Estate planning helps protect your assets and your family. It lets you plan how your property will be handled. It can also cover financial and healthcare decisions.
Wilmington has several lawyers who handle estate planning and related matters. Their services may include wills, trusts, probate, elder law, and estate administration.
This guide highlights 10 estate planning lawyers serving the Wilmington area. Use it as a starting point and confirm each attorney’s current services before making a decision.
How We Selected These Estate Planning Lawyers
We selected lawyers with experience in estate planning and related areas. This includes wills, trusts, probate, estate administration, and elder law.
We also considered their practice areas, credentials, local presence, and professional recognition.
Key factors included:
- Estate planning experience
- Trust and probate services
- Professional credentials
- Related legal services
- Experience with families and individuals
This list is for informational purposes. It is not a ranking or endorsement. Always confirm current services and qualifications before choosing a lawyer.
List of 10 Best Estate Planning Lawyers in Wilmington, NC
Here are 10 estate planning lawyers serving Wilmington and the surrounding area. Each attorney has experience in estate planning or related legal services.
- C.W. Lachey
- Abby L. Adams
- Helayne Levy Payne
- Shane T. Johnson
- David E. Anderson
- Jill L. Peters Kaess
- Virginia S. Carter
- Stephen E. Coble
- G. Stephen Diab
- Ryan T. Rhodenhiser
Below, we explain each lawyer’s main practice areas and the estate planning services they handle.
1. C.W. Lachey
C.W. Lachey is recognized as one of the leading estate planning lawyers in Wilmington, NC.
His practice covers estate planning and related matters, including trusts, probate, estate administration, and guardianship.
He works with individuals and families to address their estate and property needs.
His experience includes:
- Estate and trust drafting
- Probate administration
- Trust administration
- Adult guardianship
- Partition actions
These services can be useful for clients who need help creating an estate plan or managing an estate after someone passes away.
C.W. Lachey is also recognized as one of the best estate planning lawyers in North Carolina, with experience across several areas of estate and trust law.
2. Abby L. Adams
Abby L. Adams practices with Kohut, Adams & Randall, P.A. in Wilmington. She works in estate planning, probate, trusts, and related business matters. She has also received recognition in Wilmington-area Legal Elite listings for tax and estate planning.
Her work can be especially relevant when estate planning involves more than a basic will. Key areas include:
- Estate planning
- Trust and estate administration
- Asset protection
- Elder planning
- Special needs planning
These services can help families organize assets, plan for future care needs, and address the needs of beneficiaries who may require additional support.
Her broader experience in probate and related matters can also be useful when an estate needs to be administered after a death.
3. Helayne Levy Payne
Helayne Levy Payne focuses on estate planning, elder law, and life care planning.
She also handles trusts, wills, powers of attorney, guardianship, and probate matters. She holds an LL.M. in Elder Law and serves clients through her Wilmington and Shallotte offices.
Her practice is particularly relevant for families planning for aging, long-term care, or special needs. Key services include:
- Estate planning
- Elder law
- Life care planning
- Special needs planning
- Long-term care planning
These services can help families prepare for future care needs while putting important legal and financial arrangements in place.
Her experience across estate planning and elder law also allows her to address issues that may arise as family circumstances change.
4. Shane T. Johnson
Shane T. Johnson of Johnson Legal, PLLC handles estate planning and related legal matters. His practice covers wills, trusts, probate, estate administration, and business succession planning.
His services can be useful for individuals, families, and business owners who need a plan for their assets and future. Key areas include:
- Wills and trusts
- Estate planning
- Probate
- Estate administration
- Business succession planning
This combination of services can help clients plan for asset distribution, manage estates after a death, and prepare for the future transfer of a family or closely held business.
5. David E. Anderson
David E. Anderson runs a Wilmington practice focused on estate planning, probate, and elder law. His work includes wills, revocable living trusts, powers of attorney, and advance directives.
His practice covers several parts of the estate planning process. Key services include:
- Estate planning
- Wills and trusts
- Probate
- Trust administration
- Asset protection
These services can help clients organize their assets, plan for incapacity, and provide clear instructions for their families.
6. Jill L. Peters Kaess
Jill L. Peters Kaess is an estate planning and trust attorney in Wilmington. Her practice includes wealth transfer, estate and gift tax planning, charitable planning, and fiduciary matters.
Her background combines estate planning with tax and trust experience. She is also a CPA and a North Carolina Board-Certified Specialist in Estate Planning and Fiduciary Law.
Key services include:
- Estate planning
- Trusts and estates
- Estate administration
- Probate
- Estate and gift tax planning
This experience can be useful for clients dealing with trusts, wealth transfer, tax considerations, or more detailed estate plans.
7. Virginia S. Carter
Virginia S. Carter is a trusts and estates attorney with Ward and Smith, P.A. in Wilmington. She works with individuals, families, and business owners on estate planning and related matters.
Her practice covers both personal estate planning and business succession. Key services include:
- Estate planning
- Probate
- Trusts and estates
- Estate administration
- Business succession planning
This combination can help clients plan how assets should be managed and transferred. Business owners can also address succession as part of their broader estate plan.
8. Stephen E. Coble
Stephen E. Coble of Coble Law Firm, P.C. handles estate planning and probate along with business, real estate, and land-use matters. This broader practice can be useful when estate planning involves property or business interests.
Key services include:
- Estate planning
- Probate
- Wills and trusts
- Estate administration
- Real estate and business matters
His range of services allows clients to address estate matters alongside related property or business concerns.
9. G. Stephen Diab
G. Stephen Diab practices with Murchison, Taylor & Gibson PLLC. His work covers trusts and estates, tax, business, and transactional matters. He also has experience with estate administration and business succession planning.
Key services include:
- Estate planning
- Probate
- Trusts and estates
- Estate administration
- Estate and tax planning
His combination of estate and tax experience can be relevant for clients with more detailed wealth-transfer or business-planning needs.
10. Ryan T. Rhodenhiser
Ryan T. Rhodenhiser is a Wilmington attorney who combines estate planning with real estate and business law. His estate planning work includes wills, trusts, living wills, and powers of attorney.
Key services include:
- Estate planning
- Real estate
- Business planning
- Wills and trusts
- Estate-related legal services
This broader legal background can be helpful when an estate plan involves real estate, business interests, or other assets that require careful planning.
Comparison of These Estate Planning Attorneys
The right attorney often depends on the type of planning you need. Some focus primarily on estate planning and elder law, while others bring tax, business, real estate, or litigation experience.
| Attorney | Estate Focus | Related Areas | Notable Focus |
|---|---|---|---|
| C.W. Lachey | Wills, trusts, probate | Guardianship | Trust drafting |
| Abby L. Adams | Estates, trusts, probate | Elder, special needs | Asset protection |
| Helayne Levy Payne | Estate planning, elder law | Long-term care | Life care planning |
| Shane T. Johnson | Wills, trusts, probate | Business succession | Business planning |
| David E. Anderson | Estates, wills, trusts | Elder law | Incapacity planning |
| Jill L. Peters Kaess | Trusts, estates | Tax planning | Wealth transfer |
| Virginia S. Carter | Trusts, estates | Business succession | Business owners |
| Stephen E. Coble | Estates, probate | Real estate, business | Property matters |
| G. Stephen Diab | Trusts, estates | Tax, business | Estate tax planning |
| Ryan T. Rhodenhiser | Wills, trusts, estates | Real estate, business | Property planning |
Estate Planning Services These Wilmington Lawyers Handle
Estate planning can involve several legal documents and strategies. Common services include:
- Wills: Explain how certain assets should be distributed and can nominate guardians for minor children.
- Trusts: Help manage and transfer assets according to specific instructions.
- Powers of attorney: Name someone to handle financial or legal matters if you become unable to do so.
- Healthcare directives: Document healthcare preferences and appoint someone to make medical decisions.
- Probate and estate administration: Help executors and administrators settle an estate after death.
- Elder law: Address issues such as long-term care, guardianship, Medicaid planning, and aging-related concerns.
- Special needs planning: Help families plan for beneficiaries who may need ongoing support.
- Business succession: Help business owners plan how ownership and management will transition.
A basic North Carolina estate plan commonly includes a will, financial power of attorney, healthcare power of attorney, and advance directive, although the right combination depends on the person’s circumstances.
How to Choose the Right Estate Planning Lawyer in Wilmington, NC
Start by identifying what you actually need. Someone with a straightforward will may not need the same type of attorney as a business owner with multiple properties, trusts, and tax considerations.
Consider these questions:
- What does the attorney focus on? Look for experience that matches your situation.
- Do they handle both planning and administration? This can be useful if you expect to need probate or trust administration later.
- Do they work with business owners? Ask about succession planning if you own a company.
- Do you need elder-law assistance? Long-term care, Medicaid, guardianship, or special-needs issues may require additional experience.
- How are fees structured? Ask whether the work is flat-fee or hourly and exactly what is included.
- Will the attorney explain the plan clearly? You should understand what each document does and why it is included.
When Should You Hire an Estate Planning Lawyer?
You can create an estate plan at any stage of life. It becomes especially useful when your family, finances, or assets change.
Common times to speak with an estate planning lawyer include:
- Getting married or divorced
- Having or adopting a child
- Buying major property or assets
- Starting or selling a business
- Receiving an inheritance
- Experiencing a major financial change
You should also review an existing plan after major life events. Regular reviews can help keep your will, trusts, and other documents aligned with your current circumstances.
Cost of Hiring an Estate Planning Attorney in Wilmington, NC
Estate planning fees vary based on the documents and legal work you need. A basic will usually costs less than a trust-based or more complex estate plan.
As a general reference, trust-based estate planning in North Carolina may range from about $3,500 to $5,500. This is an example pricing range, not a standard Wilmington fee.
Before hiring an attorney, ask what the fee includes. Check whether revisions, trust funding, deeds, and future updates are covered.
Final Thoughts
Choosing an estate planning lawyer starts with understanding your needs. A will, trust, elder law plan, or business succession plan may require different legal experience.
The attorneys on this list offer a range of estate planning and related services. Compare their current practice areas, experience, and fees.
Choose a lawyer who explains your options clearly. Your estate plan should fit your family, assets, and future goals.
