★ 4.9 (55 reviews) ·
1900 S Norfolk St, San Mateo, CA 94403, USA
★ 4.6 (52 reviews) ·
15 N Ellsworth Ave #105, San Mateo, CA 94401, USA
3. Legacy Protection Firm, PC (Carmen Rosas Law) Estate Planning Attorney
★ 4.9 (31 reviews) ·
1900 S Norfolk St Suite 350, San Mateo, CA 94403, USA
4. VWT Law Group Estate Planning Attorney
★ 5.0 (29 reviews) ·
1650 Borel Pl Ste 130, San Mateo, CA 94402, USA
5. Michael T. Carney, A Professional Law Corp Estate Planning Attorney
★ 5.0 (26 reviews) ·
1660 S Amphlett Blvd #245, San Mateo, CA 94402, USA
6. Finkelstein & Fujii LLP Estate Planning Attorney
★ 4.9 (15 reviews) ·
1528 S El Camino Real Unit 306, San Mateo, CA 94402, USA
7. Shjeflo, Riley & Cruz LLP Estate Planning Attorney
★ 4.7 (17 reviews) ·
2000 Alameda de las Pulgas #250, San Mateo, CA 94403, USA
8. McDowall Cotter Estate Planning Attorney
★ 5.0 (14 reviews) ·
2070 Pioneer Ct, San Mateo, CA 94403, USA
9. Biddle Law | Alexander M. Biddle Esq. Estate Planning Attorney
★ 5.0 (13 reviews) ·
1900 S Norfolk St #350, San Mateo, CA 94403, USA
10. Trusted Law Corporation Estate Planning Attorney
★ 5.0 (13 reviews) ·
104 De Anza Blvd, San Mateo, CA 94402, USA
11. Chauvel & Glatt, LLP Estate Planning Attorney
★ 4.6 (10 reviews) ·
66 Bovet Rd Suite 280, San Mateo, CA 94402, USA
12. Thirkell Law Group Estate Planning Attorney
★ 5.0 (7 reviews) ·
181 2nd Ave #625, San Mateo, CA 94401, USA
13. Law Office of Steve Leydiker Estate Planning Attorney
★ 4.5 (8 reviews) ·
177 Bovet Rd #600, San Mateo, CA 94402, USA
14. Law Office of Nicole Warmerdam Estate Planning Attorney
★ 5.0 (3 reviews) ·
1900 S Norfolk St #350, San Mateo, CA 94403, USA
15. Law Offices of Kevin A. Taheny Inc. Estate Planning Attorney
★ 5.0 (3 reviews) ·
700 S Claremont St Ste 101, San Mateo, CA 94402, USA
16. Law Office of Sally Bergman Estate Planning Attorney
★ 5.0 (2 reviews) ·
1900 S Norfolk St #350, San Mateo, CA 94403, USA
17. Stubbs & Stubbs Law Offices Estate Planning Attorney
★ 5.0 (2 reviews) ·
1700 S El Camino Real #215, San Mateo, CA 94402, USA
18. Law Office of Gretchen J. Kenney Estate Planning Attorney
★ 5.0 (1 reviews) ·
1900 S Norfolk St, San Mateo, CA 94403, USA
19. Law Offices of Noell K Kubota Estate Planning Attorney
★ 5.0 (1 reviews) ·
630 N San Mateo Dr, San Mateo, CA 94401, USA
20. Law Office of Lana Black Estate Planning Attorney
1021 S El Camino Real, San Mateo, CA 94402, USA
21. Creighton Law Offices Estate Planning Attorney
520 S El Camino Real Ste 600
22. Daniel G. Brown, Attorney Estate Planning Attorney
160 Bovet Rd Ste 404
23. Law Office Of Shirley Tam - Trust And Estate Lawyer Estate Planning Attorney
1900 S Norfolk St Ste 350
Estate planning attorneys in San Mateo, CA: a local guide
We currently track 23 estate planning, elder law, and probate attorneys serving San Mateo, CA in San Mateo County. Across the ones with public reviews, the average customer rating is 4.9★ from 302 total reviews, and 19 hold a 4.5★ rating or higher. Law Offices of Geoff Wiggs is among the most-reviewed locally, at 4.9★ across 55 reviews.
What estate planning costs in San Mateo
Rough planning ranges for the San Mateo 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 San Mateo 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 San Mateo
- 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 San Mateo.
- 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 San Mateo-area estate before you engage.
Questions to ask before you hire
- What's the realistic timeline for my San Mateo 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?
- How do updates work as laws or my family change?
Many San Mateo 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 San Mateo?
Many San Mateo 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 San Mateo 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 San Mateo-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 San Mateo firms handle both.
Estate & elder law attorneys in San Mateo: what to know
How much does an estate planning attorney cost in San Mateo?
In the San Mateo 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 San Mateo area.
Wills & TrustsLiving TrustsProbatePowers of AttorneyMedicaid PlanningGuardianshipSpecial Needs PlanningEstate Administration