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Best Estate Planning Lawyers in Fort Wayne, IN

Our Recommended Top 10

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Our goal is to connect people with the best local professionals. We scored Fort Wayne Estate Planning Lawyers on more than 25 variables across five categories, and analyzed the results to give you a hand-picked list of the best.

71Reviewed

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Providers

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Columbia City, IN 46725

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.3 (18)

Why choose this provider?

Myers Hockemeyer & McNagny, LLP is a law firm that is located in Columbia City, Indiana and first opened their doors in 1995. Areas of practice include social security disability benefits, supplemental security income claims, estate planning, family law, business formation, collections, corporate, and more. Myers Hockemeyer & McNagny, LLP also advises clients on passing property before and after their death, prepares documents for such plans, and assists in financial matters upon the death of a loved one.

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Marcia Mcnagny - PartnerActive33 yrs
Greggory Hockemeyer - PartnerActive35 yrs

Fort Wayne, IN 46899

Expertise.com Rating

Why choose this provider?

Springer Elder Law is a law firm that is located in Fort Wayne, Indiana and has been helping families for more than 45 years. Available long-term planning solutions include estate planning and probate, living wills, asset protection, special needs trusts, long-term care planning, emergency care plans, personal and financial guardianship, as well as Medicaid planning. The lawyers of Springer Elder Law are members of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys.

Fort Wayne, IN 46802

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Facebook
5.0 (7)
Google
5.0 (2)
Yelp
5.0 (2)

Why choose this provider?

Attorney Troy Kiefer is located in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Attorney Troy Kiefer has earned his law degree from the Valparaiso School of Law and has been admitted by the State Bar of Indiana to practice law. Practice areas include elder law, estate planning, elder law, and asset protection. Estate planning services include wills and trusts, living wills and advance medical directives, and probate administration.

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Troy Kiefer - PrincipalActive16 yrs

1127 North Main Street, Bluffton, IN 46714

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.9 (11)

Why choose this provider?

Dale, Huffman & Babcock is a law firm with offices in Bluffton, Indiana, Indiana, and was established on May 1, 1979. Areas of practice include estate planning, estate administration, Medicaid planning, real estate, corporate and commercial law, and personal injury. The firm's philosophy is to deliver its clients services with concern and compassion. There is also a second location: 406 South Scott Road, Fort Wayne, IN 46814

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Timothy Babcock - PartnerActive25 yrs
Keith Huffman - PartnerActive44 yrs

Fort Wayne, IN 46804

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
5.0 (1)

Why choose this provider?

Longsworth Law LLC is a law firm that is located in Fort Wayne, Indiana and was founded by Jeanne Longsworth in 2007. Prior to establishing this law office, Jeanne Longsworth partnered and worked in the Indiana’s top law firm for more than 20 years. Estate planning, estate administration, estate and gift tax, corporate law, and business law are this firm's specialties. Longsworth Law LLC is knowledgeable, professional, and attentive.

Fort Wayne, IN 46804

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
5.0 (2)

Why choose this provider?

Boeglin Gerardot & Grubbs PC is a law firm that is located in Fort Wayne, Indiana. The firm's areas of practice include estate planning, guardianships, revocable trusts- living trusts, irrevocable trusts, charitable planning, estate tax planning, probate and estate administration, elder law, and Medicaid issues. Estate planning services include wills, powers of attorney, and advance directives for health care. Boeglin Gerardot & Grubbs PC has confidential and experienced attorneys.

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Robert Grubbs - PrincipalActive20 yrs

Fort Wayne, IN 46858

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
5.0 (1)

Why choose this provider?

HSK :: Hunt Suedhoff Kearney LLP is a law firm with offices in Fort Wayne, Indiana, South Bend, Indiana, Indianapolis, Indiana, and St. Joseph, Michigan. The firm was founded by the late Leigh L. Hunt in 1950. Areas of practice include business and commercial law, employment law, estate planning and administration, family law, health care and business law professional liability defense law, insurance services, and more. HSK :: Hunt Suedhoff Kearney LLP aims to deliver superior services.

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Timothy Degroote - Managing PartnerActive29 yrs

5532 Saint Joe Rd, Fort Wayne, IN 46835

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Facebook
4.7 (7)

Why choose this provider?

Perry Law Office is located in Fort Wayne, Indiana and possesses more than 80 years of collective legal experience. Areas of focus include Medicaid planning, elder law, social security disability, wills, estates, debt collection, and evictions. Perry Law Office offers a free consultation. This law firm is a Better Business Bureau accredited business.

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
R. Scott Perry - PrincipalActive44 yrs

Fort Wayne, IN 46802

Expertise.com Rating

Why choose this provider?

Kiplinger Law Firm, P.C. is a law firm that is located in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Areas of practice include creditors' rights, business and commercial law, estate planning, bankruptcy for creditors, bankruptcy for debtors, and bankruptcy for county and municipal governments as creditors. Estate planning services include wills, testamentary trusts, powers of attorney, and probate matters. Kiplinger Law Firm, P.C. prides itself in delivering quality legal services.

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Roy Kiplinger - PrincipalActive29 yrs

Bluffton, IN 46714

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
5.0 (4)

Why choose this provider?

Gordon & Associates P.C. is a law firm that is located in Bluffton, Indiana with attorneys who carry over 65 years of collective legal experience. The firm provides legal guidance involving estate planning, estate and trust administration, agricultural law, long-term care planning, Medicaid eligibility for the aging, business organization, and more. The Gordon & Associates P.C. lawyers are honest, caring, experienced, knowledgeable, intelligent, and professional.

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Dan Gordon - FounderActive48 yrs

Compare our Top Estate Planning Lawyers

NameExpertise RatingAddressPromotionsLearn more
Myers Hockemeyer & McNagny, LLP
Columbia City, IN 46725
Springer Elder Law
Fort Wayne, IN 46899
Attorney Troy Kiefer
Fort Wayne, IN 46802
Dale, Huffman & Babcock
1127 North Main Street, Bluffton, IN 46714
Longsworth Law LLC
Fort Wayne, IN 46804
Boeglin Gerardot & Grubbs PC
Fort Wayne, IN 46804
Hunt Suedhoff Kearney LLP
Fort Wayne, IN 46858
Perry Law Office
5532 Saint Joe Rd, Fort Wayne, IN 46835
Kiplinger Law Firm, P.C.
Fort Wayne, IN 46802
Gordon & Associates P.C.
Bluffton, IN 46714

Disclaimer:  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 with Expertise.com and must meet similar selection criteria as other lawyers. All cases are different. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

FAQs

  • What does an estate planning attorney do?

    An estate consists of the total assets that form an individual’s net worth, no matter how large or small. Estate planning attorneys use their in-depth knowledge of state and federal laws to help people best manage what will happen with their estates after they die or become incapacitated. Estate planning attorneys can prepare wills, form trusts, reduce estate tax burdens, and decrease or eliminate the need for probate court.

  • What are valuable estate planning services an attorney can provide?

    With the many intricacies of assets, taxes, and state and federal laws that can affect a person’s estate, an estate planning lawyer can be a valuable professional asset, no matter how large or small a person’s estate may be. An estate planning attorney can:

    • Create a comprehensive plan to protect a client's legacy, that includes a will, power of attorney, trusts, life insurance, and advanced medical directives
    • Optimize an estate plan as tax laws, life events, assets, and goals change over time
    • Protect a client’s loved ones by preventing assets from entering probate
    • Help clients designate a person to make important health decisions for them if they become incapacitated

  • Can estate planning attorneys help create trusts/wills?

    Estate planning attorneys can create trusts and wills. Through a will, an attorney can help a client designate their estate’s beneficiaries and assign an executor to represent the will in probate court. These attorneys can also create trusts, allowing a client to assign a trustee to oversee the estate, potentially avoiding probate court and holding assets to be distributed over time.

  • Is estate planning the same as drafting a will?

    While both estate plans and wills officially document how their owners wish to allocate certain assets after their death, there are key differences. In estate planning, a will is often just one of several documents that form a comprehensive plan. In a will, people must designate a person responsible for executing their will after their death. The will can include guardians for their children when they die and beneficiaries to receive an inheritance of money, property, and other assets.

  • What are the steps involved in estate planning?

    To create a thorough and effective estate plan, individuals should follow these steps:

    • Prepare a will that designates an estate executor; indicate who will receive what assets, and assign a trust and guardians for any children. Consider using an attorney if the will is in any way complex.
    • To avoid probate, have an attorney create a revocable living trust.
    • Assign beneficiaries to other assets, such as life insurance policies, retirement plans, and securities.
    • Use an attorney to prepare a living will, name a health care proxy, and create a HIPAA release form.
    • Update the plan every five years.

  • How long does the estate planning process last?

    The length of the process can vary greatly depending on the size and complexity of the estate, the specific law office, and whether there’s an emergency or urgent need. If you’re using an attorney, you can generally expect it to take one to five weeks. You may be able to speed up the process by immediately providing your attorney with any bank statements or other documents they need.

  • What is a trust?

    A trust is an agreement between a grantor, a trustee, and a beneficiary. In this agreement, the grantor allocates funds or real property assets to the trustee to be held either until the grantor passes away or until a specific, agreed-upon date. At that point, it's the responsibility of the trustee to distribute funds or property to the beneficiary or beneficiaries. While there are similarities between a will and a trust, a will is a more comprehensive document that typically requires probate court, while a trust allows assets to pass to the beneficiary without probate.