Estate planning helps you protect your assets and decide how your property and affairs should be handled in the future. It may include wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and healthcare directives.
Choosing the right estate planning lawyer can help you understand North Carolina laws and create a plan that fits your family, finances, and long-term goals.
This guide covers 10 estate planning lawyers serving Durham and the surrounding area. It is an informational list, not an official ranking or a claim that one attorney is better than another.
How We Selected These Estate Planning Lawyers
The selection focuses on attorneys with documented experience in estate planning, wills, trusts, probate, elder law, estate administration, or related legal areas.
We also considered factors such as:
- Estate planning practice areas
- Experience and professional background
- Durham-area office or service coverage
- Trust and probate experience
- Special-needs or elder-law planning
- Business, tax, or asset-planning experience
- Information available from attorney profiles and law firm websites
Because attorney practices and locations can change, prospective clients should confirm current services, fees, availability, and North Carolina licensing before hiring.
List of 10 Estate Planning Attorneys in Durham, NC
Here are 10 estate planning attorneys serving Durham and the surrounding area.
- C.W. Lachey
- Dori J. Dixon
- Candice Brittany Minjares
- Stephen Edward Robertson
- David Laurence Tarbet
- Cheryl R. Watkins
- Mark O. Costley
- Gray Ellis
- Garfield Garrison McClure
- Richard F. Prentis Jr.
Detailed information about each lawyer is provided in the sections below.
1. C.W. Lachey
C.W. Lachey is a highly regarded estate planning attorney serving Durham, NC, and practices at C.W. Lachey Law.
His practice focuses on estate planning and related legal matters, helping individuals and families establish well-structured plans for their assets, trusts, and future needs.
Key Services at C.W. Lachey Law
C.W. Lachey Law handles several areas of estate and related law, including:
- Estate and Trust Drafting
- Probate Administration
- Trust Administration
- Adult Guardianship
- Partition Actions
With experience spanning both estate planning and post-death estate administration, C.W. Lachey provides comprehensive legal guidance for clients who need to create, manage, or administer an estate.
2. Dori J. Dixon
Dori J. Dixon practices at Southpoint Estate Planning in Durham, with a focused practice covering estate planning, elder law, and special needs planning.
Her work helps individuals and families address important decisions involving assets, healthcare, long-term care, and future legal arrangements.
Key Areas of Practice
Her legal services include:
- Wills and trusts
- Powers of attorney
- Healthcare directives
- Probate and estate administration
- Guardianship matters
- Elder law
- Special needs planning
Dixon also has an academic background in elder law and special needs planning through the University of North Carolina School of Law.
Her combination of estate planning and specialized elder-law knowledge is particularly relevant for families managing long-term care, incapacity, or special needs planning.
3. Candice Brittany Minjares
Candice Brittany Minjares is an attorney with Kennon Craver, PLLC, in Durham, bringing a broader legal background that includes estate planning and business law.
Her practice can be relevant to individuals and families who need to consider estate matters alongside business or financial interests.
Professional Background
Minjares:
- Practices estate planning and related legal matters
- Has a background that includes business law
- Is admitted to practice law in North Carolina, Texas, and Illinois
- Maintains a professional office in Durham, NC
Her combination of estate planning and business-law experience can be useful for clients whose estate plans involve business interests, ownership structures, or other financial considerations.
4. Stephen Edward Robertson
Stephen Edward Robertson brings more than two decades of legal experience to his practice in Durham.
His work includes estate planning, bankruptcy, divorce, and family law, giving him a broad legal background for clients dealing with estate matters alongside other personal or financial concerns.
Areas of Practice
Robertson handles legal matters involving:
- Estate planning
- Bankruptcy
- Divorce
- Family law
Clients can discuss their individual circumstances during a consultation to determine which estate planning services are appropriate for their needs.
5. David Laurence Tarbet
David Laurence Tarbet offers a combination of estate planning, business law, and tax law experience in his Durham practice.
This broader legal background can be valuable for individuals whose estate plans involve business ownership, investments, tax considerations, or other complex financial interests.
Professional Background
Tarbet:
- Practices estate planning
- Handles business law matters
- Has experience in tax law
- Maintains a professional office in Durham
His work across estate, business, and tax law provides a comprehensive legal perspective for clients with more involved estate planning needs.
6. Cheryl R. Watkins
Cheryl R. Watkins focuses her legal practice on estate planning and probate, with more than 20 years of legal experience according to her firm’s website.
Her practice helps clients prepare essential estate documents and address legal matters that may arise during estate administration.
Estate Planning and Probate Services
Her services include:
- Wills
- Trusts
- Powers of attorney
- Estate administration
- Probate
Her firm serves clients throughout North Carolina, making her practice accessible to clients beyond a single local area.
Durham residents can contact the firm to confirm current consultation options and service availability.
7. Mark O. Costley
Mark O. Costley is a partner at Clarity Legal Group in Chapel Hill and serves clients throughout the Durham and Triangle area.
His practice covers several important areas of estate law, including trusts, estate administration, elder law, and asset protection.
Areas of Estate Planning Practice
Costley’s work includes:
- Estate planning
- Living trusts
- Trust administration
- Estate administration
- Elder law
- Asset protection
- Special needs planning
With more than 30 years of private-practice experience, Costley brings substantial legal experience to estate planning and related matters.
8. Gray Ellis
Gray Ellis is the managing partner of Ellis Family Law, P.L.L.C., with a Durham office.
In addition to family law, his practice includes estate planning, giving clients access to legal guidance for important family, property, and future planning matters.
Estate Planning Services
His practice addresses areas such as:
- Wills
- Trusts
- Powers of attorney
- Estate planning
His combination of estate planning and family law experience can be relevant for clients whose estate plans are connected to changing family or financial circumstances.
9. Garfield Garrison McClure
Garfield Garrison McClure practices in Chapel Hill and has a legal background that includes estate planning and business law.
He is admitted to practice in North Carolina and provides legal services in areas that may intersect with personal, family, and business interests.
Professional Focus
McClure’s practice includes:
- Estate planning
- Business law
- Related legal matters
His estate planning and business-law background can be useful for clients who need to consider business ownership or other financial interests as part of their broader estate plan.
Clients in the Durham area should confirm current services and availability before scheduling a consultation.
10. Richard F. Prentis Jr.
Richard F. Prentis Jr. is a Durham attorney and senior managing member of Stubbs, Cole, Breedlove, Prentis & Biggs, PLLC.
His practice includes wills, trusts, estate planning, probate, and estate administration, giving him a broad foundation in both estate planning and the legal processes that may follow.
Key Estate Planning Areas
Prentis handles matters involving:
- Wills
- Trusts
- Estate planning
- Probate
- Estate administration
Prentis has built a long legal career in Durham. He earned his undergraduate degree from Duke University and his law degree from the University of North Carolina School of Law, providing a strong academic foundation for his legal practice.
Comparison of These Estate Planning Lawyers
A side-by-side look at these attorneys makes it easier to compare their locations, practice areas, and key estate planning services.
| Attorney | Location | Focus | Key Services |
|---|---|---|---|
| C.W. Lachey | NC | Estate Law | Wills, trusts, probate |
| Dori J. Dixon | Durham | Estate & Elder Law | Wills, trusts, POA |
| Candice B. Minjares | Durham | Estate & Business Law | Estate planning |
| Stephen E. Robertson | Durham | Estate & Family Law | Estate planning |
| David L. Tarbet | Durham | Estate & Tax Law | Estate, tax planning |
| Cheryl R. Watkins | NC | Estate & Probate | Wills, trusts, probate |
| Mark O. Costley | Chapel Hill | Estate & Elder Law | Trusts, probate, asset protection |
| Gray Ellis | Durham | Estate & Family Law | Wills, trusts, POA |
| Garfield G. McClure | Chapel Hill | Estate & Business Law | Estate planning |
| Richard F. Prentis Jr. | Durham | Estate & Probate | Wills, trusts, probate |
Estate Planning Services These Lawyers Handle
Estate planning can involve much more than writing a will. Depending on your circumstances, an attorney may help with:
- Last wills and testaments to explain how assets should be distributed.
- Revocable living trusts for managing and transferring certain assets.
- Powers of attorney for financial and legal decisions.
- Healthcare powers of attorney for medical decision-making.
- Living wills and advance directives for healthcare preferences.
- Probate and estate administration after someone dies.
- Special needs planning for beneficiaries who receive government benefits.
- Elder law and long-term care planning where applicable.
- Asset protection and trust planning for more complex estates.
- Business succession planning for business owners.
The exact documents you need depend on your family, assets, goals, and circumstances.
How to Choose an Estate Planning Lawyer in Durham
Start by identifying what you actually need. A straightforward will may require a different type of planning than a family with a business, multiple properties, special-needs beneficiaries, or complex trusts.
Consider these factors:
- Practice area: Make sure the attorney regularly handles estate planning.
- Experience: Ask how often they handle cases similar to yours.
- Planning needs: Check whether they handle wills, trusts, probate, elder law, or special-needs planning when relevant.
- Communication: Choose an attorney who explains legal terms clearly.
- Fees: Understand whether the lawyer charges a flat fee, hourly rate, or another arrangement.
- Follow-up: Ask how document updates and future changes are handled.
- Location: Decide whether you prefer in-person meetings or are comfortable with remote consultations.
Questions to Ask Before Hiring an Estate Planning Attorney
Before signing an engagement agreement, consider asking:
- What estate planning documents do I actually need?
- Do you charge a flat fee or hourly rate?
- What is included in the quoted fee?
- Will you help with trust funding?
- How often should I update my estate plan?
- Do you handle probate and estate administration?
- Can you help with business succession planning?
- How do you handle changes after marriage, divorce, or the birth of a child?
- Who will be my main contact during the process?
- Are there additional filing, recording, or other costs?
How Much Does Estate Planning Cost in Durham, NC?
Estate planning costs in Durham vary based on your needs, documents, and estate complexity.
Basic plans may cost less, while trusts and more detailed planning can increase the fee.
What Can Affect the Cost?
- Basic wills: Lower-cost option
- Trusts: Usually cost more
- Complex estates: May require higher fees
- Business or tax planning: Can add to the cost
Typical Price Range
A basic estate plan in the Durham area may range from $1,000 to $3,000+, depending on the attorney and services included. Ask for a written fee quote before starting.
Final Thoughts
Estate planning is about putting clear instructions in place for your family, property, finances, and healthcare decisions. The right attorney depends on your particular needs rather than simply choosing a name from a list.
The attorneys above have documented experience in estate planning or related areas, although some are located outside Durham and serve the wider Triangle or North Carolina. B
efore making a decision, verify each attorney’s current practice areas, location, availability, fees, and North Carolina licensing status. A consultation can then help you determine which planning approach fits your circumstances.
