The top-rated estate planning attorneie in Concord, New Hampshire is Cohen & Winters, PLLC, rated 4.7 stars across 222 reviews. Other highly rated options include Shaheen & Gordon, P.A., Christine M. Hanisco, Esq., McGrath Law Firm. This directory lists 27 estate planning attorneies serving Concord.
Comparison
| # | Name | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cohen & Winters, PLLC | 64 N State St | (603) 931-4039 |
| 2 | Shaheen & Gordon, P.A. | 107 Storrs St | (603) 607-5244 |
| 3 | Christine M. Hanisco, Esq. | 20 Foundry St | (978) 938-4380 |
| 4 | McGrath Law Firm | 3 N Spring St # 201 | (603) 224-7111 |
| 5 | Law Offices of Martin and Hipple, PLLC | 390 Loudon Rd | (603) 856-0202 |
| 6 | Howard A Roever Law Office | 83 Clinton St | (603) 224-5700 |
| 7 | Upton & Hatfield, LLP | 10 Centre St | (603) 716-9777 |
| 8 | Lehmann Major List, PLLC | 6 Garvins Falls Rd | (603) 731-5435 |
| 9 | Attorney Andrew Winters | 64 N State St | (603) 931-4672 |
| 10 | Kraus Law | 4 Barrell Ct Unit 100 | (603) 263-3697 |
Cohen & Winters, PLLC serves the Concord, New Hampshire metro area as a dedicated estate planning law firm. The practice provides guidance on wills, trusts, and the legal transfer of assets to designated beneficiaries. It helps clients plan for the future while addressing concerns about potential incapacity and the administration of an estate after death. Probate matters, including the navigating of New Hampshire’s court procedures, fall under the firm’s purview. The office also assists with drafting advance directives and powers of attorney for healthcare and finances.
Shaheen & Gordon, P.A., located in Concord, New Hampshire, assists clients with wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and health care directives. The firm also provides guidance on estate tax planning and the probate process to help manage asset distribution. After establishing initial documents, clients can arrange for future amendments and periodic plan reviews. The attorney services single-family homes, apartments, retail, and restaurants in the surrounding area.
Christine M. Hanisco, Esq. serves the Concord, New Hampshire area as an estate planning attorney. The practice provides guidance on creating wills and trusts to manage an individual’s assets during their lifetime. It also assists with preparing powers of attorney for healthcare and financial decisions. Additional services include strategies for reducing potential estate taxes and helping clients plan for long-term care needs. For clients seeking more advanced arrangements, the firm also offers support for establishing asset protection trusts.
As the New Hampshire winter fades, many Concord residents review their estate plans to ensure protecting assets and family. McGrath Law Firm provides estate planning attorney services focused on wills, trusts, and powers of attorney for local clients. The firm helps individuals navigate inheritance laws common in Merrimack County. An initial consultation is offered to discuss goals and assess current documentation.
The Law Offices of Martin and Hipple, PLLC, in Concord, New Hampshire, is known for providing comprehensive estate planning legal counsel. The firm assists clients with foundational documents such as wills, trusts, and powers of attorney to arrange asset distribution and healthcare directives. It also addresses probate administration needs for local families navigating the court process. As a specialized add-on service, the office can draft living trusts to help manage assets during incapacity and avoid the delays of public probate.
Howard A Roever Law Office serves Concord residents with estate planning services that include wills, trusts, and powers of attorney. The practice also provides commercial estate planning coverage for local businesses throughout the Merrimack Valley region. Counsel focuses on tailoring each plan to individual circumstances while addressing long-term asset protection goals. Clients receive thorough document review and probate guidance during their initial engagement. The office coordinates follow-up services and plan updates between regular visits to accommodate life changes.
Upton & Hatfield, LLP handles a wide range of legal matters concerning wills, trusts, and probate administration for individuals and families in Concord, New Hampshire. The firm’s practice extends to more complex estate planning strategies, including asset protection and special needs planning. It serves private clients as well as commercial sectors such as offices, warehouses, and food service operations.
Lehmann Major List, PLLC serves clients in and around Concord, New Hampshire, offering comprehensive estate planning attorney services. The firm assists individuals and families with organizing their assets to ensure wishes are carried out according to their instructions. It also addresses incapacity planning to help protect clients’ financial and healthcare decisions in the event they cannot manage them personally. These services include drafting wills and establishing revocable living trusts.
Attorney Andrew Winters provides estate planning services including wills, trusts, and powers of attorney in Concord, New Hampshire. The firm offers ongoing plan maintenance and periodic reviews to ensure documents remain aligned with changing laws and personal circumstances. It assists clients in transferring assets efficiently and reducing potential tax burdens. Attorney Andrew Winters serves homeowners with single-family houses, owners of apartment complexes, operators of retail spaces, and proprietors of local restaurants needing succession planning.
What Does an a Estate Planning Attorney in Concord Cost?
Typical costs for estate planning in New Hampshire vary widely based on your specific needs. A basic estate plan with a will, durable power of attorney, and healthcare documents generally costs between $300 and $1,000, with most Concord attorneys charging $400 to $800 for this package. A comprehensive trust-based plan, including a revocable living trust, pour-over will, financial power of attorney, medical power of attorney, and living will, typically ranges from $1,500 to $5,000, with $2,000 to $4,500 being the most common range. For complex estates involving business interests, multiple properties, or tax planning, attorneys charge hourly rates of $250 to $500 per hour, and total fees can reach $5,000 to $15,000 or more. Many attorneys offer flat fee pricing for standard packages and may allow payment plans for larger projects. This information is general and does not constitute legal advice; you should consult with a qualified attorney for advice specific to your situation.
About estate planning attorneies in Concord
Estate planning in Concord, New Hampshire involves creating a comprehensive set of legal documents that determine how your assets will be managed and distributed during your life and after your death. The cornerstone documents include wills, which direct the disposition of your property and name guardians for minor children. Revocable living trusts allow you to maintain control of your assets during your lifetime while avoiding probate upon your death. Irrevocable trusts, by contrast, cannot be easily modified once created and are often used for Medicaid planning or asset protection. Powers of attorney designate someone to manage your financial affairs if you become incapacitated, while healthcare directives, including living wills, specify your medical treatment preferences and appoint someone to make healthcare decisions on your behalf. Beneficiary designations on retirement accounts, life insurance policies, and payable-on-death accounts override what your will says, making them a critical component of any estate plan.
New Hampshire has specific laws that directly affect estate planning strategies. The probate process in New Hampshire typically takes six to twelve months for straightforward estates, though complex estates can take eighteen months or longer. New Hampshire does not impose a state estate tax, which simplifies planning for many residents, but the federal estate tax exemption is $13.61 million per individual in 2024, meaning estates exceeding that threshold face federal taxes up to 40 percent. If you die without a will in New Hampshire, your assets pass under intestate succession laws: your spouse receives the first $100,000 plus half of the remaining estate, with your children receiving the other half. New Hampshire is not a community property state, so assets acquired during marriage are generally owned by the person whose name is on the title. New Hampshire does allow transfer on death deeds for real estate, which lets you name a beneficiary to inherit property without going through probate.
You should consider estate planning at several key life milestones. When you get married, you need to update your beneficiary designations and consider how your new spouse will be protected. The birth or adoption of a child makes estate planning urgent because you must name a guardian in your will to care for your children if both parents die. Purchasing a home in Concord means you should consider how the property will transfer upon your death, whether through joint tenancy, a transfer on death deed, or a trust. If you own a business, your estate plan should address succession planning and buy-sell agreements. As you approach retirement, you need to coordinate your estate plan with your retirement accounts and Social Security benefits. If you accumulate significant assets, you may need strategies to minimize estate taxes and protect assets from creditors. Blended families require special attention to ensure both your current spouse and children from previous relationships are provided for as you intend.
The key documents in a comprehensive estate plan each serve a distinct purpose. A last will and testament directs how your probate assets are distributed, names an executor to manage your estate, and appoints guardians for minor children. A durable power of attorney for finances authorizes someone to handle your banking, investments, real estate, and tax matters if you become incapacitated. A medical power of attorney, also called a healthcare proxy in New Hampshire, appoints someone to make medical decisions for you if you cannot speak for yourself. A living will, sometimes combined with the medical power of attorney, documents your wishes regarding life-sustaining treatment, such as whether you want to be kept on artificial nutrition and hydration. Trust documents, whether revocable or irrevocable, create a legal entity that holds your assets for the benefit of yourself or others, with specific instructions for management and distribution.
Costs for estate planning in Concord vary based on the complexity of your situation. A basic will package, which includes a simple will, durable power of attorney, and healthcare documents, typically costs between $300 and $1,000. Comprehensive trust-based estate plans, which include a revocable living trust, pour-over will, powers of attorney, and healthcare directives, generally range from $1,500 to $5,000. For complex estates involving business interests, special needs trusts, or tax planning strategies, attorneys may charge hourly rates of $250 to $500 per hour, with total costs reaching $5,000 to $15,000 or more. Factors that affect pricing include the number of assets, whether you own real estate in multiple states, the complexity of your family situation, and whether you need ongoing trust administration services. Many attorneys offer flat fee pricing for standard packages and provide payment plans for larger projects.
Common mistakes in estate planning can undermine your intentions and create problems for your loved ones. Dying intestate, or without a will, means New Hampshire law determines who inherits your assets, which may not align with your wishes. Outdated beneficiary designations on retirement accounts and life insurance policies often cause assets to go to ex-spouses or deceased individuals, overriding your current will. Not funding a trust is one of the most frequent errors: creating a revocable living trust does no good if you do not transfer your assets into it, leaving those assets subject to probate. Do-it-yourself wills from online services frequently fail in New Hampshire because they do not meet state-specific requirements for execution, such as having two witnesses who are not beneficiaries. Failing to plan for incapacity is another critical mistake: without a durable power of attorney and healthcare proxy, your family may need to go to court to obtain guardianship, which is expensive and time-consuming.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the specific probate requirements in New Hampshire that affect estate planning in Concord?
New Hampshire probate requires filing a will with the probate court in the county where the deceased lived, typically Merrimack County for Concord residents. The executor must file an inventory of assets within 90 days of appointment and provide notice to all heirs and beneficiaries. Small estates valued under $10,000 can use a simplified affidavit procedure to avoid formal probate, while estates under $100,000 with a surviving spouse may qualify for a streamlined process. New Hampshire also allows creditors to file claims against the estate within six months of the executor's appointment.
How much does a typical estate planning attorney charge in Concord, New Hampshire?
A basic will package in Concord, including a will, durable power of attorney, and healthcare documents, typically costs $400 to $800. A comprehensive trust-based plan with a revocable living trust, pour-over will, and all supporting documents ranges from $2,000 to $4,500. For complex estates involving business succession or tax planning, hourly rates of $275 to $450 per hour are common, with total fees reaching $6,000 to $12,000. Many Concord attorneys offer free initial consultations and flat fee pricing for standard packages.
What is the legal process for creating an estate plan with an attorney in New Hampshire?
The process typically begins with an initial consultation where the attorney gathers information about your assets, family situation, and goals. The attorney then drafts your documents, which usually takes one to three weeks. You will review the drafts and request any changes before a final signing ceremony, where the attorney or a notary witnesses your signature. For wills, New Hampshire law requires two witnesses who are not beneficiaries to sign in your presence. Trust documents must be notarized, and you must transfer titled assets into the trust to complete the funding process.
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