Burch Law
Practice focus: Wills, trusts, probate, legacy planning
Dallas-based estate planning firm offering wills, trusts, probate guidance, and long-term legacy planning.
- Fee structure
- Flat fee
Estate planning in Dallas? Texas has unique tools — use them.
Top 10 Estate Planning Lawyers in Dallas
Texas offers powerful estate planning tools — no state income tax, no estate tax, unlimited homestead exemption, and the Independent Administration of Estates that lets executors administer with minimal court supervision. The right plan keeps your assets out of probate and out of court.
These 10 Dallas firms cover wills, revocable trusts, dynasty trusts, probate, and business-succession planning.
How we picked these 10: We reviewed published verdicts and settlements, peer rankings (Best Lawyers, Super Lawyers, Chambers and Partners, Avvo), client review patterns, and bar association recognition. Firms that appeared consistently across independent sources made the list. We do not accept payment for placement, and we do not write sponsored reviews. More on our methodology →
Parvin Law Group, P.C.
Practice focus: Estate planning, probate, trust administration
Christopher Parvin — Board Certified Specialist in Estate Planning and Probate Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization.
- Fee structure
- Flat fee
- Free consultation
- Initial $
Crain & Wooley
Practice focus: Estate planning, wills, trusts
Customized DFW estate-planning packages. Strong client communication.
- Fee structure
- Flat fee
- Free consultation
- Free
Pyke Balen & Moncure, P.C.
Practice focus: Estate planning, probate
Handles hundreds of estates and appears in probate courts throughout Dallas, Tarrant, Collin, Denton, Ellis, and Rockwall counties.
- Fee structure
- Hourly / Flat
- Free consultation
- Initial $
Spencer, Johnson, Harvell, & Spencer, PLLC
Practice focus: Estate, trust, fiduciary litigation
Recognized as a leader in estate, trust, and fiduciary litigation throughout Texas.
- Fee structure
- Hourly
- Free consultation
- Initial $
Cowles Thompson, P.C.
Practice focus: Estate planning, business succession, probate
Multi-disciplinary firm helping clients with wills, trusts, partnerships, and estate-tax planning.
- Fee structure
- Hourly
- Free consultation
- Initial $
Calloway, Norris, Burdette & Weber
Practice focus: Estate planning, trust litigation
Long-established Dallas estate practice with strong trust-litigation bench.
- Fee structure
- Hourly
- Free consultation
- Initial $
Schoenbaum, Curphy & Scanlan, P.C.
Practice focus: Estate planning, business succession
Multi-office Texas estate practice. Strong family-business succession bench.
- Fee structure
- Hourly
- Free consultation
- Initial $
Kessler Collins
Practice focus: Estate, business, probate
Established Dallas firm with strong probate and business-estate bench.
- Fee structure
- Hourly
- Free consultation
- Initial $
Munck Wilson Mandala (Estate Group)
Practice focus: Estate, tax, trust planning
DFW multi-practice firm with strong tax-driven estate planning bench.
- Fee structure
- Hourly
- Free consultation
- Initial $
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Request Free Consultation →What to expect from estate planning in Dallas
Initial consult, draft package (will, durable POA, healthcare POA, HIPAA, possibly RLT). Signed and notarized in 4-6 weeks. Probate (if needed) — Independent Administration in 6-12 months.
What does an estate planning lawyer in Dallas cost?
Simple will package: $500-$1,500 flat. Revocable trust package: $2,500-$5,500. Complex (dynasty trust, GST planning): $7,500+.
Red flags to watch for when picking a estate planning lawyer in Dallas
The legal directory you find on Google has thousands of Dallas estate planning firms. Most are competent. A few are problematic. The patterns to avoid:
Guaranteed outcomes. No ethical attorney can guarantee a result. If a firm promises a specific recovery, dismissal, or visa approval, walk away.
The disappearing partner. You meet a senior partner at intake, then never speak to them again. The case is handled by an unsupervised junior or a paralegal. Ask in writing who will be your day-to-day attorney.
Pressure to sign immediately. Reputable firms give you the retainer in writing, time to read it, and the option to take it home. High-pressure intake is almost always a sign of a volume mill, not a craftsperson's practice.
No verifiable track record. The firm should be able to point to verdicts, settlements, peer rankings, or bar association recognition. "We've helped thousands of clients" is marketing copy. Specific numbers, named cases, and third-party rankings are evidence.
Vague fee terms. "Don't worry about cost" is a red flag. Every legitimate Dallas lawyer will give you a written engagement letter with the fee structure, what's covered, what triggers extra charges, and what happens if you fire them.
10 questions to ask in your free consultation
Most Dallas firms on this list offer a free initial consultation. Use it. Bring a list of questions and write down the answers. Compare across at least two firms before you sign.
- Who, specifically, will handle my case day-to-day? Get a name. Get an email.
- How many cases 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 answer in writing before you sign.
- What case expenses am I responsible for, and when? Out-of-pocket costs surprise people. Ask now.
- What is the realistic range of outcomes for a case like mine? A good lawyer will give you a range. A bad one will promise the high end.
- How long will it take? Honest estimate, with the assumptions stated.
- Who else might be involved? Experts? Co-counsel? Larger cases routinely involve outside experts. Know who's on the team.
- How and how often will I hear from you? Email-only? Calls? Monthly updates? Set the expectation now.
- What happens if I want to change lawyers later? Rules allow it; the fee is sorted between firms. Make sure you understand the mechanics.
- What's the worst-case outcome for my case? A lawyer who refuses to discuss downside risk is selling you something.
What's specific about a estate planning case in Dallas
Dallas is its own market. The procedure, the courts, and the strategy are city- and state-specific in ways that matter to your outcome.
Local courthouses matter. Dallas County District Courts at the George L. Allen Sr. Courts Building and the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas have judges, calendars, and procedures that shape how cases move. A firm that knows the local courthouse has an advantage.
Filing deadlines are strict. Notice of Claim windows for cases against the City or County, Statute of Limitations periods, and pre-suit certification requirements vary by case type and are unforgiving. A missed deadline often means a lost case — full stop.
Local procedure rules matter. Each court has its own forms, motion practice, and judge preferences. The right Dallas firm will know not just the law, but the unwritten rules of the courthouse you'll be in.
Local plaintiffs/defendants do well in front of local juries. Verdict patterns vary by venue, and a trial-capable firm uses venue strategically.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a will in Texas?
Yes if you have any assets, minor children, or specific bequests. Without a will, intestate distribution applies.
Trust or just a will?
Will is enough for most. Trust avoids probate, manages incapacity, and protects privacy. Helpful for property in multiple states.
What's Independent Administration?
Texas-unique probate path that lets executors administer estates with minimal court supervision — much faster and cheaper.
How often update?
Every 3-5 years or after life events (marriage, divorce, kids, big asset changes).
Federal estate tax?
Only on estates over $13.61M (2024). Texas has no state estate tax.
Related reading
One last thing. Choosing a lawyer is personal. Read the reviews. Call two or three firms before you sign. Ask each one: How many cases like mine have you taken to verdict in the last three years? The answer tells you everything. — The LawFirmSquare team