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Best Probate Lawyers in Durham

2023

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Website
2304 South Miami Boulevard, Durham, NC 27703
  • Trusts
  • Wills

Why choose this provider?

The Law Offices of Douglas E. Koenig, PLLC, is a solo practice serving clients in Durham and the surrounding areas. The firm has been helping executors and heirs deal with probate matters since 2010. Doug Koenig draws from a career in engineering, IT, and life sciences to bring his practice to those who need careful planning. He has a personal inclination toward families with Alzheimer's, dementia, or other illnesses but will help anyone who needs assistance in estate planning.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Douglas Koenig - Managing Attorney13 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 (9)
Avvo
5.0 / 5 (4)
Yelp
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
201 Commonwealth Ct #100, Cary, NC 27511
  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning
  • Trust Administration
  • Probate Litigation

Why choose this provider?

Carolina Family Estate customizes legal services according to the unique objectives and needs of each Durham client. The law firm helps clients with probate and trust and estate administration processes by taking on challenging and detailed management tasks. Its legal team files petitions in the probate court, handles the payment of taxes, and distributes remaining assets to beneficiaries. Jackie Bedard established the firm in 2009 and has served on the boards of the North Carolina chapter of NAEA.

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 (176)
Facebook
5.0 / 5 (68)

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
123 West Main Street, Durham, NC 27701
  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning
  • Probate Litigation

Why choose this provider?

Judy Whisnant Attorney at Law PC is a probate attorney in Durham who has been representing clients across North Carolina since receiving her JD in 1984. Ms. Whisnant can help with standard probates, such as identifying and collecting the decedent's estate, but has particular experience dealing with contested will cases. The attorney has handled a wide range of cases, from claims of undue influence on the decedent to allegations of concealing parts of the estate.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Judy Whisnant - Principal31 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.
4.4
Google
4.0 / 5 (4)
Avvo
5.0 / 5 (2)
Yelp
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
155 Parkway Office Ct STE 200, Cary, NC 27518
  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning

Why choose this provider?

Cary Estate Planning offers legal support in probate matters to the locals of Durham and the surrounding communities. It guides its clients through the whole process and identifies any property held in the decedent's name. It gathers all assets, ensures that the decedent's final wishes are carried out with regard to asset division, and pays off any outstanding debts. Probate lawyer Amanda Honea previously administered thousands of estates as an assistant clerk of court in Wake 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.
5.0
Google
5.0 / 5 (174)
Facebook
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
411 W. Chapel Hill Street Suite C 2, Durham, NC 27701
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning

Why choose this provider?

The Law Office of Jeffrey L. Austin offers probate services to individuals and families in Durham. It helps estate executors and administrators navigate the probate process so they can focus on their core responsibilities. It helps draft various estate planning documents, such as wills, trusts, and powers of attorney. It also assists same-sex couples with their estate planning needs. The firm's founder, Jeffrey L. Austin, serves the Legal Aid of North Carolina as a volunteer attorney.

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 (30)
Google
5.0 / 5 (6)

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
1000 Corporate Drive, Hillsborough, NC 27278
  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning

Why choose this provider?

Hillsborough Wills & Trusts is a boutique practice founded by Colin K. Austin, a probate lawyer near Durham with more than 28 years of legal experience in North Carolina. Attorney Austin has successfully supported and guided many named executors tasked with managing a loved one's last will and testament. He has extensive experience in collecting the entire estate of decedents and investigating claims from creditors. Mr. Austin is a member of the North Carolina and Orange County Bar associations.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Colin Austin - Principal Attorney31 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 (14)
Facebook
5.0 / 5 (4)
Yelp
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
2411 Old NC 86, Hillsborough, NC 27278
  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning
  • Probate Litigation

Why choose this provider?

Steffan & Associates PC is a general law practice near Durham that's been representing clients throughout the surrounding areas since the firm started in 1986. Ms. Steffan has successfully represented will executors for many years, compassionately guiding them through the challenges of their roles and the complexities of probate law. Attorney Steffan is a University of North Carolina School of Law graduate and past president of the Orange County Bar Association.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Kim Steffan - Principal37 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 (14)
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
5540 Centerview Drive Suite 200, Raleigh, NC 27606
  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning
  • Living Trust

Why choose this provider?

Huston Law Firm, PLLC, works with Durham residents in need of estate planning assistance. Its attorneys utilize different legal tools to help individuals efficiently distribute their assets. These include documents such as powers of attorney, revocable living trusts, and wills. The professionals also handle contentious probate procedures by representing their clients' cases in court and addressing inheritance disputes. Its principal attorney, Kevin Huston, is a member of the National Care Planning Council and has previously advised clients with multi-million dollar estates.

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
4.5 / 5 (8)
Avvo
5.0 / 5 (5)

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
112 South Main Street, Roxboro, NC 27573
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning

Why choose this provider?

Tolin & Tolin PLLC is a family-run firm of estate planning attorneys near Durham who have been serving clients throughout the metro area since 1974. The father-and-son attorneys offer sensitive support and guidance to individuals acting as executors for the wills of loved ones. They can guide clients through the complex processes of NC law and deal with more practical aspects, such as collecting the full estate, filing its tax returns, and managing creditors.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Jay Tolin - Partner19 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)

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
1414 Raleigh Road, Chapel Hill, NC 27517
  • Estate Planning
  • Trust Administration
  • Probate Litigation

Why choose this provider?

Clarity Legal Group is a law firm whose attorneys share more than 80 years of combined experience helping clients throughout Durham's metro area in matters of estate planning, trusts, and probate. Their standard services include collecting the decedent's entire estate, filing its tax returns, dealing with claims from creditors, and assisting named executors in the operation of their fiduciary duties. The attorneys also handle trust administration and take steps to help clients avoid the costs of probate.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Mark Costley - Founder32 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 (13)
Avvo
5.0 / 5 (9)
Yelp
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
3211 Shannon Road Suite 400, Durham, NC 27707
  • Trusts
  • Estate Planning
  • Elder Law
  • Probate
  • Estate Administration

Why choose this provider?

McPherson, Rocamora, Nicholson, Wilson & Hinkle, PLLC, assists clients in Durham with trust and estate administration. It offers counsel to beneficiaries and executors regarding the court-supervised disposition of assets left by the decedents. The firm deals with filing the required probate forms. It identifies, collects, and distributes the deceased loved ones' estates. In addition, the firm prepares estate tax returns. Partner Larry H. Rocamora, a board-certified Estate Planning and Probate Law specialist, is also a certified public accountant.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Larry Rocamora - Member35 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.
4.4
Google
4.4 / 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
240 Leigh Farm Road, Durham, NC 27707
  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning
  • Estate Taxes
  • Probate Litigation

Why choose this provider?

Walker Lambe PLLC is a Durham-based law firm that's been providing legal services to clients across the state for more than 35 years. Its areas of practice include planning the transfer of estates and handling the distribution of estates to its heirs and other beneficiaries. The firm also handles non-standard issues, such as wills contested due to allegations of fraud, concealment of assets, and the alleged mental incapacity of the decedent when the will was written.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
William Lambe - Founder50 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
Google
4.8 / 5 (43)

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
1829 East Franklin Street, Chapel Hill, NC 27514
  • Estate Planning
  • Estate Taxes
  • Trust Administration

Why choose this provider?

Founded in 1990, Roberson Law Firm PA is a multidisciplinary firm that focuses on white-collar practices, such as taxation, estate planning, and probate. The firm's attorneys have many years of experience helping executors perform their duties within the restrictions of NC law. The attorneys can also act as executors and administrators. Their services can include filing tax returns, ensuring heirs receive their portions of the estate, and filing final accounts.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
A. Roberson - Shareholder27 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
Yelp
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
501 Eastowne Drive, Suite 130, Chapel Hill, NC 27514
  • Estate Planning

Why choose this provider?

Tillman, Whichard & Cagle, PLLC, provides legal services to clients in Durham. It assists in settling the decedent's estate, including fiduciary responsibilities, distribution of assets, tax planning, and the court probate process. It also provides drafting of wills, powers of attorney, health care directives, and trusts for minor children. Its team of lawyers handles intergenerational planning for non-traditional and same-sex families. Founding partner Beth Tillman is a board-certified specialist in estate planning and probate law by the North Carolina State Bar.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Beth Tillman - Founding Partner30 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 (11)
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.
3.8
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail
––

Website
2530 Meridian Parkway 3rd Floor, Durham, NC 27713
  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning
  • Trust Administration

Why choose this provider?

Palmer Estate Planning works with families and individuals throughout Durham in matters involving probate administration. It helps clients overcome the complexities of the probate process by managing relevant documents such as death certificates, creating public finance records, and filing on their behalf at courthouses. It also provides comprehensive legal counsel on powers of attorney, trusts, and living wills, as well as asset protection. Its team is led by Duffy Palmer, who previously served as a director for the Arc of the Triangle organization.

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 (25)

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
1910 Sedwick Rd Suite 100 B, Durham, NC 27713
  • Estate Planning

Why choose this provider?

TriCity Lawyers is a law firm that offers legal assistance and representation in probate matters to the locals of Durham and other surrounding areas. It guides its clients through the probate process and can help in proactively creating documents. It also handles other estate planning cases such as living trusts and last will and testament. G. Kevin Stewman and Jon Booker established the firm in 2010. Together, they have more than 40 years of legal experience combined.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Jon Booker - Partner22 yrs
Jon Booker - Partner22 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.
4.4
Google
4.3 / 5 (12)
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
880 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Ste 203, Chapel Hill, NC 27514
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning

Why choose this provider?

Laskody Law offers legal services to individuals and families in Durham and neighboring communities. Its attorneys are equipped with the necessary skills and legal resources to handle probate, trust, and estate administration matters. They represent clients in simple and complex estate administration cases and help them deal with issues, such as undue influence, challenges or interpretation of a will, and misconduct of executors or beneficiaries. Its founder, Lee Laskody, has more than 20 years of litigation experience.

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 (16)

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
50101 Governors Drive, Chapel Hill, NC 27517
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning
  • Trust Administration

Why choose this provider?

Averett Family Law is a small firm of estate planning attorneys near Durham who can assist nominated executors and other interested parties in all matters concerning probate law. The attorneys' services include providing compassionate guidance for executors during what is typically a stressful period in their lives, administering the decedent's estate, which includes dealing with creditors, and handling challenges to the contents of the will and the actions of the executor.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Melissa Averett - Managing Attorney25 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.
4.3
Google
4.3 / 5 (22)
Avvo
4.5 / 5 (10)
Yelp
3.5 / 5 (6)

(+1 additional source)

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
5003 Southpark Drive Suite 260, Durham, NC 27713
  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning
  • Probate
  • Estate Administration

Why choose this provider?

Since 2010, Kreger Law Firm Attorneys At Law has been representing the Durham community in various legal matters. The firm's attorneys also handle wills, trusts, and estate matters. They provide estate planning services that protect the estate, finances, and healthcare decisions. They also take these matters for probate after a person's death. The firm also focuses on personal injury and civil litigation. Clients praise the firm for its effort to regularly update them about their case status by phone calls and emails.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Tom Kreger - Owner and Founder15 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 (151)
Facebook
4.9 / 5 (67)
Avvo
4.5 / 5 (2)

(+1 additional source)

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

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.

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Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is the non-emergency contact number for the local police station in Durham, North Carolina?

    Call (919) 560-4600 to report non-emergencies to the local police station in Durham.

  • Is probate required if there is a will in Durham?

    Yes, probate is still required even if the person in Durham left a will before passing away. This is because a will cannot be legally recognized unless it goes through a court review, which is part of the probate process. To begin the procedure, the will must be officially submitted to the county court clerk.

  • Do all properties in Durham need to undergo probate?

    No, not all properties in Durham need to undergo probate. There are certain conditions under which a simplified process can be followed. A summary administration can be filed if the total value of the estate is $20,000 for a single person or $30,000 for a married person. This process is applicable when the spouse is the sole heir. Additionally, insurance benefits are automatically transferred to the beneficiaries stated in the policy and do not require probate.

  • What is the duration of the probate process in Durham?

    The duration of the probate process in Durham depends on factors such as the size and value of the property and any complexities that may arise. Straightforward estates usually take at least six months to settle because creditors have three months to make claims. However, if there are problems or the property is large, it can take many years to complete. It can also be delayed if the executor doesn't know much about probate.

  • Who should settle the debts of a deceased individual in Durham?

    After an individual passes away in Durham, their debts are typically paid from the funds in their estate. The executor is responsible for managing the deceased person's assets and using them to settle the debts in a specific order. However, if the deceased person's spouse or children are co-owners of a property or joint account holders, they may also be responsible for resolving the debts.

  • What is the process of selling a property in Durham when it is under probate?

    The process of selling a property in Durham when it is under probate involves appointing a personal representative or executor and assessing the actual value of the property. The executor must obtain permission from the court to sell the property through a hearing. Advertisements can be put out at this point and the court handles the bidding. If someone makes an offer, executors may demand the court to issue approval and they must inform the heirs about the sale. If someone disagrees, the sale may be stopped.

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