From simple wills to Medicaid planning and guardianship, these 26 firms serve Berkeley, CA — many offer free or low-cost initial consultations. Providers listed in Berkeley focus on estate planning attorney. Berkeley sits in Alameda County, California. Other California cities covered include Los Angeles, San Diego and Beverly Hills.
Estate planning attorneys in Berkeley, CA: a local guide
We currently track 25 estate planning, elder law, and probate attorneys serving Berkeley, CA in Alameda County. Across the ones with public reviews, the average customer rating is 4.7★ from 403 total reviews, and 16 hold a 4.5★ rating or higher. East Bay Community Law Center is among the most-reviewed locally, at 4.4★ across 126 reviews.
What estate planning costs in Berkeley
Rough planning ranges for the Berkeley 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 Berkeley 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 Berkeley
For probate, ask about the realistic timeline and total cost for a Berkeley-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 Berkeley 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 Berkeley.
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 Berkeley matter?
Is this a flat fee or hourly, and what exactly does it cover?
Do you focus on estate planning and probate specifically?
Many Berkeley 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 Berkeley?
Many Berkeley 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 Berkeley 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 Berkeley-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 Berkeley firms handle both.
Estate & elder law attorneys in Berkeley: what to know
How much does an estate planning attorney cost in Berkeley?
In the Berkeley 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 Berkeley area.
Wills & TrustsLiving TrustsProbatePowers of AttorneyMedicaid PlanningGuardianshipSpecial Needs PlanningEstate Administration