★ 5.0 (388 reviews) ·
1829 E Franklin St Ste 600, Chapel Hill, NC 27514, USA
★ 4.9 (144 reviews) ·
1414 Raleigh Rd #445, Chapel Hill, NC 27517, USA
★ 4.9 (57 reviews) ·
9555 US Hwy 15 501 N, Chapel Hill, NC 27517, USA
★ 5.0 (46 reviews) ·
107 Conner Dr Ste 210, Chapel Hill, NC 27514, USA
★ 4.9 (40 reviews) ·
50101 Governors Dr Ste 155, Chapel Hill, NC 27517, USA
6. Tripoint Law Estate Planning Attorney
★ 4.7 (44 reviews) ·
891 Willow Dr #7, Chapel Hill, NC 27514, USA
★ 4.0 (48 reviews) ·
111 Cloister Ct #200, Chapel Hill, NC 27514, USA
8. Averett Family Law Estate Planning Attorney
★ 4.4 (39 reviews) ·
101 Conner Dr #402, Chapel Hill, NC 27514, USA
9. Tillman, Whichard & Cagle, PLLC Estate Planning Attorney
★ 4.9 (12 reviews) ·
501 Eastowne Dr Ste 130, Chapel Hill, NC 27514, USA
10. Roberson Law Firm, P.A. Estate Planning Attorney
★ 5.0 (10 reviews) ·
1829 E Franklin St Ste 800c, Chapel Hill, NC 27514, USA
11. The Monroe Law Firm Estate Planning Attorney
★ 5.0 (5 reviews) ·
1340 Environ Way, Chapel Hill, NC 27517, USA
12. Beemer Hadler & Willett PA Estate Planning Attorney
★ 3.9 (16 reviews) ·
Franklin Square office park, 1829 E Franklin St #800B, Chapel Hill, NC 27514, USA
13. TrustCounsel Estate Planning Attorney
★ 5.0 (3 reviews) ·
1414 Raleigh Rd #203, Chapel Hill, NC 27517, USA
14. Higgins Frankstone Graves & Morris PA Estate Planning Attorney
★ 5.0 (3 reviews) ·
1414 Raleigh Rd #203, Chapel Hill, NC 27517, USA
15. Thomas-Walters, PLLC Estate Planning Attorney
★ 1.0 (1 reviews) ·
1777 Fordham Blvd #101, Chapel Hill, NC 27514, USA
16. Mc Lamb Law Firm Estate Planning Attorney
★ 3.7 (3 reviews) ·
1526 E Franklin St #202, Chapel Hill, NC 27514, USA
17. Kendall Page, Attorney at Law Estate Planning Attorney
Chapel Hill, NC
18. Trustcounsel | Estate Planning & Asset Protection Estate Planning Attorney
205 Providence Rd
Estate planning attorneys in Chapel Hill, NC: a local guide
We currently track 18 estate planning, elder law, and probate attorneys serving Chapel Hill, NC in Orange County. Across the ones with public reviews, the average customer rating is 4.5★ from 859 total reviews, and 11 hold a 4.5★ rating or higher. Jeffrey Allen Howard, Attorney at Law PLLC is among the most-reviewed locally, at 5.0★ across 388 reviews.
What estate planning costs in Chapel Hill
Rough planning ranges for the Chapel Hill area:
| Service | Typical range |
|---|
| Simple will package | $300–$1,200 |
| Revocable living trust package | $1,500–$4,000 |
| Full estate plan or probate work | $3,000–$8,000+ |
Many Chapel Hill 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 Chapel Hill
- 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 Chapel Hill-area estate before you engage.
- Make sure they'll keep your plan current as laws and your family change, and how updates are billed.
- Read reviews and ask for references from recent Chapel Hill estate clients.
Questions to ask before you hire
- Is this a flat fee or hourly, and what exactly does it cover?
- Do you focus on estate planning and probate specifically?
- Will you help fund the trust and store the documents?
- How do updates work as laws or my family change?
- Who will handle my file day to day?
Many Chapel Hill 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 Chapel Hill?
Many Chapel Hill 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 Chapel Hill 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 Chapel Hill-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 Chapel Hill firms handle both.
Estate & elder law attorneys in Chapel Hill: what to know
How much does an estate planning attorney cost in Chapel Hill?
In the Chapel Hill 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 Chapel Hill area.
Wills & TrustsLiving TrustsProbatePowers of AttorneyMedicaid PlanningGuardianshipSpecial Needs PlanningEstate Administration
Local resources for Chapel Hill
Handy links for Chapel Hill and the surrounding area.
- Attorneys in neighbouring towns
- Durham, NC
29 estate & elder law attorneys · 9 mi - Hillsborough, NC
2 estate & elder law attorneys · 11 mi - Cary, NC
29 estate & elder law attorneys · 16 mi - Apex, NC
4 estate & elder law attorneys · 17 mi - Graham, NC
6 estate & elder law attorneys · 21 mi - Holly Springs, NC
3 estate & elder law attorneys · 22 mi - Raleigh, NC
50 estate & elder law attorneys · 23 mi - Burlington, NC
15 estate & elder law attorneys · 26 mi - Related local services
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