Contrary to popular belief, it’s not only the very wealthy who can benefit from estate planning law or who might want to hire an estate planning attorney. If you want to ensure that your wishes are carried out after your death and that your heirs and beneficiaries are looked after in the way you intended, a good estate planning lawyer will bring you peace of mind. Here at the State Bar Attorneys Directory, we list thousands of estate planning law firms across the United States - all of which have been screened and verified for your security.

Creighton McLean & Shea PLC
14881 Farmington Rd
Livonia, MI 48154

Creighton McLean & Shea PLC offers a broad range of legal services to clients in Livonia. When you need help with a legal issue in the greater Detroit area, turn to a firm with over 70 years of experience. Whether you need assistance with estate planning strategies, resolving a family law matter, strong criminal defense or compassionate personal injury help,…

No Reviews Yet

Phone(734) 793-0352

Creighton McLean & Shea PLC
14881 Farmington Rd
Livonia, MI 48154

Creighton McLean & Shea PLC offers a broad range of legal services to clients in Livonia. When you need help with a legal issue in the greater Detroit area, turn to a firm with over 70 years of experience. Whether you need assistance with estate planning strategies, resolving a family law matter, strong criminal defense or compassionate personal injury help,…

Dinning & Greve, P.L.C.
18441 Utica Rd
Roseville, MI 48066

Dinning & Greve, P.L.C. is a full service law firm which can handle most legal needs of individuals and small businesses. Ron Greve and Doug Dinning each have thirty years of experience practicing law in Macomb, Oakland and Wayne Counties. If you hire us, you can expect personal attention to your legal problem from an experienced attorney. We return all…

No Reviews Yet

Phone(586) 803-0202

Dinning & Greve, P.L.C.
18441 Utica Rd
Roseville, MI 48066

Dinning & Greve, P.L.C. is a full service law firm which can handle most legal needs of individuals and small businesses. Ron Greve and Doug Dinning each have thirty years of experience practicing law in Macomb, Oakland and Wayne Counties. If you hire us, you can expect personal attention to your legal problem from an experienced attorney. We return all…

Family Wills & Trusts, PLC
115 W Allegan Street
Suite 720
Lansing, MI 48933

Family Wills & Trusts, PLC is an estate planning lawyer firm in Lansing. We are dedicated to helping Michigan parents plan for the wealth, health, and happiness of their families. We'll help you prepare to easily transfer assets to loved ones if and when something happens to them - and if you have minor-aged children, we'll also help you appoint…

No Reviews Yet

Phone(517) 853-7542

Family Wills & Trusts, PLC
115 W Allegan Street
Suite 720
Lansing, MI 48933

Family Wills & Trusts, PLC is an estate planning lawyer firm in Lansing. We are dedicated to helping Michigan parents plan for the wealth, health, and happiness of their families. We'll help you prepare to easily transfer assets to loved ones if and when something happens to them - and if you have minor-aged children, we'll also help you appoint…

Gold & Associates PC
747 S Main St
#100
Plymouth, MI 48170

Gold & Associates, P.C. is dedicated to providing our clients with quality legal services in the areas of estate planning, probate, real estate, taxation, business, and retirement planning. The firm integrates its diverse educational and professional experiences to provide practical, quality legal services in the areas of the firm's concentration. By limiting our services to a narrow area of related…

No Reviews Yet

Phone(734) 335-7100

Gold & Associates PC
747 S Main St
#100
Plymouth, MI 48170

Gold & Associates, P.C. is dedicated to providing our clients with quality legal services in the areas of estate planning, probate, real estate, taxation, business, and retirement planning. The firm integrates its diverse educational and professional experiences to provide practical, quality legal services in the areas of the firm's concentration. By limiting our services to a narrow area of related…

McKelvie, McKelvie, Yee & Epacs, P.C.
280 W Maple Rd
#200
Birmingham, MI 48009

McKelvie, McKelvie, Yee & Epacs P.C. is a full service law firm located in the City of Birmingham, Oakland County, Michigan. For more than 30 years, we have provided a wide range of legal services to our clients. We represent individuals, privately owned businesses and publicly traded Fortune 500 companies. We have leading edge expertise in business law, litigation, asset…

No Reviews Yet

Phone(248) 952-5100

McKelvie, McKelvie, Yee & Epacs, P.C.
280 W Maple Rd
#200
Birmingham, MI 48009

McKelvie, McKelvie, Yee & Epacs P.C. is a full service law firm located in the City of Birmingham, Oakland County, Michigan. For more than 30 years, we have provided a wide range of legal services to our clients. We represent individuals, privately owned businesses and publicly traded Fortune 500 companies. We have leading edge expertise in business law, litigation, asset…

Rochester Law Center
543 N Main St
Ste 222
Rochester, MI 48307

Estate Planning Attorneys in Rochester Hills, MI providing full-service Estate Planning to clients in Rochester, Troy, and throughout all of Metro Detroit. Services: Estate Planning Wills, Trusts, and Probate Special Needs Trusts Power of Attorney Medicaid planning Business formation Real estate law

No Reviews Yet

Phone(248) 613-0007

Rochester Law Center
543 N Main St
Ste 222
Rochester, MI 48307

Estate Planning Attorneys in Rochester Hills, MI providing full-service Estate Planning to clients in Rochester, Troy, and throughout all of Metro Detroit. Services: Estate Planning Wills, Trusts, and Probate Special Needs Trusts Power of Attorney Medicaid planning Business formation Real estate law

Veritas Law Group
107 W Michigan Ave
Suite 500
Kalamazoo, MI 49007

Veritas Law Group serves businesses, entrepreneurs, professional practitioners and individuals throughout Michigan, Illinois and the Lake Michigan lakeshore. We have a strong focus on representing owner-operated businesses and professional practices. We counsel our clients throughout the life cycle of their businesses from acquisition, through daily operation, to sale. We also represent our clients in complex litigation matters in state and…

No Reviews Yet

Phone(269) 270-3500

Veritas Law Group
107 W Michigan Ave
Suite 500
Kalamazoo, MI 49007

Veritas Law Group serves businesses, entrepreneurs, professional practitioners and individuals throughout Michigan, Illinois and the Lake Michigan lakeshore. We have a strong focus on representing owner-operated businesses and professional practices. We counsel our clients throughout the life cycle of their businesses from acquisition, through daily operation, to sale. We also represent our clients in complex litigation matters in state and…

Debra S. Keehn, PLLC
343 South Main Street
Suite 200
Ann Arbor, MI 48104

Debra S. Keehn, PLLC Unclaimed: Claim this business

No Reviews Yet

Phone(734) 213-2775

Debra S. Keehn, PLLC
343 South Main Street
Suite 200
Ann Arbor, MI 48104

Debra S. Keehn, PLLC Unclaimed: Claim this business

Huron Valley Law Center, PLC
2850 S Milford Rd
Highland, MI 48357

We focus on estate planning, elder law, special needs planning and closely related practice areas. Yet our true focus is on people—our valued clients—and helping them address their most pressing concerns and realize their dreams for the future. Ultimately, our goal is to provide our clients with security and peace of mind.

No Reviews Yet

Phone(248) 685-8743

Huron Valley Law Center, PLC
2850 S Milford Rd
Highland, MI 48357

We focus on estate planning, elder law, special needs planning and closely related practice areas. Yet our true focus is on people—our valued clients—and helping them address their most pressing concerns and realize their dreams for the future. Ultimately, our goal is to provide our clients with security and peace of mind.

The Elder & Disability Law Firm, PLLC
49 Macomb Pl
#114
Mount Clemens, MI 48043

The Elder & Disability Law Firm, PLLC

No Reviews Yet

Phone(586) 493-7661

The Elder & Disability Law Firm, PLLC
49 Macomb Pl
#114
Mount Clemens, MI 48043

The Elder & Disability Law Firm, PLLC

Witzke Berry Carter & Wander PLLC
2550 S Telegraph Rd
Suite 255
Bloomfield Hills, MI 48302

At Witzke Berry Carter & Wander PLLC, you will find client-focused lawyers committed to assisting individuals, families and businesses throughout metro Detroit with all of their planning needs. We will take the time to understand your current situation, educate you on the options available and then, in a team-based approach, provide you with an innovative, personalized solution to address your…

No Reviews Yet

Phone(248) 481-4000

Witzke Berry Carter & Wander PLLC
2550 S Telegraph Rd
Suite 255
Bloomfield Hills, MI 48302

At Witzke Berry Carter & Wander PLLC, you will find client-focused lawyers committed to assisting individuals, families and businesses throughout metro Detroit with all of their planning needs. We will take the time to understand your current situation, educate you on the options available and then, in a team-based approach, provide you with an innovative, personalized solution to address your…

Recent Activity on Best of the Web

Why State Bar Attorneys?

StateBarAttorneys is the best law firm directory curated by a team of editors that will help you find a trusted attorney with confidence in the legal area you require. Powered by Best of the Web, all lawyers listed in this legal directory provide testimonials and reviews to ensure their understanding of their state's laws have won cases and the best possible outcome for their clients in their field of expertise.

mappin
Top Cities

Search the top locations and discover local businesses with reviews, photos, and locations

What is Estate Planning Law?

Your estate is the legal term for your property (real estate), money, and personal belongings at death. Estate planning law is concerned with the proper and legal transfer of your estate in accordance with the law and with your wishes. 

What Does an Estate Planning Lawyer Do?

 

An estate planning lawyer will arrange first of all for your estate to be valued. This involves establishing the total value of everything including your property, your money including shares, investments, and savings, your possessions, including cars and jewelry, and any business interests you may have.

 

Having valued your estate, your estate planning attorney will work to establish your wishes on how those assets should be transferred after your death. They will facilitate all the required legal documents such as your will - including a living will where required. If you wish, they can also set up trusts to manage assets on behalf of one or more beneficiaries. If you have underage children, an estate planning lawyer will also handle your wishes for guardianship of your children should they be left with no surviving parent. A good estate planning attorney will also work to maximize the assets that can be passed to your beneficiaries by minimizing your tax burden. They can also help you to set up power of attorney should you lose your capacity to make decisions prior to your death, and they can assist with business succession planning too.

 

How Much Does It Cost to Hire an Estate Planning Attorney?

 

The cost to hire the best estate planning lawyer for your needs will depend on the complexity of your estate and what exactly you are hoping to achieve.

 

If your affairs are relatively straightforward, you can use an estate planning attorney charging a flat fee for drawing up certain documents such as a will, a guardianship document, and power of attorney for financial and healthcare decisions.

 

If your affairs are more complex or your estate is of a high value, your estate planning lawyer will probably charge an hourly fee, which will typically range from $250-350 per hour. 

 

Undoubtedly skilled estate planning can be expensive in complex situations, but the money you spend on a good estate planning attorney will be worth it to have your legacy protected.

 

Tips for Hiring an Estate Planning Lawyer

 

Nobody likes to think about their own death, but It will save time and money if you are very clear about your wishes before you hire an estate planning attorney.

 

Before choosing a lawyer, take some time to consider exactly how you want your assets to be transferred, who your beneficiaries will be, and what other wishes you would want to see carried out after your death.

 

Once your wishes are clear in your mind, a personal recommendation is always a good way to choose an estate planning law firm. 

 

However, another good option is to use a specialist attorney directory like our State Bar Attorney Directory.

 

We list thousands of respected estate planning attorneys across the United States, and we make it easy for you to search for an estate planning law firm near you. Because you can also read reviews right here within the directory, it’s easy to narrow down the most trusted estate planning lawyers in your area.

 

It’s advisable to speak to several estate planning law firms before you make your final choice - and always get written confirmation of the expected fees and charging structure before your attorney starts work.

 

FAQ on Hiring an Estate Planning Lawyer

 

1 - Do I really need an estate planning attorney? Can’t I just write my will myself?

 

Yes, of course, you can if you wish. You can buy ready-made will templates to help you with this and if your affairs are very straightforward, this may be sufficient.

 

However, if you have young children or difficult family dynamics, or if you have business interests or multiple properties, you should consult an estate planning attorney at least in the first instance. They will advise you on how they could help, and you can then make an informed decision on whether or not to hire an estate planning lawyer.

 

The other problem with doing without an estate planning attorney is that people often just don’t get round to writing a will themselves, because, let’s face it, it’s not a fun activity, and one that we try to avoid thinking about.

 

If you die intestate - without a will - your property and assets will still be distributed to your next of kin, but this process will follow standard rules which may or may not match what you would have 

 

liked to see happen. By hiring an estate planning attorney now, you can have peace of mind for the future.

 

2 - What is power of attorney and why do I need to set it up?

 

Power of attorney is a complex area of law, but setting up power of attorney can bring great peace of mind and it is often part of the estate planning process.

 

Essentially power of attorney is a legal document in which you invest someone else (the agent) with the power to make certain decisions on your behalf should you be unable to make those decisions yourself. 

 

Typically, you might grant someone you trust, often a relative, power of attorney to make financial decisions on your behalf, and/or to make medical decisions and decisions about your care, should you become incapacitated for whatever reason.

 

A good estate planning attorney will explain the various power of attorney options to you and will set them up as required. Although you don’t have to have this safeguard in place, it does bring peace of mind that should you develop advanced dementia, for example, someone you trust will be able to take care of your interests. 

 

3 - What is a Living Will and do I need one?

 

A Living Will is a document created while you are of sound mind setting out exactly what you wish to happen to you should you be medically incapacitated or nearing the end of life. For example, it may specify the circumstances under which you would or would not wish to be resuscitated and circumstances in which you would or would not wish to receive life-sustaining treatment. It can also cover issues such as tube feeding, mechanical ventilation, and organ donation.

 

A Living Will differs from power of attorney because it directly expresses your wishes, rather than delegating those decisions to your agent.

 

Setting up a living will is a profound experience and you should consult an estate planning attorney to help guide you through the process. An estate planning lawyer will also advise you on the differences between a living will and power of attorney, and which option might be best for you.

 

You do not have to create a Living Will, but doing so would relieve the pressure on your family members should the worst happen, as they would not have to guess - and potentially disagree with one another - about what you might have wanted.

Showcasing Businesses Since 1994

State Bar Attorneys is a leading lawyer directory connecting law firms and clients in need of legal representation. Our team of professionals verifies all business information and has years of experience ensuring that all information is accurate so clients can trust they are in good hands with a qualified attorney.