Quick answer: a basic Delaware revocable living trust commonly runs $1,500 to $3,000 nationally, but Delaware-specific attorney rate data puts a full local plan closer to $4,390 to $6,585. Compare either figure against your estimated probate cost in the Delaware probate vs living trust calculator.
Typical Delaware trust setup costs
| Path | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Online / DIY service | $399 – $549 |
| Attorney-drafted revocable trust, national average | $1,500 – $3,000 |
| Full plan, Delaware-specific attorney rate data (~$439/hr) | $4,390 – $6,585 |
Ranges from Delaware-specific attorney and estate-planning sources; treat as market context, not a quote. Get a written fee agreement before hiring.
A different price for a different tool
A basic revocable living trust drafting fee doesn't include asset protection planning. Delaware's Asset Protection Trust, under the Qualified Dispositions in Trust Act, is an irrevocable, self-settled trust structure — a distinct engagement typically priced and drafted separately, and one that primarily suits people who actually live in Delaware.
Why the premium hourly rate
Delaware's concentration of trust and fiduciary-law specialists, built up in part around the Court of Chancery's reputation, commands higher hourly rates than many other states. That expertise is the same asset that draws out-of-state families to Delaware trusts in the first place.
Why the cheapest option carries real risk
DIY software costs less upfront, but a trust that's invalid or never properly funded leaves a family facing the exact Delaware probate process it was meant to avoid. See Delaware Living Trust Funding Mistakes for the most common way this goes wrong.
A local probate attorney can review your estate — many offer a free consultation.