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Top Estate Planning Attorneys in the USA in the USA

Last Updated: 27/05/2026

Estate planning attorneys do more than draft wills. They turn your wishes into documents that hold up in probate court and with the IRS. State laws on probate, estate tax, and inheritance vary widely. The firms below handle planning, trust administration, and probate work nationwide.

We research each listing using public records, verified reviews, and direct evaluation. Our rankings reflect reputation, reliability, and results.

  • Bar standing and public disciplinary history review
  • Documented case results and courtroom trial experience
  • Peer recognition within the legal community
  • Client reviews, communication, and responsiveness
  • Overall online reputation and verified user feedback

Rankings are determined independently based on public information and editorial research.

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    Leading Estate Planning Lawyers for Wills, Trusts, and Probate

    Screenshot of the Your Legacy Legal Care - Houston Estate Planning Attorneys Website

    Your Legacy Legal Care is a Houston estate planning law firm led by attorney Kim Hegwood. The team handles wills, trusts, probate, guardianship, and Medicaid planning for families across Greater Houston.

    The firm focuses heavily on elder law, including long-term care planning, asset protection, and special needs planning. Other services include power of attorney, business succession, and the Children's Safeguard Program for naming guardians.

    Clients can meet at four locations: the main Clear Lake office, Galleria, Katy, and Bay City. The practice runs the Life Happens Podcast and offers webinars and downloadable resources. Strategy sessions are scheduled by appointment.

    Screenshot of the The Singh Law Firm Website
    43480 Mission Blvd #270, Fremont, CA 94539, USA

    The Singh Law Firm has been an estate planning attorney in California since 2010, based in Fremont with a second office in Los Angeles. The practice works exclusively on estate planning, which sets it apart from general practice firms.

    Founders Kern and Bahar Singh focus on advanced strategies for Silicon Valley professionals, business owners, and high-net-worth families. Specialties include Qualified Small Business Stock (QSBS) planning, IPO and startup estate work, dynasty trusts, GRATs, and irrevocable life insurance trusts.

    Standard services cover living trusts, wills, powers of attorney, advance health care directives, trust administration, and probate. The firm reports more than $3 billion in client tax savings and offers free initial consultations at both Bay Area and LA locations.

    Screenshot of the Mishiyeva Law PLLC Website
    85 Broad St 18th floor, New York, NY 10004, USA

    Mishiyeva Law PLLC is a boutique firm handling probate, estate planning, and Surrogate's Court matters across New York City. Founder Kamilla Mishiyeva represents beneficiaries, administrators, executors, and trustees in all five boroughs, plus Nassau and Suffolk on Long Island.

    The practice covers will contests, breach-of-fiduciary-duty claims, accountings, and partition actions for real property. On the planning side, the firm drafts wills and trusts, handles Medicaid planning, and assists clients with foreign assets or international beneficiaries.

    The Wall Street office focuses on estate administration with foreign decedents, a niche area for NYC's immigrant communities. Mishiyeva is endorsed by peers as a probate attorney in NYC with deep knowledge of estate tax law.

    Screenshot of the Atlas Law, PLC Website
    598 N Mill St, Plymouth, MI 48170, USA

    Atlas Law, PLC is a Plymouth, Michigan firm offering estate planning, probate, and elder law services to clients across Southeast Michigan. The Plymouth office is led by an attorney known for personalized service and detailed planning work.

    Services include last wills and testaments, revocable trusts, special needs trusts, ladybird deeds, and financial and medical powers of attorney. The probate practice covers will and trust administration, will contests, and trust disputes.

    Elder law work includes Medicare and Medicaid planning, plus VA Aid and Attendance benefits for veterans. Free consultations are available, and the firm accommodates virtual meetings for clients who can't visit in person.

    Screenshot of the Paton Law Firm LLC Website
    33-11 Broadway Suite 2, Fair Lawn, NJ 07410, USA

    Kimberly A. Paton has practiced law for 40 years, leading The Paton Law Firm from Fair Lawn in Bergen County, New Jersey. The firm covers estate planning, probate, wills, trusts and estates, business law, and elder law for clients across North Jersey.

    Estate planning services include advance healthcare directives, estate and inheritance tax planning, special needs trusts, and living trusts. The probate practice handles full administration as well as probate avoidance strategies.

    Elder law work covers Medicaid planning, Spousal Lifetime Asset Trusts (SLATs), and guardianships and conservatorships. The firm also handles New Jersey real estate transactions and commercial matters. Home visits are available for clients with mobility issues.

    Screenshot of the Shutt Law Firm PLLC Website
    522 Bishop Ave, Richardson, TX 75081, USA

    Now operating as Fleischmann and Shutt Law Firm, this Richardson, Texas, practice has helped thousands of Texans with wills, trusts, and probate matters. The firm serves Dallas, Plano, Collin County, Denton County, Tarrant County, and clients throughout Texas.

    The attorney team includes Isaac Shutt, Catherine Hensley, and Audra Apke. Flat-rate packages cover the most common needs, including the "Wills PLUS Planning" bundle that combines a will, power of attorney, and related documents.

    Probate work spans the full Texas process plus alternatives like small estate affidavits and affidavits of heirship. The firm also handles will contests, probate mediation, and small business law, with free consultations available in person or virtually.

    Screenshot of the Regina Kiperman, Esq., RK Law PC Website
    40 Wall St Suite 2508, New York, NY 10005, USA

    Regina Kiperman leads RK Law PC, a boutique firm on Wall Street with more than 30 years of combined attorney experience. The team handles probate, estate planning, estate litigation, guardianship, and elder law across New York City.

    Estate planning work covers wills, trusts, advance directives, wealth planning, business succession, and digital asset planning. The probate practice includes estate administration without a will, trust administration, and NYC kinship cases.

    Litigation services cover will contests, fiduciary removal, discovery and turnover proceedings, and contested accountings in Surrogate's Court. The firm also represents clients in contested guardianship matters across Manhattan and Brooklyn.

    Screenshot of the Law Office of Gregory T Pearce Website
    2067 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA 02140, USA

    Greg Pearce is a Cambridge elder law and estate planning attorney whose Porter Square office serves clients across Greater Boston. His practice focuses on wills, trusts, probate, and trust administration, with a strong emphasis on long-term care planning.

    Specialty work covers Medicaid planning for nursing facilities and in-home care, asset protection trusts, life insurance trusts, and special needs trusts. Pearce also handles estate planning for remarried couples and offers trustee services.

    Clients can schedule a free initial consultation by phone at the Massachusetts Avenue office.

    Screenshot of the Berk Law Group, PC Website
    14220 N Northsight Blvd #135, Scottsdale, AZ 85260, USA

    Berk Law Group is a Scottsdale firm that has focused exclusively on probate, trust, and estate litigation since 1996. Founder Kent Berk holds Martindale-Hubbell's AV Preeminent rating and a 2026 Super Lawyers listing.

    The team handles will contests, trust disputes, breach-of-fiduciary-duty claims, guardianship and conservatorship cases, and financial exploitation of vulnerable adults. Free online tools include an Arizona intestacy calculator and probate assessment quiz.

    Consultations are paid at $500.

    Screenshot of the Pederson Law Offices Website
    920 Hampshire Rd a1, Westlake Village, CA 91361, USA

    For more than four decades, Pederson Law Offices has guided Conejo Valley families through wills, trusts, probate, and trust administration. The Westlake Village office serves Thousand Oaks, Oak Park, Agoura Hills, Simi Valley, and nearby communities.

    Services include revocable living trusts, healthcare directives, powers of attorney, and irrevocable trusts. The firm holds memberships in WealthCounsel and the National Association of Estate Planners and Councils.

    Introductory consultations are 15 minutes and free of charge.

    Screenshot of the Ross Law Firm Ltd. Website
    1622 W Colonial Pkwy #201, Palatine, IL 60067, USA

    Ross Law Firm is a three-generation family practice in Palatine, Illinois, with 70 years of combined legal experience. Robert J. Ross, Patrick F. Ross, and Daniel R. Ross focus on Illinois estate planning, estate administration, and premarital agreements.

    The firm drafts customized wills and trusts designed to prevent future family conflicts and minimize probate costs. Initial conferences carry no obligation.

    Screenshot of the Kitroser Lewis and Mighdoll Website
    631 U.S. Hwy 1 Ste 406, North Palm Beach, FL 33408, USA

    Kitroser Lewis and Mighdoll brings more than 100 years of combined attorney experience to estate, probate, and trust litigation across Palm Beach and Martin counties. The seven-attorney team handles estate planning, elder law, guardianship, Medicaid planning, and real estate from offices in North Palm Beach.

    Specialty planning work covers same-sex couples, unmarried couples, blended families, small business owners, and emergency or incapacity planning. The firm also handles elder exploitation and nursing home abuse cases for vulnerable adults.

    Screenshot of the Daniel T. Fleischer - Plantation, Boca Raton and Aventura Estate Planning and Probate Lawyer Website

    Daniel T. Fleischer is a Plantation, Florida, attorney who practices estate planning and probate across Broward, Palm Beach, and Miami-Dade counties. He also holds the Certified Financial Planner designation, which informs his approach to high-net-worth and tax planning work.

    Services span wills, revocable and irrevocable trusts, lady bird deeds, homestead exemption planning, and digital estate planning. Probate work includes formal and summary administration, ancillary probate, trust administration, and probate litigation for personal representatives, beneficiaries, and creditors.

    Screenshot of the Dana Law Group Website
    7254 E Southern Ave #121, Mesa, AZ 85209, USA

    Dana Law Group operates seven Arizona offices, with the main practice in Mesa and additional locations from Chandler to Prescott. Attorney Zach Dana is a sixth-generation Arizonan and second-generation estate planning lawyer.

    The firm builds revocable living trusts, wills, durable financial and medical powers of attorney, and living wills. Probate and trust administration services complete the practice. Free initial consultations are available statewide.

    Screenshot of the Fisher and Wilsey, P.A. Website
    1000 16th Street North, St. Petersburg, FL, USA

    Fisher and Wilsey, P.A. has served Tampa Bay families since 1962. The St. Petersburg practice covers estate planning, probate, real estate, business law, and civil litigation, with six attorneys, including David, Steven, Chase, and George Wilsey.

    Estate planning services include wills, revocable living trusts, dynasty trusts, irrevocable life insurance trusts, charitable trusts, and supplemental needs trusts. Probate work covers administration and litigation, along with tax planning and Medicaid planning.

    Screenshot of the Valero Law Website
    6100 Griffin Rd, Suite 337, Davie, FL 33314, USA

    Valero Law focuses on probate, estate, and real estate litigation across South Florida. The Davie office serves Miami, Coconut Grove, and Fort Lauderdale, with Spanish-language services available.

    Screenshot of the Moses Estate Planning Website
    401 Wilshire Blvd 12th Fl, Santa Monica, CA 90401, USA

    Travor Moses runs a two-state practice with offices in Santa Monica and Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. He holds an LL.M. in estate planning from the University of Miami and is licensed in California, Idaho, and Florida.

    Screenshot of the Miaoulis Law - Palm Harbor Estate Planning and Probate Lawyers Website

    Miaoulis Law (formerly under another name at the same location) is a family-run firm in Palm Harbor, Florida, serving North Pinellas and Pasco counties. Lead attorney Maria Miaoulis is a former elder abuse prosecutor.

    The firm handles estate planning, probate, elder law, real estate, and business matters.

    Screenshot of the Barr &amp; Douds Attorneys Website
    318 Diablo Rd Ste C, Danville, CA 94526

    Barr and Douds Attorneys handle trust and estate litigation in Danville, California, plus elder law, conservatorships, and elder abuse cases. The firm offers free consultations to East Bay families.

    Screenshot of the Drude Tomori Law, PA Website
    200 Central Avenue Suite 435, St. Petersburg, FL, USA

    Rachel Drude-Tomori has 15+ years of experience and serves clients across St. Petersburg, Bradenton, Lakewood Ranch, and Sarasota. Services include advanced trusts, asset protection, elder law, and probate litigation.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    How much does an estate plan cost in the U.S.?

    It depends on complexity. A basic will runs a few hundred dollars at most firms. A revocable trust package with powers of attorney and healthcare directives usually costs $1,500 to $5,000. High-net-worth plans with tax strategies cost more.

    Do I need a trust if I already have a will?

    Often yes. A will still goes through probate, which is public and can take months. A revocable living trust lets assets pass to your heirs without probate in most states. It also helps if you own property in more than one state.

    What is the federal estate tax exemption right now?

    It is high but changing. The federal estate tax exemption is over $13 million per person under current law. It is set to drop by roughly half in 2026 unless Congress acts. State estate or inheritance taxes apply in about a dozen states with much lower thresholds.

    Which states have their own estate or inheritance tax?

    About 17 states do. States like Massachusetts, Oregon, Washington, Illinois, New York, and Minnesota tax estates above their own thresholds. A few states also tax inheritances received by heirs. An attorney licensed in your state can tell you what applies.

    How long does probate take?

    Six months to two years. Simple estates with a clear will and cooperative heirs can wrap up in six to nine months. Contested wills, real estate in multiple states, or unclear records can push probate past two years. Some states offer summary administration for small estates.

    Can I do my own estate plan with online forms?

    Risky for most people. Online forms can work for a single person with no kids and basic assets. But blended families, business owners, special needs heirs, or property in multiple states usually need an attorney. Mistakes show up after you die, when no one can fix them.

    What is Medicaid planning and when does it matter?

    Long-term care planning. Nursing homes cost $8,000 to $12,000 a month in many states. Medicaid pays for long-term care once you spend down assets. Elder law attorneys use irrevocable trusts and gifting strategies to protect assets, but the rules have a five-year lookback.

    Should I update my estate plan after moving to a new state?

    Yes, review it. Wills and powers of attorney drafted in one state usually work in another. But state-specific rules on community property, homestead, and probate can still change the result. A quick review with a local attorney avoids surprises for your heirs.

    Common Estate Planning Documents and Services

    Last Will and Testament. A will names who gets your assets and who manages your estate. Without one, your state's intestacy law decides. Wills still go through probate in most cases.

    Revocable Living Trust. A trust holds your assets during your lifetime and passes them to beneficiaries without probate. You stay in control while alive and can change the trust at any time.

    Irrevocable Trusts. Used for estate tax planning, Medicaid planning, and asset protection. Common types include life insurance trusts, dynasty trusts, and special needs trusts. Once set up, they generally cannot be changed.

    Powers of Attorney. A financial power of attorney lets someone manage your money if you cannot. A healthcare power of attorney does the same for medical decisions. Both should be in place well before you need them.

    Advance Healthcare Directives. Also called living wills, these spell out your wishes on life support, resuscitation, and end-of-life care. Hospitals and family use them when you cannot speak for yourself.

    Probate and Estate Administration. When someone dies, an attorney guides the executor through court filings, creditor claims, tax returns, and asset distribution. Costs and timelines vary by state.

    Trust Administration. Trustees have legal duties to beneficiaries. An attorney handles notices, accountings, tax filings, and distributions after the trust creator dies.

    Medicaid and Elder Law Planning. Protects assets while qualifying for long-term care benefits. Includes irrevocable trusts, lady bird deeds, and spend-down strategies that fit your state's rules.

    How to Choose an Estate Planning Attorney

    Pick someone licensed in your state. Estate law is state-specific. An attorney licensed in your state will know the probate rules, tax thresholds, and homestead laws that apply. If you own property in another state too, ask about that.

    Ask if estate planning is their main practice. General practitioners draft basic wills, but trusts, tax planning, and Medicaid work need a specialist. Look for an LL.M. in taxation or estate planning, or a state certification in the field.

    Check experience with your situation. Blended families, business owners, special needs heirs, and high-net-worth estates each raise different issues. Ask the attorney how often they handle cases like yours.

    Confirm the fee structure upfront. Most firms offer flat fees for plan packages and hourly billing for probate or litigation. Get the scope and cost in writing before you sign.

    Look for someone who will be there later. Estate plans need updates after marriages, divorces, deaths, moves, and tax law changes. A solo attorney near retirement may not be around when your family needs help.

    What Affects the Cost and Outcome of an Estate Plan

    Estate planning costs and results depend on several factors. Asset size, family structure, and state of residence matter most. Federal estate tax kicks in only on very large estates, but state estate or inheritance tax can affect estates worth far less. Probate fees, attorney costs, and timelines vary by state and county. A well-drafted plan can cut probate costs, avoid family disputes, and protect assets from creditors or long-term care expenses. A poorly drafted plan or no plan at all can leave heirs with years of court battles and unexpected tax bills.