MAXI CAPITALIST

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How Much Does It Cost to Set Up a Trust?

What a trust actually costs to establish and to run each year, from a simple domestic trust to an offshore structure.

Last updated 8 August 2026 · 2 min read

Setting up a simple trust can cost from a few thousand dollars, while a sophisticated offshore asset-protection or dynasty trust often runs from the low tens of thousands to set up and several thousand to tens of thousands a year to administer. The cost depends almost entirely on complexity, jurisdiction and the type of trustee.

There is no single price for a trust, because "a trust" covers everything from a simple document that avoids probate to a fortified offshore structure built to defeat creditors. The cost tracks the complexity, and it comes in two parts: what you pay to set it up, and what you pay to run it every year.

Setup cost

A simple trust, drafted by a lawyer to organise an estate or avoid probate, can cost from a few thousand dollars. It is largely a drafting exercise.

A sophisticated trust, an irrevocable dynasty trust, or an offshore asset-protection trust, costs far more to establish, typically from the low tens of thousands of dollars, because it requires specialist legal design, a licensed trustee in the chosen jurisdiction, and careful structuring to achieve protection and tax treatment. The more the trust is meant to do, the more it costs to build.

Ongoing cost, which matters more

The setup fee is one-off; the running costs recur, and over years they usually dominate. They include:

  • Trustee fees. A professional corporate trustee charges annually, often a percentage of assets or a fixed fee. A private trust company has its own running costs instead.
  • Administration. Accounting, tax filing, reporting under the Common Reporting Standard and FATCA, and legal work as circumstances change.

For an offshore structure, expect ongoing costs of several thousand to tens of thousands of dollars a year, depending on the assets and the trustee.

What drives the price

Three things: complexity (a discretionary, multigenerational, multi-asset trust costs more than a simple one), jurisdiction (a top-tier offshore centre with a licensed trustee costs more than a domestic trust), and the type of trustee (a full-service corporate trustee, an individual, or a private trust company).

The honest guidance is the same as for a family office: match the structure to the need. A simple estate rarely justifies an expensive offshore trust, and an expensive trust that is never properly administered is worse than none. But for a family with real exposure or genuine multigenerational wealth, the cost is small against what a well-built trust protects. Just be sure you are paying for a structure you actually need and will run properly.

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to set up a trust?
A simple domestic trust can cost a few thousand dollars to draft. A sophisticated offshore asset-protection or dynasty trust typically costs from the low tens of thousands of dollars to establish, plus ongoing trustee and administration fees of several thousand to tens of thousands a year. Complexity and jurisdiction drive the price.
What are the ongoing costs of a trust?
Mainly trustee fees and administration. A professional corporate trustee charges an annual fee, often a percentage of assets or a fixed amount, plus costs for accounting, tax filing, and legal work. A private trust company adds its own running costs. These recurring fees usually matter more over time than the one-off setup.
Why are offshore trusts so expensive?
Because they require specialist legal drafting, a licensed trustee in a strong jurisdiction such as the Cook Islands or Nevis, and ongoing compliance and reporting. You are paying for a structure tested by decades of case law and for a trustee a foreign court cannot compel, which is precisely what makes it effective.

This guide is educational and general in nature. It does not constitute investment, legal, tax or financial advice.