1. Gabriele Law Firm, LLC Estate Planning Attorney
★ 5.0 (601 reviews) ·
201 N Spring St, Independence, MO 64050, USA
2. Cook Ellis LLC Estate Planning Attorney
★ 4.6 (119 reviews) ·
4016 S Lynn Ct Dr, Independence, MO 64055, USA
3. Sloan Law Office, LLC Estate Planning Attorney
★ 5.0 (62 reviews) ·
19049 E Valley View Pkwy ste. b, Independence, MO 64055, USA
4. Wulff Law Estate Planning Attorney
★ 4.4 (64 reviews) ·
4200 Little Blue Pkwy #680, Independence, MO 64057, USA
5. The Law Offices of Les D. Wight, LLC Estate Planning Attorney
★ 4.0 (57 reviews) ·
530 East 23rd St S, Independence, MO 64055, USA
6. The Gordon Law Firm, LLC Estate Planning Attorney
★ 4.2 (54 reviews) ·
114 S Main St, Independence, MO 64050, USA
7. Law Office of Michael S. Smith, LLC Estate Planning Attorney
★ 4.5 (28 reviews) ·
201 N Spring St, Independence, MO 64050, USA
8. Waits Law Firm LLC Estate Planning Attorney
★ 4.1 (34 reviews) ·
200 S Spring St, Independence, MO 64050, USA
9. Albano, Richart, Welch & Bajackson, LLC Estate Planning Attorney
★ 4.8 (18 reviews) ·
311 W Kansas Ave, Independence, MO 64050, USA
10. McElligott Ewan & Hall PC Estate Planning Attorney
★ 4.0 (24 reviews) ·
233 W Walnut St, Independence, MO 64050, USA
11. Foxx Law, L.L.C. Estate Planning Attorney
★ 4.1 (24 reviews) ·
501 W Lexington Ave, Independence, MO 64050, USA
12. Totta Law Offices, LLC Estate Planning Attorney
★ 4.9 (103 reviews) ·
19049 E Valley View Pkwy ste. b, Independence, MO 64055, USA
13. Humphrey, Farrington & McClain, P.C. Estate Planning Attorney
★ 4.1 (16 reviews) ·
221 W Lexington Ave Ste 400, Independence, MO 64050, USA
14. Raymond E Moore PC Estate Planning Attorney
★ 4.3 (6 reviews) ·
1000 E US Hwy 24, Independence, MO 64050, USA
15. Spitaleri Law Firm, LLC Estate Planning Attorney
★ 4.2 (5 reviews) ·
200 S Spring St #200, Independence, MO 64050, USA
16. Whipple Law Firm Estate Planning Attorney
★ 4.4 (5 reviews) ·
201 N Spring St, Independence, MO 64050, USA
17. Constance & Minton LLC Estate Planning Attorney
★ 3.0 (8 reviews) ·
501 W Lexington Ave, Independence, MO 64050, USA
18. Waits Dennis R Estate Planning Attorney
★ 4.6 (43 reviews) ·
200 S Spring St, Independence, MO 64050, USA
19. Josiah Harper, Attorney at Law Estate Planning Attorney
★ 4.7 (31 reviews) ·
201 N Spring St, Independence, MO 64050, USA
20. Stilley Law Office Estate Planning Attorney
19401 E US Hwy 40 #150
21. Ghafoor, Cook, & Associates, LLC Estate Planning Attorney
136 E Walnut St Ste 300
Estate planning attorneys in Independence, MO: a local guide
We currently track 21 estate planning, elder law, and probate attorneys serving Independence, MO in Jackson County. Across the ones with public reviews, the average customer rating is 4.4★ from 1,302 total reviews, and 8 hold a 4.5★ rating or higher. Gabriele Law Firm, LLC is among the most-reviewed locally, at 5.0★ across 601 reviews.
What estate planning costs in Independence
Rough planning ranges for the Independence area:
| Service | Typical range |
|---|
| Simple will package | $350–$1,350 |
| Revocable living trust package | $1,700–$4,500 |
| Full estate plan or probate work | $3,350–$8,950+ |
Many Independence estate attorneys quote flat fees for wills and trusts and bill hourly (often $250-$500/hr) for probate. Ask for a written fee agreement before you engage.
How to choose an estate attorney in Independence
- Confirm they're licensed and in good standing with the state bar, and ask how long they've practiced near Independence.
- Ask whether wills and trusts are flat-fee and what that covers (funding the trust, revisions, directives).
- Ask who actually does the work — the attorney, a paralegal, or a form service — and who you'll call with questions.
- For probate, ask about the realistic timeline and total cost for a Independence-area estate before you engage.
- Make sure they'll keep your plan current as laws and your family change, and how updates are billed.
Questions to ask before you hire
- How do updates work as laws or my family change?
- Who will handle my file day to day?
- What's the realistic timeline for my Independence matter?
- Is this a flat fee or hourly, and what exactly does it cover?
- Do you focus on estate planning and probate specifically?
Many Independence listings also handle wills, trusts, powers of attorney, healthcare directives, and probate administration.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a will or living trust cost in Independence?
Many Independence estate attorneys charge flat fees, roughly $300 to $1,200 for a simple will package and $1,500 to $4,000 for a revocable living trust. Probate work is often billed hourly. Ask for a written fee agreement up front.
Do I need a will or a living trust?
It depends on your assets and goals. A will is simpler and cheaper; a living trust can avoid probate and keep matters private. A short consultation with a Independence estate attorney will tell you which fits.
How much does probate cost and how long does it take?
Probate cost and timeline vary by estate and county. Simple Independence-area estates can take several months, while complex ones run over a year. Ask the attorney for a realistic estimate for your situation.
What is the difference between estate planning and elder law?
Estate planning focuses on wills, trusts, and passing on assets; elder law also covers long-term care, Medicaid planning, and guardianship. Many Independence firms handle both.
Estate & elder law attorneys in Independence: what to know
How much does an estate planning attorney cost in Independence?
In the Independence area, simple wills often run $300–$1,200 and living trust packages $1,500–$4,000; probate and elder law work is commonly billed hourly at $250–$500. Most firms above offer a free or low-cost initial consultation — talk to two or three.
Estate planning vs. elder law vs. probate — which do I need?
Estate planning covers wills, trusts, and powers of attorney while you're healthy. Elder law adds Medicaid planning, guardianship, and long-term-care protection. Probate is the court process after a death — probate attorneys guide executors through estate administration.
What else do these firms handle?
Many attorneys above also handle special needs planning, asset protection, beneficiary disputes, estate tax planning, and real estate transfers in the Independence area.
Wills & TrustsLiving TrustsProbatePowers of AttorneyMedicaid PlanningGuardianshipSpecial Needs PlanningEstate Administration