Setting up a will or trust in Charlotte? Here is who to call.
Top 10 Estate Planning Lawyers in Charlotte
Estate planning is mostly flat-fee work: a will package, a revocable living trust, powers of attorney, and a health-care directive. North Carolina has no state estate or inheritance tax, so most Charlotte plans focus on avoiding probate, naming guardians, and protecting a spouse or children. The 10 firms below all have verifiable Charlotte trusts-and-estates practices.
Updated April 23, 202613 min readEditorially independent
A good estate plan does three plain things: it says who gets what, who is in charge if you die or become incapacitated, and who raises your kids. In North Carolina that usually means a will, financial and health-care powers of attorney, and - for many families - a revocable living trust to keep assets out of probate at the Mecklenburg County Clerk of Superior Court.
North Carolina has no state estate tax and no inheritance tax, so most Charlotte planning is about control and probate avoidance rather than state death taxes. High-net-worth families still plan around the federal estate-tax exemption and around business succession. Look for an NC State Bar Board Certified Specialist in Estate Planning and Probate Law or an ACTEC fellow for complex estates.
Below are 10 Charlotte firms that handle wills, trusts, and probate, each confirmed across at least two independent directories or rankings.
How we picked these 10: We cross-referenced peer rankings and directories (Best Lawyers, Super Lawyers, Avvo, Martindale-Hubbell, Justia, Expertise.com), client review patterns, and state-bar board certifications. Every firm below appeared in at least two independent sources and has a verifiable Charlotte presence. We do not accept payment for placement, and we do not write sponsored reviews. More on our methodology →
1
Moore & Van Allen PLLC
100 N Tryon St, Suite 4700, Charlotte, NC 28202Founded 1945Large (AmLaw 200)
Practice focus: Estate planning, trusts, tax & charitable planning, business succession
One of the country's larger private-wealth practices, serving high-net-worth families, executives, and closely held businesses. Caitlin N. Horne is a Fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel and an NC Board Certified Specialist in estate planning and probate law.
Why they made the list: ACTEC fellow and NC Board Certified Specialist on staff; recognized in Best Lawyers and U.S. News Best Law Firms.
101 N Tryon St, Suite 1900, Charlotte, NC 28246Founded 1960Large (140+ attorneys)
Practice focus: Trusts & estates, estate planning, fiduciary matters
A Charlotte-headquartered firm whose trusts-and-estates group includes Fellows of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel and a Board Certified Specialist in estate planning and probate law.
Why they made the list: U.S. News Best Law Firms Charlotte Tier 1 for trusts & estates, 2011-2026; ACTEC fellows on staff.
Practice focus: Wills, trusts, health-care directives, probate, business
A Charlotte firm serving families and businesses across the Carolinas since 1973, with attorneys who handle both simple and complex estate-planning tools.
Why they made the list: Long-established Charlotte practice; listed in Super Lawyers and Justia for estate planning.
Practice focus: Estate planning, wills, trusts, business & tax
Founded in 1995, the firm draws on the principal's background as both an attorney and a CPA. Todd A. Stewart is an NC Board Certified Specialist in estate planning and probate law.
Why they made the list: NC Board Certified Specialist on staff; listed in regional estate-planning directories.
Practice focus: Estate planning, business, construction
A Charlotte estate-planning and business-law firm focused on personal, cost-effective planning for individuals and business owners across the greater Charlotte area.
Why they made the list: Listed in Expertise.com and Justia for Charlotte estate planning; dedicated estate-planning practice.
Practice focus: Wills, trusts, asset protection, long-term care, probate
A North Carolina planning firm focused on wills, trusts, asset protection, and long-term-care planning, acting as an ongoing advisor through major life changes.
Why they made the list: Dedicated NC estate-planning firm; listed across estate-planning directories.
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How to choose between them in Charlotte
Match the firm to the estate. A straightforward will and powers of attorney can be handled by a boutique on a flat fee. A taxable estate, a blended family, or a business needs a board-certified specialist or an ACTEC fellow.
Ask about board certification. The NC State Bar certifies specialists in estate planning and probate law - a useful signal of real depth.
Get flat-fee packages in writing. Most core estate planning is a defined product. A firm that will quote a flat fee for a will or trust package is easier to budget than open-ended hourly work.
Plan for updates. Ask how the firm handles future changes - a new child, a move, a death in the family - and whether reviews are included.
What estate planning help typically costs in Charlotte
Real Charlotte estate-planning ranges for 2026:
Simple will package (will, financial POA, health-care POA, living will). $400-$1,200 flat for an individual; $700-$1,800 for a couple.
Revocable living trust package. $1,800-$4,500 flat for most families, including pour-over wills and powers of attorney; higher for complex assets.
Complex or taxable estates / business succession. Usually hourly at $300-$600, scaled to the planning involved.
Probate / estate administration. Often hourly at $250-$450, or a percentage in some matters; Mecklenburg County probate runs through the Clerk of Superior Court.
North Carolina has no state estate or inheritance tax, so most plans focus on probate avoidance and control rather than state death taxes.
How long it takes
Estate planning is usually fast once you decide what you want:
Will package. Typically 2-4 weeks from intake to signing.
Revocable living trust package. 3-6 weeks, plus time to retitle assets into the trust.
Complex / taxable plans. Several weeks to a few months depending on appraisals and entity work.
Probate administration. North Carolina estates commonly take 6-12 months or more through the Clerk of Superior Court.
Red flags to watch for when picking a estate planning lawyer in Charlotte
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.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a will or a trust in Charlotte?
Most adults need at least a will, financial power of attorney, health-care power of attorney, and a living will. A revocable living trust is worth it for many families because it keeps assets out of North Carolina probate and is private. A lawyer can tell you which fits your assets and goals.
How much does estate planning cost in Charlotte?
A simple will package runs about $400-$1,200 for an individual and $700-$1,800 for a couple. A revocable living trust package typically runs $1,800-$4,500 flat. Complex or taxable estates are usually billed hourly at $300-$600.
Does North Carolina have an estate tax?
No. North Carolina has no state estate tax and no inheritance tax. Very large estates may still face the federal estate tax, which is why high-net-worth families plan around the federal exemption.
What happens if I die without a will in NC?
Your property passes under North Carolina's intestacy statutes, which divide assets among your spouse and relatives in fixed shares that may not match your wishes. The court also appoints an administrator and can decide guardianship of minor children.
What is a board-certified estate planning specialist?
The NC State Bar certifies a limited number of attorneys as specialists in estate planning and probate law after testing and peer review. For complex estates, that credential - or membership in the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel - signals real depth.
How long does probate take in Mecklenburg County?
North Carolina estate administration commonly takes 6-12 months or longer through the Clerk of Superior Court, depending on the estate's complexity and any disputes. A living trust can let most assets skip probate entirely.
How often should I update my estate plan?
Review it after major life events - marriage, divorce, a new child, a death, a big change in assets, or a move to another state - and otherwise every 3-5 years. Ask whether your firm includes periodic reviews.
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
Helpful next steps
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