Learn how estate planning attorneys help secure your assets and wishes. Find tips on choosing the right lawyer to guide you through the estate planning process.
If you're writing a will or working on other estate planning tasks, you'll often hear that it's a good idea to hire an estate planning attorney. But what does an estate planning lawyer actually do, and how can they help you?
An estate planning lawyer helps you and your family plan for what will happen to your money, property, and personal wishes after you die or if you can't make decisions for yourself. These lawyers, sometimes called will and trust lawyers or probate attorneys, have a thorough knowledge and understanding of estate planning laws. They can help you set up important documents and make sure your wishes for your assets, finances, and end-of-life care are clear and legally protected.
What Does an Estate Planning Attorney Do?
A good lawyer can help you feel more confident and at ease by taking care of tasks like these:
- Deciding which estate planning tools and strategies meet your needs
- Drafting wills and trusts
- Creating financial powers of attorney and advance health care directives (living wills)
- Helping you minimize estate taxes and avoid probate
- Naming beneficiaries and later, helping to transfer property to them
- Designating guardians and property managers for young children
- Making a plan to care for your pets,
- and more.
Choosing the right estate planning attorney can make your plans work better and make the whole process easier for you and your loved ones.
How to Choose an Estate Planning Lawyer
If you decide to work with an estate planning attorney, you'll need to find one who fits your needs. It can be tough to find a skilled lawyer at a fair price, especially if you want to handle some tasks, like writing a will, by yourself. Begin by seeking a lawyer who specializes in estate planning. Most general lawyers don't have enough experience in this area to handle complex issues. Here are some suggestions for finding help.
Personal Recommendations
The best way to find a lawyer is to ask someone you trust for a recommendation. This could be a family member or friend, but you can also ask others you know who might be able to help.
Personal connections. Talk to relatives, friends, and coworkers, especially those who have significant assets and have probably made an estate plan. You can also ask people who own businesses. They often know lawyers, and even if their lawyer doesn't handle estate planning, they might know someone who does.
Social groups. Ask people you know from any social or community group you're part of. Senior centers and organizations that help older adults often have lists of local lawyers who are experienced in wills and estate planning.
Financial professionals. If you work with an accountant, financial adviser, insurance agent, or another finance expert, ask them for recommendations.
Other lawyers. If you or someone you know has worked with a lawyer for something else, ask if they know an estate planning attorney.
Group Legal Plans
Some unions, employers, or consumer groups offer legal plans that give members free or low-cost legal help. If you have access to one, check to see if your issue is covered. If the plan connects you with an experienced estate planning lawyer and you feel comfortable with them, this can be a good choice.
Keep in mind that some plans only give a small discount on legal fees. Sometimes, lawyers join these plans to get more clients, not because of their expertise. You might find a more qualified attorney outside the plan and still be able to negotiate a good rate.
Attorney Advertisements
Some lawyers put their names out there to help you find them. Some of these attorneys may offer a low-cost first meeting.
One way you might see this is through a lawyer directory, where you can browse attorney profiles by location and specialty. In a lawyer directory, you will be able to read about each lawyer's practice as well as reviews made by their clients. Two examples of lawyer directories are Lawyers.com (https://www.lawyers.com/) and Martindale.com (https://www.martindale.com/).
Other attorneys use "leads" matches to offer themselves to potential clients. In a leads match, you would enter your issue and location, and the leads business would match you up with local attorneys who will reach out to you. Usually, you'll get matched with several attorneys in your area, and you can talk to each one to figure out which might be a good fit. One example of a leads match-up up service is Nolo's lawyer network (https://www.nolo.com/leads/sem/find-a-lawyer/).
When searching for a lawyer this way, be a smart consumer--talk to several attorneys, research their firms, and try not to feel pressured to choose one, even if they put on a hard sell.
Attorney Referral Services
Your county bar association or a national estate planning lawyers' group may have a referral service. Unlike a lawyer directory or match-ups, the lawyers don't pay for these connections. However, they may be listed by the service without regard to their reputation or experience, so you still need to conduct your own due diligence to ensure they're a good fit for you.
When Should You Hire an Estate Planning Attorney?
If your situation is simple, you might be able to create many estate planning documents, like a will, a living trust, and powers of attorney, on your own. But as you work on your plan, you may have questions about your specific situation that an expert should answer. This is especially important if you have a large estate, need to plan for a child with special needs, or have business assets.
What Kind of Expert Do You Need?
If you have questions, first decide what kind of expert you need. For example, an experienced accountant may be better—and less expensive—at answering estate tax questions than a lawyer. If you're unsure about life insurance, a financial planner might be the right person to ask.
Talk to a lawyer if you have specific questions about your will, living trust, or power of attorney. You should also see a lawyer if you want to do more advanced estate planning, like setting up a charitable trust or making a detailed plan to avoid estate taxes.
What to Do Before You Hire a Lawyer
Before you hire a lawyer, do some background research and make a list of questions you want answered. Notice how clearly and directly the lawyer responds. If their answers are vague or they just suggest you pay a large fee without details, you may want to look for someone else.
Begin by looking at each lawyer's website and social media to see their practice areas, specialties, and how they communicate. Make sure the lawyer is licensed in your state and check for any complaints or disciplinary actions. It's smart to meet with a few lawyers—many offer free first meetings—so you can see if they're a good fit.
When you meet with lawyers, ask about their experience with cases like yours, especially if you have special needs that might require a specialist, like an elder law attorney. Also, be sure to talk about their fees, as explained below.
In the end, pick a lawyer you feel comfortable with and trust, because estate planning often means sharing personal family details.
How Much Does an Estate Planning Attorney Cost?
Many estate planning lawyers charge flat fees for common services, such as writing a simple will, setting up a living trust, or preparing powers of attorney. These basic plans may range from $500 to $3,000 or more.
For more complex situations that require ongoing legal advice, attorneys may charge by the hour. Hourly rates depend on the lawyer's experience and your location—perhaps $150 to $250 per hour in rural areas or smaller towns, and $250 to $500 per hour in larger cities. While an experienced specialist may charge higher rates than a general practitioner, their expertise can often lead to greater efficiency and overall cost savings.
Most lawyers offer an initial consultation, which may be free or available for a relatively modest fee. This meeting is a good opportunity to discuss your needs and receive a cost estimate. Make sure to establish your fee agreement—ideally in writing—at the outset. In addition to understanding the flat or hourly rate, ask for a written estimate of how long the work will take.
Learn More About Wills and Estate Planning
Choosing the right estate planning attorney can give you peace of mind, knowing your wishes and loved ones will be protected. By doing your research and finding a lawyer who fits your needs, you can ensure your estate will be managed properly.
The following articles will help you learn more about planning your estate:
- Property Management for Minors in Estate Planning
- What to Include in a Will: Assets and Property
- Setting Up a Trust for a Minor
You can find out more about making WillMaker's will and living trust in WillMaker's Legal Manual.
Copyright ©2026 MH Sub I, LLC dba Nolo ® Self-help services may not be permitted in all states. The information provided on this site is not legal advice, does not constitute a lawyer referral service, and no attorney-client or confidential relationship is or will be formed by use of the site. The attorney listings on this site are paid attorney advertising. In some states, the information on this website may be considered a lawyer referral service. Please reference the Terms of Use and the Supplemental Terms for specific information related to your state. Your use of this website constitutes acceptance of the Terms of Use, Supplemental Terms, Privacy Policy, Cookie Policy, and Consumer Health Data Notice.
Your Privacy Choices