★ 4.9 (102 reviews) ·
422 N 7th St, St Joseph, MO 64501, USA
★ 4.8 (174 reviews) ·
3007 Frederick Ave, St Joseph, MO 64506, USA
★ 4.6 (152 reviews) ·
1211 N Belt Hwy Ste 306, St Joseph, MO 64506, USA
★ 4.5 (133 reviews) ·
1911 Jules St, St Joseph, MO 64501, USA
5. Legal Aid of Western Missouri Estate Planning Attorney
★ 3.6 (61 reviews) ·
3110 Karnes Road, St Joseph, MO 64501, USA
6. The Ritchie Law Group Estate Planning Attorney
★ 3.9 (50 reviews) ·
718 N 7th St, St Joseph, MO 64501, USA
★ 4.4 (48 reviews) ·
825 Francis St, St Joseph, MO 64501, USA
8. Todd W. Griffee, Attorney at Law Estate Planning Attorney
★ 4.4 (31 reviews) ·
3500 N Village Dr #234, St Joseph, MO 64506, USA
9. Briles Law Office Estate Planning Attorney
★ 4.8 (29 reviews) ·
918 Francis St, St Joseph, MO 64501, USA
10. G Brent Powers Law Office Estate Planning Attorney
★ 4.8 (20 reviews) ·
3715 Beck Rd D401, St Joseph, MO 64506, USA
11. Peppard Law Office, PC Estate Planning Attorney
★ 4.4 (23 reviews) ·
520 Francis St Ste 400C, St Joseph, MO 64501, USA
12. Partamian Law Firm Estate Planning Attorney
★ 5.0 (4 reviews) ·
1801 Oak Ridge Cir #102, St Joseph, MO 64506, USA
13. Tieman Spencer and Hicks Estate Planning Attorney
★ 3.8 (13 reviews) ·
702 Felix St, St Joseph, MO 64501, USA
14. Morton, Reed, Counts, Briggs & Robb, LLC Estate Planning Attorney
★ 3.9 (7 reviews) ·
2301 Village Dr, St Joseph, MO 64506, USA
15. Jere L. Loyd, P.C. - Attorney at Law Estate Planning Attorney
★ 3.8 (8 reviews) ·
3715 Beck Rd Suite A-104, St Joseph, MO 64506, USA
16. Creath S. Thorne, P.C. Estate Planning Attorney
★ 3.7 (6 reviews) ·
400 Jules St Ste 345, St Joseph, MO 64501, USA
17. Susan M Harris, Attorney at Law Estate Planning Attorney
★ 4.4 (25 reviews) ·
2400 Jackson St, St Joseph, MO 64507, USA
18. Tara J Cluck Law Office PC Estate Planning Attorney
★ 4.0 (22 reviews) ·
504 N Fourth St, St Joseph, MO 64501, USA
19. Hook McKinley LLC Estate Planning Attorney
★ 4.0 (16 reviews) ·
3901 Oakland Ave Ste B, St Joseph, MO 64506, USA
20. Pamela L Cone, Attorney at Law, PC. - PCone Law Estate Planning Attorney
★ 5.0 (2 reviews) ·
520 Francis St Ste 300-7, St Joseph, MO 64501, USA
21. Emily M. Bauman, Attorney at Law Estate Planning Attorney
★ 5.0 (1 reviews) ·
422 N 7th St, St Joseph, MO 64501, USA
22. Burns John F Estate Planning Attorney
★ 1.0 (1 reviews) ·
2501 Frederick Ave, St Joseph, MO 64506, USA
23. Law Office of John L. Wood, LLC Estate Planning Attorney
3120 Karnes Road; Suite C P O Box 8005
24. Northwest Missouri Elder Law, LLC Elder Law Attorney
2001 N 36th St
Estate planning attorneys in St. Joseph, MO: a local guide
We currently track 24 estate planning, elder law, and probate attorneys serving St. Joseph, MO in Buchanan County. Across the ones with public reviews, the average customer rating is 4.2★ from 928 total reviews, and 9 hold a 4.5★ rating or higher. Taylor Siemens Elliott Creedy & Lyle P.C. is among the most-reviewed locally, at 4.8★ across 174 reviews.
What estate planning costs in St. Joseph
Rough planning ranges for the St. Joseph 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 St. Joseph 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 St. Joseph
- 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 St. Joseph.
- 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 St. Joseph-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 St. Joseph 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 St. Joseph 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 St. Joseph?
Many St. Joseph 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 St. Joseph 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 St. Joseph-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 St. Joseph firms handle both.
Estate & elder law attorneys in St. Joseph: what to know
How much does an estate planning attorney cost in St. Joseph?
In the St. Joseph 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 St. Joseph area.
Wills & TrustsLiving TrustsProbatePowers of AttorneyMedicaid PlanningGuardianshipSpecial Needs PlanningEstate Administration