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5 Best Estate Planning Lawyers in Chicago (2026)

Independently ranked by our review of ratings, reviews and reputation · How we chose

Lorian Hartfield
By Lorian Hartfield, Real Estate and Financial Expert · ✓ Data verified August 2026 · 8 min read

Estate planning isn't usually urgent the way a lawsuit is, which is exactly why it's easy to put off finding one of the estate planning lawyers in Chicago until it's needed fast. Bradford Miller Law leads this page with 518 reviews and a perfect 5.0, more reviews than the rest of the firms here combined, but most of the rest still hold a rating of 4.9 or better. Every firm on this page is real-estate-adjacent or elder-law-adjacent in some way, which matters if your estate plan involves a Chicago property or long-term care questions.

Short answer: Bradford Miller Law, P.C. is the clear leader with a perfect 5.0 rating across 518 reviews, combining estate planning with real estate closing experience. For elder law and Medicaid planning specifically, Dutton Casey & Mesoloras, PC (4.9, 55 reviews) draws repeated praise for guardianship and long-term care guidance.
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Estate Planning Attorneys in Chicago, Compared

# Business Rating Reviews Best for
1 Bradford Miller Law, P.C. 5.0 ★ 518 Estate planning paired with real estate transactions View ›
2 Gurney Law Group 4.9 ★ 146 Real estate closings with estate planning support View ›
3 Peck Ritchey, LLC 4.6 ★ 116 Elder law and probate litigation View ›
4 Marshiano Law Group - Wills, Trusts & Estate Planning Attorney in Chicago, IL 5.0 ★ 55 Wills and trusts for individuals and families View ›
5 Dutton Casey & Mesoloras, PC 4.9 ★ 55 Elder law, guardianship, and special needs trusts View ›
5 Best Estate Planning Lawyers in Chicago (2026)

Our top picks, reviewed

Bradford Miller Law, P.C. logo
#1 Overall🕑 Open 5 days/wk↩ Responds to reviews

Bradford Miller Law, P.C.

5.0518 Google reviews

Bradford Miller Law is a West Loop firm best known for Chicago real estate closings, but its practice includes estate planning, wills, trusts, and powers of attorney alongside property law. Reviewers most often describe condo and home purchase transactions, with the firm's estate planning work mentioned as part of a broader relationship with repeat clients over multiple deals.

What people praise

  • Largest review base on this page by far, 518 reviews with 99% five-star
  • Reviewers repeatedly praise transparency around fees, including honoring an original quote after a deal became more complex
  • Multiple named attorneys and staff (Brad, Elizabeth, Thomas, Jonathan Blair) get individual recognition across reviews
  • Many reviewers are repeat clients, using the firm for a second or third transaction
Reputation scorecardrank in Chicago
Rating5 / 5
Review volume518 · 98th
Confidencehigh
Recency4 weeks ago
Info completenesssite · phone · hours
Rating breakdown99% 5-star
✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: The safest default here, especially if your estate plan involves Chicago real estate, since the firm's core strength is that exact combination.

Website+1312-238-9298 Directions

216 S Jefferson St #601, Chicago, IL 60661

Gurney Law Group logo
#2🕑 Open 5 days/wk

Gurney Law Group

4.9146 Google reviews

Gurney Law Group is a Loop firm primarily focused on real estate transactions, with estate planning as a secondary service alongside legal services more broadly. Reviewers describe home and condo purchase and sale closings almost exclusively, with attorneys Adam and Imani named most frequently for guiding buyers and sellers through negotiations.

What people praise

  • 4.9 rating across 146 reviews, the second-largest sample here
  • Reviewers describe quick response times and clear guidance through what can be a stressful closing process
  • Multiple reviewers used the firm for repeat transactions, citing consistency across deals
Reputation scorecardrank in Chicago
Rating4.9 / 5
Review volume146 · 93th
Confidencemoderate
Recency8 weeks ago
Info completenesssite · phone · hours
Rating breakdown99% 5-star
✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: A solid choice if your immediate need is a Chicago real estate closing with estate planning as a secondary consideration down the road.

Website+1312-929-0974 Directions

150 S Wacker Dr #2400, Chicago, IL 60606

Peck Ritchey, LLC logo
#3🕑 Open 5 days/wk↩ Responds to reviews

Peck Ritchey, LLC

4.6116 Google reviews

Peck Ritchey, LLC is a Loop firm specializing in probate, trust, and guardianship litigation, along with elder law matters like Alzheimer's and special needs planning. Its managing partner has been recognized by Leading Lawyers Magazine as one of Chicago's go-to probate attorneys, and the firm has multiple attorneys named to Best Lawyers in America lists.

What people praise

  • Reviewers specifically praise the firm's elder law expertise, including Medicaid guidance and long-term care planning
  • One reviewer secured a rapid same-day consultation on an urgent trust naming issue during an emergency
  • Firm has over 100 years of combined experience in probate, trust, and guardianship litigation

Worth knowing

  • Rating of 4.6 is the lowest on this page, with a small cluster of one- and two-star reviews mixed into an otherwise strong record
Reputation scorecardrank in Chicago
Rating4.6 / 5
Review volume116 · 88th
Confidencemoderate
Recency4 months ago
Info completenesssite · phone · hours
Rating breakdown86% 5-star
✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: Worth calling if your situation involves elder law, guardianship, or a probate dispute rather than a straightforward will, since that's this firm's specific strength.

Website+1312-201-0900 Directions

321 S Plymouth Ct 6th Fl, Chicago, IL 60604

Marshiano Law Group - Wills, Trusts & Estate Planning Attorney in Chicago, IL logo
#4🕑 Open 5 days/wk↩ Responds to reviews

Marshiano Law Group - Wills, Trusts & Estate Planning Attorney in Chicago, IL

5.055 Google reviews

Marshiano Law Group is a firm dedicated to estate planning, business law, and real estate closings, led by attorney Tony Marshiano with more than 25 years of experience. Reviewers describe wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and healthcare directives handled with clear explanations, and several reviewers mention attending the firm's estate planning seminars before becoming clients.

What people praise

  • Perfect 5.0 rating across 55 reviews, with zero reviews below 5 stars
  • Reviewers describe complex trust modifications completed entirely remotely for clients unable to travel
  • One reviewer set up trusts for three children entirely through the firm without complications
  • Offers educational seminars that several reviewers cite as their first contact with the firm
Reputation scorecardrank in Chicago
Rating5 / 5
Review volume55 · 75th
Confidenceearly
Recency6 weeks ago
Info completenesssite · phone · hours
Rating breakdown100% 5-star
✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: A strong option for a standard will or trust setup, particularly if you'd like to attend a seminar first to understand your options before committing.

Website+1312-965-1111 Directions

1236 W Eddy St #1, Chicago, IL 60657

Dutton Casey & Mesoloras, PC logo
#5🕑 Open 5 days/wk

Dutton Casey & Mesoloras, PC

4.955 Google reviews

Dutton Casey & Mesoloras, PC is a Loop firm focused specifically on elder law, estate planning, guardianship, and probate, with reviewers noting it operates as an all-women law firm specializing in elder law matters. Attorneys Kathryn Casey, Helen Mesoloras, and Melissa Kallio are each named repeatedly across reviews for handling complex, multi-year cases involving disabled or aging family members.

What people praise

  • 4.9 rating across 55 reviews
  • Reviewers describe multi-year relationships managing special needs trusts and Medicaid concerns with consistent care
  • One reviewer specifically appreciated working with an all-women firm specializing in elder law
  • Praised for thoroughly explaining complex trust revisions and corporate trustee options
Reputation scorecardrank in Chicago
Rating4.9 / 5
Review volume55 · 75th
Confidenceearly
Recency7 weeks ago
Info completenesssite · phone · hours
Rating breakdown95% 5-star
✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: A strong fit if your estate planning need centers on an aging or disabled family member rather than a standard will or trust.

Website+1312-899-0950 Directions

17 N State St Suite 890, Chicago, IL 60602

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How we score this list

Rating is the live Google average. Review volume ranks how many clients have left feedback against the other firms on this page. Confidence weighs the rating against that volume, since a 5.0 from 55 reviews and a 5.0 from 518 reviews aren’t equally certain. Recency checks how recently people are still reviewing. No firm can pay to change these numbers.

What does estate planning cost in Chicago? (2026)

Estate planning fees in Chicago typically depend on whether you need a simple will, a full revocable trust, or ongoing elder law and guardianship work. None of the firms on this page publish a verifiable general fee schedule, so we’re not listing dollar figures here. Ask each firm for a flat-fee or hourly estimate scoped to your specific documents before committing.

Serving all of Chicago

These firms cluster in the Loop and West Loop, near Wacker Drive, Jefferson Street, and State Street, with Marshiano Law Group based further north near Roscoe Village. Most offer remote consultations for document review and trust revisions, so if you’re searching for an estate planning lawyer near me in Chicago, a firm’s specialty, whether real estate, elder law, or standard wills, matters more than its exact address.

What to ask before you hire an estate planning lawyer

  • Do you charge a flat fee for a will or trust package, or bill hourly?
  • Will my documents need updating if I move, remarry, or my assets change significantly?
  • Does your firm handle probate and guardianship if a dispute arises later?
  • Can you help coordinate with my financial advisor on tax planning?
  • What happens to my estate plan if I have property in more than one state?
  • How often should I revisit my will or trust once it’s set up?

Frequently asked questions

Are these rankings paid?

No. Rankings come from public Google data. A business can pay to be a Featured Partner (badge and top placement), but that never changes another business’s score or position.

How did you choose these Chicago estate planning lawyers?

We pulled real Google ratings, review counts, and review text for estate planning attorneys operating in Chicago, then ranked them by a mix of rating, review volume, and how recently people are still leaving feedback.

How often is this list updated?

This page was last verified against live Google data in August 2026, and we recheck it periodically as ratings and review counts change.

Do I need a trust or is a will enough?

It depends on your assets and goals. A trust can help avoid probate and keep matters private, while a simple will may be sufficient for smaller estates. Several firms here, including Marshiano Law Group and Bradford Miller Law, discuss both options during an initial consultation.

What’s the difference between estate planning and elder law?

Estate planning covers wills, trusts, and asset distribution after death, while elder law covers issues affecting aging or disabled individuals during their lifetime, like Medicaid planning and guardianship. Peck Ritchey and Dutton Casey & Mesoloras on this page both specialize specifically in the elder law side.

The bottom line

Bradford Miller Law is the safest default given its size and consistency, especially if your estate plan touches Chicago real estate. If your situation centers on an aging family member or a guardianship question, Dutton Casey & Mesoloras is the more specialized call.

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