Expertise.com Homepage

2024

Last updated:

Best Probate Lawyers in Missoula, MT

Our Recommended Top 19

We did the research for you!

  • Licensing
  • User Reviews
  • Mystery Shopping Calls

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

34Reviewed

28Curated

19Top Picks

Learn about our selection process.

Providers

featured provider = Featured Provider

310 West Spruce Street, Missoula, MT 59802

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
5.0 (13)

Why choose this provider?

Christian, Samson, & Baskett Law Office is a team of probate and estate planning attorneys in Missoula. One of the firm's founding attorneys has been practicing law for more than 40 years, and his team has experience with each stage of the probate process, including validating the will, notifying the beneficiaries, and settling the estate of the deceased. Baskett is a member of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel.

  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning

619 Southwest Higgins Avenue, Missoula, MT 59803

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.3 (11)
Facebook
5.0 (2)

Why choose this provider?

Geiszler Steele PC counsels people seeking the services of a probate attorney in Missoula. The firm's lawyers help personal representatives handle their fiduciary duties and prepare documents required during the probate court proceedings. The firm also manages the estate checkbooks and life insurance proceeds, including payment of debts and taxes. Additionally, Geiszler Steele drafts wills, trusts, powers of attorney, advance directives, and health care proxies. Other practice areas include business litigation and real property law.

  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning

210 N. Higgins Ave. Suite 226, Missoula, MT 59802

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
5.0 (2)
Avvo
5.0 (1)

Why choose this provider?

Carmody Holliday Legal Services, PLLC, is a law practice in Missoula that provides clients with a range of legal services, including estate planning. It assists in the preparation of wills, powers of attorney, and advance medical directives or healthcare proxies, as well as estate administration. The firm's principal attorney, Katie C. Holliday, also devises a plan that meets clients' needs and helps their family members avoid the lengthy process of probate proceedings. Holliday has nearly two decades of experience handling family law matters.

  • Estate Planning
  • Probate

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Katie Holliday - PrincipalActive16 yrs

222 East Pine St, Missoula, MT 59802

Expertise.com Rating

Why choose this provider?

Wells & McKittrick, PC Attorneys at Law is a multi-service firm operating in Missoula. It works with individuals and families of different backgrounds for a wide range of estate planning and elder law areas, including wills, trusts, and guardianships. Its legal team conducts discussions with clients to evaluate their situations, educate them about their options, and customize the services based on their estate planning goals. One of the firm's lawyers, Evonne Wells, utilizes her background in business and real estate to help clients in navigating through legal processes.

  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning

2721 Connery Way, Missoula, MT 59808

Expertise.com Rating

Why choose this provider?

HagEstad Law Group PLLC is a civil litigation law firm representing the residents of Missoula and the nearby cities. The firm has experience with formal, informal, and supervised probate cases. Its team prepares and files related documents, examines the decedent's assets and debts, and divides the estate among creditors and heirs. It also offers estate planning and probate avoidance services. Partner G. Patrick HagEstad has been recognized by Martindale-Hubbell as an AV-Preeminent attorney.

  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
G. Hagestad - Managing PartnerActive27 yrs

1410 S. Reserve Street Suite C, Missoula, MT 59801

Expertise.com Rating

Why choose this provider?

Five Valleys Law, P.L.L.C., is a boutique law firm in Missoula that offers legal assistance in several practice areas, including estate planning. It handles the drafting, execution, and review of wills, living trusts, and powers of attorney, in addition to the administration of trusts and estates. Its legal team works with clients in guardianship and conservatorship matters when they become necessary. Five Valley Law also assists small business owners in setting up and executing business succession plans.

  • Trusts
  • Estate Planning
  • Probate Litigation

700 Southwest Higgins Avenue, Missoula, MT 59803

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
5.0 (2)

Why choose this provider?

Schuyler Law Office is a civil litigation law firm representing the residents of Missoula and the surrounding communities. The firm's founder, Chuck Schuyler, has been practicing law for over 45 years, and he offers his assistance to those who are in the midst of the probate process. He works to verify the will's authenticity and carry out the decedent's last wishes. Schuyler also offers assistance with personal injury, real estate, and criminal law.

  • Wills
  • Estate Planning
  • Probate Litigation

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Charles Schuyler - PrincipalActive49 yrs

210 N. Higgins Ave., Ste. 226, Missoula, MT 59802

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
5.0 (2)
Facebook
5.0 (1)

Why choose this provider?

West Law Firm, P.C., assists families from Missoula in navigating the complexities of probate law. It handles matters related to estate planning, will formation, trusts, guardianships, and powers of attorney. It also handles cases in business law, criminal defense, and real estate law. The firm was founded in 1982 by Jock B. West, a former deputy county attorney for Yellowstone County. He is joined by Tyler E. West, who was admitted to practice in 2014. West Law Firm has offices in Billings, Missoula, and Laurel.

  • Wills
  • Estate Planning
  • Estate Taxes

521 N. Orange Street, Missoula, MT 59802

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.0 (14)

Why choose this provider?

Driscoll Hathaway Law Group attends to the needs of its clients in Missoula. It provides legal solutions to estate planning and family law matters. Its lawyers address concerns regarding probate, wills, guardianship, power of attorney, and health care advance directives. The firm also works for the legal needs of Native American children and families such as Indian Child Welfare Act Advocacy. One of its partner attorneys, Kelly Driscoll, has experience working for the Montana Supreme Court.

  • Estate Planning
  • Probate

321 West Broadway Street, Missoula, MT 59802

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.6 (5)

Why choose this provider?

Worden Thane PC is a civil practice law firm representing the residents of Missoula. The firm's history goes back to 1924, and its team has experience guiding clients through the process of probate. The team also represents individuals during probate litigation matters, such as a contested will or improper administration of an estate. Additionally, the firm offers assistance in the areas of business and commercial litigation, real estate law, and tax.

  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning

2620 Radio Way, Missoula, MT 59808

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
5.0 (4)

Why choose this provider?

St. Peter Law Offices PC is a team of general litigation and estate planning attorneys in Missoula. The team offers its assistance to those who are going through the probate process after losing a loved one. It helps them authenticate the will, locate and assess the decedent's assets, and divide the estate between creditors and the heirs. Partners Donald and Linda St. Peter have been practicing law for over 75 combined years.

  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning

120 Hickory St STE 2,, Missoula, MT 59801

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
5.0 (48)

Why choose this provider?

Geranios Law, PLLC, offers probate assistance for individuals and families in the Missoula metro. The firm primarily focuses on helping clients and their loved ones avoid probate through the estate planning process, assisting with the drafting and preparation of wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and advanced health care directives. Likewise, the firm helps appoint guardians and conservators for individuals who are unable to take care of themselves. Nik Geranios received his law degree in 1995 and also practices bankruptcy law.

  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning

350 Ryman Street, Missoula, MT 59802

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
5.0 (13)

Why choose this provider?

Founded in 1870, Garlington, Lohn & Robinson is a medium-sized law firm with probate lawyers in Missoula who have extensive experience supporting executors and families during the process of probate administration. The attorneys can advise clients at every stage, take on the time-consuming task of collecting and liquidizing the decedent's estate, and ensure that all legalities are adhered to. The firm can also help estate owners develop probate-avoidance solutions, such as revocable trusts and living trusts.

  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning

2920 S Garfield St Ste 200, Missoula, MT 59801

Expertise.com Rating

Why choose this provider?

P. Mars Scott Law Offices represents individuals and families in the Missoula area in probate proceedings, ensuring the fair distribution of property and settlement of debts and taxes. The firm also assists clients with estate planning and drafts probate documents, trusts, and wills. Other services include mediation and family law litigation. Founding attorney P. Mars Scott has an AV Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell and is admitted to practice law throughout Montana.

  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
P. Scott - PrincipalActive44 yrs

201 West Main Street, Missoula, MT 59802

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
5.0 (1)

Why choose this provider?

Boone Karlberg PC is a general litigation law firm that has been in operation since 1946. The firm's team of probate attorneys in Missoula offer their services to individuals and families who are facing the estate administration process. The team has experience authenticating the will, handling the estate's taxes, and distributing the decedent's assets among the heirs. Managing partner Thomas Boone has been honored among the Best Lawyers in America.

  • Estate Planning
  • Estate Taxes

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Thomas Boone - PartnerActive60 yrs

327 West Pine Street, Missoula, MT 59807

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Avvo
5.0 (8)
Google
3.0 (2)

Why choose this provider?

Thiel Law Office PLLC is a civil practice law firm that has been serving the community of Missoula for over 25 years. The firm guides and represents clients during the process of probate. It has experience notifying the decedent's beneficiaries, validating the will, settling any outstanding debts with creditors, and transferring the remaining property to the heirs. The firm's team also offers assistance in the fields of estate planning, employment law, and business consultation.

  • Estate Planning

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Matthew Thiel - PrincipalActive32 yrs

1800 South Russell Street, Missoula, MT 59801

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
3.9 (8)

Why choose this provider?

Lord Law Office PC is a civil litigation law firm working with the residents of Missoula. The firm's legal team offers its services to families who are experiencing the probate process. The attorneys work to verify the authenticity of the decedent's will, collect and assess their assets, pay their outstanding debts, and transfer the remaining property to the new owners. Partner Amy Lord has served as the president of the family law section of the State Bar of Montana.

  • Estate Planning
  • Probate Litigation

2315 McDonald Ave Ste 200, Missoula, MT 59801

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Facebook
5.0 (1)

Why choose this provider?

Goodrich & Reely Attorneys at Law PLLC provides legal representation to clients in the Missoula area. The firm helps with probate or the court-supervised process of distributing the assets of a deceased person. It handles issues like disputes among beneficiaries and the settlement of outstanding debts. Its attorneys also work on cases involving bankruptcy, taxation, and business law. Lead counsels Malcolm Goodrich and Shane Reely have more than 50 years of combined experience in the legal field.

  • Estate Planning
  • Probate

310 W Spruce St, Missoula, MT 59802

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.7 (12)

Why choose this provider?

Missoula-based Christian Samson & Baskett Attorneys at Law has handled probate and estate cases for more than five decades. The firm walks clients through the process of distributing a decedent’s probate assets to the rightful recipients. Aside from probate and estate matters, its legal professionals represent individuals involved in bankruptcy and personal injury cases. One of the firm’s lawyers, Richard M. Baskett, is a fellow of the American College of Trust & Estate Counsel.

  • Trusts
  • Estate Planning
  • Probate

Compare our Top Probate Lawyers

NameExpertise RatingAddressPromotionsLearn more
Christian, Samson & Baskett Law Office
310 West Spruce Street, Missoula, MT 59802
Geiszler Steele, PC
619 Southwest Higgins Avenue, Missoula, MT 59803
Carmody Holliday Legal Services, PLLC
210 N. Higgins Ave. Suite 226, Missoula, MT 59802
Wells & McKittrick, PC Attorneys at Law
222 East Pine St, Missoula, MT 59802
HagEstad Law Group, PLLC
2721 Connery Way, Missoula, MT 59808
Five Valleys Law, P.L.L.C
1410 S. Reserve Street Suite C, Missoula, MT 59801
Schuyler Law Office
700 Southwest Higgins Avenue, Missoula, MT 59803
West Law Firm, P.C.
210 N. Higgins Ave., Ste. 226, Missoula, MT 59802
Driscoll Hathaway Law Group
521 N. Orange Street, Missoula, MT 59802
Worden Thane P.C.
321 West Broadway Street, Missoula, MT 59802
St. Peter Law Offices, P.C.
2620 Radio Way, Missoula, MT 59808
Geranios Law, PLLC
120 Hickory St STE 2,, Missoula, MT 59801
Garlington, Lohn & Robinson
350 Ryman Street, Missoula, MT 59802
P. Mars Scott Law Offices
2920 S Garfield St Ste 200, Missoula, MT 59801
Boone Karlberg P.C. - Attorneys At Law
201 West Main Street, Missoula, MT 59802
Thiel Law Office, PLLC
327 West Pine Street, Missoula, MT 59807
Lord Law Office, P.C.
1800 South Russell Street, Missoula, MT 59801
Goodrich & Reely Attorneys at Law PLLC
2315 McDonald Ave Ste 200, Missoula, MT 59801
Christian Samson & Baskett Attorneys at Law
310 W Spruce St, Missoula, MT 59802

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 is the non-emergency contact number for the local police station in Missoula, Montana?

    The Missoula police station’s non-emergency number is 406-552-6300.

  • Where is probate processed in Missoula, and what are the common probate cases handled in the metro?

    Probate administration in Missoula is done in its county district court, and most cases are informal. The process for these estates does not require an appearance before a judge, and the filing of all documents is done through the district court clerk. Such estates typically have wills that are not contested. A PR or personal representative is appointed to assume the fiduciary responsibility of dutifully administering the proceedings.

  • What are the types of probate in Missoula?

    The three general types of probate in Missoula are:

    • category 1 - passing assets through an affidavit that effectively skips probate for estates with no houses or vehicles, almost no savings or investments, and few heirs -category 2 - summary or small estate administration, which is typically based around a threshold that is less than the minimum amount that state law requires to undergo probate -category 3: unsupervised or supervised formal or full probate, which includes everything beyond category 2.
  • What are the two categories of estate assets to be considered during probate in Missoula?

    The two categories of estate assets to be considered during probate in Missoula are the following:

    • probate assets - they need to go through the probate process and whose values are added collectively and affect the estate’s probate level
    • non-probate assets - they are not subject to the probate process and are distributed directly to the beneficiaries. Assets are categorized into one of these classifications based on how they were titled, owned, or set up.
  • What is Missoula’s process for handling probate?

    Missoula’s process for handling probate is per Montana law, which involves these activities:

    • validating the will or identifying the legal heirs in cases where no will or trust exists
    • freezing the estate’s assets until it has ensured that the debts of the decedent have been settled
    • paying the taxes owed by the estate
    • distributing what's left of the assets to the heirs
    • closing the books concerning the affairs of the decedent.
  • How much do attorney and executor fees cost in a Missoula probate?

    Generally, a Missoula probate lawyer bills by the hour, although other lawyers charge flat fees, while compensation for personal representatives or executors is set at 5% as limited by state law. Montana is among the few states that allow lawyers to charge a fixed percentage fee based on the estate's value.

Related Articles

FeaturedDo Probate Attorneys Accept Work on Contingency?

Do Probate Attorneys Accept Work on Contingency?

Working on contingency means a lawyer is only paid if their client has a successful outcome. With probate cases on the rise a...

You might also like...