A good estate plan in Nevada does three things: it decides who gets what, it spares your family a court process called probate, and it names someone to make decisions if you cannot. Nevada is one of the friendliest states in the country for trusts and asset protection, which is exactly why the planning is worth doing right. The Reno attorneys below draft wills, living trusts, and powers of attorney every week, and most will quote you a flat fee before you commit.
Updated December 21, 202511 min readEditorially independent
Most people put off estate planning because it feels morbid or complicated. In Reno it is neither. A standard plan is a packet of documents - a will, a revocable living trust, a durable power of attorney, and a healthcare directive - that together control what happens to your money, your home, and your medical care. Without them, Nevada's intestacy laws and the probate court decide for you, and that process is slower and more expensive than the plan itself.
Nevada has a particular advantage worth knowing about. The state allows self-settled spendthrift trusts (often called Nevada Asset Protection Trusts), has no state income tax, and has unusually strong privacy and creditor-protection rules. For business owners, blended families, and anyone with real estate or retirement accounts of any size, that makes Reno a sensible place to build a plan that actually holds up. A local attorney who works in this system daily is worth more than a generic online template.
Fees in Reno are usually flat and quoted up front. A simple will-based plan often runs $1,000 to $2,500; a revocable living trust package for an individual or couple commonly runs $2,000 to $4,500, more if there is a business, out-of-state property, or tax planning involved. Hourly work, when it applies, tends to run $250 to $450. Most of the firms below offer a free or low-cost initial consultation, and several handle the whole thing by video if you prefer. Bring a list of your assets, your beneficiaries, and the people you would trust to act for you.
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 Reno-area estate planning practice. We do not accept payment for placement, and we do not write sponsored reviews. More on our methodology →
1
Anderson, Dorn & Rader, Ltd.
Reno, NV25+ yearsFree consultation
Practice focus: Estate planning, living trusts, asset protection, tax planning, probate and trust administration
A northern Nevada estate-planning firm serving families and business owners for more than 25 years, recognized in the Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers, a rating held by fewer than 5% of firms. Attorney Gerald Dorn focuses on estate, tax, and asset-protection planning for wealthy families and business owners. Listed on the firm site, Martindale-Hubbell, and Super Lawyers.
Why they made the list: The deepest bench in Reno for trust and tax-driven planning, a strong fit for higher-net-worth families and business owners who want sophisticated asset protection.
Practice focus: Estate planning, wills and trusts, probate, business succession
A long-established Reno-Sparks firm with more than a century of combined legal experience providing comprehensive estate planning across Washoe County. The firm pairs estate work with business and real estate practice, useful when a plan touches a company or property. Listed on the firm site, Super Lawyers, and Justia.
Why they made the list: A good fit when your estate plan overlaps with a business or real estate holdings the same firm can also handle.
Reno, NVEstate, probate, taxConsultation available
Practice focus: Estate planning, probate, trust administration, tax law
A Reno practice led by attorney Tyson Cross handling estate planning, probate, and tax matters, with client reviews that repeatedly note clear explanations of complex tax and estate questions. Listed on Avvo, Justia, and the firm site.
Why they made the list: A fit for clients who want a planner comfortable with the tax side, especially where retirement accounts or capital-gains questions come into play.
Practice focus: Estate planning, trusts, probate, trust administration, business formation
A Reno attorney who is Lead Counsel Rated and practices primarily in estate planning, trusts, probate, trust administration, and the formation of business entities. Listed on Justia, Lawyers.com, and the firm site.
Why they made the list: A solo-attorney option for clients who want to work directly with the lawyer drafting their documents rather than a rotating team.
Practice focus: Estate planning, wills and trusts, probate, guardianship
A Reno estate-planning and probate practice listed among the area's estate planning firms on Super Lawyers and Justia directories, handling wills, trusts, and probate for northern Nevada families.
Why they made the list: A local option for straightforward will- and trust-based plans without the overhead of a large firm.
Practice focus: Estate planning, trusts, probate, business law
A Reno firm pairing estate planning and business law, listed in the Reno estate-planning directories on Justia and the firm's own pages. The combined focus suits owners who need both a personal plan and entity-level planning.
Why they made the list: A practical pick for small-business owners who want one firm for both their estate plan and their company documents.
Practice focus: Estate planning, wills, trusts, probate administration
A Reno estate-planning and probate practice appearing in the area's estate planning listings on Justia and Yelp, focused on wills, trusts, and helping families through probate after a death.
Why they made the list: A fit for families who need both planning now and a firm that can administer the estate later.
Tell us a little about your family and your assets, and we'll match you with a Reno estate planning attorney who can quote a flat fee and get your will or trust done. Free, confidential, no obligation.
How to choose between them in Reno
Decide whether you need a trust or just a will. A revocable living trust avoids probate and keeps your affairs private; a simple will does not. Ask each firm to explain, in plain terms, which one fits your assets - and to quote both so you can see the price difference.
Ask for a flat fee in writing. Reno estate planners usually quote a flat fee for a defined package. Get it in writing, and ask what is included: just the documents, or also funding the trust (retitling your home and accounts into it), which is the step people most often skip.
Match the firm to your complexity. A young couple with a house needs something very different from a business owner with out-of-state property. Anderson, Dorn & Rader and Viloria Oliphant lean toward complex, tax-driven estates; a solo office may be the better, cheaper fit for a simple plan.
What estate planning help typically costs in Reno
Estate planning in Reno is usually priced as a flat fee for a defined package, which makes it easy to compare:
Simple will-based plan: Commonly $1,000 to $2,500 for a will, powers of attorney, and a healthcare directive.
Revocable living trust package: Often $2,000 to $4,500 for an individual or couple, including the trust, pour-over will, and directives. More if there is a business or out-of-state property.
Trust funding: Retitling your home and accounts into the trust may be included or billed separately. Always ask, because an unfunded trust does not avoid probate.
Hourly work: Roughly $250 to $450 per hour for complex or tax-driven planning that does not fit a flat package.
Because most Reno firms quote a flat fee, get two written quotes and compare exactly what each one includes - especially whether trust funding is part of the price.
How long it takes
A standard Reno estate plan comes together faster than most people expect:
Initial consultation: One meeting, often free, to review your assets and goals and decide on a will- or trust-based plan. About an hour.
Drafting: The attorney prepares your documents, usually within one to three weeks, and sends a draft for review.
Signing: A signing appointment with the required witnesses and a notary. Nevada has specific execution rules, which the firm handles. Under an hour.
Funding: If you have a trust, retitling your home and accounts into it can take a few more weeks. This step is what makes the trust actually work.
Red flags to watch for when hiring a estate planning lawyer in Reno
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 Reno 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 Reno
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 Reno
Do I need a living trust or just a will in Reno?
It depends on your assets. A revocable living trust avoids Nevada probate and keeps your estate private, which matters if you own a home or have accounts you want to pass smoothly. A simple will is cheaper but still goes through probate. Most Reno firms will quote both so you can see the trade-off.
How much does an estate plan cost in Reno?
Most firms charge a flat fee. A simple will-based plan often runs $1,000 to $2,500; a living trust package commonly runs $2,000 to $4,500 for an individual or couple, more if a business or out-of-state property is involved. Ask whether trust funding is included.
What is a Nevada Asset Protection Trust?
It is a self-settled spendthrift trust that Nevada law allows, which can shield assets from future creditors while you remain a beneficiary. Nevada's rules here are among the strongest in the country, which is why high-net-worth families sometimes set up plans in the state. An experienced Reno attorney can tell you whether one makes sense for you.
What happens if I die without a will in Nevada?
Your estate passes under Nevada's intestacy statutes, which set a fixed order of who inherits, and it goes through probate in the local court. The result may not match what you would have chosen, and the process is slower and more public than a plan you set up in advance.
Does a trust avoid probate automatically?
Only if it is funded. Creating the trust document is half the job; the other half is retitling your home, bank accounts, and other assets into the trust's name. An unfunded trust still sends those assets through probate, which is why funding matters.
Can I update my estate plan later?
Yes. A revocable living trust and a will can both be amended as your life changes - marriage, children, a new home, a business sale. Most Reno firms offer plan reviews and can update documents for a modest fee. Revisit your plan every few years or after any major life event.
Do I need to come into the office?
Often not. Several Reno estate planners offer video consultations and can handle most of the process remotely, though Nevada's signing rules may require an in-person or properly notarized signing appointment. Ask each firm how they handle execution.
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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