California Probate vs Living Trust: Cost Comparison 2025

Living Trust
$400
✓ Attorney-prepared
✓ Attorney-reviewed
✓ Complete estate plan
✓ Avoid probate entirely
✓ Transfer in days
Probate
$26,000+
✗ Court proceedings
✗ Public record
✗ Attorney fees
✗ Executor fees
✗ 12-18 month delay
Save $25,600+ with a Living Trust
California Probate Costs by Estate Value
$900,000 Estate (Typical Santa Barbara Home)
Attorney Fees (Statutory)
$26,000
Executor Fees (Statutory)
$26,000
Court Costs & Filing Fees
$1,500
TOTAL PROBATE COST
$53,500
WITH LIVING TRUST
$400
$1.5 Million Estate (Montecito Property)
Attorney Fees (Statutory)
$33,000
Executor Fees (Statutory)
$33,000
Court Costs & Appraisals
$2,500
TOTAL PROBATE COST
$68,500
WITH LIVING TRUST
$400
$3 Million Estate (High-Value Coastal Property)
Attorney Fees (Statutory)
$43,000
Executor Fees (Statutory)
$43,000
Court Costs & Professional Fees
$3,000
TOTAL PROBATE COST
$89,000
WITH LIVING TRUST
$400
Note: California probate fees are set by statute (Probate Code §10810). Fees shown are mandatory minimum costs. Actual probate costs often exceed these amounts due to extraordinary fees, multiple properties, contested issues, or complex estates.
Probate Cost Comparison: Living Trust vs No Trust
$900K Estate
$400
$53,500
$1.5M Estate
$400
$68,500
$3M Estate
$400
$89,000
$5M Estate
$400
$126,000
Living Trust = 99%+ Cost Savings
Time Savings: Living trusts transfer assets immediately upon death. Probate takes 12-24 months in California, during which assets are frozen and families cannot access property or funds.
Transfer Timeline: Living Trust vs Probate

✓ With Living Trust

DAYS
  • Successor trustee takes over immediately
  • Assets transfer to beneficiaries quickly
  • No court approval required
  • Completely private process
  • Family has immediate access

✗ Without Living Trust (Probate)

12-24 MONTHS
  • Court petition required (2-4 months)
  • Creditor claim period (4 months minimum)
  • Asset inventory and appraisal (3-6 months)
  • Court hearings and approvals (ongoing)
  • Distribution delayed until completion
  • Everything becomes public record
Living Trust = Immediate Access vs 12-24 Month Wait

Living Trust California
Attorney-Prepared Living Trusts Starting at $400
Avoid Probate • Protect Your Family • Maintain Privacy

Attorney Rozsa Gyene, State Bar #208356 • 25+ Years Experience
(818) 291-6217 • livingtrustcalifornia.com

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Attorney Rozsa Gyene reviews every trust personally. Professional estate planning for just $400-$500 — delivered in 24-48 hours. Avoid probate and protect your family.

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✓ Attorney-reviewed ✓ Probate avoidance ✓ 24-48 hour delivery ✓ $400-$500 flat fee