1. Cookman Law Estate Planning Attorney
★ 4.9 (100 reviews) ·
2100 Geng Rd Suit 210, Palo Alto, CA 94303, USA
★ 4.9 (78 reviews) ·
801 E Charleston Rd, Palo Alto, CA 94303, USA
3. Bay Legal, PC Estate Planning Attorney
★ 4.8 (405 reviews) ·
667 Lytton Ave Ste 3, Palo Alto, CA 94301, USA
★ 5.0 (56 reviews) ·
2211 Park Blvd Unit 10, Palo Alto, CA 94306, USA
★ 4.7 (56 reviews) ·
228 Hamilton Ave Third Floor, Palo Alto, CA 94301, USA
6. Nopar & Associates Estate Planning Attorney
★ 5.0 (10 reviews) ·
200 Page Mill Rd #200, Palo Alto, CA 94306, USA
7. Brewer Offord & Pedersen LLP Estate Planning Attorney
★ 4.7 (13 reviews) ·
2225 El Camino Real, Palo Alto, CA 94306, USA
8. Law Offices of E.J. Hong, P.C. Estate Planning Attorney
★ 5.0 (6 reviews) ·
2479 E Bayshore Rd #175, Palo Alto, CA 94303, USA
9. The Law Offices of Nancy M. Martinez Estate Planning Attorney
★ 4.6 (8 reviews) ·
2211 Park Blvd #9, Palo Alto, CA 94306, USA
10. Kirkland & Ellis LLP - Palo Alto Estate Planning Attorney
★ 4.8 (6 reviews) ·
3330 Hillview Ave, Palo Alto, CA 94304, USA
11. Procopio, Cory, Hargreaves & Savitch LLP Estate Planning Attorney
★ 4.6 (5 reviews) ·
3000 El Camino Real, 5 Palo Alto Square Suite 400, Palo Alto, CA 94306, USA
12. Fidelity Law Offices Estate Planning Attorney
★ 5.0 (4 reviews) ·
2225 E Bayshore Rd #200, Palo Alto, CA 94303, USA
13. Law Offices of John C. Martin, P.C. Estate Planning Attorney
★ 5.0 (2 reviews) ·
636 Middlefield Rd, Palo Alto, CA 94301, USA
14. C. Bruce Hamilton, Attorney at Law Estate Planning Attorney
★ 5.0 (1 reviews) ·
260 Sheridan Ave #200, Palo Alto, CA 94306, USA
15. Lakin Spears LLP Estate Planning Attorney
★ 4.3 (6 reviews) ·
2479 E Bayshore Rd #170, Palo Alto, CA 94303, USA
16. Law Offices of Stephanie E. Foreman Estate Planning Attorney
★ 3.7 (11 reviews) ·
3000 El Camino Real Suite 200 Building 4, Palo Alto, CA 94306, USA
17. Law Office of Peter S. Stern Estate Planning Attorney
★ 3.9 (9 reviews) ·
350 Cambridge Ave Ste 130, Palo Alto, CA 94306, USA
18. Law Offices of Diane J.N. Morin, Inc. Estate Planning Attorney
★ 4.1 (9 reviews) ·
467 Hamilton Ave #8, Palo Alto, CA 94301, USA
19. Packard David R Estate Planning Attorney
★ 5.0 (3 reviews) ·
706 Cowper St Unit 207, Palo Alto, CA 94301, USA
20. Crist Schulz Biorn & Shepherd Estate Planning Attorney
917 Alma St
21. Law Office Of Sabrina M Johnson Estate Planning Attorney
380 Hamilton Ave Ste 1602
22. Schwartz & Associates Estate Planning Attorney
550 Hamilton Ave
23. David A. Nearon A Professional Law Corporation Estate Planning Attorney
2225 E Bayshore Rd Ste 200
24. Jan Cummins Counselor & Attorney At Law Estate Planning Attorney
2600 El Camino Real #501, Palo Alto, CA 94306, USA
25. Klosek Law Offices Estate Planning Attorney
437 Kipling St Ste 150
Estate planning attorneys in Palo Alto, CA: a local guide
We currently track 25 estate planning, elder law, and probate attorneys serving Palo Alto, CA in Santa Clara County. Across the ones with public reviews, the average customer rating is 4.7★ from 788 total reviews, and 15 hold a 4.5★ rating or higher. Bay Legal, PC is among the most-reviewed locally, at 4.8★ across 405 reviews.
What estate planning costs in Palo Alto
Rough planning ranges for the Palo Alto 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 Palo Alto 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 Palo Alto
- 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 Palo Alto.
- 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 Palo Alto-area estate before you engage.
Questions to ask before you hire
- Who will handle my file day to day?
- What's the realistic timeline for my Palo Alto matter?
- 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?
Many Palo Alto 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 Palo Alto?
Many Palo Alto 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 Palo Alto 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 Palo Alto-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 Palo Alto firms handle both.
Estate & elder law attorneys in Palo Alto: what to know
How much does an estate planning attorney cost in Palo Alto?
In the Palo Alto 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 Palo Alto area.
Wills & TrustsLiving TrustsProbatePowers of AttorneyMedicaid PlanningGuardianshipSpecial Needs PlanningEstate Administration