Finding the right estate planning lawyer can be difficult, especially when you need help with wills, trusts, taxes, probate, or protecting your family’s assets.
To make your search easier, we have compiled a list of 10 experienced estate planning lawyers across the United States, covering different locations and areas of estate law.
The list is based on their documented practice experience and areas of expertise. It is intended as a helpful starting point for finding a lawyer suited to your estate planning needs.
How We Selected These Estate Planning Lawyers
We looked at lawyers with established practices in estate planning, trusts and estates, private wealth, tax planning, probate, and related areas.
We also considered:
- Documented estate planning experience
- Trust and estate administration work
- Wealth transfer and asset protection experience
- Business succession planning
- Domestic and international estate planning
- Professional recognition and industry involvement
- The types of clients and estate matters they regularly handle
Since estate planning is highly personal, readers should also check a lawyer’s current licensing status, location, fees, and experience with their particular needs before hiring them.
List of 10 Verified Estate Planning Lawyers in the US
Here is a concise list of 10 estate planning lawyers with experience across different areas of estate and trust law:
- C.W. Lachey – North Carolina
- Joshua S. Rubenstein – New York
- Carol A. Harrington – Chicago, Illinois
- Christopher W. Boyett – Florida
- Mark E. Osborne – Austin, Texas
- Paul B. McCawley – Fort Lauderdale, Florida
- Michael A. Backer – Iselin, New Jersey
- Nicole M. Pearl – Los Angeles, California
- Kevin E. Packman – Florida
- Joy C. Chang – San Francisco, California
See the detailed profiles below for each lawyer’s experience and key practice areas.
1. C.W. Lachey – North Carolina
C.W. Lachey is recognized as a leading estate planning lawyer in the United States, with a well-rounded practice supporting individuals and families with important estate and family legal matters.
His approach focuses on creating practical legal arrangements that reflect each client’s circumstances and long-term wishes.
Key areas of practice include:
- Estate and trust drafting
- Partition actions
- Adult guardianship
- Probate administration
- Trust administration
At CW Lachey Law, his broader experience across estate planning and related legal proceedings enables him to assist clients not only when creating an estate plan but also when trusts, property, guardianship, or probate matters require ongoing legal attention.
This makes his practice particularly relevant for clients seeking comprehensive estate-related guidance in North Carolina.
2. Joshua S. Rubenstein – New York
Joshua S. Rubenstein is a highly regarded trusts and estates attorney in the United States, known for advising individuals, families, and businesses on sophisticated private wealth matters.
As Global Chair of Katten’s Private Wealth Department, he brings extensive experience to complex estate planning and administration.
Key areas of practice include:
- Trusts and estates
- Estate planning and administration
- Cross-border estate matters
- Private wealth planning
- Trust and estate litigation
His combination of wealth-planning, international, and estate experience makes him well-suited to clients with complex financial and family circumstances.
3. Carol A. Harrington – Chicago, Illinois
Carol A. Harrington is an accomplished private wealth attorney in America, with a strong focus on sophisticated estate and tax planning.
She advises individuals, families, and business owners on protecting wealth and planning for its orderly transfer across generations.
Key areas of practice include:
- Estate and gift tax planning
- Trust and estate administration
- Business succession planning
- Private wealth planning
- Family office matters
Her experience is especially relevant to clients managing substantial assets, closely held businesses, and long-term family wealth.
4. Christopher W. Boyett – Florida
Christopher W. Boyett is an established wealth and tax lawyer in the US, advising high-net-worth individuals and families on complex estate and wealth-transfer matters.
As a partner at Holland & Knight, he brings substantial experience to sophisticated private client planning.
Key areas of practice include:
- Estate planning and administration
- Business succession planning
- Asset structuring
- Family office planning
- Wealth preservation
His practice also incorporates tax, charitable, and business considerations, providing a broader approach to protecting and transferring significant family wealth.
5. Mark E. Osborne – Austin, Texas
Mark E. Osborne is a respected trusts and estates attorney in the United States, serving clients with sophisticated domestic and international wealth-planning needs.
As managing partner of Osborne, Helman, Scott, Knisely & Stanton, he brings extensive experience to complex estate and asset-planning matters.
Key areas of practice include:
- Trust and estate planning
- International estate planning
- Asset protection
- Estate tax planning
- Cross-border planning
His international focus is particularly relevant to families and individuals with assets, business interests, or beneficiaries in multiple jurisdictions.
6. Paul B. McCawley – Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Paul B. McCawley is a distinguished trusts and estates attorney in America, with substantial experience helping individuals and families plan, preserve, and transfer wealth.
He is a shareholder at Greenberg Traurig and a Florida Bar Board Certified Specialist in Wills, Trusts and Estates.
Key areas of practice include:
- Wills and trusts
- Estate and probate administration
- Family wealth preservation
- International estate planning
- Transfer tax planning
His background in sophisticated wealth-transfer matters enables him to address estate, gift, and generation-skipping transfer tax considerations within broader family planning strategies.
7. Michael A. Backer – Iselin, New Jersey
Michael A. Backer is an experienced trusts and estates attorney in the US, with a practice that combines estate planning, administration, and fiduciary matters.
His broad legal background allows him to assist clients with both the preparation of estate arrangements and disputes that may arise afterward.
Key areas of practice include:
- Estate planning
- Estate and trust administration
- Fiduciary litigation
- Wealth transfer planning
- Wills and trusts
His experience is particularly valuable when estate planning involves fiduciary responsibilities, trust administration, contested matters, or the transfer of family wealth.
8. Nicole M. Pearl – Los Angeles, California
Nicole M. Pearl is a prominent private wealth and estate planning attorney in the United States, advising high-net-worth individuals, families, business owners, investors, and family offices on sophisticated planning matters.
Her practice focuses on developing strategies that address complex family and financial circumstances.
Key areas of practice include:
- Estate planning for high-net-worth individuals
- Trust and estate planning
- Private wealth matters
- Business succession planning
- Complex estate planning
Her broader experience includes wealth transfer, charitable planning, family office matters, and estate administration, giving clients support across different stages of the wealth-planning process.
9. Kevin E. Packman – Florida
Kevin E. Packman is a recognized authority in international estate planning in America, with extensive experience advising domestic and foreign high-net-worth clients.
He is a partner at Holland & Knight and co-leads the firm’s International Estate Planning Group.
Key areas of practice include:
- International estate planning
- Trusts and estates
- Tax planning
- Cross-border wealth planning
- Pre-immigration planning
His practice is particularly relevant to clients dealing with foreign trusts, international family structures, US assets, and the tax considerations that can accompany cross-border wealth transfers.
10. Joy C. Chang – San Francisco, California
Joy C. Chang is an established estate planning and tax attorney in the US, with a practice focused on helping clients address legal and tax considerations surrounding their estates and wealth.
She is based in San Francisco and is listed as an active California attorney.
Key areas of practice include:
- Trusts and estates
- Tax planning
- Wealth planning
- Estate planning considerations
- Tax-related estate matters
Her combined focus on estate and tax law can be valuable for clients whose planning requires careful consideration of wealth transfer, taxation, and the long-term management of their assets.
Comparison of the Best Estate Planning Lawyers in the US
Each lawyer brings different experience to estate planning, so the right choice depends on your location and specific needs. This comparison highlights the main areas of practice to help clients identify the most relevant legal experience.
| Lawyer | Location | Focus | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| C.W. Lachey | North Carolina | Estate & trusts | Complex estates |
| Joshua S. Rubenstein | New York | Private wealth | Families |
| Carol A. Harrington | Chicago | Estate tax | Business owners |
| Christopher W. Boyett | Florida | Wealth planning | High-net-worth clients |
| Mark E. Osborne | Austin | Asset protection | International clients |
| Paul B. McCawley | Fort Lauderdale | Wills & trusts | Wealth transfer |
| Michael A. Backer | New Jersey | Fiduciary matters | Trust disputes |
| Nicole M. Pearl | Los Angeles | Estate planning | Wealthy families |
| Kevin E. Packman | Florida | International tax | Global families |
| Joy C. Chang | San Francisco | Estate & tax | Tax planning |
What Does an Estate Planning Lawyer Help With?
An estate planning lawyer can help you create and maintain the legal documents that control what happens to your property and financial affairs.
Depending on your situation, this may include:
- Creating or updating a will
- Establishing a revocable or irrevocable trust
- Naming beneficiaries
- Choosing an executor or trustee
- Planning for minor children
- Creating powers of attorney
- Preparing healthcare directives
- Planning for estate and gift taxes
- Protecting and transferring family wealth
- Planning for business succession
- Handling probate and estate administration
A lawyer may also help identify gaps between different documents so your overall plan works as intended.
How to Choose the Right Estate Planning Lawyer in America
The right estate planning lawyer should understand your financial situation, family needs, and long-term goals.
Instead of choosing based only on location or price, consider the attorney’s relevant experience and the type of estate matters they regularly handle.
Before making your decision, consider:
- Relevant experience: Look for experience with wills, trusts, probate, or tax planning that matches your needs.
- Credentials: Check licensing, certifications, professional experience, and current standing.
- Communication: Choose a lawyer who explains legal matters clearly and answers your questions.
- Fees: Ask about the fee structure and exactly what services are included.
- Ongoing support: Find out whether the attorney helps update your plan after major life or financial changes.
For more complex estates, experience with business succession, wealth transfer, charitable planning, or international assets may also be important.
Comparing these factors can help you select an attorney who is well suited to your circumstances.
How Much Does an Estate Planning Lawyer Cost?
Estate planning costs vary based on your location, financial situation, and the complexity of the legal work.
A basic estate plan commonly costs around $1,000 to $3,000, while more involved plans may cost considerably more.
The final fee may depend on factors such as:
- Type of plan: Wills, trusts, and powers of attorney.
- Estate complexity: Multiple properties, businesses, or significant assets.
- Tax planning: Additional strategies may require more legal work.
- Attorney’s fee structure: Some lawyers charge a flat fee, while others bill hourly.
Before hiring an attorney, ask for a clear estimate and confirm exactly which documents and services are included.
When Should You Hire an Estate Planning Lawyer?
You do not need to wait until retirement or old age to create an estate plan. Estate planning can be useful whenever you have assets, dependents, a business, or specific wishes about how your affairs should be handled.
You should consider speaking with an estate planning lawyer after major life changes such as:
- Marriage or divorce
- Birth or adoption of a child
- Starting or selling a business
- Buying significant property
- Receiving an inheritance
- Moving to another state
- Changes in your financial situation
- Death of a beneficiary or executor
- Major changes in tax or estate law
Reviewing your plan periodically can help ensure your documents still reflect your current circumstances.
Final Thoughts
Choosing an estate planning lawyer depends on your location, family situation, assets, and specific legal needs. The right attorney should have experience that matches your circumstances.
The 10 lawyers featured in this guide cover a range of estate, trust, tax, probate, and wealth planning services across the United States.
Before hiring, check the lawyer’s current credentials, relevant experience, fees, and approach to your estate planning goals. A clear consultation can help you make an informed choice.
