Expertise.com

Best Probate Lawyers in Wilmington

2023

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Website
521 North West Street, Wilmington, DE 19801
  • Estate Planning

Why choose this provider?

Minster & Facciolo, LLC, provides legal services to individuals in Wilmington and the nearby metros. It assists clients in estate planning processes, creating living wills and powers of attorney, and discussing tax consequences on estate decisions. It also handles family, traffic, and criminal law cases. In addition, the firm provides small business counseling. The lead attorneys, Carl J. Minster ⅠⅠⅠ and David J.J. Facciolo, established the LGBTQ-friendly law firm together. They have been partners in law and life for nearly two decades.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
4.5
Google
4.5 / 5 (10)
Avvo
5.0 / 5 (1)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
1201 N. Orange Street Suite 500, Wilmington, DE 19801
  • Estate Planning

Why choose this provider?

Serving the Wilmington area, The Powell Firm, LLC, provides legal counsel for probate matters. It offers a wide range of services in elder law and litigation, including estate planning, Medicaid planning, and estate administration. It also helps in the creation of trusts, advanced health care directives, and powers of attorney. The firm's managing partner, Jason C. Powell, has been practicing law since 1998. He focuses his practice on general litigation, commercial bankruptcy, and elder and disability law.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
5.0
Facebook
5.0 / 5 (12)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
2710 Centerville Road, Suite 101, Wilmington, DE 19808
  • Estate Planning

Why choose this provider?

Poole, Mensinger Cutrona & Ellsworth-Aults Attorneys at Law, is a Delaware law firm headquartered in Wilmington. Among its focus areas are estate planning and probate. Its principal partner, Jennifer Ellsworth-Aults, provides assistance in all areas of probate, including determining whether full probate is needed, recording the will with the Register of Wills office and preparing the necessary paperwork, and assisting in filing life insurance claims. In addition to Delaware, Jennifer is also admitted to practice in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
4.6
Google
4.6 / 5 (17)
Facebook
5.0 / 5 (2)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
4.5
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
20 Montchanin Road, Greenville, DE 19807
  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning
  • Inheritance Taxes
  • Living Trust
  • Estate Taxes

Why choose this provider?

Elle Van Dahlgren Law, LLC is a law firm providing the services of estate planning, adult guardianship and probate attorneys in Wilmington. They provide legal services to different clients including business owners, individuals, single or divorced parents, and families. Their areas of expertise include wills, trusts, and estate planning, business succession planning, and asset protection, among others. Elle Van Dahlgren Law, LLC is also a member of the Wealth Counsel, NAELA, and the American Bar Association.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Elle Dahlgren - Principal14 yrs

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
4.9
Google
4.9 / 5 (33)
Avvo
5.0 / 5 (14)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
3200 Concord Pike, Wilmington, DE 19803
  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning

Why choose this provider?

Woloshin, Lynch & Associates, P.A., offers legal advice and representation for individuals and businesses in Wilmington. Its team of attorneys assists in creating unique estate planning plans to protect assets and wealth in the event of death. They put together a core set of estate planning documents, such as wills, advance medical directives, financial powers of attorney, irrevocable and revocable trusts, and special needs trusts for beneficiaries with mental or physical disabilities. Managing partner, Melvyn A. Woloshin, also practices law in Colorado.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
3.9
Google
4.1 / 5 (13)
Yelp
1.0 / 5 (1)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
3.8
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail
––

Website
1225 King Street Suite 700, Wilmington, DE 19801
  • Estate Planning
  • Estate Administration

Why choose this provider?

Law Office of John Williams, P.A., is a firm that has been serving the Wilmington community since 1995. It provides legal services to individuals, families, and small businesses in different practice areas, including estate planning and administration. Its team assists clients in organizing their estate plans, which involve wills, powers of attorney, and advance healthcare directives, and administering small and large estates. The firm also handles contested estate cases. Its practitioner, John H. Williams, Jr., also offers guidance in real estate cases and business transactions.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
John Williams - Principal46 yrs

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
5.0
Avvo
5.0 / 5 (2)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
3.8
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail
––

Website
14 West Market Street, Newport, DE 19804
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning

Why choose this provider?

Tomasetti Law, LLC is a firm offering personalized legal solutions to clients in Wilmington in the areas of probate administration, estate planning, and real estate law. The firm's attorneys, Raymond E. Tomasetti, Jr. and Charles T. Armbruster III, have 40 years of combined experience helping clients determine their deceased loved ones' rightful estate beneficiaries. When disputes arise, both Tomasetti and Armbruster are prepared to provide estate litigation services. Tomasetti was named as one of the top lawyers in Delaware by Delaware Today.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
4.9

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
1521 Concord Pike Suite 301, Wilmington, DE 19803
  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning

Why choose this provider?

Parkway Law offers its services in Wilmington and the surrounding areas. It walks clients through the probate process, including identifying and making an inventory of the estate's assets, appraising properties, paying taxes and debts, and distributing the remaining assets to the intended beneficiaries. Its lawyers also help preserve clients' wealth through estate planning strategies, such as drafting general powers of attorney, advanced healthcare directives, and business succession planning. One of the partners, Dominic Balascio, has been in the legal practice since 2002.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Dominic Balascio - Principal21 yrs

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
4.8
Facebook
4.8 / 5 (65)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
3.8
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail
––

Website
2961 Centerville Road, Wilmington, DE 19808
  • Trusts
  • Estate Planning
  • Estate Taxes

Why choose this provider?

Estate & Elder Law Services is a law firm consisting of estate planning and probate attorneys that serve individuals in the Wilmington area. They have years of experience in handling various probate cases, as well as issues that involve powers of attorney, trusts, and wills. They also offer legal services in matters that revolve around a decedent's estate, which include estate tax issues. Estate & Elder Law Services also provides assistance to elderly individuals in accessing Medicaid and veterans benefits.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
William Erhart - Principal41 yrs

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
4.7
Google
4.7 / 5 (13)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
3.3
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail
––

Website
2751 Centerville Rd., Wilmington, DE 19808
  • Trusts
  • Estate Planning

Why choose this provider?

McCollom D'Emilio Smith Uebler LLC Attorneys at Law serves clients throughout Wilmington and the surrounding areas. The firm handles estate settlement and probate proceedings, assisting clients with asset location and valuation, identifying estate responsibilities, and preparing the required estate and inheritance tax reports and probate paperwork. Its team also advocates for individual fiduciaries, beneficiaries, and trust companies in trust and estate disputes. Managing member Matthew P. D’Emilio is a member of the Estate Planning Council of Delaware and is also licensed in Pennsylvania and Massachusetts.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
5.0
Google
5.0 / 5 (3)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
2710 Centerville Rd. Ste. 200, Wilmington, DE 19808
  • Probate

Why choose this provider?

Ward & Taylor, LLC, is a law firm that serves clients in Wilmington and the surrounding areas. Since 2005, it has been assisting in probate proceedings to help clients facilitate property distribution. The firm also has expertise in estate plan preparation and real estate settlement. William E. Ward, one of the attorneys from the firm, focuses on real estate law. In 1996, 2004, and 2009, he received an education award from the board of Realtors in New Castle County.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
4.4
Google
4.4 / 5 (120)
Facebook
4.8 / 5 (19)
Yelp
3.0 / 5 (2)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
3.8
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail
––

Website
3711 Kennett Pike, Suite 110, Wilmington, DE 19807
  • Estate Planning

Why choose this provider?

The Delaware Elder Law Center works with clients in Wilmington who need help with acquiring disability protection, preserving wealth, and distributing assets. It handles probate matters and works with individuals in creating estate planning strategies. It furnishes various documents, including revocable trusts, wills, advanced healthcare directives, and general durable powers of attorney. The firm's principal attorney, W. Wade W. Scott, also takes on elder law cases and is a member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys. He has been in legal practice since 1984.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
W Scott - Principal38 yrs

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
4.7
Google
4.7 / 5 (26)
Avvo
5.0 / 5 (7)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
3513 Concord Pike, Suite 3300, Wilmington, DE 19803
  • Estate Planning
  • Trust Administration
  • Probate Administration

Why choose this provider?

Kollias Law provides clients in Wilmington with resolutions of probate and estate planning matters. It helps clients plan out medical care through powers of attorney, along with asset security and division in preparation for a client's death. It also assists in handling finances, paying bills, and distributing assets to beneficiaries. The firm's services aim to address any issues that may affect the process, such as asset freeze, probate court, and living expenses during property disposition. Lead attorney Basil Kollias is also licensed in New Jersey.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
4.5
Google
4.4 / 5 (17)
Avvo
5.0 / 5 (2)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
1105 North Market Street Suite 901, Wilmington, DE 19801
  • Wills
  • Trust Administration

Why choose this provider?

Cross and Simon LLC is a law firm serving Wilmington. Its associates represent parties in probate matters and estate disputes, including the interest of beneficiaries, personal representatives, executors, and trustees. These issues include the transfer and title of assets, removal of trustees, and will contest. Its lawyers also volunteer in pro bono activities, such as working with U.S. military members whose homes are subject to mortgage foreclosure proceedings and serving as guardian ad litem to represent children in the Delaware Family Court.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Christopher Simon - Partner25 yrs

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
5.0
Facebook
5.0 / 5 (1)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
3.8
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail
––

Website
1020 North Bancroft Parkway, Wilmington, DE 19805
  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Probate Litigation

Why choose this provider?

Martin & Lunger, P.A. is a law firm in Wilmington with attorneys who have more than 70 years of combined legal experience. The firm has probate attorneys dedicated to helping settle the affairs of decedents, at times working with executors and beneficiaries. Beyond probate law, Martin & Lunger, P.A. offers legal assistance in estate planning, including creating trusts, protecting assets, and creating and administering wills. The firm also assists clients with long-term care planning and eldercare strategies.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
William Lunger - Partner / Member45 yrs

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
5.0
Google
5.0 / 5 (3)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
4.8
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
2711 Centerville Rd Suite #401,, Wilmington, DE 19808
  • Estate Planning

Why choose this provider?

Baird Mandalas Brockstedt Federico & Cardea LLC provides legal services for clients in Wilmington. The firm's practice includes various aspects of estate planning, estate administration, business succession planning, and fiduciary advice and litigation. It also represents clients in disputes involving guardianships, will contests, will and trust interpretation, and breaches of fiduciary duties. It seeks to deliver individualized focus on its client's legal matters. Kevin M. Baird, the managing partner, is admitted to practice in the United States Court of Appeals For the Federal Circuit.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Philip Federico - Partner40 yrs

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
4.1
Google
4.1 / 5 (9)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
3.3
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail
––

Website
5315 Limestone Road, Wilmington, DE 19808
  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning
  • Probate

Why choose this provider?

Giordano, DelCollo, Werb & Gagne, LLC, is a law firm that counsels residents of Wilmington. It assists clients in asset protection and other probate law matters. The firm also helps clients on legal issues that concern real estate, personal injury, family law, and criminal defense. Joe Giordano, one of the attorneys, uses his expertise in estate planning, real estate, and business transactions to provide legal solutions. He served as a deputy attorney general at the Court of Common Pleas and Superior Court in Delaware.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
4.6
Google
4.1 / 5 (56)
Avvo
5.0 / 5 (49)
Facebook
4.8 / 5 (33)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
2001 Baynard Boulevard, Wilmington, DE 19802
  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning
  • Probate Litigation

Why choose this provider?

The Law Office of Denise D. Nordheimer, Esquire, LLC, handles clients in Wilmington, Delaware. They help clients in creating wills or trusts to be executed after their passing. Their attorneys also handle the documents needed for both the state and the beneficiaries. They have represented clients in court for matters of guardianship and administration. The attorneys discuss the client's objectives and needs to create a fitting estate plan. They also offer their services for cases of family law.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Denise Nordheimer - Principal19 yrs

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
4.6
Google
4.8 / 5 (32)
Facebook
3.0 / 5 (2)
Yelp
1.0 / 5 (1)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
2.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
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Helpfulness
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Detail
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Website
3801 Kennett Pike, Greenville, DE 19807
  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning
  • Living Trust
  • Trust Administration
  • Probate Litigation

Why choose this provider?

The Law Office of Kevin A. O’Brien is a family-owned firm that serves clients in Wilmington and surrounding areas. Father-and-son probate attorneys Kevin O’Brien and Paul O’Brien help individuals and families with the entire probate process, including thoughtful accounting of all the decedent's properties, locating missing assets, identifying the right heirs, paying the necessary debts and taxes, and proper distribution of assets. The Law Office of Kevin A. O’Brien also practices in estate planning and special needs trusts.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Kevin O'Brien - Principal42 yrs

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
5.0
Avvo
5.0 / 5 (3)
Facebook
5.0 / 5 (2)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
3801 Kennett Pike Greenville Center, Wilmington, DE 19807
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning

Why choose this provider?

Copeland Taylor Harpell, LLC, is a law firm that works closely with individuals and families in Wilmington and the surrounding communities. It offers legal assistance on matters that involve family law, real estate, and wills. The firm has been serving since 2018, assisting clients in preparing wills, powers of attorneys, and advanced health care directives. The firm also offers personalized legal counsel. Andrew Taylor, one of its lawyers, works with clients to draft documents according to their objectives and needs.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
4.3
Google
5.0 / 5 (4)
Avvo
3.0 / 5 (2)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
3.8
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail
––

Consumers utilizing Expertise.com are free to communicate and contract with any lawyer they choose. Expertise.com is not involved in the confidential attorney-client relationship. Featured lawyers pay a reasonable advertising cost to market their legal services withExpertise.com and must meet similar selection criteria as other lawyers. All cases are different. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is the non-emergency contact number for the local police station in Wilmington, Delaware?

    For non-emergency cases, you may contact the Wilmington Police Department at 302-654-5151.

  • When is probate necessary in Wilmington?

    Probate is generally required in Wilmington if the person who passed away owned personal property exceeding $30,000, including cars, jewelry, money, stocks and bonds, and bank accounts. Probate is also required if the decedent owned real estate in Delaware in their name, whether the property is solely held or as a tenant in common.

  • How is the probate process initiated in Wilmington?

    To initiate the probate process in Wilmington, a petition must be filed in the county where the decedent resided, but this is typically done by the executor or personal representative of the estate. The next steps may involve the appointment of a personal representative (if there is no named executor), submission of the will, inventory and valuation of assets, obtaining court and beneficiary approval, and distribution of assets to beneficiaries.

  • Can an executor be removed in Wilmington?

    Yes, an executor can be removed in Wilmington under certain circumstances. Under Delaware law, if an executor of an estate fails to fulfill or neglects their responsibilities, they can be removed from their position by the Court of Chancery. An action could be filed with the court seeking the removal of the executor if they were found to be commingling estate and personal assets or committing theft of estate assets.

  • Can you avoid probate in Wilmington?

    Yes, you can. To avoid probate in Wilmington, you have several options. Creating a living trust, transferring assets to the trust, and distributing them to beneficiaries without probate is one approach. Joint ownership with the right of survivorship enables automatic inheritance for the surviving owner. Payable-on-death designations can be added to bank accounts, while transfer-on-death registration is available for securities and vehicles, excluding real estate. Lastly, small estates may be eligible for simplified probate procedures.

  • Can you change or revoke your will in Wilmington?

    Yes, you can change or revoke your will in Wilmington. This can be done by destroying the original document or creating a new will that explicitly revokes the previous one. The testator can also provide a written directive, signed and witnessed by at least two individuals. Specific provisions of a will can be modified by creating a codicil.