72/100LFR Score
Ranked #1 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 220 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Estate planning attorney”.
Estate Planning And Probate Lawyers in Birmingham, AL: 2026 rankings
75 estate planning and probate lawyers ranked by LFR ScoreUpdated 0 paid placements in this rankingHow we rank →
The short answer
- 1
Highest LFR Score in Birmingham: Southern Estate Lawyers, LFR Score 72/100; 5.0★ from 220 Google reviews; open 24/7.
- 2
Open 24 hours (per Google): McInerney Law Firm, posts 24/7 hours; ranked #2 of 75.
- 3
Most-reviewed: Norris Injury Lawyers, 937 Google reviews at 4.9★, the most of 75 ranked; ranked #3.
Rankings can't be bought. Lawyers can't pay to change their rank or score. How we rank
75 Birmingham estate planning and probate lawyers are ranked here by LFR Score, from nine published factors. 8 are open 24/7, 15 open Saturdays and 9 open Sundays, based on posted hours. The median Google rating is 4.9★ across 75 rated law firms.
Top 10 estate planning and probate lawyers in Birmingham at a glance
Ranked by our published LFR Score from public data, not by payment; a rank is not an endorsement or a prediction of results.
| Rank | Business | LFR Score | Google rating | Based in | Hours | Notable for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Southern Estate Lawyers | 72 | 5.0★ (220) | Birmingham | Open 24 hrs (Google) | Top score |
| 2 | McInerney Law Firm | 66 | 5.0★ (22) | Homewood, 3 mi away | Open 24 hrs (Google) | Open 24 hours |
| 3 | Norris Injury Lawyers | 65 | 4.9★ (937) | Birmingham | Open 24 hrs (Google) | Most reviews |
| 4 | James B. Griffin, LLC | 65 | 4.9★ (14) | Birmingham | Sat · Sun · Evenings | — |
| 5 | The Alabama Elder Care Law Firm, LLC | 64 | 4.8★ (84) | Birmingham | — | — |
| 6 | Eastwood Estate & Probate Law | 64 | 5.0★ (61) | Birmingham | — | — |
| 7 | Law Offices of Johnathan Williams | 64 | 5.0★ (386) | Birmingham | Open 24 hrs (Google) | — |
| 8 | Waters Sullivan LLC | 63 | 4.9★ (60) | Birmingham | — | — |
| 9 | Provident Law / Estate Planning LLC | 63 | 5.0★ (43) | Birmingham | — | — |
| 10 | Christopher J. Cousins, Attorney at Law | 63 | 5.0★ (8) | Gardendale, 10 mi away | Open 24 hrs (Google) | — |
All 75 estate planning and probate lawyers in Birmingham, in rank order
Ordered by LFR Score, a 0–100 score from nine published factors. Paid placement never changes the order.
Ranked by our published LFR Score from public data, not by payment; a rank is not an endorsement or a prediction of results.
Scores below: based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected. Hatched segments mark factors we don't have yet.
Based in Homewood, 3 mi away
66/100LFR ScoreRanked #2 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 22 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Estate planning attorney”.
Based in Birmingham
65/100LFR ScoreRanked #3 because of its Google rating and review volume: 4.9★ from 937 Google reviews, the most in Birmingham.
Based in Birmingham
65/100LFR ScoreRanked #4 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.9★ from 14 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Estate planning attorney”.
Based in Birmingham
64/100LFR ScoreRanked #5 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.8★ from 84 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Elder law attorney”.
Based in Birmingham
64/100LFR ScoreRanked #6 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 61 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Estate planning attorney”.
Based in Birmingham
64/100LFR ScoreRanked #7 because of its Google rating and review volume: 5.0★ from 386 Google reviews.
Based in Birmingham
63/100LFR ScoreRanked #8 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.9★ from 60 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Estate planning attorney”.
Based in Birmingham
63/100LFR ScoreRanked #9 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 43 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Estate planning attorney”.
Based in Gardendale, 10 mi away
63/100LFR ScoreRanked #10 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 8 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Estate planning attorney”.
Based in Birmingham
62/100LFR ScoreRanked #11 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.8★ from 31 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Estate planning attorney”.
Based in Birmingham
62/100LFR ScoreRanked #12 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 26 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Elder law attorney”.
Based in Birmingham
62/100LFR ScoreRanked #13 because of its Google rating and review volume: 4.9★ from 175 Google reviews.
Based in Birmingham
62/100LFR ScoreRanked #14 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.7★ from 30 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Estate planning attorney”.
Based in Mountain Brook, 3 mi away
60/100LFR ScoreRanked #15 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 14 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Estate planning attorney”.
Based in Hoover, 10 mi away
60/100LFR ScoreRanked #16 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.9★ from 34 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Elder law attorney”.
Based in Birmingham
59/100LFR ScoreRanked #17 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.2★ from 5 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Elder law attorney”.
#18 Randall May
Based in Birmingham
59/100LFR ScoreRanked #18 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 3 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Estate planning attorney”.
#19 Cotney Elder Law
Based in Gardendale, 9 mi away
58/100LFR ScoreRanked #19 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.8★ from 12 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Elder law attorney”.
Based in Birmingham
58/100LFR ScoreRanked #20 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 3 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Estate planning attorney”.
Based in Birmingham
58/100LFR ScoreRanked #21 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 3.4★ from 5 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Estate planning attorney”.
Based in Alabaster, 5 mi away
58/100LFR ScoreRanked #22 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 6 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Estate planning attorney”.
Based in Birmingham
58/100LFR ScoreRanked #23 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.9★ from 131 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Personal injury attorney”.
Based in Birmingham
58/100LFR ScoreRanked #24 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 3.7★ from 3 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Estate planning attorney”.
Based in Birmingham
58/100LFR ScoreRanked #25 because of its Google rating and review volume: 4.8★ from 363 Google reviews.
Estate planning and probate lawyers ranked #26 to #50
#1 to #25 are shown in full above. Here are #26 to #50, in LFR Score order; each links to its profile. We publish the top 50 of 75 ranked estate planning and probate lawyers here; the rest are on their profiles.
| Rank | Business | LFR Score | Google rating | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 26 | Bains & Terry Attorneys at Law | 57 | 5.0★ (10) | 12 mi |
| 27 | Reid Law Firm, LLC | 57 | 5.0★ (67) | In Birmingham |
| 28 | The Law Office of Stephen Bulgarella, LLC | 57 | 5.0★ (69) | In Birmingham |
| 29 | McCollum Law Firm, P.C. | 57 | 4.6★ (9) | 12 mi |
| 30 | Joseph C. Somma, PC | 57 | 5.0★ (133) | In Birmingham |
| 31 | Gregory Varner & Associates | 55 | 4.9★ (94) | In Birmingham |
| 32 | Sokolove Law | 55 | 5.0★ (4) | In Birmingham |
| 33 | Counsel Hound | 54 | 5.0★ (9) | In Birmingham |
| 34 | Allums Welsch, PC | 54 | 4.9★ (97) | 12 mi |
| 35 | Foster Law Firm PC | 54 | 4.8★ (16) | 6 mi |
| 36 | Pino Law Firm P.C. | 54 | 4.8★ (226) | 12 mi |
| 37 | Massey, Stotser & Nichols, P.C. | 53 | 4.4★ (65) | In Birmingham |
| 38 | Gina H. McDonald & Associates | 53 | 5.0★ (44) | 12 mi |
| 39 | Bachus, Brom & Taylor, LLC Business Litigation Lawyers | 53 | 4.7★ (29) | In Birmingham |
| 40 | Daniel H. Chambers Attorney at Law, P.C. | 53 | 4.9★ (52) | 6 mi |
| 41 | Stephen H. Jones Attorney at Law | 52 | 4.5★ (178) | 12 mi |
| 42 | Beckum Law LLC | 52 | 4.4★ (24) | In Birmingham |
| 43 | Ritchey Legal, PLLC | 52 | 5.0★ (15) | In Birmingham |
| 44 | Bouloukos, Oglesby & Mitchell | 51 | 4.5★ (17) | In Birmingham |
| 45 | The Harris Firm LLC | 51 | 4.8★ (98) | 16 mi |
| 46 | Cindee Dale Holmes | 51 | 4.5★ (16) | In Birmingham |
| 47 | Hamer Law Group, LLC | 51 | 5.0★ (9) | In Birmingham |
| 48 | Fortune, Beard, Arnold, & Arnold, LLP | 51 | 4.4★ (14) | In Birmingham |
| 49 | Maynard Nexsen PC | 51 | 4.3★ (12) | In Birmingham |
| 50 | Hand Arendall Harrison Sale LLC | 51 | 4.6★ (10) | In Birmingham |
Also serving Birmingham
20 more estate planning and probate lawyers within 25 mi that we can't rank yet: too few reviews, or a practice area we couldn't confirm. Listed A to Z.
| Business | Google rating | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Alexander Shunnarah Trial Attorneys: Accident Injury Lawyers | 4.5★ (3,093) | In Birmingham |
| Bond & Botes Law Offices | 4.8★ (268) | In Birmingham |
| Brock & Stout Attorneys at Law | 4.9★ (1,185) | In Birmingham |
| Collins Law, LLC | 5.0★ (246) | In Birmingham |
| Cory Watson Attorneys | 4.9★ (447) | In Birmingham |
| Farris Riley Injury Law | 4.8★ (511) | In Birmingham |
| Guster Law Firm, LLC | 4.9★ (1,892) | In Birmingham |
| Heninger Garrison Davis, LLC | 4.9★ (942) | In Birmingham |
| Hollis, Wright & Clay, P.C. | 4.8★ (298) | In Birmingham |
| Maxwell Tillman | 4.6★ (522) | In Birmingham |
| Mezrano Alabama Injury and Car Accident Lawyers | 4.7★ (466) | In Birmingham |
| Morgan & Morgan | 4.7★ (2,995) | In Birmingham |
| Polson & Polson, P.C. | 4.8★ (225) | In Birmingham |
| Revill Law Firm | 4.7★ (238) | In Birmingham |
| Solano Immigration Law Firm | 4.9★ (491) | In Birmingham |
| The Nomberg Law Firm | 4.9★ (393) | In Birmingham |
| The Rose Law Firm, LLC | 4.7★ (313) | In Birmingham |
| Virtus Law Group | 4.8★ (218) | In Birmingham |
| Watts & Herring, LLC | 5.0★ (284) | In Birmingham |
| Wettermark Keith Personal Injury Lawyers | 4.8★ (2,357) | In Birmingham |
How we ranked Birmingham estate planning and probate lawyers
We scored 75 Birmingham estate planning and probate lawyers on nine factors, weighted as shown. A law firm is ranked when its practice area is confirmed and it has 3 or more Google reviews or a claimed profile. A law firm with no Google reviews scores zero on rating, review volume and recency. Other unknown factors are left out, not counted as zero. Scores last refreshed November 9, 2026.
Paid placement never changes a rank or score. Attorney advertising businesses are paid, labelled, limited to 3 and shown above the ranking, outside it.
| Factor | Weight | Computed from | In Birmingham data |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reputation | 25% | Google star rating, adjusted for how many reviews back it | Measured |
| Bar status | 10% | An active bar or law society record matched to a lawyer at the firm (not measured until a record source is loaded) | Not yet collected |
| Review volume | 10% | Number of Google reviews, compared with the most-reviewed firm on the list | Measured |
| Recency | 10% | Share of reviews from the last 12 months | Not yet collected |
| Availability | 5% | Weekly office hours, Saturday, Sunday, and phones answered 24/7 | Measured |
| Practice focus | 15% | How clearly the firm practises this area (its Google category and name) | Measured |
| Proximity | 5% | An office in the city scores highest, less the farther away it is | Measured |
| Claimed profile | 10% | The firm has claimed its Law Firms Ranked profile (free and paid earn the same) | Measured |
| Law Firms Ranked reviews | 10% | Verified client reviews collected by Law Firms Ranked: their rating and how many there are | Measured |
How to choose an estate planning lawyer
- Check the lawyer’s status and any public discipline in the state bar or law society directory.
- Ask how many estate planning and probate matters the lawyer handles each year, and who at the firm will do the work.
- Get the fee arrangement in writing: hourly, flat or contingency, and which costs are charged on top.
- Ask how and how often the firm will update you, and how fast it answers calls and emails.
- Read recent reviews for how the firm communicated and billed, not only for outcomes.
- Ask what the flat fee includes: funding a trust, updates after life changes, and signing with witnesses.
- Meet more than one firm; many offer a short first consultation, sometimes free.
Questions to ask an estate planning lawyer
- How would you approach a matter like mine, and what are the realistic options?
- How do you charge, and what will the total likely cost?
- Who will be my main contact, and how quickly do you reply?
- Do I need a trust, or is a will enough for me?
- What does probate usually cost here, and how long does it take?
- Is there any conflict of interest that would stop you representing me?
Terms explained
- Contingency fee
- A fee that is a share of the money recovered, paid only if there is a recovery. Common in injury cases; not allowed for criminal defense or for securing a divorce.
- Retainer
- Money paid up front and held in a trust account, which the lawyer draws on as fees are earned.
- Flat fee
- One set price for a defined piece of work, such as a will or an uncontested matter.
- Limited-scope representation
- Paying a lawyer for part of a matter only, such as reviewing documents or coaching for one hearing (also called unbundled services).
- Statute of limitations
- The deadline to file a lawsuit or charge. It differs by state or province and by type of claim.
- Good standing
- A lawyer’s status as active and eligible to practise with a state bar or law society.
- Law society
- The body that licenses and disciplines lawyers in a Canadian province or territory.
- Board certification
- Recognition in a field of law by a state program or an organisation accredited for that purpose. Lawyers may only claim it when they hold it, naming the certifying body.
- Attorney–client privilege
- The rule that keeps confidential communications between a client and lawyer, made for legal advice, out of court.
- Conflict check
- The search a firm runs before taking a matter to make sure it does not represent someone on the other side.
- Pro bono
- Legal work done for free, usually for people who cannot afford a lawyer.
- Legal aid
- Publicly funded legal help for people with low incomes, through legal aid offices, public defenders or provincial legal aid plans.
Estate planning and probate lawyers in Birmingham: frequently asked questions
Which estate planning lawyer has the highest LFR Score in Birmingham?
By LFR Score, the highest-ranked estate planning lawyer in Birmingham, AL is Southern Estate Lawyers with an LFR Score of 72/100. It has 5.0★ from 220 Google reviews. It is open 24/7. McInerney Law Firm (#2) and Norris Injury Lawyers (#3) follow. We ranked 75 estate planning and probate lawyers on nine factors, last updated November 9, 2026.
How many estate planning and probate lawyers are there in Birmingham?
LawFirmsRanked ranks 75 estate planning and probate lawyers serving Birmingham, AL. 35 of them are based in Birmingham; the rest serve it from nearby towns. Another 20 within 25 mi are listed but not ranked yet. Counts are as of November 2026.
Which estate planning and probate lawyers in Birmingham are open 24/7?
8 ranked estate planning and probate lawyers in Birmingham post 24/7 hours. The highest-ranked are Southern Estate Lawyers (#1), McInerney Law Firm (#2) and Norris Injury Lawyers (#3). Hours come from each law firm's Google listing as of November 2026, so call to confirm.
Which estate planning and probate lawyers in Birmingham work on weekends?
15 of 75 ranked estate planning and probate lawyers post Saturday hours and 9 post Sunday hours. The highest-ranked open Saturdays are Southern Estate Lawyers (#1), McInerney Law Firm (#2) and Norris Injury Lawyers (#3). Posted hours are office hours; many firms meet clients by appointment outside them.
What Google rating do Birmingham estate planning and probate lawyers have?
The median Google rating among 75 rated estate planning and probate lawyers in Birmingham is 4.9★, with a median of 18 reviews. Norris Injury Lawyers has the most, 937 reviews, and ranks #3. We adjust ratings for review count, so a few five-star reviews cannot top the list.
How does LawFirmsRanked rank estate planning and probate lawyers?
Each estate planning lawyer gets a 0–100 LFR Score from nine published factors, led by reputation (25%), practice focus (15%), review volume (10%) and recency (10%). A law firm with no Google reviews scores zero on rating, review volume and recency; other factors we cannot measure are left out. Only law firms with a confirmed practice area and 3 or more reviews, or a claimed profile, are ranked.
Do estate planning and probate lawyers outside Birmingham count in this ranking?
Yes, if they are within 25 mi of the Birmingham city center, our service radius for estate planning and probate lawyers. Each listing shows where the law firm is based and how far away it is. Proximity is 5% of the LFR Score, so a nearby law firm gets a small edge.
Can estate planning and probate lawyers pay to rank higher on LawFirmsRanked?
No. The LFR Score never reads payment status, and this ranking has 0 paid placements. Up to 3 Featured law firms may appear above the list, labelled Attorney advertising and showing their honest rank.
How do estate planning and probate lawyers in Birmingham, AL charge?
Many estate planning lawyers charge a flat fee for wills, trusts and powers of attorney. Probate is billed hourly or, in some states, by a fee set by statute (California Probate Code §10810, for example). Lawyers using Clio billed an average of $391 an hour in this area (Clio Legal Trends data, October 2026; all areas $362). Ask for the fee arrangement in writing before you agree.
What happens if someone dies without a will?
State law decides who inherits (intestate succession), usually the spouse and children in set shares, and a court appoints someone to manage the estate. A will or trust lets you decide instead. This is general information, not legal advice.
How is this list of estate planning and probate lawyers in Birmingham, AL ranked?
By LFR Score only, from public data on reviews, practice focus, office location and hours. Firms labelled “Attorney advertising” paid for that placement; payment never changes a rank, and a rank is not an endorsement.
Does a lawyer need an office in Birmingham?
No, but the lawyer must be licensed in your state (or, for federal matters such as immigration, in some state). A local office makes meetings and court appearances easier, so proximity is one of our factors.
Update log for Birmingham
- November 2026: LFR Scores recalculated for 75 estate planning and probate lawyers serving Birmingham.
More estate planning and probate lawyers and Birmingham pages
Estate planning and probate lawyers near Birmingham
- Estate planning and probate lawyers in Mountain Brook, AL76 ranked
- Estate planning and probate lawyers in Homewood, AL77 ranked
- Estate planning and probate lawyers in Vestavia Hills, AL78 ranked
- Estate planning and probate lawyers in Irondale, AL76 ranked
- Estate planning and probate lawyers in Forestdale, AL75 ranked
- Estate planning and probate lawyers in Fairfield, AL76 ranked
- Estate planning and probate lawyers in Hoover, AL78 ranked
- Estate planning and probate lawyers in Gardendale, AL73 ranked
- Estate planning and probate lawyers in Pleasant Grove, AL74 ranked
- Estate planning and probate lawyers in Center Point, AL74 ranked
Other practice areas in Birmingham
- Personal injury lawyers in Birmingham216 ranked
- Social Security disability lawyers in Birmingham30 ranked
- Criminal defense lawyers in Birmingham76 ranked
- Divorce and family lawyers in Birmingham107 ranked
- Bankruptcy lawyers in Birmingham42 ranked
- Immigration lawyers in Birmingham19 ranked
- Employment lawyers in Birmingham40 ranked
- Business lawyers in Birmingham14 ranked
- Real estate lawyers in Birmingham31 ranked
- Tax lawyers in Birmingham13 ranked
- Intellectual property lawyers in Birmingham6 ranked
- Insurance lawyers in Birmingham41 ranked
- Mediators in Birmingham12 ranked
- General practice lawyers in Birmingham307 ranked
- All lawyers in Birmingham