Estate Planning & Probate Attorneys

226,536 verified estate planning attorneys across the United States. An estate planning attorney prepares wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and healthcare directives to protect your family and pass on your assets.

Estate planning is how you decide — instead of state law deciding for you — who inherits your property, who raises your children, who makes medical decisions if you cannot, and how to minimize taxes and probate cost. A qualified estate planning attorney builds an integrated plan around your goals, family structure, and asset profile.

Core documents in a complete plan

Last will and testament — directs the distribution of your probate assets
Revocable living trust — avoids probate, manages assets during incapacity, controls distribution timing
Durable financial power of attorney — names someone to handle finances if you cannot
Healthcare proxy / power of attorney — names a medical decision-maker
Living will / advance directive — records end-of-life treatment preferences
HIPAA authorization — lets family access your medical information
Beneficiary designations — retirement accounts, life insurance, transfer-on-death accounts
Guardianship nominations for minor children

Trusts: when and why

A revocable living trust is often the centerpiece of a modern estate plan. Benefits include avoiding probate (faster, private, less expensive), seamless management during incapacity, and the ability to control distribution to children or beneficiaries with special needs. Irrevocable trusts serve more specialized purposes including asset protection, Medicaid planning, and estate-tax reduction.

When to update your plan

Marriage, divorce, or death of a spouse
Birth or adoption of a child or grandchild
Significant change in net worth
Move to a new state
Major change in tax law
Beneficiary or fiduciary changes

Atty. David J Latham

Reading 54 years 5.0

David J Latham is a lawyer practicing estate planning, probate. David received a A.B. degree from Clark University in 1963, and has been licensed for ...

Estate Planning Probate

Atty. David Todd Sholar

Gallatin 33 years 5.0

David Todd Sholar is a lawyer practicing animal law, estates, real estate law and 2 other areas of law. David received a degree from Memphis Cecil C.

Animal Law Estates Real Estate Law Eminent Domain Wills

Atty. Vanessa Maria Terzian

La Canada Flintridge 20 years 5.0

Vanessa Maria Terzian is a lawyer practicing trusts & estates, business law, real estate and 4 other areas of law. Vanessa received a B.A. degree from...

Business Law Real Estate Trusts Estates Estate Planning Litigation +2

Atty. Linda Ruth Getzen

Sarasota 44 years 5.0

Linda Ruth Getzen is a lawyer practicing wills, trusts and estates, real property, probate & trust, tax law and 1 other area of law. Linda received a ...

Real Property, Probate & Trust Tax Law Wills, Trusts And Estates Estate Planning

Atty. Richard W Reeves

Tampa 71 years 5.0

Mr. Richard W Reeves is a lawyer practicing real property, estate planning, asset protection and 2 other areas of law.

Asset Protection Estate Planning Real Property Business Law Corporation Law

Atty. John M. Peek

Andalusia 36 years 5.0

Mr. John M.

Errors And Omissions Premises Liability Products Liability Automobile Accident Litigation Bad Faith +7

Atty. Kevin Robert Welch

Monrovia 50 years 5.0

Mr. Kevin Robert Welch is a lawyer practicing commercial law, business planning, estate planning and 12 other areas of law.

Business Planning Commercial Law Estate Planning Buy Sell Agreements Commercial +10

Atty. Cullen Adair Tonry

Chalmette 22 years 5.0 Free consult

Cullen Adair Tonry is a lawyer practicing personal injury, car accidents, dui & dwi and 3 other areas of law. Cullen received a B.S.B.A. degree from U...

Car Accidents DUI/DWI Personal Injury Criminal Defense Uncontested Divorce +1

Atty. James Richard Walz

Omaha 24 years 5.0 Free consult

James Richard Walz is a lawyer practicing personal injury, medical malpractice, wrongful death and 16 other areas of law. James received a B.A. degree...

Medical Malpractice Personal Injury Wrongful Death Adoption Automobile Accidents +14

Atty. Philippa Marie-Therese Guthrie

Bloomington 33 years 5.0

Philippa Marie-Therese Guthrie is a lawyer practicing corporate counsel, environmental, general corporate counsel and 2 other areas of law. Philippa r...

Corporate Counsel Environmental General Corporate Counsel Governmental Practice Probate, Trust & Real Property (PTRP)

Atty. Andre R. Perron, Esq.

Bradenton 40 years 5.0

Mr. Perron is recognized by the State of Florida Bar Association as a specialist in business litigation having met the standards of certification.

Advocacy Arbitration Trial Banking Litigation Business Formation +24

Atty. Stacy B. Loftin

Grapevine 43 years 5.0

Stacy B. Loftin practices at Adams, Lynch & Loftin, P.C.

Agribusiness Agricultural Bankruptcy Agricultural Cooperatives Agricultural Credit Agricultural Creditors Rights +142

Atty. Timothy Jacques Bloom

Columbia City 48 years 5.0

Timothy Jacques Bloom is a lawyer practicing general practice, trusts and estates, probate and 4 other areas of law. Timothy received a B.S. degree fr...

General Practice Probate Trusts and Estates Business Law Elder Law +2

Atty. Thomas Roland Berner

New York 52 years 5.0

Thomas Roland Berner is a lawyer practicing trusts law, estates law, corporate law. Thomas received a B.A. degree from Harvard University, and has bee...

Corporate Law Estates Law Trusts Law

Atty. Paula Jan Sage

Gainesville 40 years 5.0

Paula Jan Sage is a lawyer practicing family law, domestic law, civil litigation and 2 other areas of law. Paula received a B.B.A. degree from Sam Hou...

Civil Litigation Domestic Law Family Law Probate Law Wills Law

Atty. Steven D. Leipzig

Hackensack 47 years 5.0

Atty. Steven D.

Advertising Construction / Development Estate Planning Tax, Trusts and Estates

Atty. Walter Robert Krueger

Kirkland 50 years 5.0

Mr. Walter Robert Krueger is a lawyer practicing estate planning, probate, trusts and 8 other areas of law.

Estate Planning Probate Trusts Community Property Agreement Durable Power of Attorney for Finances +6

Atty. Judge Rosemarie Ann Hall

Canton 34 years 5.0

Judge Rosemarie Ann Hall is a lawyer practicing trust, family law, domestic relations and 5 other areas of law. Rosemarie received a B.A. degree from ...

Domestic Relations Family Law Trust Elder Law & Advocacy General Practice +3

Atty. Paul Young

Jacksonville 62 years 5.0

Paul Young is a lawyer practicing real estate, residential and planned development, tax credit transactions and 6 other areas of law. Paul received a ...

Real Estate Residential and Planned Development Tax Credit Transactions Commercial Environmental & Land Use Law +4

Atty. Ronald Lee Cason

Fort Pierce 31 years 5.0

Ronald Lee Cason is a lawyer practicing criminal defense, probate, power of attorney and 9 other areas of law. Ronald received a M.B.A. degree from Fl...

Criminal Defense Power of Attorney Probate Automobile Accidents And Injuries Child Support +7

Atty. John N. Killough

Wynne 76 years 5.0

John N. Killough is a lawyer practicing savings and loan law, real estate, probate.

Probate Real Estate Savings And Loan Law

Atty. Nathan H. Miller

Harrisonburg 57 years 5.0

Nathan H. Miller is a lawyer practicing business law, trusts and estates, public utility law and 3 other areas of law.

Business Law Public Utility Law Trusts and Estates Energy Municipal Law +1

Atty. Joseph Forester Hart

Los Angeles 47 years 5.0

Joseph Forester Hart is a lawyer practicing litigation, entertainment law, intellectual property and 4 other areas of law. Joseph received a A.B. degr...

Entertainment Law Intellectual Property Litigation Labor Employment Media Law +2

Atty. Maria Victoria Currais

Miami 29 years 5.0

Maria Victoria Currais is a lawyer practicing probate & trust, banking law, commercial real estate lending and 7 other areas of law. Maria received a ...

Banking Law Commercial Real Estate Lending Probate & Trust Commercial Real Estate Transactions Condominium +5

Atty. Carroll 'Trip' M. Redford III

Lexington 35 years 5.0

Carroll "Trip" M. Redford III is a lawyer practicing general practice and litigation, appellate practice, construction litigation and 4 other areas of...

Appellate Practice Construction Litigation General Practice and Litigation Commercial Litigation Criminal Law +2

Atty. Jason P. Hoffman

Apple Valley 24 years 5.0 Free consult

Jason P. Hoffman is a lawyer practicing purchase agreement, contract for deed, deed and 12 other areas of law.

Contract for Deed Deed Purchase Agreement Adverse Claims Business Law +10

Atty. Joseph E Frank

Tampa 46 years 5.0

Mr. Joseph E Frank is a lawyer practicing criminal, general practice, criminal defense and 2 other areas of law.

Criminal Criminal Defense General Practice Estate Planning Probate

Atty. David Dennis Cleary

Phoenix 38 years 5.0

David Dennis Cleary is a lawyer practicing restructuring & bankruptcy, corporate trust services, litigation. David received a B.A. degree from Arizona...

Corporate Trust Services Litigation Restructuring & Bankruptcy

Atty. Mark Jordan Phillips

Encino 46 years 5.0

Adjunct Professor of Law, San Fernando Valley, College of Law, 1986-2002. President, San Fernando Valley Estate Planning Council, 1996-1997.

Estate Planning Law Taxation Law Trusts Estates Probate Law

Atty. Kenneth Osborne Solomon

Mission Viejo 51 years 5.0

Kenneth Osborne Solomon is a lawyer practicing probate, estate planning & trusts, trusts & estates. Kenneth received a B.A. degree from University of ...

Estate Planning & Trusts Probate Trusts Estates

Atty. Walter Robert Moon

Orlando 52 years 5.0

Mr. Walter Robert Moon is a lawyer practicing commercial litigation, collections, bankruptcy for debtors and creditors and 5 other areas of law.

Bankruptcy for Debtors and Creditors Collections Commercial Litigation Family Law Foreclosure +3

Atty. Richard W. Miller

Portland 50 years 5.0

Mr. Richard W.

Business Representation & Transactions Corporate & Incorporation Estate Planning Professional Liability Real Estate Law +1

Atty. Russell Paul Sacco

Yardley 30 years 5.0

Russell Paul Sacco is a lawyer practicing estate planning, probate, business and 5 other areas of law. Russell received a B.A. degree from St.

Business Estate Planning Probate Estate Law General Practice +3

Atty. James Elmer Thompson, Jr.

Centreville 75 years 5.0

James Elmer Thompson, Jr. is a lawyer practicing estate planning, probate, real estate and 3 other areas of law. James received a A.B. degree from Uni...

Estate Planning Probate Real Estate Land Use & Zoning Trusts/Estates/Wills +1

Atty. Tirso Manuel Carreja, Jr.

Tampa 30 years 5.0

Mr. Tirso Manuel Carreja, Jr. is a lawyer practicing probate & trust, bankruptcy and financial restructuring, commercial litigation and 3 other areas ...

Bankruptcy And Financial Restructuring Commercial Litigation Probate & Trust Commercial Real Estate +1

Atty. Neale Everett Creamer

Portland 65 years 5.0

Neale Everett Creamer is a lawyer practicing business, cooperative law, trusts and estates and 2 other areas of law. Neale received a A.B. degree from...

Business Cooperative Law Trusts and Estates Estate Planning Trusts

Atty. Henry N. Jannol

Los Angeles 51 years 5.0

Fee Disputes Arbitrator, Los Angeles County Bar Association, 1980—. Arbitrator, Superior Court, 1999—.

Commercial Litigation Probate Litigation Real Estate Business Formation

Atty. Presiliano A. Torrez

Albuquerque 48 years 5.0

Mr. Presiliano A.

Criminal Criminal Law Elder Guardianships & Conservatorships

Atty. Victoria Morales

Palm Beach Gardens 14 years 5.0 Free consult

Victoria Morales is a lawyer practicing bankruptcy, wills and probate, civil litigation and 8 other areas of law. Victoria has been licensed for 14 ye...

Bankruptcy Civil Litigation Wills and Probate Consumer Law Debt Relief +6

Atty. Brandelyn Murphy Duden

Oklahoma City 19 years 5.0

Brandelyn Murphy Duden is a lawyer practicing adoption, business & corporate, contracts and 16 other areas of law. Brandelyn received a B.A. degree fr...

Adoption Business & Corporate Contracts Divorce Elder Law +13

Atty. Steven D. Moore

Cedar Falls 51 years 5.0

Steven D. Moore is a lawyer practicing general practice, wills, trusts and estates and 5 other areas of law.

General Practice Trusts and Estates Wills Business Law Corporate Law +3

Atty. John S. Catron

Santa Fe 75 years 5.0

Assistant District Attorney, Fourth Judicial District, State of New Mexico, 1952-1953.

Real Estate Trusts Wills Civil Litigation Probate

Atty. Paul D Cordes, Jr

New Orleans 48 years 5.0

Paul D Cordes, Jr is a lawyer practicing tax, corporate organizations, corporate reorganization and 4 other areas of law. Paul received a degree from ...

Corporate Organizations Corporate Reorganization Tax Estate Planning Limited Liability Companies +2

Atty. Christine Schwartzkopf Schroff

Lincoln 48 years 5.0

Christine Schwartzkopf Schroff is a lawyer practicing real estate, partnership, business transactions and 10 other areas of law. Christine received a ...

Business Transactions Partnership Real Estate Business Business Law +8

Atty. James Dennis Marek

Kankakee 58 years 5.0 Free consult

James Dennis Marek is a lawyer practicing medical malpractice, general civil defense law, real estate law and 5 other areas of law. James received a B...

General Civil Defense Law Medical Malpractice Real Estate Law Civil Litigation Corporate Law +3

Atty. Glenn Lee Berger

Altavista 49 years 5.0

Glenn Lee Berger is a lawyer practicing plaintiffs personal injury, criminal law, dui / dwi and 7 other areas of law. Glenn received a B.A. degree fro...

Criminal Law DUI/DWI Plaintiffs Personal Injury Litigation & Appeals Medical Malpractice +5

Atty. Devina Mistry

Miami 18 years 5.0

Ms. Devina Mistry is a lawyer practicing pip, administrative, elder law and 21 other areas of law.

Administrative Elder Law PIP Business Civil Litigation +19

Atty. Larry Jay McMains

Seminole 48 years 5.0

Larry Jay McMains is a lawyer practicing probate, personal injury, estate planning and 3 other areas of law. Larry received a B.A. degree from Lafayet...

Estate Planning Personal Injury Probate Banking Oil & Gas +1

Atty. Thomas Neil Andrews

Redding 33 years 5.0

Thomas Neil Andrews is a lawyer practicing elder abuse, elder care, nursing home abuse and neglect and 8 other areas of law. Thomas has been licensed ...

Elder Abuse Elder Care Nursing Home Abuse And Neglect Boundary Disputes Easements +6

Atty. William Charles Bell

Ridgeland 34 years 5.0

William Charles Bell is a lawyer practicing criminal defense, general practice, family law and 9 other areas of law. William received a B.B.A. degree ...

Criminal Defense Family Law General Practice Automobile Accidents Bankruptcy +7

Atty. James D. Nowak

Mount Laurel 33 years 5.0

James D. Nowak is a lawyer practicing workers compensation, residential real estate, estate planning.

Estate Planning Residential Real Estate Workers Compensation

Atty. Louis Steven Haskell

Lowell 39 years 5.0 Free consult

Louis Steven Haskell is a lawyer practicing automobile accidents, car accidents, personal injury and 57 other areas of law. Louis has been licensed fo...

Automobile Accidents Car Accidents Personal Injury Adjustment Of Status Asylum +55

Atty. Jon M. Krebbs

Liberty 59 years 5.0

Jon M. Krebbs is a lawyer practicing personal injury, criminal law, real estate and 1 other area of law.

Criminal Law Personal Injury Real Estate Probate Law

Atty. Michael P. Donnelly

Baltimore 50 years 5.0

Michael P. Donnelly is a lawyer practicing taxation law, business transactions, estate & trust law and 3 other areas of law.

Business Transactions Estate & Trust Law Taxation Law Estate Administration Estate Planning +1

Atty. Peter Rosenberg

Philadelphia 33 years 5.0

Peter Rosenberg is a lawyer practicing estate planning, estate administration, international taxation and 1 other area of law. Peter received a B.A. d...

Estate Administration Estate Planning International Taxation International Estate Planning

Atty. John D. Earling

Edmonds 16 years 5.0

John D. Earling is a lawyer practicing bankruptcy, business/ commercial, contracts and 12 other areas of law.

Bankruptcy Business/ Commercial Contracts Corporate Election Campaigns & Political Law +9

Atty. Richard Allen Yawitz

St. Louis 44 years 5.0

Richard Allen Yawitz is a lawyer practicing trusts, alternative dispute resolution, business formation and development and 5 other areas of law. Richa...

Alternative Dispute Resolution Business Formation and Development Trusts Business Services Commercial Transactions +3

Atty. Lisa Marie Vari

Pittsburgh 33 years 5.0

Lisa Marie Vari is a lawyer practicing military/veteran, estate planning, elder and 34 other areas of law. Lisa received a B.A. degree from University...

Elder Estate Planning Military/Veteran Adoption Law Alimony +32

Atty. Janet Wilson Moore

Worcester 46 years 5.0

Janet Wilson Moore is a lawyer practicing trusts and estates, estate planning, probate and trust administration. Janet received a B.A. degree from Uni...

Estate Planning Probate And Trust Administration Trusts and Estates

Atty. Arthur S. Horn

Nutley 65 years 5.0

Arthur S. Horn is a lawyer practicing real estate law, trusts and estates, wills and 3 other areas of law.

Real Estate Law Trusts and Estates Wills Business Law Legal Malpractice +1

Frequently Asked Questions about Estate Planning

Do I really need an estate plan if I am not wealthy?

Yes. Estate planning is not primarily about taxes — it is about who controls your assets if you die or become incapacitated and how your family avoids probate costs and delays. Even modest estates benefit substantially from a basic will, powers of attorney, and beneficiary designation review.

What is the difference between a will and a trust?

A will directs distribution of assets through probate court after you die. A revocable living trust holds assets during your life and distributes them to beneficiaries after your death without probate. Trusts also provide privacy, faster administration, and incapacity planning.

How much does estate planning cost?

A basic will-based plan typically costs $400 to $1,500. A more comprehensive revocable trust-based plan ranges from $2,000 to $5,000. Highly customized plans involving business succession, irrevocable trusts, or estate-tax planning cost more.

What is probate and why avoid it?

Probate is the court-supervised process of validating a will and distributing assets. It is public, can take 6 to 18 months, and typically costs 3% to 7% of the gross estate in fees and costs. Probate avoidance through trust planning or beneficiary designations saves time, money, and family privacy.

Can I do my own estate plan with online forms?

Online forms work for very simple situations, but they typically miss state-specific execution requirements, fail to coordinate beneficiary designations with the document plan, and provide no help during the administration phase. Estate disputes triggered by DIY documents often cost the family far more than a lawyer would have charged up front.

What is the federal estate tax exemption?

As of 2026, the federal estate-tax exemption is $13.99 million per individual ($27.98M per couple with portability). The exemption is scheduled to drop by roughly half at the end of 2025 unless Congress extends it. State estate-tax exemptions are often much lower.

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