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Wyoming Probate vs Living Trust Calculator

Wyoming invented the LLC in 1977, and now pairs it with a trust that can run for 1,000 years — a combination built specifically around the state's own real-property quirk.

Probate side: Wyo. Stat. § 2-7-803 FigureMyTax Editorial Team Free · no sign-up

By the FigureMyTax Editorial Team · How we calculate

Your Wyoming estate

Enter your probate estate value — Wyoming's fee schedule is a real statutory percentage, not an estimate.

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Estimated Wyoming probate cost vs trust setup
Probate (estimated)
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Living trust setup
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The state that built the LLC-and-trust combination

Wyoming's standout feature: Wyoming extended its rule against perpetuities to allow a trust to last up to 1,000 years for personal property (W.S. § 34-1-139, effective July 1, 2003) — but real property held directly in a trust still falls under the common-law rule against perpetuities. The common workaround, built on Wyoming's other famous invention, the modern LLC (1977): hold real estate in a Wyoming LLC, and have the trust hold the LLC's membership interests instead — personal property, eligible for the full 1,000-year duration. Wyoming LLCs also give even single-member entities exclusive charging-order protection and keep member and manager names off the public record, and Wyoming allows a self-settled Qualified Spendthrift Trust for asset protection.

These features are distinct from the basic revocable living trust this page compares to probate cost; they matter most as a deliberate, separate planning structure for real property and multi-generational wealth, not something a basic individual trust includes automatically.

The probate side of this comparison reuses the same approach as the Wyoming Probate Cost Calculator: the real statutory schedule under Wyo. Stat. § 2-7-803 — 10% / 5% / 3% / 2%, tiered — paid to the personal representative, and identically to the attorney under § 2-7-804 unless the same person serves both roles. The trust side is also market data: a basic Wyoming revocable living trust commonly runs $1,500–$5,000 for an individual, $3,000–$7,000 for a couple. See the full breakdown in Wyoming Living Trust Setup Cost.

Wyoming probate vs living trust — frequently asked questions

Can a Wyoming trust last 1,000 years for any kind of asset?

Not automatically. Wyoming extended trust duration to 1,000 years for personal property under W.S. Section 34-1-139, but real property held directly in a trust still falls under the common-law rule against perpetuities — the common workaround is holding real estate in a Wyoming LLC and having the trust hold the LLC membership interests instead.

Why does Wyoming pair LLCs with dynasty trusts so often?

Wyoming created the modern LLC in 1977 and gives even single-member LLCs exclusive charging-order protection. Combining a Wyoming LLC (holding real property) with a Wyoming dynasty trust (holding the LLC interests) lets both the real estate and the trust benefit from the 1,000-year duration rule.

How much does Wyoming probate cost compared to a living trust?

Wyoming's personal representative fee follows a real tiered schedule (10%/5%/3%/2%), and the attorney is entitled to the identical schedule. A basic Wyoming living trust typically costs $1,500–$5,000 for an individual.

Wyoming living trust tools & guides

Wyoming Living Trust Setup CostThe market-rate breakdown Is a Living Trust Worth It in Wyoming?A decision framework Wyoming Living Trust Funding MistakesWhy trusts still fail to avoid probate Wyoming Probate Cost CalculatorThe statutory fee breakdown Wyoming Probate Timeline CalculatorHow long probate would take

This calculator provides an estimate for general guidance only and is not legal or financial advice. Probate-side figures use Wyoming's actual statutory schedule (Wyo. Stat. § 2-7-803, 2-7-804) — these are legal rates, not estimates, though your specific estate's classification may vary. Trust-side figures are illustrative market rates. Wyoming's dynasty-trust, LLC, and asset-protection features are specialized tools distinct from the basic revocable trust modeled here. Confirm current figures with your county District Court or a licensed Wyoming estate planning attorney before acting.