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2024

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Best Probate Lawyers in Akron

Our Recommended Top 16

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

59

Reviewed

41

Curated

16

Top Picks

Learn about our selection process.

Providers

featured provider = Featured Provider

Website
533 East Main Street, Ravenna, OH 44266
  • Estate Planning
  • Estate Taxes

Why choose this provider?

Robert E. Rosenberg & Associates is a law firm handling the probate cases of clients in Akron. The firm has helped families deal with the loss of a relative by administering their trusts, inventorying the decedent's assets, and determining tax liabilities. Its attorneys use their probate knowledge to help clients through the estate planning process. Also a family lawyer, attorney Rosenberg served as an instructor for the Children Are Forever Program.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Robert Rosenberg - Principal35 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
4.8 / 5 (46)
Avvo
5.0 / 5 (15)
FindLaw
5.0 / 5 (4)

(+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
4071 S. Cleveland-Massillon Road, Norton, OH 44203
  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning

Why choose this provider?

Kennedy & Collins Co., LPA, Attorneys At Law, is a firm that has been serving clients in Akron since 1989. It provides legal representation to individuals, businesses, and families. The firm practices in various areas including estate planning and probate. It aids clients in drafting estate planning documents such as trusts, wills, and guardianship. Kennedy & Collins Co. LPA, also represents clients in personal injury, general business and corporate law, civil litigation, criminal law, juvenile law, and bankruptcy.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
David Kennedy - Principal38 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 (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.
4.8
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
3250 West Market Street Suite 100, Akron, OH 44333
  • Wills
  • Living Wills

Why choose this provider?

Grisi & Budde is a divorce and family law firm in Akron that serves the needs of individuals, families, professionals, and corporations in the local area. The firm provides clients with legal representation in the probate estate field, including basic last wills and testaments, living wills, and the health care power of attorneys. Its basic last will and testament package include identifying the beneficiaries of clients' probate estates, naming executors to manage the probate estates, and designating specific gifts to specific people.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Charles Budde - Partner16 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
Avvo
5.0 / 5 (12)
Google
4.8 / 5 (11)

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
50 South Main St. Suite 702, Akron, OH 44308
  • Estate Planning
  • Probate

Why choose this provider?

Pfeiffer Law LLC provides legal representation to clients in the Akron area. It assists with probate proceedings, where the assets of a deceased person are distributed to heirs. The firm provides legal counsel to an estate's executor, along with helping settle disputes among the beneficiaries. It also offers estate planning and asset protection services, including wills and trusts. Its other practice areas include real estate law and business law. The firm's lead counsel Andrew Pfeiffer has been an attorney since 2015.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Andrew Pfeiffer - Principal9 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 (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
1336 W Market St, Akron, OH 44313
  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Probate

Why choose this provider?

Max W. Thomas LLC offers legal assistance concerning estate planning and probate in Akron. It crafts legal documents like wills, living trusts, special needs trusts, powers of attorney, and advance directives describing how the decedents' affairs will be settled. The firm deals with trust administration and also handles the probate of assets when there is no will or estate plan left by the deceased. In addition, Thomas practices education law, civil litigation, and business law. His community involvement includes providing support for various down syndrome organizations.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Max Thomas - Principal21 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 (4)
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
1700 W. Market Street, #216, Akron, OH 44313
  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning

Why choose this provider?

The Stimler Law Offices provides legal advice and representation to personal and commercial clients in Akron. It offers probate-related services through tools like living wills, powers of attorney health, and advanced directives for DNR instructions. It also assists with business law matters, including the formation of new business entities, dispute resolution, and employment issues. The legal office is owned and operated by James T. Stimler, a certified specialist in estate planning, trust, and probate law.

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
3465 S. Arlington Rd., Suite D, Akron, OH 44312
  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Probate

Why choose this provider?

Miller & Grosscup Law Firm LLC is a multi-practice firm that serves individuals, families, and businesses in Akron and the surrounding areas. Its practice areas include wills, trusts, estate planning, and probate matters, as well as criminal defense, domestic relations, and business association matters. Its attorneys work with executors or personal representatives during the probate process and assist heirs in estate administration if the will is non-existent. They have already helped hundreds of families in probate matters.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Paul Miller - Partner33 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 (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.
3.8
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail
––

Website
2251 Front St. Suite 206, Cuyahoga Falls, OH 44221
  • Estate Planning

Why choose this provider?

Brunsdon Law Firm, LLC has been serving clients in Akron since 2007. Families who have lost a loved one can get help with probate or the distribution of a deceased person's assets. The firm handles disputes among beneficiaries and claims against the estate. It also provides legal counsel to businesses regarding contracts, mergers, and acquisitions, along with help with tax planning and audits. The firm's lead counsel Terri Brunsdon is a certified public accountant with more than 10 years of legal experience.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Terri Brunsdon - Principal17 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 (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
2745 South Arlington Road, Akron, OH 44312
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning

Why choose this provider?

Since 1985, the Sremack Law Firm LLC has catered to injured individuals, business owners, and criminal defendants in Akron and its surrounding communities. The office handles various legal matters, including wills and estates, contract disputes, medical malpractice, felony murder charges, and chapter 13 and 7 bankruptcy. It also has litigated cases against government agencies for prisoner rights, general civil liability, and police misconduct. Founding partner William M. Sremack has been practicing for the past 47 years.

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.
4.1
Google
4.0 / 5 (24)
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
2725 Abington Rd, Fairlawn, OH 44333
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning

Why choose this provider?

Steel & Company Law Firm offers legal representation for clients throughout the Akron community. This firm provides services in the practice area of estate planning, working with clients in creating wills and trusts and establishing powers of attorney. The firm also helps clients in setting up living wills. Michael A. Steel, principal of the firm, has more than two decades of legal practice experience. He also practices in the areas of chapters 7, 11, and 13 bankruptcies and is licensed to practice in Florida.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Michael Steel - Principal24 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

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
111 Stow Avenue, Suite 101,, Cuyahoga Falls, OH 44221
  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning

Why choose this provider?

Herrnstein Law serves Akron clients by handling probate processes that will protect the deceased’s orders and the heirs’ interests. The firm’s other practice areas include real estate, personal injury, business, construction, and family law. The firm aims to build trust with its clients by providing a tailored strategy based on the detailed analyses of the legal issues discussed. Founder John M. Herrnstein has been practicing law for over 35 years and has recently received the 2020 Lawyers of Distinction award.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
John Herrnstein - Founding Partner41 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 (13)

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
12 East Exchange Street Eighth Floor, Akron, OH 44308
  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning

Why choose this provider?

Since 2007, Davis Law Group, Attorneys at Law, LLC, has been providing legal services to clients in Akron and the surrounding areas. Its lawyers assist individuals and families with probate administration. They represent clients in contested will litigation, guardianship matters, and intestate and testate probate litigation. The firm also helps clients with the administration of trusts, wills, transfer-on-death deeds, and beneficiary designations. Additionally, they handle estate planning matters, including estate taxes, powers of attorney, and living wills.

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 (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
102 Main Street, Suite 201, Wadsworth, OH 44281
  • Probate

Why choose this provider?

Bowers Law LLC Attorney At Law is a small firm that handles probate matters for clients residing in Akron and the surrounding areas. The firm's probate lawyer, Hal Bowers, has been practicing law for the past 35 years. Bowers and his team guide clients in dealing with the complex and lengthy process of probate. They assist with a range of estate planning and probate matters, such as last will and testaments, trusts, estate administration, guardianships, and durable power of attorneys.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Harold Bowers - Principal46 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 (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.
3.3
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail
––

Website
697 W. Market Street, Suite 102, Akron, OH 44303
  • Estate Planning
  • Probate

Why choose this provider?

Elisa P. Pizzino Attorney at Law serves individuals and families in and around Akron. She has over 30 years of experience providing legal services in the areas of probate, estate planning, real estate, and civil litigation. Pizzino and her legal team work with executors and beneficiaries of estates to properly handle and distribute the decedents' assets. Conflicts or disputes such as will contests, third-party claims, and heirship issues are also handled by the team. She is also licensed to practice in New York.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Elisa Pizzino - Principal35 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 (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
123 South Miller Road, Fairlawn, OH 44333
  • Trusts
  • Estate Planning

Why choose this provider?

Susan J. Lax R.N., M.S. LLC is a law firm serving individuals and families throughout Akron. It assists personal representatives and executors throughout the whole probate and estate administration process and helps clients craft a will, create a living trust, and draw up powers of attorney to protect their assets. It also handles cases involving family law, bankruptcy, and personal injury. Susan J. Lax, the primary attorney at the firm, has been in practice for more than three decades.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Susan Lax - Principal28 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.
4.1
Google
4.0 / 5 (52)
Facebook
5.0 / 5 (4)
Yelp
5.0 / 5 (3)

(+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
34 Merz Blvd., Fairlawn, OH 44333
  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning

Why choose this provider?

Michael R Mack Co., LPA, offers probate services to clients based in Akron. Mack offers legal assistance for areas that include wills, wealth preservation, asset protection, and retirement and business succession planning. He develops estate plans of various sizes and sophistication and conducts probate, trust preparation, and trust and estate administration. Mack works with financial planners, corporate trustees, accountants, and insurance advisors. He is licensed to practice with the U.S. District Court for Ohio’s Northern District, the U.S. Tax Court, and Ohio’s Supreme Court.

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

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is the non-emergency contact number for the local police station in Akron, Ohio?

    The non-emergency contact numbers for the Akron Police Department Report are 330-375-2552 and 330-375-2181.

  • What is the probate process in Akron?

    In Akron, probate starts with filing a petition by an estate's executor (or an administrator, if no will exists) in a probate court. This submission requires data such as the deceased's birth and death dates, home address, and beneficiary details. A judge then validates the will, if present. Subsequently, any outstanding liabilities, taxes, and costs are settled from the estate. Finally, the estate's distribution occurs per the will's instructions or state law without a will.

  • How much do probate court proceedings in Akron cost?

    In Akron, initial probate court charges range from $200 to $250, but total costs can surge substantially. Probate expenses encompass court dues, often a few hundred dollars, appraisal charges for asset valuation, court-appointed executor or administrator remuneration (usually a portion of the estate's worth), and legal fees, which fluctuate based on hourly rates or flat charges. Owing to these expenses, many opt for probate evasion strategies.

  • When might one need a probate lawyer in Akron?

    Assistance from a probate lawyer in Akron may be necessary under certain conditions. These include if the decedent was an Ohio resident, owned real estate or other assets in Ohio, co-owned Ohio property, or had an out-of-state dwelling, like a holiday home, needing to be sold. A licensed attorney could guide individuals effectively through the legal intricacies of probate, ensuring proper asset management and distribution.

  • What happens when an individual in Akron dies without a will?

    When an individual in Akron dies without a valid will, the state does not seize their property. Instead, Ohio's intestacy regulations determine the estate's distribution, typically favoring the deceased's surviving spouse and/or children. Without immediate family, the law endeavors to locate a distant relative. Only when no family members are left can the state claim the assets.

  • Is establishing a revocable trust in Akron more economical than a will and probate?

    Not necessarily. In Akron, a revocable trust — often called a living trust — prevents probate court fees, as the property in the trust is handled and allocated according to the trust's conditions. However, the creation of a revocable trust can incur significant costs. Individuals should seek advice from an estate planning attorney to discern if this choice financially benefits their heirs, considering their specific estate circumstances.

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