Charlotte Estate Planning Attorney Guide
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Estate Planning Attorney in Matthews

How to find a good estate planning attorney in Matthews: what wills, trusts, and probate help cost, what to look for, and how we rank local firms.

Estate planning covers the legal work that decides what happens to your property, your medical care decisions, and your dependents if you become incapacitated or die: wills, revocable and irrevocable trusts, powers of attorney, health care directives, and often guidance through probate or trust administration for a family member's estate. In Matthews, 6 firms and solo practitioners handle this work, ranging from general practice attorneys who draft basic wills to specialists who build multi-generational trust plans, handle special needs trusts, or work with business owners on succession planning.

What to look for in an estate planning attorney

Not every estate planning matter needs the same level of expertise, so match the attorney to the job. A few things worth checking before you hire:

  • North Carolina-specific experience. Estate law, probate procedure, and intestacy rules vary by state, so a lawyer who practices regularly in Mecklenburg County courts will know local filing quirks and judges' preferences that an out-of-state generalist won't.
  • Scope of practice. Some attorneys only draft documents; others also handle probate litigation, elder law, Medicaid planning, or business succession. Pick someone whose focus matches your actual need.
  • Clear, flat-fee pricing for standard packages. Basic wills and simple trusts are usually quoted as a flat fee up front, not billed hourly, which makes costs predictable.
  • Plain communication. A good estate attorney explains trade-offs (trust vs. will, joint ownership vs. beneficiary designations) in plain language and updates your plan as life changes, rather than treating it as a one-time document drop.
  • Availability for updates. Plans need revisiting after marriage, divorce, a new child, a move, or a death in the family. Ask whether the firm offers a maintenance plan or charges per amendment.

How our scoring works

We rank the 6 Matthews estate planning attorneys using verified review signals, responsiveness, years in practice, and range of services offered, so you can compare firms on more than star rating alone. See the full ranked list of Matthews estate planning attorneys for our current order, and read our methodology to see exactly how each score is calculated.

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All estate planning attorney in Matthews, ranked by score and relevance

6 businesses, scored on recent reviews. The order weighs each business's overall score by how much of its reviewed work is estate planning attorney, so a lower-scored specialist can rank above a higher-scored generalist.

Weaver Bennett & Bland, P.A., Attorneys at Law
#1
78

Weaver Bennett & Bland, P.A., Attorneys at Law

4.2(95)✓ Google-verified

Clients consistently praise Bill Whittaker, David Sherman, Eran Weaver, and Mr. Bland for handling complex family law and civil matters with knowledge, clarity, and genuine care. Staff respond quickly to questions and explain difficult processes in accessible terms, making stressful situations more manageable.

Wills & TrustsElder Law & Medicaid PlanningEstate Planning Attorney
Riney Law, PLLC
#2
74 low data

Riney Law, PLLC

5.0(10)✓ Google-verified

All ten reviews award five stars. Clients consistently describe the team as professional, responsive, and deeply knowledgeable. Work spans wills and trusts through complex transactions; attorneys Charles and Austin are named as highly regarded locally.

Wills & TrustsEstate Planning Attorney
Landon A. Dunn, PA
#3
73 low data

Landon A. Dunn, PA

4.4(30)✓ Google-verified

Most clients return to Landon Dunn for years, citing her knowledge and responsiveness across wills, trusts, and estate administration. A single one-star review from a phone consultation reported rudeness; the other 29 reviews describe a professional, supportive practice.

Wills & TrustsProbate & Estate AdministrationEstate Planning Attorney
Pilkington Law, PLLC
#4
72

Pilkington Law, PLLC

4.4(20)✓ Google-verified

Rachel, Ann, and their team handle wills and trusts with genuine patience, walking clients through each step and catching errors previous lawyers missed. Reviewers consistently praise their knowledge, kindness, and willingness to take time explaining documents, though a handful report scheduling delays and difficulty reaching the office by phone.

Wills & TrustsEstate Planning Attorney
Garrity & Gossage, LLP
#5
69

Garrity & Gossage, LLP

4.3(38)✓ Google-verified

Reviewers praise individual attorneys like Nicole, Jennifer, and Kim for expertise and empathy during estate matters, but experiences are sharply divided. Several clients report significant delays in communication, drafting errors, and frustration with responsiveness to phone and email inquiries. One client experienced a six-week wait for a pricing quote with no follow-up. Staff interactions have ranged from warm and helpful to dismissive and rude, particularly regarding client requests and elder clients seeking family involvement in decisions.

Estate & Trust LitigationWills & TrustsElder Law & Medicaid Planning

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North Carolina Estate Planning & Fiduciary Law
#6
61 low data

North Carolina Estate Planning & Fiduciary Law

4.0(27)✓ Google-verified

North Carolina Estate Planning & Fiduciary Law earns strong marks from clients for attorney expertise and follow-through on complex matters. Long-standing clients and those handled by specific attorneys report responsiveness and proactive planning. Recurring complaints center on poor phone access, billing transparency, and staff communication, particularly from older reviews involving departures or fee disputes.

Wills & TrustsEstate Planning AttorneyProbate & Estate Administration

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Common questions about estate planning attorney

How much does an estate planning attorney cost in Matthews?
A basic will package typically runs a few hundred to around $1,000 depending on complexity, while a revocable living trust package (trust, pour-over will, powers of attorney, and health care directive) often runs $1,500 to $3,500 as a flat fee. Hourly rates apply for probate litigation, contested estates, or complex tax planning, and can run several hundred dollars an hour.
How often should I update my estate plan?
Review your plan every 3 to 5 years, and sooner after a major life event: marriage, divorce, the birth of a child, a death in the family, buying property, or a significant change in assets. Powers of attorney and health care directives should also be checked whenever your named agents move, become ill, or are otherwise no longer suitable.
What should I bring to a first meeting with an estate planning attorney?
Bring a list of your assets (real estate, accounts, life insurance, retirement plans) and current beneficiary designations, a family tree noting minor children or dependents with special needs, any existing will or trust documents, and a rough idea of who you'd want as executor, trustee, or guardian for your kids.
Do I actually need a trust, or is a will enough?
A will alone is enough for many simple estates, but it has to go through probate, which is public and can take months. A revocable living trust avoids probate for assets placed in it, keeps your affairs private, and can make things easier for your family, but it costs more up front and requires you to actually retitle assets into the trust's name. A good attorney will tell you honestly if a trust isn't worth the extra cost for your situation.

Last updated 2026-09-02