70/100LFR Score
Ranked #1 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.6★ from 92 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Estate planning attorney”.
Estate Planning And Probate Lawyers in Columbia, MD: 2026 rankings
288 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 Columbia: Law Offices of Rick Todd, LFR Score 70/100; 4.6★ from 92 Google reviews; open 24/7.
- 14
Open 24 hours (per Google): Ruben Law Firm, posts 24/7 hours; ranked #14 of 288.
- 37
Most-reviewed: Maronick Law LLC, 492 Google reviews at 4.7★, the most of 288 ranked; ranked #37.
Rankings can't be bought. Lawyers can't pay to change their rank or score. How we rank
288 Columbia estate planning and probate lawyers are ranked here by LFR Score, from nine published factors. 28 are open 24/7, 46 open Saturdays and 33 open Sundays, based on posted hours. The median Google rating is 4.8★ across 288 rated law firms.
Top 10 estate planning and probate lawyers in Columbia 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 | Law Offices of Rick Todd | 70 | 4.6★ (92) | Columbia | Open 24 hrs (Google) | Top score |
| 2 | Liberty Legacy Law Group | 68 | 5.0★ (261) | Ellicott City, 3 mi away | — | — |
| 3 | Law Office of Stephen J. Reichert, LLC | 66 | 4.9★ (273) | Baltimore, 15 mi away | Sat | — |
| 4 | Providence Law Group, LLC | 66 | 5.0★ (92) | Columbia | — | — |
| 5 | McDonald Law Firm, LLC | 65 | 4.9★ (64) | Columbia | — | — |
| 6 | Elville and Associates, P.C. | 65 | 4.8★ (66) | Columbia | — | — |
| 7 | P. A. Lundy & Associates, LLC | 65 | 5.0★ (49) | Columbia | — | — |
| 8 | S.A. Stevenson Law Offices | 64 | 4.5★ (68) | Columbia | Evenings | — |
| 9 | Stouffer Legal | 64 | 4.7★ (187) | Towson, 17 mi away | Sat | — |
| 10 | Acorn Law, LLC | 64 | 5.0★ (40) | Columbia | — | — |
All 288 estate planning and probate lawyers in Columbia, 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 Ellicott City, 3 mi away
68/100LFR ScoreRanked #2 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 261 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Estate planning attorney”.
Based in Baltimore, 15 mi away
66/100LFR ScoreRanked #3 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.9★ from 273 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Estate planning attorney”.
Based in Columbia
66/100LFR ScoreRanked #4 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 92 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Estate planning attorney”.
Based in Columbia
65/100LFR ScoreRanked #5 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.9★ from 64 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Estate planning attorney”.
Based in Columbia
65/100LFR ScoreRanked #6 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.8★ from 66 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Estate planning attorney”.
Based in Columbia
65/100LFR ScoreRanked #7 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 49 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Estate planning attorney”.
Based in Columbia
64/100LFR ScoreRanked #8 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.5★ from 68 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Estate planning attorney”.
Based in Towson, 17 mi away
64/100LFR ScoreRanked #9 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.7★ from 187 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Estate planning attorney”.
#10 Acorn Law, LLC
Based in Columbia
64/100LFR ScoreRanked #10 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 40 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Estate planning attorney”.
Based in Towson, 17 mi away
63/100LFR ScoreRanked #11 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 81 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Estate planning attorney”.
#12 Myers Law
Based in Ellicott City, 3 mi away
63/100LFR ScoreRanked #12 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 43 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Estate planning attorney”.
Based in Laurel, 9 mi away
63/100LFR ScoreRanked #13 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.9★ from 97 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Estate planning attorney”.
#14 Ruben Law Firm
Based in Arbutus, 8 mi away
63/100LFR ScoreRanked #14 because of its Google rating and review volume: 4.9★ from 471 Google reviews.
Based in Pikesville, 11 mi away
63/100LFR ScoreRanked #15 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 69 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Estate planning attorney”.
Based in Ellicott City, 1 mi away
63/100LFR ScoreRanked #16 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 25 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Elder law attorney”.
Based in Bethesda, 22 mi away
62/100LFR ScoreRanked #17 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.9★ from 115 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Estate planning attorney”.
Based in Ellicott City, 3 mi away
62/100LFR ScoreRanked #18 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 30 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Estate planning attorney”.
Based in Severn, 15 mi away
62/100LFR ScoreRanked #19 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.9★ from 112 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Estate planning attorney”.
Based in Baltimore, 13 mi away
62/100LFR ScoreRanked #20 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 6 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Elder law attorney”.
Based in Bowie, 21 mi away
62/100LFR ScoreRanked #21 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.9★ from 202 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Estate planning attorney”.
Based in Columbia
62/100LFR ScoreRanked #22 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.4★ from 32 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Estate planning attorney”.
Based in Catonsville, 11 mi away
62/100LFR ScoreRanked #23 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 56 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Estate planning attorney”.
Based in Gaithersburg, 16 mi away
62/100LFR ScoreRanked #24 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 103 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Estate planning attorney”.
Based in Rockville, 20 mi away
62/100LFR ScoreRanked #25 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 13 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Estate planning attorney”.
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 288 ranked estate planning and probate lawyers here; the rest are on their profiles.
| Rank | Business | LFR Score | Google rating | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 26 | Kahan Law, P.C. | 62 | 4.9★ (99) | 16 mi |
| 27 | Rob Owings Law, LLC. | 62 | 5.0★ (92) | 18 mi |
| 28 | The Eleff Law Group | 62 | 4.9★ (99) | 16 mi |
| 29 | Holt Legacy Law | 62 | 5.0★ (33) | 9 mi |
| 30 | King Hall LLC | 61 | 4.4★ (22) | 1 mi |
| 31 | Hassan, Hassan & Tuchman, PA | 61 | 4.9★ (392) | 13 mi |
| 32 | The Tyra Law Firm, LLC | 61 | 5.0★ (98) | 20 mi |
| 33 | Millennium Attorney | 61 | 4.7★ (28) | 20 mi |
| 34 | Frame & Frame Attorneys At Law | 61 | 4.8★ (110) | 18 mi |
| 35 | Trusts & Estates Law Group: Kerri Castellini | 61 | 4.9★ (12) | 23 mi |
| 36 | Ward & Co Law | 61 | 5.0★ (9) | In Columbia |
| 37 | Maronick Law LLC | 61 | 4.7★ (492) | 12 mi |
| 38 | Law Offices of David M. Goldman | 61 | 4.9★ (35) | 12 mi |
| 39 | Gershberg & Associates, LLC | 61 | 5.0★ (42) | 14 mi |
| 40 | Johnson Law | 60 | 5.0★ (114) | 24 mi |
| 41 | Kingdom Law, LLC | 60 | 5.0★ (8) | In Columbia |
| 42 | Law Offices of Clifford M. Cohen | 60 | 5.0★ (73) | 23 mi |
| 43 | The Law Office Of Donny Knepper | 60 | 5.0★ (24) | 13 mi |
| 44 | HWK Law Group, LLC | 60 | 4.8★ (50) | 17 mi |
| 45 | Jenner Law, P.C. | 60 | 5.0★ (128) | 12 mi |
| 46 | Stouffer Legal | 60 | 5.0★ (50) | 21 mi |
| 47 | Ward & Co Law | 59 | 4.2★ (82) | 13 mi |
| 48 | Scheuerman Law, LLC | 59 | 4.9★ (394) | 21 mi |
| 49 | Simpson Law, PA | 59 | 4.7★ (20) | 11 mi |
| 50 | Keys & Counsel LLC - Mehdi Naqvi, Esq., Founding Partner and Attorney | 59 | 5.0★ (29) | In Columbia |
Also serving Columbia
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Bamba Law | 4.6★ (65) | In Columbia |
| Capital Family & Divorce Law Group | 5.0★ (86) | In Columbia |
| Coover Law Firm | 4.8★ (90) | In Columbia |
| Freedman Law, LLC | 5.0★ (87) | In Columbia |
| FrizWoods LLC | 5.0★ (80) | In Columbia |
| Garcia Zamor | 5.0★ (99) | In Columbia |
| Lakeside Title Company | 4.9★ (1,180) | In Columbia |
| Law Office Of Colleen M. Kirby, Esq. | 5.0★ (66) | In Columbia |
| Law Offices of Todd K. Mohink, PA | 4.9★ (81) | In Columbia |
| Maryland Criminal Defense Law Group | 5.0★ (280) | In Columbia |
| Penn Law Firm, LLC | 5.0★ (67) | In Columbia |
| Plaxen Adler Muncy Maryland Injury & Accident Lawyers | 4.8★ (150) | In Columbia |
| Portner & Shure, P.A. | 4.7★ (733) | In Columbia |
| Sadia Ali Law, LLC | 4.9★ (88) | In Columbia |
| Shapiro Zwanetz & Lake | 4.9★ (192) | In Columbia |
| SHK Firm | Sung Hwang & Kim LLP | 4.9★ (155) | In Columbia |
| Smith Law Firm, LLC | 4.9★ (82) | In Columbia |
| The Law Firm of J.W. Stafford, L.L.C. | 4.3★ (162) | In Columbia |
| The Lincoln Law Group, LLC | 4.7★ (150) | In Columbia |
| Weinberg & Schwartz, L.L.C. | 4.9★ (183) | In Columbia |
How we ranked Columbia estate planning and probate lawyers
We scored 288 Columbia 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 Columbia 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 Columbia: frequently asked questions
Which estate planning lawyer has the highest LFR Score in Columbia?
By LFR Score, the highest-ranked estate planning lawyer in Columbia, MD is Law Offices of Rick Todd with an LFR Score of 70/100. It has 4.6★ from 92 Google reviews. It is open 24/7. Liberty Legacy Law Group (#2) and Law Office of Stephen J. Reichert, LLC (#3) follow. We ranked 288 estate planning and probate lawyers on nine factors, last updated November 9, 2026.
How many estate planning and probate lawyers are there in Columbia?
LawFirmsRanked ranks 288 estate planning and probate lawyers serving Columbia, MD. 11 of them are based in Columbia; 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 Columbia are open 24/7?
28 ranked estate planning and probate lawyers in Columbia post 24/7 hours. The highest-ranked are Law Offices of Rick Todd (#1), Ruben Law Firm (#14) and Senior Justice Law Firm | Nursing Home Abuse Attorneys (#20). Hours come from each law firm's Google listing as of November 2026, so call to confirm.
Which estate planning and probate lawyers in Columbia work on weekends?
46 of 288 ranked estate planning and probate lawyers post Saturday hours and 33 post Sunday hours. The highest-ranked open Saturdays are Law Offices of Rick Todd (#1), Law Office of Stephen J. Reichert, LLC (#3) and Stouffer Legal (#9). Posted hours are office hours; many firms meet clients by appointment outside them.
What Google rating do Columbia estate planning and probate lawyers have?
The median Google rating among 288 rated estate planning and probate lawyers in Columbia is 4.8★, with a median of 22 reviews. Maronick Law LLC has the most, 492 reviews, and ranks #37. 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 Columbia count in this ranking?
Yes, if they are within 25 mi of the Columbia 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 Columbia, MD 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 Columbia, MD 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 Columbia?
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 Columbia
- November 2026: LFR Scores recalculated for 288 estate planning and probate lawyers serving Columbia.
- November 2026: 1 duplicate listing merged.
More estate planning and probate lawyers and Columbia pages
Estate planning and probate lawyers near Columbia
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