Putting your affairs in order? Here's who handles wills and trusts in Birmingham.
Top Estate Planning Lawyers in Birmingham, AL
A good estate plan keeps your family out of a drawn-out probate, names who raises your children, and decides who speaks for you if you cannot. The Birmingham firms below draft wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and advance directives under Alabama law, and several focus on elder law and Medicaid planning. We verified each one against peer directories and its own record.
Updated September 14, 202510 min readEditorially independent
Most people delay estate planning because they assume it is expensive or only for the wealthy, and both assumptions are wrong. A basic Alabama plan is a flat-fee job that does three plain things: it says who inherits, it names a guardian for minor children, and it appoints someone to handle your finances and medical decisions if you are incapacitated. Without it, Alabama's intestacy statute decides who inherits, and a judge, not you, chooses who administers your estate.
Alabama has no state estate tax and no inheritance tax, which simplifies planning compared with many states. That does not mean a plan is optional. The real pain point in Alabama is probate, which runs through the county probate court and can be slow and public. A properly drafted will, and in many cases a revocable living trust, can streamline or avoid that process, and an elder-law attorney can plan ahead for nursing-home costs and Medicaid eligibility, which is where many Birmingham families actually need help.
Every firm below practices estate planning in the Birmingham area, appeared in at least two independent sources, and lists real attorneys and real credentials. Several offer flat-fee packages and free initial consultations or planning seminars. We name the firms and what they are known for, and we never accept payment for placement.
How we picked these 7: We cross-referenced peer rankings and directories (Best Lawyers, Super Lawyers, Avvo, Martindale-Hubbell, Justia, Expertise.com, FindLaw) and each firm's own published practice pages. Every firm below appeared in at least two independent sources and has a verifiable Birmingham-area estate planning practice. We do not accept payment for placement, and we do not write sponsored reviews. More on our methodology →
1
The Harris Firm LLC
Serving Birmingham, ALAttorney Steven A. Harris18+ years experience
Practice focus: Estate planning, probate, and elder law
An Alabama firm founded by Steven A. Harris, an estate planning attorney with more than eighteen years of experience, that serves families across Birmingham, Montgomery, Huntsville, and beyond with the full range of estate planning, probate, and elder-law services. The practice covers wills, trusts, and probate administration.
Why they made the list: A statewide estate and probate practice with flat-fee structures and broad availability for Birmingham families.
Birmingham, ALAttorneys and financial plannersAsset protection focus
Practice focus: Estate planning, asset protection, and elder law
A Birmingham firm serving families and businesses that handles estate planning, incapacity planning, IRA and retirement planning, asset protection, business planning, and trust administration. The firm pairs legal and financial planning and offers free estate planning seminars.
Why they made the list: A planning-and-finance approach that suits clients who want asset protection and retirement planning woven into the estate plan.
Birmingham, ALFounder William G. Nolan43+ years experience
Practice focus: Estate planning, elder law, and probate administration
A Birmingham firm founded by William G. Nolan, who brings more than four decades of legal experience and serves residents of Jefferson, Shelby, Blount, St. Clair, and nearby counties. The practice focuses on estate planning, elder law, and probate administration, with free consultations.
Why they made the list: Deep elder-law tenure, a strong fit when long-term-care costs and Medicaid eligibility are part of the picture.
Practice focus: Estate planning, probate, and estate litigation
An Alabama firm handling estate planning, probate, and estate litigation across the state, with a focus on preserving legacies for families. The firm reports significant recoveries in estate matters and offers free consultations.
Why they made the list: A practice that both builds plans and litigates contested estates, useful where family conflict is likely.
Birmingham, ALBest Lawyers in AmericaTrusts & estates
Practice focus: Trusts, estates, and estate litigation
A Birmingham trusts-and-estates attorney at Balch & Bingham who has been recognized in The Best Lawyers in America for trusts and estates and trusts-and-estates litigation, and named a top attorney in Birmingham Magazine. The practice handles sophisticated estate planning and administration.
Why they made the list: A large-firm trusts-and-estates practice suited to a complex or higher-net-worth estate plan.
Hoover / Birmingham, ALEstate planning & probateWills and trusts
Practice focus: Estate planning, wills, trusts, and probate
A Birmingham-area firm in Hoover that handles estate planning, wills, trusts, and probate for local families. The practice helps clients set up the documents that keep an estate organized and out of avoidable court fights.
Why they made the list: A convenient suburban option for Hoover and south Jefferson County families wanting a straightforward plan.
Birmingham, ALEstate planning & probateTrusts and administration
Practice focus: Estate planning, trusts, and probate administration
A Birmingham firm handling estate planning, trusts, and probate administration for Alabama families. The practice drafts wills and trusts and guides executors and trustees through administration.
Why they made the list: A planning-and-administration firm that can both draft your documents and support your executor later.
Tell us what you need to protect and who you want to provide for. We'll connect you with a Birmingham estate planning attorney who can quote a flat fee, free and confidential.
How to choose between them in Birmingham
Decide whether you need a will or a trust. Alabama has no estate tax, so the usual reason to use a revocable living trust is to avoid or streamline probate and keep things private. A will is enough for many families. A planning attorney can tell you which fits.
Ask for a flat fee on standard documents. A will, power of attorney, and advance directive package should be priced as a flat fee, not billed hourly. Get the number in writing before you start.
Ask about elder law if long-term care is a concern. If nursing-home costs or Medicaid eligibility are on the horizon, choose a firm with genuine elder-law experience, because that planning has to start years ahead.
Confirm the firm also handles probate. The lawyer who drafts your plan is often the one your family calls when you die. A firm that does both planning and Alabama probate makes that handoff smoother.
What estate planning help typically costs in Birmingham
Estate planning in Birmingham is priced as a flat fee for documents and hourly for contested probate:
Simple will package: A will, power of attorney, and advance directive commonly run a flat $300 to $700 for an individual, somewhat more for a couple.
Revocable living trust package: A full trust-based plan, including the trust, pour-over will, and ancillary documents, typically runs $1,500 to $3,500, more for larger or complex estates.
Hourly work: Custom planning, elder-law planning, and contested probate are billed hourly, often $250 to $400 an hour in this market.
Probate administration: Settling an estate through Alabama probate is usually hourly and depends on whether the estate is contested.
Free consultation: Several firms above offer a free first meeting or planning seminar. Use it to get a flat-fee quote before you commit.
A reputable firm will quote a flat fee for standard documents in writing and tell you plainly when a matter must shift to hourly billing.
How long it takes
A straightforward Alabama estate plan moves quickly once you have made your decisions:
First meeting: An hour or two to map your assets, your family, and your wishes. Bring account statements, deeds, and the names of people you want to serve as agents and guardians.
1 to 3 weeks: The firm drafts your documents and sends them for review. You read them, ask questions, and request changes.
Signing: A short signing appointment with witnesses and a notary makes the documents valid under Alabama law.
Funding and follow-up: If you have a trust, retitling assets into it can take a few more weeks. Revisit the documents every few years or after any major life change.
Red flags to watch for when hiring a estate planning lawyer in Birmingham
Guaranteed outcomes. No ethical attorney can promise a specific result. If a firm guarantees a win, a number, or a court ruling, walk away.
The disappearing senior partner. You meet a named partner at intake, then never hear from them again while an unsupervised junior runs the file. Ask in writing who handles your matter day to day.
Pressure to sign on the spot. Reputable firms give you the engagement letter in writing and time to read it. High-pressure intake is a volume-mill signal.
No verifiable track record. Look for named results, peer rankings, board certifications, or bar recognition — not "we have helped thousands of clients."
Vague fees. Every legitimate firm will put the fee structure, what is covered, and what triggers extra charges in a written engagement letter.
10 questions to ask in your free consultation
Most of the firms on this list offer a free or low-cost initial call. Use it. Bring a written list and write down the answers, then compare across two or three firms before you sign anything.
Who, specifically, will handle my matter day to day? Get a name and a direct email, not just the firm.
How many matters like mine have you handled in the last three years? You want a number, not a brochure line.
What is your fee, and what does it cover? Get the structure in writing before you sign.
What out-of-pocket costs am I responsible for, and when? Filing fees, records, and experts add up - ask now.
What is the realistic range of outcomes? A good lawyer gives a range; a weak one promises the high end.
How long will this take? An honest estimate, with the assumptions stated.
What is my deadline, and is it at risk? Many estate planning matters carry hard filing deadlines.
How often will I hear from you? Set the communication cadence now.
What can I do to help my own case? The best lawyers will give you homework.
What is the worst-case outcome? A lawyer who refuses to discuss downside risk is selling you something.
What to bring to your Birmingham consultation
You will get more out of the first call if you arrive organized. For most estate planning matters, gather:
A short written timeline. Dates, names, and what happened, in order.
The key documents. Any contracts, letters, agreements, court orders, or filings you have received.
Your correspondence. Relevant emails, texts, or messages - and do not delete anything.
Any deadlines you know about. A court date, a signing deadline, or an agency notice.
Your questions. The 10 above are a good place to start.
If you are not sure whether something is relevant, bring it anyway. It is easier for a lawyer to set aside what does not matter than to chase down what you left at home.
Talk to a vetted Estate Planning attorney in Birmingham
Tell us about your situation. We'll match you with one of these firms or a similar one. Free, confidential, no obligation.
Frequently asked questions about estate planning lawyers in Birmingham
Do I need a trust or just a will in Alabama?
Many Alabama families are fine with a will, because the state has no estate tax. The main reason to use a revocable living trust is to avoid or streamline probate and keep your affairs private. A planning attorney can tell you which fits in one meeting.
Does Alabama have an estate or inheritance tax?
No. Alabama has neither a state estate tax nor an inheritance tax. The main planning concern is avoiding a slow, public probate, not state death taxes.
What does a basic estate plan cost in Birmingham?
A simple will, power of attorney, and advance directive package commonly runs a flat $300 to $700. A full trust-based plan typically runs $1,500 to $3,500. Ask for a flat-fee quote up front.
What happens if I die without a will in Alabama?
Your property passes under Alabama's intestacy statute, which sets a fixed order of heirs, usually spouse and children. The probate court, not you, also decides who administers the estate.
What is elder law and do I need it?
Elder law plans ahead for the cost of long-term care and Medicaid eligibility. If a nursing home is a realistic possibility, this planning should start years in advance, so choose a firm with genuine elder-law experience.
How often should I update my estate plan?
Review it every three to five years and after any major change, a marriage, divorce, birth, death, or move to another state. Out-of-date documents cause more problems than no documents.
Will my estate have to go through probate?
Maybe. Assets with named beneficiaries or held in a properly funded trust usually skip probate. Solely owned assets without a beneficiary typically go through Alabama probate unless a trust holds them.
One last thing. Choosing a lawyer is personal. Read the reviews. Call two or three firms before you sign. Ask each one: How many matters like mine have you handled in the last three years? The answer tells you a lot. — The LawFirmSquare team
LawFirmSquare is a directory. We do not represent clients or refer cases for a fee.
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