Planning your estate or caring for an aging parent takes trusted counsel. Below are 31 estate & elder law attorneys serving Chattanooga, TN — compare ratings, read reviews, and schedule a consultation. Providers listed in Chattanooga cover estate planning attorney and elder law attorney. Chattanooga sits in Hamilton County, Tennessee. Other Tennessee cities covered include Nashville-Davidson, Memphis and Clarksville.
Estate planning attorneys in Chattanooga, TN: a local guide
We currently track 25 estate planning, elder law, and probate attorneys serving Chattanooga, TN in Hamilton County. Across the ones with public reviews, the average customer rating is 4.9★ from 1,364 total reviews, and 21 hold a 4.5★ rating or higher. Jelks Law, PLLC is among the most-reviewed locally, at 5.0★ across 315 reviews.
What estate planning costs in Chattanooga
Rough planning ranges for the Chattanooga 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 Chattanooga 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 Chattanooga
Read reviews and ask for references from recent Chattanooga 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 Chattanooga.
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.
Questions to ask before you hire
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 Chattanooga matter?
Is this a flat fee or hourly, and what exactly does it cover?
Many Chattanooga 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 Chattanooga?
Many Chattanooga 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 Chattanooga 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 Chattanooga-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 Chattanooga firms handle both.
Estate & elder law attorneys in Chattanooga: what to know
How much does an estate planning attorney cost in Chattanooga?
In the Chattanooga 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 Chattanooga area.
Wills & TrustsLiving TrustsProbatePowers of AttorneyMedicaid PlanningGuardianshipSpecial Needs PlanningEstate Administration