Trust Agreement

• The cost to set up a revocable living trust depends on whether you're willing to prepare a trust agreement yourself. To set up a trust on your own, download a blank revocable living trust agreement. Blank templates are available at local office supply stores and on the Web. Get a notary public to notarize the agreement when it is complete (a nominal fee applies). A title company may charge anywhere from $900 to $3,500 or more to perform these services as of June 2011.
  
  

Recording Titles on Property

• You must record property titles owned by the trust in the county where the property is located. Visit the county clerk's or county recorder's office, and pay the filing fee. Fees vary from state to state. The county clerk may issue certified copies of public records for a nominal copying fee. You may need to make an appointment in advance for faster service.
  
  

Trustee Fees

• Bank trust departments, trust institutions and titling companies charge an annual fee of about 1 percent to 1.25 percent of the total value of trust property. Such organizations typically offer services such as record keeping, bill paying and meeting document filing requirements. Nonprofessional trustees also receive compensation. Generally, either offer a small percentage of the market value of trust property plus a percentage of the income earned by the trust, or calculate a reasonable fee based on the total number of hours.
  
  

Probate Costs

• The cost of probate varies significantly from state to state. Generally, attorney, court and administrative fees equal about 5 percent of the assets in a trust. For example, if a trust leaves property worth $200,000, the trust may cost about $10,000. If an estate holds titles on various properties, the estate is considered more complicated and may be subject to higher fees.