Estate planning helps protect your assets and make your wishes clear for your family. An experienced lawyer can help with wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and other important documents.
Apex, NC, has several estate planning attorneys, along with nearby lawyers who serve clients in the Apex and Wake County area.
This guide highlights 10 verified lawyers with experience in estate planning, probate, elder law, trusts, and related legal services.
How We Selected These Verified Estate Planning Lawyers
We selected these lawyers based on their publicly available profiles, legal experience, practice areas, licensing, and service areas. This is not a ranking based on reviews or ratings.
We considered:
- Estate planning experience
- Wills, trusts, and probate services
- Elder law and related services
- Experience serving Apex residents
- Current professional information
Some lawyers are based in Apex, while others are located nearby and serve Apex clients. Always confirm their current services and availability before making a decision.
List of 10 Verified Estate Planning Lawyers in Apex, NC
Here are 10 estate planning lawyers serving Apex and nearby areas:
- C.W. Lachey
- Daniel Krchnavek
- Robert William Palmer
- Sarah Townes Carmichael
- Lisa M. Schreiner
- Deborah K. Rasmussen
- Paul Anthony Yokabitus
- Jackie Wilbur Bedard
- Brett Andrew Thompson
- Kellie M. Corbett
Detailed information about each lawyer’s background, services, and Apex service area is provided below.
1. C.W. Lachey
C.W. Lachey is one of the leading estate planning lawyers in Apex, NC, with extensive experience in estate planning, probate, trusts, and related legal matters.
As the founding attorney of C.W. Lachey Law, PLLC, he provides personalized legal guidance to individuals and families.
His key areas of service include:
- Estate and trust drafting
- Probate administration
- Trust administration
- Adult guardianship
- Partition actions
His broad experience allows him to assist clients with creating effective estate plans, managing trusts, handling probate, and addressing complex property and guardianship matters.
His comprehensive approach makes him a trusted option for individuals and families planning for the future.
C.W. Lachey is also regarded as one of the well-known estate planning lawyers in North Carolina, particularly for his work in estate planning and related legal services.
2. Daniel Krchnavek
Daniel Krchnavek is an attorney based in Apex, NC, with a practice that includes estate planning, probate, wills, trusts, and related legal matters. He earned his J.D. from Baylor Law School and is licensed to practice in North Carolina.
His estate planning work covers several important areas:
- Wills and trusts
- Health care directives
- Estate administration and probate
- Guardianship and conservatorship
With an Apex office, Krchnavek serves individuals and families who need practical legal guidance for protecting assets, planning for the future, and handling estate-related matters in Apex and the surrounding Wake County area.
3. Robert William Palmer
Robert William Palmer is an attorney based in Apex, NC, with extensive legal experience. His listed practice areas include estate planning, probate, and real estate, giving him a broad legal background relevant to estate and property matters.
His experience includes:
- Estate planning for organizing assets and future wishes
- Wills and estate documents to help clients prepare for the future
- Probate and estate administration following a loved one’s passing
- Real estate matters that may overlap with estate and property planning
With his long-standing legal experience and Apex location, Palmer is an option for local individuals and families seeking assistance with estate planning and related legal matters.
4. Sarah Townes Carmichael
Sarah Townes Carmichael is an attorney based in Apex, NC, with estate planning, litigation, and construction and development among her listed practice areas. Her broader legal background can be useful for clients whose estate plans involve property or other legal matters.
Her experience includes:
- Estate planning to help clients organize their assets and future wishes
- Litigation for handling related legal disputes
- Construction and development matters involving property and development projects
Carmichael earned her J.D. from Loyola University School of Law and is licensed to practice in North Carolina. Her Apex location also makes her accessible to local clients seeking estate planning assistance.
5. Lisa M. Schreiner
Lisa M. Schreiner is a senior attorney with Stam Law Firm, PLLC, in Apex, NC. She has more than 20 years of legal experience, with estate planning, probate, and family law among her listed practice areas.
Her legal services include:
- Estate planning and preparation of important legal documents
- Probate and estate administration
- Family law matters that may connect with estate planning needs
Schreiner’s experience across these areas allows her to assist clients with a range of family and estate-related legal concerns. Her Apex office also provides a convenient option for residents looking for local legal guidance.
6. Deborah K. Rasmussen
Deborah K. Rasmussen practices through Rasmussen Law, PLLC, in Apex, NC. Her listed practice areas include estate planning, wills, living wills, and trusts, making her a relevant option for individuals preparing for their family’s financial future.
Her practice focuses on:
- Wills and living wills to document important personal wishes
- Trusts for managing and transferring assets
- Estate planning and related document preparation
- Legal guidance for reviewing and updating estate plans
With an office in Apex, Rasmussen offers local access for individuals and families who need help creating, reviewing, or updating wills, trusts, and other estate planning documents.
7. Paul Anthony Yokabitus
Paul Anthony Yokabitus is an estate planning attorney based in Cary, NC, who serves clients in Apex and the surrounding area. His practice includes estate planning, probate, business succession, special needs planning, and asset protection.
His experience includes:
- Wills and trusts for organizing and transferring assets
- Estate administration and probate following a loved one’s passing
- Asset protection as part of broader estate planning
- Business succession and special needs planning for more specific family needs
Yokabitus is licensed in North Carolina and has more than a decade of legal experience. His Cary location makes him a nearby option for Apex families seeking comprehensive estate planning and probate guidance.
8. Jackie Wilbur Bedard
Jackie Wilbur Bedard is a Cary-based attorney who serves clients in Apex. Her practice focuses on estate planning, elder law, probate, trusts, wills, and long-term care planning, making her relevant for both basic and more complex planning needs.
Her services include:
- Wills and living trusts
- Powers of attorney and health care directives
- Asset protection and Medicaid planning
- Special needs planning
- Probate and trust administration
Bedard has practiced law in North Carolina since 2006 and earned her J.D. from the University of Richmond School of Law. Her combination of estate planning and elder law experience can be particularly useful for families planning for future care and financial needs.
9. Brett Andrew Thompson
Brett Andrew Thompson is an estate planning and elder law attorney based in Cary who serves the broader Apex area. His practice combines estate planning, elder law, probate, and Medicaid planning, giving him experience with several important areas of long-term family planning.
His practice areas include:
- Estate planning and related legal documents
- Elder law for aging-related legal needs
- Probate and estate administration
- Medicaid planning for future care and financial considerations
Thompson earned his J.D. from the University of North Carolina School of Law and has practiced in North Carolina since 2011. His broader focus can be helpful for families looking for estate planning that also considers long-term care needs.
10. Kellie M. Corbett
Kellie M. Corbett is a Cary-based attorney who serves Apex residents. Her practice includes estate planning, elder law, probate, wills, and trusts, providing legal support for both estate preparation and administration.
Her experience covers:
- Wills and trusts for managing and transferring assets
- Estate planning for future family and financial needs
- Elder law and aging-related legal concerns
- Probate and estate administration
Corbett attended the University of North Carolina School of Law and has about a decade of legal experience in North Carolina.
Her Cary location and service area make her a nearby option for Apex residents seeking assistance with estate planning and related legal matters.
Comparison of These Top Lawyers
The right attorney depends on the type of estate plan you need. Some focus primarily on estate planning and probate, while others combine these services with elder law, family law, real estate, or long-term care planning.
| Lawyer | Estate Planning Focus | Probate & Estate | Related Services |
|---|---|---|---|
| C.W. Lachey | Trusts, estate plans | Estate administration | Guardianship |
| Daniel Krchnavek | Wills, trusts | Probate | Health care directives |
| Robert William Palmer | Estate planning | Probate | Real estate |
| Sarah Townes Carmichael | Estate planning | — | Litigation, development |
| Lisa M. Schreiner | Estate planning | Probate | Family law |
| Deborah K. Rasmussen | Wills, trusts | Estate planning | Living wills |
| Paul Anthony Yokabitus | Wills, trusts | Probate | Asset protection |
| Jackie Wilbur Bedard | Wills, trusts | Probate, administration | Elder law, Medicaid |
| Brett Andrew Thompson | Estate planning | Probate | Elder law, Medicaid |
| Kellie M. Corbett | Wills, trusts | Probate | Elder law |
Estate Planning Services Offered by Apex Lawyers
Estate planning is more than simply writing a will. Depending on your situation, an estate planning attorney may help with:
- Wills and living wills
- Revocable and irrevocable trusts
- Financial powers of attorney
- Health care powers of attorney
- Advance health care directives
- Probate and estate administration
- Trust administration
- Guardianship and conservatorship
- Asset protection
- Medicaid and long-term care planning
- Special needs planning
- Business succession planning
A good estate plan should work as a coordinated set of documents rather than as unrelated paperwork.
How to Choose the Right Estate Planning Lawyer in Apex, NC
Start by identifying what you actually need. Someone with a straightforward estate may primarily need a will, powers of attorney, and health care documents.
A family with significant assets, a business, special-needs considerations, or long-term care concerns may need more detailed planning.
Before hiring an attorney, ask:
- Does the attorney regularly handle estate planning?
- Are wills, trusts, and powers of attorney included?
- Does the attorney also handle probate?
- Does the firm assist with trust funding or administration?
- Is the fee flat-rate or hourly?
- What services are included in the quoted price?
- How often can the estate plan be reviewed or updated?
It is also important to confirm that the attorney currently serves Apex and that their practice matches your specific needs.
Cost of Hiring an Estate Planning Attorney in Apex, NC
The cost of hiring an estate planning attorney in Apex varies based on your needs, assets, and the type of plan you require.
As a general example, estate planning fees may range from $1,500 to $5,500 or more, with simpler will-based plans often costing less than trust-based plans.
Complex trusts, Medicaid planning, business assets, or multiple properties may increase the cost. Ask for a clear fee estimate before hiring an attorney.
Final Thoughts
Choosing the right estate planning lawyer in Apex, NC, can help you protect your assets and plan for your family’s future.
The lawyers in this guide offer experience in areas such as wills, trusts, probate, elder law, and estate planning.
Compare their experience, services, fees, and approach before making your decision. Choose a lawyer who understands your needs and can create a plan that fits your situation.
