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2024

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Best Estate Planning Lawyers in Baltimore, MD

Our Recommended Top 12

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Our goal is to connect people with the best local professionals. We scored Baltimore 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.

166Reviewed

104Curated

12Top Picks

Learn about our selection process.

Providers

featured provider = Featured Provider

Lutherville Timonium, MD 21093

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

FindLaw
5.0 (376)
Yelp
3.5 (3)

Why choose this provider?

The Law Offices of Robert M. Stahl is a legal practice that provides aggressive representation for individuals and businesses in the Baltimore metro area. The lawyers undertake a broad array of practice areas including bankruptcy, personal injury, estate planning, criminal defense, tax litigation, tax controversy, auto accidents, and wrongful death. The Law Offices of Robert M. Stahl is affiliated with the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA), the Maryland State Bar Association, and the Baltimore County Bar Association.

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Robert Stahl - Managing MemberActive31 yrs
Robert Stahl - PrincipalActive31 yrs

658 Kenilworth Dr Ste 203, Towson, MD 21204

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Facebook
5.0 (2)

Why choose this provider?

Stouffer Legal is an estate planning law firm that provides high-quality legal solutions to clients across the Baltimore metro area. The lawyers undertake a broad range of practice areas including estate planning, elder law, Medicaid planning, guardianship, probate and estate administration, estate tax planning, business succession planning, and asset protection. Stouffer Legal is affiliated with WealthCounsel and the Maryland State Bar Association.

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Britt Stouffer - Owner / Managing PartnerActive12 yrs

Baltimore, MD 21227

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Avvo
4.7 (3)
Google
5.0 (1)

Why choose this provider?

Silbiger & Silbiger is a general practice law firm that has been serving individuals and businesses throughout the Baltimore area. The attorneys have extensive experience in various areas of practice including bankruptcy, accounting, tax preparation, tax audits, wills, estate planning, auto accidents, estate administration, criminal law, traffic violations, and DUI. Silbiger & Silbiger also offers free initial consultations.

Annapolis, MD 21401

Expertise.com Rating

Why choose this provider?

SinclairProsser Law, L.L.C. is an estate planning law firm that provides tailored legal solutions for clients throughout the Annapolis area. The lawyers handle a broad spectrum of legal matters including asset and business planning, estate planning, special needs planning, incapacity planning, IRA and retirement planning, probate, estate administration, elder law, and pet planning. SinclairProsser Law, L.L.C. is affiliated with the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, Inc. (NAELA) and the American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys.

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Jon Gasior - PrincipalActive12 yrs

Lutherville, MD 21093

Expertise.com Rating

Why choose this provider?

Wase, Wase & Grace, L.L.C. is a Lutherville-based law firm that offers personalized legal representation to clients across the Baltimore metro area. The practice was founded in 1995 and has since handled cases involving family law, wills and estate planning, probate and estate administration, personal injury, bankruptcy, guardianship, and elder law. Past clients commend the lawyers at Wase, Wase, & Grace, L.L.C. for their professionalism, kindness, and compassion.

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Randy Wase - PartnerActive33 yrs

Annapolis, MD 21401

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Facebook
5.0 (1)
Avvo
1.0 (1)

Why choose this provider?

The Law Office of Frederick R. Franke, Jr. L.L.C. is an Annapolis law firm that provides estate and trust services for individuals and families across the Baltimore metro area. Its team has over 30 years of experience in handling several practice areas including estate and trust planning, estate and trust administration, asset protection, fiduciary litigation, and expert witness and consulting. The Law Office of Frederick R. Franke, Jr. L.L.C. was recognized by the U.S. News and World Report as one of its Best Law Firms in 2016.

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Frederick Franke - Managing AttorneyActive50 yrs

6800 Holabird Avenue, Dundalk, MD 21222

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.0 (20)
Facebook
4.3 (6)
Yelp
4.0 (1)

Why choose this provider?

Rob Goldman Legal Solutions - Dundalk, MD offers services for estate planning legal matters in Glen Burnie. The services it provides cover real estate, probate, elder law, and dispute resolution and relationship management. In addition to 34 years of legal experience, Rob Goldman is also a member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys and the National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys. Rob Goldman also has law offices in Baltimore, Bel Air, and Owings Mills.

  • Estate Planning

Baltimore, MD 21202

Expertise.com Rating

Why choose this provider?

Thomas & Libowitz, P.A. is a law firm that provides customized representation for individuals and businesses throughout the Baltimore area. The legal team handles a broad range of practice areas including real estate, banking and finance, business creation, estate planning, family law, labor and employment, personal injury, and tax law. The attorneys at Thomas & Libowitz, P.A. are listed as Super Lawyers and Best Lawyers.

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
C. Wayne Davis - Attorney/ShareholderActive33 yrs
Steven Thomas - Co-Founder and Managing DirectorActive52 yrs
Margaret Argent - Member / ShareholderActive37 yrs

Columbia, MD 21044

Expertise.com Rating

Why choose this provider?

The Collins Firm is an estate planning law firm that provides top-notch legal assistance for families and individuals in the Columbia area. The lawyers have over 100 years of collective experience in handling various legal issues including estate planning, probate, wills and trusts, property law, retirement planning, workers’ compensation, and financial planning. Founding partner Michael T. Collins is a member of the American Bar Association and the State Bars of Virginia, Maryland, and California.

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Michael Collins - PartnerActive29 yrs

Baltimore, MD 21204

Expertise.com Rating

Why choose this provider?

Stoy, Malone & Company, P.C. is an accounting firm that offers financial and legal expertise to clients throughout the Baltimore area. The company was founded in 1917 and has since provided financial planning, estate planning, elder care, small business accounting, business valuation, succession planning, tax planning, and tax preparation services. Stoy, Malone & Company, P.C. is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA).

Sykesville, MD 21784

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Facebook
5.0 (12)
Google
5.0 (1)

Why choose this provider?

Hammond Law, L.L.C. is a boutique law firm that offers comprehensive estate planning services to individuals and families across the Sykesville area. The legal team is dedicated to providing compassionate legal assistance for a broad range of matters including estate planning, trust administration, wills and trusts, Medicaid planning, estate administration, and guardianship. Founding member Shannon L. Hammond is a member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, Inc. (NAELA), the Coalition of Geriatric Services (COGS), and the Senior Provider Information Network (SPIN).

Columbia, MD 21044

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Avvo
4.5 (14)
Yelp
3.5 (3)

Why choose this provider?

Frank, Frank & Scherr, LLC, is a law firm that has been serving Baltimore clients for more than 30 years. It works with individuals planning on creating a will as well as family members who are assisting elders and relatives with special needs throughout the estate planning process. Its legal team helps clients in drafting or updating documents like last will and testament, revocable living trust, living will, and power of attorney. The firm also handles cases on Medicaid and asset protection, guardianship, and veteran benefits.

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Kandace Scherr - Managing PartnerActive38 yrs
Stacie Rogers - AssociateActive14 yrs
Rachel Vogel - AssociateActive12 yrs

Compare our Top Estate Planning Lawyers

NameExpertise RatingAddressPromotionsLearn more
The Law Offices of Robert M. Stahl
Lutherville Timonium, MD 21093
Stouffer Legal
658 Kenilworth Dr Ste 203, Towson, MD 21204
Silbiger & Silbiger
Baltimore, MD 21227
SinclairProsser Law, L.L.C.
Annapolis, MD 21401
Wase, Wase & Grace, L.L.C.
Lutherville, MD 21093
The Law Office of Frederick R. Franke, Jr. L.L.C.
Annapolis, MD 21401
Rob Goldman Legal Solutions
6800 Holabird Avenue, Dundalk, MD 21222
Thomas & Libowitz, P.A.
Baltimore, MD 21202
The Collins Firm
Columbia, MD 21044
Stoy, Malone & Company, P.C.
Baltimore, MD 21204
Hammond Law, L.L.C.
Sykesville, MD 21784
Frank, Frank & Scherr, L.L.C.
Columbia, MD 21044

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.