★ 4.7 (95 reviews) ·
215 2nd Ave SE, Decatur, AL 35601, USA
★ 4.9 (53 reviews) ·
Albany Legal Building, 809 6th Ave SE, Decatur, AL 35601, USA
★ 4.9 (41 reviews) ·
225 Grant St SE, Decatur, AL 35601, USA
4. Belser Law Firm, LLC Estate Planning Attorney
★ 4.5 (33 reviews) ·
219 Moulton St E, Decatur, AL 35601, USA
5. Burney & Burney Estate Planning Attorney
★ 4.7 (33 reviews) ·
433 Johnston St SE, Decatur, AL 35601, USA
6. Maggie Coan Witt, Esq. Estate Planning Attorney
★ 4.8 (32 reviews) ·
719 6th Ave SE, Decatur, AL 35601, USA
7. Ogle Law Firm, LLC Estate Planning Attorney
★ 4.7 (25 reviews) ·
207 Johnston St SE Ste 101, Decatur, AL 35601, USA
8. Pitts & Zanaty LLC Estate Planning Attorney
★ 3.8 (36 reviews) ·
721 McGlathery Ln SE, Decatur, AL 35601, USA
9. Jonathan D. Watson, Attorney at Law Estate Planning Attorney
★ 4.8 (24 reviews) ·
517 Bank St NE Suite D, Decatur, AL 35601, USA
10. Chenault Hammond, P.C. Estate Planning Attorney
★ 5.0 (18 reviews) ·
117 2nd Ave NE, Decatur, AL 35601, USA
11. L.N. Pearson Attorney At Law Estate Planning Attorney
★ 4.7 (15 reviews) ·
708 6th Ave SE, Decatur, AL 35601, USA
12. Harris Caddell & Shanks PC Estate Planning Attorney
★ 5.0 (13 reviews) ·
214 Johnston St SE, Decatur, AL 35601, USA
13. Jacob Roberts Estate Planning Attorney
★ 5.0 (12 reviews) ·
247 Moulton St E, Decatur, AL 35601, USA
14. Meagan Yarbrough, LLC Estate Planning Attorney
★ 5.0 (11 reviews) ·
715 6th Ave SE, Decatur, AL 35601, USA
15. Shelton & Shelton Estate Planning Attorney
★ 4.5 (13 reviews) ·
247 Moulton St E Ste A, Decatur, AL 35601, USA
16. Cole Law Firm, LLC Estate Planning Attorney
★ 4.5 (10 reviews) ·
601 Bank St NE, Decatur, AL 35601, USA
17. The Law Office of J. Wesley Atkinson, P.C. Estate Planning Attorney
★ 5.0 (8 reviews) ·
107 2nd Ave NE Ste C, Decatur, AL 35601, USA
18. Blackburn Maloney & Schuppert Estate Planning Attorney
★ 5.0 (4 reviews) ·
201 2nd Ave SE, Decatur, AL 35601, USA
19. Sasser Law Firm, LLC Estate Planning Attorney
★ 5.0 (4 reviews) ·
201 Gordon Dr SE Ste 203, Decatur, AL 35601, USA
20. Whitmire, House, Propst & Richardson, LLP Estate Planning Attorney
★ 4.0 (4 reviews) ·
810 6th Ave SE, Decatur, AL 35601, USA
21. Cauthen & Cauthen Estate Planning Attorney
★ 4.7 (35 reviews) ·
217 Moulton Street East, Post Office Box 1702, Decatur, AL 35602, USA
22. Eyster Key Tubb Roth Middleton & Adams LLP Estate Planning Attorney
★ 2.0 (1 reviews) ·
108 4th Ave NE 2nd floor, Decatur, AL 35601, USA
23. Nowlin, Bachuss and Gray Estate Planning Attorney
★ 4.2 (33 reviews) ·
118 Moulton St E, Decatur, AL 35601, USA
24. Paul R Holland Law Office Estate Planning Attorney
★ 3.6 (8 reviews) ·
303 2nd Ave SE Ste E, Decatur, AL 35601, USA
Estate planning attorneys in Decatur, AL: a local guide
We currently track 24 estate planning, elder law, and probate attorneys serving Decatur, AL in Morgan County. Across the ones with public reviews, the average customer rating is 4.5★ from 561 total reviews, and 19 hold a 4.5★ rating or higher. Allen R. Stoner, Attorney at Law is among the most-reviewed locally, at 4.7★ across 95 reviews.
What estate planning costs in Decatur
Rough planning ranges for the Decatur 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 Decatur 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 Decatur
- For probate, ask about the realistic timeline and total cost for a Decatur-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 Decatur estate clients.
- Pick a lawyer who focuses on estate planning and probate, not a generalist who dabbles.
- Confirm they're licensed and in good standing with the state bar, and ask how long they've practiced near Decatur.
Questions to ask before you hire
- 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?
- What's the realistic timeline for my Decatur matter?
Many Decatur 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 Decatur?
Many Decatur 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 Decatur 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 Decatur-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 Decatur firms handle both.
Estate & elder law attorneys in Decatur: what to know
How much does an estate planning attorney cost in Decatur?
In the Decatur 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 Decatur area.
Wills & TrustsLiving TrustsProbatePowers of AttorneyMedicaid PlanningGuardianshipSpecial Needs PlanningEstate Administration