★ 4.9 (219 reviews) ·
430 Franklin St 2nd. Floor, Schenectady, NY 12305, USA
★ 5.0 (216 reviews) ·
1482 Erie Blvd Ste 203, Schenectady, NY 12305, USA
★ 4.8 (121 reviews) ·
146 Jay St, Schenectady, NY 12305, USA
★ 4.8 (76 reviews) ·
670 Franklin St #200, Schenectady, NY 12305, USA
★ 4.4 (69 reviews) ·
1801 Altamont Ave #2, Schenectady, NY 12303, USA
★ 5.0 (50 reviews) ·
9 Executive Park Dr, Clifton Park, NY 12065, USA
7. James Trauring & Associates, LLC Estate Planning Attorney
★ 3.9 (60 reviews) ·
705 Union St, Schenectady, NY 12305, USA
★ 4.9 (49 reviews) ·
670 Franklin St #100, Schenectady, NY 12305, USA
9. Law Office of Opal F. Hinds Estate Planning Attorney
★ 4.2 (38 reviews) ·
650 Franklin St Suite 501, Schenectady, NY 12305, USA
10. Litz & Litz Estate Planning Attorney
★ 4.2 (35 reviews) ·
143 Clinton St, Schenectady, NY 12305, USA
11. Juda Law Office PLLC Estate Planning Attorney
★ 4.0 (35 reviews) ·
650 Franklin St #502, Schenectady, NY 12305, USA
12. Witecki Law Office Estate Planning Attorney
★ 4.9 (15 reviews) ·
8 S Church St, Schenectady, NY 12305, USA
13. Brian Mercy Law Office PLLC Estate Planning Attorney
★ 4.6 (18 reviews) ·
670 Franklin St #100, Schenectady, NY 12305, USA
14. Law Office of Kathleen M Toombs PLLC Estate Planning Attorney
★ 4.5 (16 reviews) ·
157 Barrett St, Schenectady, NY 12305, USA
15. Cioffi Slezak Wildgrube Estate Planning Attorney
★ 4.3 (19 reviews) ·
1473 Erie Blvd 1st floor, Schenectady, NY 12305, USA
16. Della Ratta Law Office Estate Planning Attorney
★ 4.4 (13 reviews) ·
147 Barrett St, Schenectady, NY 12305, USA
17. Naviasky Law Firm, PLLC Estate Planning Attorney
★ 4.3 (11 reviews) ·
1802 Eastern Pkwy, Schenectady, NY 12309, USA
18. Parisi, Coan & Saccocio, PLLC Estate Planning Attorney
★ 3.7 (15 reviews) ·
120 Erie Blvd 2nd Floor, Schenectady, NY 12305, USA
19. o Villano Law Firm Estate Planning Attorney
★ 2.3 (3 reviews) ·
650 Franklin St, Schenectady, NY 12305, USA
20. Kouray Steven X Estate Planning Attorney
★ 4.8 (18 reviews) ·
525 State St, Schenectady, NY 12305, USA
21. Robert J Stoddard Attorney Estate Planning Attorney
★ 4.6 (9 reviews) ·
670 Franklin St #200, Schenectady, NY 12305, USA
22. Gerard Parisi Estate Planning Attorney
120 Erie Blvd 2nd Floor
23. Lawrence A. Deangelus, Esq., Attorney Estate Planning Attorney
1430 Balltown Rd
24. Karen R Crandall Law Office Estate Planning Attorney
★ 4.0 (5 reviews) ·
115 Clinton St, Schenectady, NY 12305, USA
25. eCase Estate Planning Attorney
Schenectady, NY
Estate planning attorneys in Schenectady, NY: a local guide
We currently track 25 estate planning, elder law, and probate attorneys serving Schenectady, NY in Schenectady County. Across the ones with public reviews, the average customer rating is 4.4★ from 1,110 total reviews, and 11 hold a 4.5★ rating or higher. Silverman, Silverman & Seligman, P.C. is among the most-reviewed locally, at 4.9★ across 219 reviews.
What estate planning costs in Schenectady
Rough planning ranges for the Schenectady 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 Schenectady 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 Schenectady
- 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 Schenectady-area estate before you engage.
- 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 Schenectady estate clients.
- Pick a lawyer who focuses on estate planning and probate, not a generalist who dabbles.
Questions to ask before you hire
- 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?
- Who will handle my file day to day?
- What's the realistic timeline for my Schenectady matter?
Many Schenectady 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 Schenectady?
Many Schenectady 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 Schenectady 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 Schenectady-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 Schenectady firms handle both.
Estate & elder law attorneys in Schenectady: what to know
How much does an estate planning attorney cost in Schenectady?
In the Schenectady 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 Schenectady area.
Wills & TrustsLiving TrustsProbatePowers of AttorneyMedicaid PlanningGuardianshipSpecial Needs PlanningEstate Administration