★ 5.0 (187 reviews) ·
44775 Deep Canyon Rd, Palm Desert, CA 92260, USA
★ 4.8 (255 reviews) ·
72630 Fred Waring Dr #201, Palm Desert, CA 92260, USA
★ 4.9 (49 reviews) ·
74000 Country Club Dr H2, Palm Desert, CA 92260, USA
★ 4.9 (49 reviews) ·
73-121 Fred Waring Dr #100, Palm Desert, CA 92260, USA
5. Bochnewich Law Offices Estate Planning Attorney
★ 5.0 (36 reviews) ·
43100 Cook St Ste 203, Palm Desert, CA 92211, USA
6. Law Office of Matthew R. Stall Estate Planning Attorney
★ 5.0 (24 reviews) ·
74-710 CA-111 Ste 102, Palm Desert, CA 92260, USA
7. Law Offices of Edward H. Cross & Associates, PC Estate Planning Attorney
★ 5.0 (5 reviews) ·
74710 CA-111 Ste 102, Palm Desert, CA 92260, USA
8. Burt + Clerc Attorneys at Law Estate Planning Attorney
★ 4.1 (17 reviews) ·
74-175 El Paseo, Palm Desert, CA 92260, USA
9. Law Offices of Tecla M. Lunak, APC Estate Planning Attorney
★ 4.0 (16 reviews) ·
73081 Fred Waring Dr, Palm Desert, CA 92260, USA
10. Law Offices of Rhona S. Kauffman Estate Planning Attorney
★ 4.4 (14 reviews) ·
77564 Country Club Dr Ste 115, Palm Desert, CA 92211, USA
11. Noel Nancy Estate Planning Attorney
★ 4.2 (10 reviews) ·
44694 Monterey Ave, Palm Desert, CA 92260, USA
12. The Law Office of Bruce R. Durkee, APC Estate Planning Attorney
★ 5.0 (4 reviews) ·
77772 Flora Rd C, Palm Desert, CA 92211, USA
13. ARCHA LAW P.C. - Palm Desert Estate Planning Attorney
★ 5.0 (2 reviews) ·
74399 CA-111 Ste C, Palm Desert, CA 92260, USA
14. Law Office of Paul M Stoddard Estate Planning Attorney
★ 4.0 (8 reviews) ·
74924 Country Club Dr Ste 150, Palm Desert, CA 92260, USA
15. Affordable Legal Associates Estate Planning Attorney
★ 4.3 (4 reviews) ·
73081 Fred Waring Dr, Palm Desert, CA 92260, USA
16. Nikki B. Allen, Attorney at Law PC Estate Planning Attorney
★ 2.1 (7 reviews) ·
74710 CA-111 #102, Palm Desert, CA 92260, USA
17. David M. Grossman, Attorney At Law Estate Planning Attorney
★ 5.0 (2 reviews) ·
72960 Fred Waring Dr #16, Palm Desert, CA 92260, USA
18. California Elder Law Center Elder Law Attorney
77564 Country Club Dr Bldg A
19. Sanger And Manes Estate Planning Attorney
34100 Gateway Dr Ste 100
20. Hesseltine Law Estate Planning Attorney
74-040 Highway 111 Ste L-215
21. Daryl L Binkley Esq Estate Planning Attorney
72960 Fred Waring Dr
22. Francine D. Ward, Esq. Estate Planning & Intellectual Property Estate Planning Attorney
42215 Washington St
23. The Law Office of Daryl L. Binkley Estate Planning Attorney
77564 Country Club Dr #246
24. Blythe, Walker and Associates APLC Estate Planning Attorney
★ 3.5 (4 reviews) ·
72960 Fred Waring Dr, Palm Desert, CA 92260, USA
Estate planning attorneys in Palm Desert, CA: a local guide
We currently track 24 estate planning, elder law, and probate attorneys serving Palm Desert, CA in Riverside County. Across the ones with public reviews, the average customer rating is 4.5★ from 693 total reviews, and 10 hold a 4.5★ rating or higher. Mark J McGowan Law Offices PC is among the most-reviewed locally, at 4.8★ across 255 reviews.
What estate planning costs in Palm Desert
Rough planning ranges for the Palm Desert 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 Palm Desert 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 Palm Desert
- Read reviews and ask for references from recent Palm Desert 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 Palm Desert.
- 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.
Questions to ask before you hire
- 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 Palm Desert matter?
- Is this a flat fee or hourly, and what exactly does it cover?
Many Palm Desert 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 Palm Desert?
Many Palm Desert 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 Palm Desert 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 Palm Desert-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 Palm Desert firms handle both.
Estate & elder law attorneys in Palm Desert: what to know
How much does an estate planning attorney cost in Palm Desert?
In the Palm Desert 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 Palm Desert area.
Wills & TrustsLiving TrustsProbatePowers of AttorneyMedicaid PlanningGuardianshipSpecial Needs PlanningEstate Administration