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2024

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Best Probate Lawyers in Raleigh

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 Raleigh Probate Lawyers on more than 25 variables across five categories, and analyzed the results to give you a hand-picked list of the best.

101

Reviewed

68

Curated

19

Top Picks

Learn about our selection process.

Providers

featured provider = Featured Provider

Website
Raleigh, NC 27608
  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning
  • Living Trust
  • Estate Taxes
  • Trust Administration

Why choose this provider?

NC Planning is a practice area within Raleigh firm Adams, Howell, Sizemore & Lenfestey PA. NC Planning’s focus areas include probate, estate, and trust administration, professional practice planning, wills, trusts, and estate planning, business and corporate planning, and tax planning and representation. Clients appreciate their knowledge, professionalism, reliability, and attention to detail.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Tom Lenfestey - Founder / Partner20 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 (26)
Facebook
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
4141 Parklake Avenue Suite 130, Raleigh, NC 27612
  • Estate Planning
  • Probate

Why choose this provider?

Brady Cobin Law Group, PLLC, serves clients across the Raleigh area. It represents families in probate law proceedings and provides legal counsel on trust litigation and will contests. The firm has experience handling cases involving financial elder abuse. It also deals with estate planning and creates various documents like wills. The firm's co-founder, Daniel Brady, is board-certified in probate law and estate planning from the North Carolina State Bar. He volunteers for the non-profit organization Raleigh Boys and Girls Clubs.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
R. Brady - Partner42 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 (55)
Avvo
5.0 / 5 (4)
Facebook
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
724 St. Mary's St., Raleigh, NC 27605
  • Estate Planning

Why choose this provider?

Brown Estate Planning & Elder Law is a private practice multi-city firm that serves clients in Raleigh. Its owner and sole practitioner, Charlie Brown, focuses his practice on estate planning and elder law. He aids clients in creating an estate plan to protect the estate and their family's future. He helps clients by drafting estate documents such as various types of wills, trusts, durable powers of attorneys. Brown also guides clients in the entire probate litigation process.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Charlie Brown - Principal27 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 (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
Raleigh, NC 27612
  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning
  • Living Trust
  • Trust Administration

Why choose this provider?

HAAS and Associates, P.A. is a Raleigh law firm that focuses on estate planning and administration and matrimonial law and serves Wake county and surrounding areas. The firm’s practice areas include custody and support, adoption and surrogacy, separation and divorce, estate planning, LGBT family law, and property distribution. Jennifer S. Tharrington is a member of the Wake County Bar Association, the American Bar Association, the LGBT Family Law Institute, and the National LGBT Bar Association. She has her J.D. from the University of North Carolina School of Law. Angela L. Haas has her J.D. from Campbell University and has a Superb 10.0 Avvo rating. Clients remark on their knowledge and professionalism.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Angela Haas - Founding Member22 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

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
2626 Glenwood Avenue Suite 550, Raleigh, NC 27608
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning
  • Probate

Why choose this provider?

Hatch, Little & Bunn, L.L.P., has been serving Raleigh and other areas in North Carolina since 1955. It represents individuals in probate law matters, including estate administration and probate avoidance. Its attorneys also advise people on developing wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and advanced healthcare directives. With lawyers who practice different aspects of the law, Hatch, Little & Bunn employs an integrated approach to estate planning. Its clients benefit from the team's experience in administrative, tax, business, and real estate laws.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
William Young - Partner33 yrs
Justin Apple - Partner13 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

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
5720 Six Forks Rd STE 101, Raleigh, NC 27609
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning
  • Estate Administration
  • Probate

Why choose this provider?

Horsley Law Firm, P.A. is a multi-practice law firm that serves the residents of Raleigh and the surrounding areas. It helps clients prepare and administrate last wills and testaments, testamentary trusts, and future advance directives. It also handles retirement plans and IRA distributions. Principal attorney C. Jeffrey Horsley is a member of the North Carolina Bar Association, Estate Planning Section. The firm can also serve clients in Spanish. The team at Horsley Law Firm has more than 38 years of combined legal experience,

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Charles Horsley - Principal23 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 (18)
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.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
3020 S. Miami Blvd, Ste 201, Durham, NC 27703
  • Estate Planning
  • Probate

Why choose this provider?

Pierce Law provides legal solutions to Raleigh clients with probate troubles. It assists bereaved families in navigating the probate process, including proving the validity of wills, appointing administrators or executors, paying debts and taxes, and distributing assets to beneficiaries. Founding partner and CEO Jared Pierce earned a degree in History in 2006 before pursuing a career in law. He is active in helping organizations in his community like the Project Care and the State Office of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Jared Pierce - Principal15 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)
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.
3.8
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail
––

Website
5511 Capital Center Drive, Ste 180, Raleigh, NC 27606
  • Estate Planning

Why choose this provider?

The Walls Law Group handles the legal needs of clients in Raleigh by offering business and estate planning and trust and probate administration. Its probate services include locating the trust or will, determining the personal representative, taking asset inventory, paying creditors, and notifying beneficiaries and transferring the assets to them. Founder Jason Walls is a WealthCounsel member who speaks frequently to community organizations on estate planning and wealth preservation. He is also an adjunct law professor.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Robert jason Walls - Owner19 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 (4)
Google
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
5 W Hargett St Ste 200, Raleigh, NC 27601
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning
  • Probate

Why choose this provider?

Life Law is a Raleigh-based legal office that assists with estate planning, wills, trusts, estate taxes, and guardianship. It tailor fits estate plans, trusts, and wills based on the clients' financial state and goals. The firm's wills and trusts lawyers work with clients on managing estate taxes and assigning guardians to minor children. Life Law's principal lawyer, Melody Davalos, is a member of the Wake County Bar Association and the North Carolina Bar Association.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
C. Davalos - Principal20 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
4.5 / 5 (31)
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
5500 McNeely Drive Suite 102, Raleigh, NC 27612
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning

Why choose this provider?

Wallis Law Firm P.A. helps Raleigh individuals secure their family's future and protect their assets by crafting tailored estate plans. It drafts trusts, wills, deeds, and powers of attorney. In addition, the law office focuses on planning for the elderly and people with special needs to help optimize their independence and secure their assets. It assists families in establishing guardianships and guides them on financial planning and healthcare benefits, including Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security.

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
4.6 / 5 (14)
Facebook
5.0 / 5 (5)
Avvo
3.0 / 5 (4)

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
510 W Williams Street, Apex, NC 27502
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning

Why choose this provider?

Stam Law Firm is a civil litigation law firm serving the people of Raleigh and the nearby cities. The firm's founding attorney, Paul Stam, has been practicing law for over 40 years, and his team handles probate for both simple and complex wills. The team also offers estate planning services to give someone the power of attorney and avoid probate. Additional practice areas include family, real estate, and business law.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Paul Stam - Principal49 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
Facebook
4.4 / 5 (7)
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.
3.8
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail
––

Website
555 Fayetteville St Ste 1100, Raleigh, NC 27601
  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning
  • Inheritance Taxes
  • Living Trust
  • Estate Taxes
  • Trust Administration

Why choose this provider?

Womble, Bond, Dickinson is an international law firm with multiple offices in the United States and the United Kingdom, including one in Raleigh. The firm offers wealth management solutions that include assistance with probate administration. Attorneys guide executors through all aspects of the probate process, including appraising assets and contacting creditors. The firm also assists with estate planning and guardianships. Partner attorney Elizabeth Arias is a member of the North Carolina Bar Association's Estate Planning and Fiduciary Law Section.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Clark Goodman - Partner31 yrs
James Myrick - Managing Partner36 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 (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.
3.3
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail
––

Website
211 E Six Forks Rd Suite 205, Raleigh, NC 27609
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning
  • Probate

Why choose this provider?

Since 2006, The Law Corner has been serving clients in Raleigh and the surrounding communities. It helps clients prior to death to protect their assets and avoid probate issues through the preparation of estate planning documents, such as wills, financial powers of attorney, health care powers of attorney, and living wills. The Law Corner also offers legal representation in family and criminal law cases. Brian S. Demidovich, the company's founding lawyer, is a certified mediator.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Brian Demidovich - Managing Attorney20 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
4.6 / 5 (134)
Yelp
2.5 / 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
8801 Fast Park Dr #301, Raleigh, NC 27617
  • Estate Planning

Why choose this provider?

Thomas-Walters PLLC delivers legal solutions to families and individuals in Raleigh and the neighboring areas. The firm handles matters that concern trusts, estate planning and administration, and probate. The firm guides clients throughout the probate process, providing them insight and counsel should disputes arise in the division and administration of estates between family members. Stacey Walters is a founding member and managing partner at the firm. She offers resolution to families in conflict and helps secure the validity of wills.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Stacey Walters - Founding Member and Managing Partner17 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 (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.
3.8
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail
––

Website
2840 Plaza Place Suite 400-401, Raleigh, NC 27612
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning
  • Probate Administration

Why choose this provider?

Ragsdale Liggett delivers legal solutions and assistance to individuals with probate concerns in the Raleigh metro. The firm helps clients with the preparation and update of trust and estate plans. Its method takes each individual's situation into account to coordinate assets with the estate plans. The other fields the firm touches upon under probate include wills, probate administration, and post-mortem dispute resolution. Ragsdale Liggett has been in practice since 1972, handling cases relevant to a business' legal needs, civil litigation, and residential real estate.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
David Liggett - Managing Partner29 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.
4.2

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
4816 Six Forks Road, Suite 202, Raleigh, NC 27609
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning

Why choose this provider?

Smith Dominguez, PLLC, Attorneys and Counselors at Law, is a multi-practice firm that serves clients in Raleigh and nearby areas. It assists executors in arranging and completing the transfer of the decedents' assets and wealth to designated beneficiaries. Estate planning services are also available to preserve estate assets for future generations, including the drafting of wills, trusts, and advance directives. The law practice of partners Ayeshinaye Smith and Alexia Dominguez is anchored on transparency, efficiency, and mutual respect.

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
5.0 / 5 (20)
Facebook
4.6 / 5 (13)
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
127 West Hargett Street, Suite 100, Raleigh, NC 27601
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning
  • Power of Attorneys
  • Living Wills

Why choose this provider?

Matheson & Associates PLLC offers legal services to individuals and families throughout Raleigh. It handles a wide array of estate planning matters, such as probate and estate administration, trusts, powers of attorney, and living wills. Its professionals also take on cases involving personal injury, criminal defense, and family law. Moseley Matheson, the firm's founder and managing partner, is a member of the Wake County Academy of Criminal Trial Lawyers and is the managing editor of the North Carolina Criminal Law Deskbook.

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
4.9 / 5 (131)
Facebook
5.0 / 5 (34)
Avvo
4.9 / 5 (18)

(+2 additional sources)

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
2626 Glenwood Ave., Raleigh, NC 27608
  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning

Why choose this provider?

Strauss Attorneys PLLC is a private legal practice that serves individuals, families, and businesses in Raleigh and the surrounding areas. Its attorneys provide probate administration services, which include distributing assets in accordance with the decedent's will. It also offers related services such as intestate estate and trust administration. Principal attorney Andrew A. Strauss is a board-certified specialist in estate planning and probate law. He is also a member of the North Carolina Bar Association, Estate Planning Section.

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
5.0 / 5 (17)
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
226 West Millbrook Road, Raleigh, NC 27609
  • Wills

Why choose this provider?

McNeil Law Firm, PLLC, provides legal counsel to individuals and families in Raleigh. Its team of attorneys oversees probate and the distribution of a deceased person's assets to qualified family members in accordance with the estate will. The firm's founder, John McNeil, is a certified mediator for financial settlements within families. He is a member of the North Carolina Academy of Trial Attorneys and he regularly attends continuing legal education courses to keep his legal knowledge up to date.

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 (54)
Facebook
4.5 / 5 (45)
Avvo
1.0 / 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

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 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 Raleigh, North Carolina?

    919-831-6311 is the non-emergency police number in Raleigh.

  • Are all assets subject to probate in Raleigh?

    No, not all assets are subject to the probate procedure in Raleigh. Investments held in trust, life insurance benefits, specific forms of jointly-owned property, and particular retirement or pension funds are typical instances of non-probate assets. Acquisitions that are not subject to the probate process might be given directly to the designated beneficiary.

  • Is probate always necessary in Raleigh?

    No, Formal probate is not necessarily required in Raleigh. Only when assets are controlled in a will is formal probate necessary. A Revocable Living Trust is frequently used by someone who has undergone careful estate planning to avoid probate and all of the associated court costs, legal expenses, and delays. Another method of avoiding full probate is through small estate proceedings.

  • What do Raleigh probate lawyers do?

    A Raleigh probate lawyer can confirm that all documents are timely and correctly filed and that the specified beneficiaries will receive what the decedent wanted. North Carolina succession rules will decide who will receive the decedent's inheritance should they pass away without leaving a will. Having legal counsel can have a profound impact on the outcome.

  • Can Raleigh's estate assets be used to cover real estate taxes, utilities, and upkeep of the deceased's home?

    No. Real estate in Raleigh transfers to the heirs specified in the will or the intestate heirs defined by law at the time of death. The estate is now owned by these heirs, who are also liable for all related expenses. For this reason, any executor or administrator who utilizes estate monies shall personally refund the estate, as determined by the Clerk. To prevent making a mistake like this, seeking advice from an experienced attorney is essential.

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