Quick answer: a basic attorney-drafted Pennsylvania trust commonly runs $1,000 to $3,000, with several market sources putting a fuller plan around $2,300 to $3,000, and hourly-rate data reaching $3,830 to $5,745 for a complete package. Compare either figure against your estimated probate-path cost in the Pennsylvania probate vs living trust calculator.
Typical Pennsylvania trust setup costs
| Path | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Online template or service | $30 – $600 |
| Basic attorney-drafted trust | $1,000 – $3,000 |
| Common full-package market data | $2,300 – $3,000 |
| Hourly-rate / complete plan | $3,830 – $5,745 |
Ranges from Pennsylvania-specific attorney and estate-planning sources; treat as market context, not a quote. Get a written fee agreement before hiring.
Why "avoiding fees" doesn't mean "avoiding tax"
Unlike some states, Pennsylvania's inheritance tax applies whether an asset passes through probate or a trust, based on the heir's relationship to the decedent. That doesn't change the trust's drafting cost directly, but some attorneys build tax-aware provisions or additional planning into a fuller package, which can push the quoted price above a bare-bones trust document.
What a complete quote should include
A properly drafted Pennsylvania trust plan typically bundles the trust document itself with a pour-over will, financial and healthcare powers of attorney, and deed preparation for any real property — recording a new deed is what actually moves a home into the trust. A cheaper quote that skips this funding work can leave the trust holding little or nothing at the time it matters most.
Why the cheapest option carries real risk
Online templates and DIY services cost less upfront, but a trust that's invalid or never properly funded leaves a family facing the exact Pennsylvania probate process it was meant to avoid — Johnson-guideline fees and inheritance tax alike. See Pennsylvania 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.