★ 4.2 (73 reviews) ·
1717 South Bend Ave, South Bend, IN 46637, USA
★ 4.5 (62 reviews) ·
131 S Taylor St, South Bend, IN 46601, USA
★ 4.5 (57 reviews) ·
511 E Colfax Ave Ste. A, South Bend, IN 46617, USA
★ 4.7 (52 reviews) ·
401 E Colfax Ave #180, South Bend, IN 46617, USA
5. Jones Law Office LLC Estate Planning Attorney
★ 4.4 (39 reviews) ·
704 W Washington St, South Bend, IN 46601, USA
6. Hahn|Walz, P.C. Estate Planning Attorney
★ 3.9 (38 reviews) ·
509 W Washington St, South Bend, IN 46601, USA
7. Joseph Legacy Planning Estate Planning Attorney
★ 4.6 (27 reviews) ·
300 S St Louis Blvd Ste 201, South Bend, IN 46617, USA
8. Hildebrand Law Office Estate Planning Attorney
★ 3.6 (37 reviews) ·
115 N William St, South Bend, IN 46601, USA
9. THK Law, LLP Estate Planning Attorney
★ 3.9 (24 reviews) ·
212 E Lasalle Ave #100, South Bend, IN 46617, USA
10. Lee & Zalas, P.C. Estate Planning Attorney
★ 5.0 (5 reviews) ·
54391 N 30th St, South Bend, IN 46635, USA
11. Athora Law Group Estate Planning Attorney
★ 4.3 (11 reviews) ·
1251 N Eddy St #203, South Bend, IN 46617, USA
12. Wolf Legal Estate Planning Attorney
★ 4.8 (9 reviews) ·
2417 Edison Road c/o, Box 6831, South Bend, IN 46615, USA
13. Halpin Bespoke Legal Estate Planning Attorney
★ 3.5 (23 reviews) ·
521 W Colfax Ave, South Bend, IN 46601, USA
14. Anthony Rose Law Firm Estate Planning Attorney
★ 4.2 (9 reviews) ·
712 E Jefferson Blvd, South Bend, IN 46617, USA
15. Hope Law Firm Estate Planning Attorney
★ 4.4 (7 reviews) ·
201 S Main St, South Bend, IN 46601, USA
16. Michael C. Murphy Elder Law P.C. Elder Law Attorney
★ 3.1 (15 reviews) ·
1001 N Hickory Rd #7b, South Bend, IN 46615, USA
17. Botkin & Hall LLP Estate Planning Attorney
★ 2.8 (13 reviews) ·
1003 N Hickory Rd, South Bend, IN 46615, USA
★ 4.5 (43 reviews) ·
Fifth Third Bank Building, 218 W Washington St #1100, South Bend, IN 46601, USA
19. Douglas D Germann Sr PC Estate Planning Attorney
★ 2.0 (2 reviews) ·
21136 Kern Rd, South Bend, IN 46614, USA
20. Hosinski John S Estate Planning Attorney
★ 4.7 (13 reviews) ·
212 S Taylor St, South Bend, IN 46601, USA
21. Butler and Crowley Law Office Estate Planning Attorney
★ 5.0 (1 reviews) ·
726 E Washington St, South Bend, IN 46617, USA
22. Schwarz Law Office, PC Estate Planning Attorney
511 E Colfax Ave, South Bend, IN 46617, USA
23. Ryan Shawn P Estate Planning Attorney
★ 4.0 (8 reviews) ·
220 W Colfax Ave #100, South Bend, IN 46601, USA
24. Warner Legal Services Estate Planning Attorney
110 S Taylor St
25. Eric S Marshall Estate Planning Attorney
2802 Mishawaka Ave
Estate planning attorneys in South Bend, IN: a local guide
We currently track 25 estate planning, elder law, and probate attorneys serving South Bend, IN in St. Joseph County. Across the ones with public reviews, the average customer rating is 4.1★ from 568 total reviews, and 9 hold a 4.5★ rating or higher. Stipp Law, LLC is among the most-reviewed locally, at 4.2★ across 73 reviews.
What estate planning costs in South Bend
Rough planning ranges for the South Bend 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 South Bend 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 South Bend
- 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 South Bend 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 South Bend.
- Ask whether wills and trusts are flat-fee and what that covers (funding the trust, revisions, directives).
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 South Bend matter?
- Is this a flat fee or hourly, and what exactly does it cover?
- Do you focus on estate planning and probate specifically?
Many South Bend 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 South Bend?
Many South Bend 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 South Bend 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 South Bend-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 South Bend firms handle both.
Estate & elder law attorneys in South Bend: what to know
How much does an estate planning attorney cost in South Bend?
In the South Bend 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 South Bend area.
Wills & TrustsLiving TrustsProbatePowers of AttorneyMedicaid PlanningGuardianshipSpecial Needs PlanningEstate Administration