Whether you're settling an estate, planning ahead, or protecting an elder's assets, here are 29 estate & elder law attorneys covering Durham, North Carolina. Providers listed in Durham focus on estate planning attorney. Durham sits in Durham County, North Carolina. Other North Carolina cities covered include Charlotte, Raleigh and Fayetteville.
Estate planning attorneys in Durham, NC: a local guide
We currently track 25 estate planning, elder law, and probate attorneys serving Durham, NC in Durham County. Across the ones with public reviews, the average customer rating is 4.7★ from 1,321 total reviews, and 21 hold a 4.5★ rating or higher. Hopler, Hanna & Associates, PLLC is among the most-reviewed locally, at 4.9★ across 258 reviews.
What estate planning costs in Durham
Rough planning ranges for the Durham area:
Service
Typical range
Simple will package
$400–$1,500
Revocable living trust package
$1,900–$5,000
Full estate plan or probate work
$3,750–$10,000+
Many Durham 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 Durham
Confirm they're licensed and in good standing with the state bar, and ask how long they've practiced near Durham.
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 Durham-area estate before you engage.
Make sure they'll keep your plan current as laws and your family change, and how updates are billed.
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 Durham matter?
Many Durham 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 Durham?
Many Durham 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 Durham 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 Durham-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 Durham firms handle both.
Estate & elder law attorneys in Durham: what to know
How much does an estate planning attorney cost in Durham?
In the Durham 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 Durham area.
Wills & TrustsLiving TrustsProbatePowers of AttorneyMedicaid PlanningGuardianshipSpecial Needs PlanningEstate Administration