Administrative Costs Explained

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1. Setup Costs (One-Time)

 

These are the initial expenses to establish the trust, our service fee.

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• Document Preparation Fees:
  The cost to have a legal document preparer to draft the trust, pour-over will, and supporting documents (trust certificate, durable POA, health directive, etc.).
  ➤ Typically ranges from $600–$2,500 depending on whether it’s a single or joint trust and complexity.

• Notarization and Witnessing Fees:
  Each signature on the trust and its supporting documents must be properly notarized (for remote notarization, this is usually a small per-document fee). On the Notarize/Proof platform, the remote notary fee starts at $25.00 for the first signature and $10. for each additional signature.

• Funding Assistance:
  The process of transferring assets into the trust (called “funding”)—for example:

  • Deeding your home into the trust (recording fees with the county, usually $40–$100 per document)

  • Changing titles or beneficiary designations on bank, investment, or brokerage accounts

  • Assigning business interests or personal property into the trust

  ➤ These steps may require filing fees, notary fees, or professional help if you want someone to manage the paperwork for you.

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2. Ongoing or Annual Administrative Costs (Optional / As Needed)

 

Once the trust is created, there can be small ongoing costs if you update or manage it professionally.

• Trustee or Successor Trustee Fees:
  If you use a professional trustee (bank, trust company, or attorney), they often charge an annual fee (0.5%–1.5%) of the trust’s assets.
  ➤ Most individuals serving as their own trustee pay nothing.

• Amendment or Restatement Fees:
  When you need to update the trust (for marriage, divorce, home sale, new beneficiary, etc.), there may be:

  • Small fees from your legal document preparer or attorney to amend or restate the trust (typically $75–$250 for amendments).

  • Recording fees if new deeds or property transfers are made.

• Recordkeeping or Tax Preparation (if applicable):
  Even though a revocable trust uses your personal Social Security number (no separate tax return required), some people hire a bookkeeper or CPA to help track assets or plan for estate taxes later.

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3. One-Time Termination Costs

 

When you pass away, the successor trustee may incur costs to:

• Notify beneficiaries and creditors

• Obtain death certificates

• File any final tax returns

• Distribute assets or sell property

These are typically far less expensive than probate court costs under a will.

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💡 In Simple Terms

Administrative costs cover the setup, funding, and maintenance of your trust — like paying for the “engine” that runs smoothly behind the scenes.
They’re small investments compared to what your heirs would pay in probate fees, court costs, and months of delays if you only had a will.