Quick answer: a basic Maine revocable living trust commonly runs $1,500 to $2,500 nationally, but Maine-specific attorney rate data puts a full local plan closer to $5,390 to $8,085. Compare either figure against your estimated probate cost in the Maine probate vs living trust calculator.
Typical Maine trust setup costs
| Path | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Online / DIY service | $300 – $700 |
| Attorney-drafted revocable trust, national average | $1,500 – $2,500 |
| Full plan, Maine-specific attorney rate data (~$539/hr, 10–15 hrs) | $5,390 – $8,085 |
Ranges from Maine-specific attorney and estate-planning sources; treat as market context, not a quote. Get a written fee agreement before hiring.
The trust doesn't replace the will
Even with a trust, most attorneys still draft a pour-over will — a backstop that catches any asset accidentally left out of the trust and routes it in after death, rather than leaving it to pass by intestacy.
A basic trust and estate tax planning are two different price tags
A simple individual revocable trust doesn't preserve a deceased spouse's unused Maine estate tax exemption — because Maine doesn't allow portability, that takes a credit shelter trust or a Maine QTIP election, a distinct planning step usually priced separately from a basic trust. See Is a Living Trust Worth It in Maine? for how this fits into the bigger decision.
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 Maine probate process it was meant to avoid. See Maine 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.