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2024

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Best Probate Lawyers in Philadelphia

Our Recommended Top 18

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

324Reviewed

201Curated

18Top Picks

Learn about our selection process.

Providers

featured provider = Featured Provider

1845 Walnut St Fl 19, Philadelphia, PA 19103

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.5 (157)
Facebook
4.9 (27)
Yelp
2.0 (17)

Why choose this provider?

Petrelli Previtera LLC is a law firm serving clients in the Philadelphia metro area, with six additional locations in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Illinois. Founded in 2013, it provides probate administration, such as filing all required documents with the Pennsylvania Register of Wills, inventory all estate assets, property sales, and final accounting and taxes. The firm's attorneys also provide probate litigation, including life insurance disputes, interpretation of wills and trusts and contested wills, trusts, and guardianships.

  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Lori Frio-walker - AssociateActive16 yrs
Thomas Petrelli - Founding and Managing PartnerActive22 yrs
Kristin Lis - Senior AssociateActive14 yrs

Ten Penn Center 1801 Market Street Suite 2300, Philadelphia, PA 19103

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Facebook
5.0 (22)
Google
4.3 (3)
Yelp
5.0 (1)

Why choose this provider?

Offit Kurman is a law firm serving clients in the Philadelphia metro area with over 12 additional locations throughout seven states. Founded in 1987, it assists with all probate court matters, including probate and estate litigation, will contests, undue influence claims, trust disputes, incapacity challenges, removal of fiduciaries, and business and asset valuation. The firm's attorneys also represent clients at debts and demand hearings, trust reformation proceedings, and handle complex legalities, such as bankruptcy-related estate and trust concerns.

  • Trusts
  • Estate Planning
  • Living Trust

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Herbert Fineburg - Principal, Shareholder and Philadelphia Office Managing PartnerActive42 yrs
Robert McNeill - PrincipalActive39 yrs
Paul Baynard - PrincipalActive36 yrs

310 Huntingdon Pike, Rockledge, PA 19046
Website

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.9 (55)
Avvo
5.0 (20)
Facebook
5.0 (5)

Why choose this provider?

Law Offices of Maribeth Blessing LLC serves clients throughout the Philadelphia metro area. Founded in 1999, it assists families and other interested parties through the probate process. The firm's attorneys also handle estate planning services, such as preparing wills, testamentary trusts for children and pets, living wills, advanced health care directives, and durable powers of attorneys. Other practice areas include divorce, child custody, adoption, military family law, fathers' rights, and mediation and arbitration.

  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Maribeth Blessing - OwnerActive33 yrs

5401 Wissahickon Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19144

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Facebook
4.4 (7)
Google
5.0 (4)

Why choose this provider?

Jerner Law Group, P.C. takes care of the probate and estate planning needs of clients in Philadelphia. The firm's attorneys guide clients in the different aspects of estate administration, such as the distribution of assets, communication with all beneficiaries, preparation of letters of administration, and collection of the deceased individuals' assets. They also work with other parties to resolve disputes during the probate process and provide legal assistance in creating estate plans.

  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Benjamin Jerner - Managing PartnerActive29 yrs

922 Bustleton Pike Ste 1, Feasterville Trevose, PA 19053

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Facebook
4.5 (4)
Yelp
4.0 (4)

Why choose this provider?

Law Offices of Michael Kuldiner PC is a legal practice serving clients throughout the Philadelphia metro area with offices in Feasterville, Doylestown, Norristown, and in Philadelphia. Founded in 2004, it provides probate administration services for estate trustees and administrators, including inventory, valuation of assets, real estate settlements, distribution of property, creditors' issues, and all document requirements. The firm's probate lawyers also assist with estate planning, such as will preparations and contests, trusts, powers of attorney, health care directives, and estate tax matters.

  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Michael Kuldiner - PrincipalActive20 yrs
Michael Kuldiner - PrincipalActive20 yrs

Philadelphia, PA 19102

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.7 (23)
Facebook
5.0 (14)

Why choose this provider?

In 1997, Attorney Jacqueline M. Vigilante formed The Vigilante Law Firm in order to provide the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania metro area with her expertise in employment law, personal injury cases, wills, probates, business law, and real estate law. Attorney Jacqueline M. Vigilante is a member of the American Bar Association, the Pennsylvania Bar Association, the Gloucester Bar Association, and the National Association of Employment lawyers.

1500 John F Kennedy Blvd Ste 520, Philadelphia, PA 19102

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
5.0 (18)
Avvo
5.0 (4)
Facebook
5.0 (2)

Why choose this provider?

Law Office of John Della Rocca is a full-service legal firm serving the Philadelphia metro. The firm's attorney, John Della Rocca, assists in the probate administration process, including obtaining letters of administration, filing state and federal tax returns, collecting and valuing estate assets, determining estate liabilities, locating heirs/beneficiaries, and distributing estate assets to heirs. He also practices criminal defense, such as DUI/DWI, traffic tickets, domestic violence, and drug trafficking. Della Rocca has 20 years of legal counsel and representation experience.

  • Wills
  • Estate Planning
  • Estate Administration

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
John Della Rocca - PrincipalActive27 yrs

1500 John F. Kennedy Blvd., Philadelphia, PA 19102

Expertise.com Rating

Why choose this provider?

Rubin & Rubin handle clients in the Philadelphia metro who are facing probate. The firm guides appointed representatives with their duties and other procedures such as small estate petitions and probate alternatives. Rubin & Rubin plan the future and their clients through estate planning techniques such as powers of attorney and wills and trusts. The firm has 25 years of experience, stretching to tax debt resolution, liens and levies, and international taxation.

  • Estate Planning
  • Probate

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
David Rubin - PartnerActive33 yrs

140 W Maplewood Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19144
Website

Expertise.com Rating

Why choose this provider?

The Law Firm of Harper & Paul offers probate services to individuals and families in Philadelphia. It helps clients in creating future plans and assists them in drafting legal documents, such as powers of attorney, estates, trusts, living wills, and guardianships. It also serves elderly clients by protecting their assets from nursing home costs and applying state and federal rules. It also provides legal assistance with Medicaid planning. The firm has been in the legal practice for more than 40 years.

  • Wills

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Ronald Harper - Senior PartnerActive52 yrs

1219 Spruce St, Philadelphia, PA 19107
Website

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.8 (26)
Facebook
4.8 (25)
Yelp
1.0 (2)

Why choose this provider?

Van Der Veen Hartshorn & Levin, a multi-faceted law firm, employs legal practitioners with nearly 175 years of combined experience. Handling probate in Philadelphia, its attorneys cater to estate executors or administrators and those considering estate planning options to avoid probate. They help with asset inventory, property liquidation, settlement of debts and taxes, and filing court reports. The team also offers estate planning services, such as establishing trusts, creating advanced directives, and managing beneficiary designations, as well as drafting, amending, and executing wills.

  • Wills
  • Estate Planning

9223 Frankford Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19114
Website

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
5.0 (3)
Avvo
5.0 (1)

Why choose this provider?

Metka Law, LLC, is a family-operated firm serving families and individuals in the Philadelphia area. It offers representation for matters involving estate planning, trust administration, and elder law. Its estate planning services cover wills, trusts, end-of-life agreements, long-term care provisions, and powers of attorney. One of its associates, Harry Metka, helps clients bring solutions to their legal concerns. He extends his practice to personal injury, criminal defense, real estate, and tax and small business law.

  • Estate Planning

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
James Metka - PrincipalActive44 yrs

1515 Market St Ste 1650, Philadelphia, PA 19102

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Facebook
4.9 (38)

Why choose this provider?

Chamberlain Hrdlicka is a legal practice in the Philadelphia metro area with additional locations in Atlanta, Houston, and San Antonio. Founded in 1965, it provides probate and fiduciary litigation, representing individual and organizational trustees, personal representatives, executors, estate beneficiaries and institutional trust departments. The firm's attorneys assist clients with asset recovery, breach of fiduciary duty, charitable gifts, contested guardianships, fee disputes, fiduciary removal, fraud, mental capacity, heirship determinations, and will and trust interpretations.

  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Larry Campagna - Managing ShareholderActive47 yrs
Barry Adkins - ShareholderActive45 yrs

1500 JFK Boulevard, Philadelphia, PA 19102

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.3 (31)
Avvo
5.0 (19)
Yelp
2.8 (11)

Why choose this provider?

Testa & Pagnanelli, LLC, is a full-service law firm that serves clients in Philadelphia. It guides personal representatives through the probate process to facilitate the transfer of assets to designated heirs and beneficiaries. Estate planning services are also available, including the drafting of wills, trusts, and powers of attorney, to protect clients' assets, families, and business associates. Its attorneys, who have more than 45 years of combined experience, take a personalized approach to legal representation in the areas of family and criminal law. 

  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning

200 South Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19102

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Facebook
4.2 (9)
Google
3.4 (8)
Yelp
5.0 (1)

Why choose this provider?

Astor Weiss Kaplan & Mandel, LLP, has been guiding Philadelphia-based clients in trust administration and estate planning matters since its founding in 1954. Its lawyers, who have over a century of collective experience, offer insight into probate law for the creation and execution of wills and trusts. They consult clients regarding tax planning concerns, formulate asset protection strategies, and oversee business successions. The firm is headed by Paul C. Astor, who is also a former chairman of the Philadelphia Bar Association's Public Relations Committee.

  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning

5 Neshaminy Interplex, Trevose, PA 19053
Website

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
5.0 (1)
Facebook
5.0 (1)

Why choose this provider?

Benoff Law Firm is a Trevose-based law firm servicing clients in Philadelphia since 1961. The firm represents clients in cases involving probate and estate planning, including support in the probate process and guidance in filing an estate litigation claim. The firm's attorneys also assist clients in guardianship matters, as well as real estate law, business law, and commercial law. Partners Bart and Edward Benoff are both members of the U.S. District Court Eastern District of Pennsylvania.

  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Bart Benoff - PartnerActive30 yrs
Edward Benoff - PartnerActive63 yrs

1315 Walnut Street, 12th Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19107

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.9 (67)
Avvo
5.0 (31)
Facebook
5.0 (6)

Why choose this provider?

Gregory J. Pagano Law Office assists customers in the Philadelphia area throughout the whole estate and probate administration process. Its professionals draft and review wills, prepare probate documents, and help executors in collecting and preserving estate assets. The firm also assists in identifying the claimants and creditors with reasonable claims against the estate and advising on insurance and asset allocation. Other areas of practice include criminal and employment law. Founder Gregory Pagano has won millions of dollars in civil settlements for his clients throughout his career.

  • Wills
  • Estate Planning
  • Probate Administration

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Gregory Pagano - PrincipalActive30 yrs

1617 JFK Blvd, Suite 500, Philadelphia, PA 19103

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Avvo
5.0 (45)
Google
4.7 (7)

Why choose this provider?

Attorney Jonathan H. Stanwood offers legal representation in various areas of the law, including wills and estates in Philadelphia and the surrounding counties. He guides individuals through the at-times complicated probate process with a specialty in complicated title issues. Mr. Stanwood also practices civil litigation, consumer bankruptcy, and criminal defense. He speaks English and French.

  • Wills
  • Estate Planning

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Jonathan Stanwood - PrincipalActive33 yrs

1650 Market Street, Suite 3600, Philadelphia, PA 19103

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
5.0 (3)

Why choose this provider?

Washington & Washington Attorneys at Law provides estate planning and administration in Philadelphia and nearby areas. It assists in arranging transfers of properties, including real estate, investments, and retirement accounts. The firm also helps draft and finalize wills as well as acquire durable powers of attorney and medical directives. Night and weekend appointments and hospital visits are available as the firm aims to provide accessible counsel and representation. One of its attorneys, Lia Washington, speaks Hmong and is a member of the Florida Justice Association.

  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning

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 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania?

    311 is the non-emergency line in Philadelphia.

  • Is there a difference between probate and intestate succession in Philadelphia?

    There is a difference in Philadelphia between these two processes, though the field of law is usually just called "probate." Intestate proceedings are undertaken if the decedent dies without leaving behind a last will and testament. On the other hand, probate is the process of proving the authenticity and validity of a will. Both are generally needed to transfer property upon death.

  • What are the pros and cons of writing a will by hand in Philadelphia?

    A will that is written and signed by hand in Philadelphia is advantageous in the sense that it can be undertaken without requiring two witnesses to be present. But, it is prone to forgery and usually requires expert witnesses to prove that the words on the document are the testator's and are freely executed.

  • If a resident of Philadelphia shares a joint bank account with his mother, is there a need to go through probate proceedings on the day his mom passes on?

    There is no need for a resident of Philadelphia to undergo probate proceedings for a joint bank account shared with a mother or any other decedent. Assets that are jointly owned pass in ownership to the co-owner as a function of law once the other party passes on. There is no need to go through formal legal procedures.

  • Besides lawyers, what other professionals are involved in Philadelphia probate processes?

    Besides lawyers, probate processes in Philadelphia involve certified public accountants who are key in computing and paying the income taxes due on the decedent's last year of life and the excise dues on the transfer of the estate. Realtors are valuable for assessing the value of the houses and lots left behind.