations instead.
Transfer-on-death options
Some states allow transfer-on-death deeds for real estate. These pass property at death without probate, even outside a trust. Our TOD deed service prepares them where available. Therefore, you can choose the simplest tool for each asset.
Choosing trustees and beneficiaries
Your successor trustee should be organized, trustworthy and willing. Often, people choose an adult child, a sibling or a trusted friend. Alternatively, a professional trustee can serve when family dynamics are complex.
Beneficiary terms deserve thought too. For example, you might stagger distributions at certain ages. Moreover, you can include provisions for a beneficiary with special needs or creditor problems. As a result, your trust protects people as well as property.
If you already have a trust, a trust review checks whether it still fits your family, assets and state law.
Trusts and state law
Trust law is largely state law. Consequently, rules on execution, trustee duties and community property differ. For instance, in community property states such as California and Texas, married couples often use a joint trust that tracks community and separate property.
Probate cost and complexity also vary by state. As a result, the benefit of a trust is greater in some states than others. A living trust consultation explains how your state's rules affect your plan. For a wider view, see our guide to comprehensive estate planning packages.
Our Living Trusts services in the USA
Every service below has a fixed price, is prepared by a qualified attorney and is delivered online — wherever you are in the USA. Additionally, you can upload evidence, message your attorney and track progress from your secure client dashboard.
Revocable Living Trust in the USA
Avoid probate with a living trust, pour-over will and funding instructions.
Moreover, it is usually ready in 7 working days. Express delivery is also available. As a result, you can act before deadlines pass.
Order Revocable Living Trust — from $199 See what's included →
Living trust consultation in the USA
A confidential 45–60 minute phone or video consultation with a licensed US attorney about whether a living trust is right for you. Get straight answers on your rights, options, risks and likely costs, and a clear plan for your next steps.
It includes 45–60 minute call with a licensed US attorney — phone, video or WhatsApp, upload documents beforehand so your attorney is prepared, your rights, options, risks and likely costs in plain English. Moreover, it is usually ready in 1 working day. Express delivery is also available. As a result, you can act before deadlines pass.
Order Living trust consultation — $399 See what's included →
Complete Estate Plan Bundle in the USA
Will or trust, durable POA, healthcare directive and HIPAA release.
Moreover, it is usually ready in 7 working days. Express delivery is also available. As a result, you can act before deadlines pass.
Order Complete Estate Plan Bundle — from $249 See what's included →
Transfer-on-Death Deed in the USA
Pass real estate outside probate in states that allow TOD deeds.
Moreover, it is usually ready in 3 working days. Express delivery is also available. As a result, you can act before deadlines pass.
Order Transfer-on-Death Deed — from $79 See what's included →
Durable Power of Attorney in the USA
Financial power of attorney on your state's statutory form where one exists.
Moreover, it is usually ready in 2 working days. Express delivery is also available. As a result, you can act before deadlines pass.
Order Durable Power of Attorney — from $49 See what's included →
Advance Healthcare Directive / Living Will in the USA
Healthcare power of attorney and end-of-life wishes.
Moreover, it is usually ready in 2 working days. Express delivery is also available. As a result, you can act before deadlines pass.
Order Advance Healthcare Directive / Living Will — from $39 See what's included →
Trust review in the USA
A licensed US attorney reviews your trust document and explains what it means for you, the risks and red flags, and what to do or negotiate next — in plain English.
It includes line-by-line review by a licensed US attorney, plain-English summary of key terms, risks and red flags, suggested changes, questions or negotiation points. Moreover, it is usually ready in 2 working days. Express delivery is also available. As a result, you can act before deadlines pass.
Living Trusts services near you — every state we cover
Because everything is handled online, it makes no difference where you live. Nevertheless, the law does change from state to state, so every document is prepared for your local rules. Here are some of the places our clients come from most often.
Living Trusts help in California
We prepare living trusts documents for California law and local court practice. Clients come to us from Los Angeles (near the Stanley Mosk Courthouse downtown), San Diego (near the Hall of Justice on West Broadway), San Francisco (near the Civic Center courthouse on McAllister Street). For example, see Revocable Living Trust in Los Angeles, Revocable Living Trust in San Diego, Revocable Living Trust in San Francisco. Similarly, see Living trust consultation in California.
Living Trusts help in Texas
We prepare living trusts documents for Texas law and local court practice. Clients come to us from Houston (near the Harris County Civil Courthouse), Dallas (near the George L. Allen Sr. Courts Building), San Antonio (near the Bexar County Courthouse), Austin (near the Travis County Civil and Family Courts Facility). For example, see Revocable Living Trust in Houston, Revocable Living Trust in Dallas, Revocable Living Trust in San Antonio, Revocable Living Trust in Austin. Similarly, see Living trust consultation in Texas.
Living Trusts help in Florida
We prepare living trusts documents for Florida law and local court practice. Clients come to us from Miami (near the Miami-Dade County Courthouse on West Flagler Street), Orlando (near the Orange County Courthouse), Tampa (near the George E. Edgecomb Courthouse). For example, see Revocable Living Trust in Miami, Revocable Living Trust in Orlando, Revocable Living Trust in Tampa. Similarly, see Living trust consultation in Florida.
Living Trusts help in New York
We prepare living trusts documents for New York law and local court practice. Clients come to us from New York City (near the New York County Courthouse at 60 Centre Street and the immigration court at 26 Federal Plaza), Brooklyn (near the Kings County Supreme Court on Adams Street). For example, see Revocable Living Trust in New York City, Revocable Living Trust in Brooklyn. Similarly, see Living trust consultation in New York.
Living Trusts help in Illinois
We prepare living trusts documents for Illinois law and local court practice. Clients come to us from Chicago (near the Richard J. Daley Center). For example, see Revocable Living Trust in Chicago. Similarly, see Living trust consultation in Illinois.
Living Trusts help in Georgia
We prepare living trusts documents for Georgia law and local court practice. Clients come to us from Atlanta (near the Fulton County Courthouse). For example, see Revocable Living Trust in Atlanta. Similarly, see Living trust consultation in Georgia.
Living Trusts help in Arizona
We prepare living trusts documents for Arizona law and local court practice. Clients come to us from Phoenix (near the Maricopa County Superior Court). For example, see Revocable Living Trust in Phoenix. Similarly, see Living trust consultation in Arizona.
Living Trusts help in Pennsylvania
We prepare living trusts documents for Pennsylvania law and local court practice. Clients come to us from Philadelphia (near City Hall, home of the Court of Common Pleas). For example, see Revocable Living Trust in Philadelphia. Similarly, see Living trust consultation in Pennsylvania.
Living Trusts help in Washington
We prepare living trusts documents for Washington law and local court practice. Clients come to us from Seattle (near the King County Courthouse). For example, see Revocable Living Trust in Seattle. Similarly, see Living trust consultation in Washington.
Living Trusts help in Colorado
We prepare living trusts documents for Colorado law and local court practice. Clients come to us from Denver (near the Denver City and County Building). For example, see Revocable Living Trust in Denver. Similarly, see Living trust consultation in Colorado.
Living Trusts help in Massachusetts
We prepare living trusts documents for Massachusetts law and local court practice. Clients come to us from Boston (near the Edward W. Brooke Courthouse). For example, see Revocable Living Trust in Boston. Similarly, see Living trust consultation in Massachusetts.
Living Trusts help in Nevada
We prepare living trusts documents for Nevada law and local court practice. Clients come to us from Las Vegas (near the Regional Justice Center). For example, see Revocable Living Trust in Las Vegas. Similarly, see Living trust consultation in Nevada.
Living Trusts help in New Jersey
We prepare living trusts documents for New Jersey law and local court practice. Clients come to us from Newark (near the Essex County Hall of Records). For example, see Revocable Living Trust in Newark. Similarly, see Living trust consultation in New Jersey.
Living Trusts help in North Carolina
We prepare living trusts documents for North Carolina law and local court practice. Clients come to us from Charlotte (near the Mecklenburg County Courthouse). For example, see Revocable Living Trust in Charlotte. Similarly, see Living trust consultation in North Carolina.
We also help clients in Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Hawaii, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming. See every location we cover.
Revocable Living Trust in every state
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Frequently asked questions
How much does a flat fee living trust cost?
Our attorney-drafted living trust starts at $199, with standard and premium packages for tailored terms and attorney review. A full estate plan bundle adds a will, powers of attorney and a healthcare directive.
Does a living trust avoid probate?
Yes, for assets properly titled in the trust. Assets left outside the trust may still need probate, which is why funding is essential.
Do I still need a will if I have a trust?
Yes. A pour-over will moves any forgotten assets into the trust and names guardians for minor children.
Does a revocable trust protect assets from nursing home costs?
No. Because you control a revocable trust, its assets count for Medicaid purposes. An irrevocable trust may be needed for that goal.
Do you draft living trusts for every state?
Yes. We draft revocable living trusts for all 50 states and Washington, D.C., following each state's signing and trust rules.
Contact American Counsel
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🌐 Service area: online across all 50 US states and Washington, D.C.
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This guide is general information, not legal advice for your situation. Every case is different — speak to a qualified attorney before you act.