59/100LFR Score
Ranked #1 because of its Google rating and review volume: 4.9★ from 301 Google reviews, the most in Goldsboro.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
Estate Planning And Probate Lawyers in Goldsboro, NC: 2026 rankings
15 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 Goldsboro: Haithcock, Barfield, Hulse & King, PLLC, LFR Score 59/100; 4.9★ from 301 Google reviews.
- 7
Most-reviewed: Farris & Thomas Law, 157 Google reviews at 4.7★, the most of 15 ranked after Haithcock, Barfield, Hulse & King, PLLC; ranked #7.
Rankings can't be bought. Lawyers can't pay to change their rank or score. How we rank
15 Goldsboro estate planning and probate lawyers are ranked here by LFR Score, from nine published factors. The median Google rating is 4.2★ across 15 rated law firms.
Top 10 estate planning and probate lawyers in Goldsboro 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 | Notable for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Haithcock, Barfield, Hulse & King, PLLC | 59 | 4.9★ (301) | Goldsboro | Top score |
| 2 | Baddour, Parker, Hine & Hale, P.C. | 56 | 4.8★ (92) | Goldsboro | — |
| 3 | Swindell Law Firm, PC | 56 | 4.2★ (32) | Kinston, 23 mi away | — |
| 4 | Farris William M J | 56 | 5.0★ (5) | Wilson, 24 mi away | — |
| 5 | Jason M. Blackburn Attorney at Law | 54 | 4.4★ (64) | Goldsboro | — |
| 6 | Rouse Law Office | 52 | 4.1★ (24) | Goldsboro | — |
| 7 | Farris & Thomas Law | 51 | 4.7★ (157) | Wilson, 24 mi away | Most reviews |
| 8 | Whitaker & Hamer PLLC Goldsboro | 51 | 4.1★ (12) | Goldsboro | — |
| 9 | Lucas & Lucas, P.A. | 49 | 4.1★ (74) | Smithfield, 16 mi away | — |
| 10 | Hamrick & Galanis, PLLC Smithfield | 48 | 5.0★ (11) | Smithfield, 22 mi away | — |
All 15 estate planning and probate lawyers in Goldsboro, 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.
Based in Goldsboro
56/100LFR ScoreRanked #2 because of its Google rating and review volume: 4.8★ from 92 Google reviews.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
Based in Kinston, 23 mi away
56/100LFR ScoreRanked #3 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.2★ from 32 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Estate planning attorney”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
Based in Wilson, 24 mi away
56/100LFR ScoreRanked #4 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 5 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Elder law attorney”.
Based on 6 of 9 factors; bar status, recency and availability not yet collected.
Based in Goldsboro
54/100LFR ScoreRanked #5 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.4★ from 64 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Real estate attorney”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
Based in Goldsboro
52/100LFR ScoreRanked #6 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.1★ from 24 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Law firm”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
Based in Wilson, 24 mi away
51/100LFR ScoreRanked #7 because of its Google rating and review volume: 4.7★ from 157 Google reviews.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
Based in Goldsboro
51/100LFR ScoreRanked #8 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.1★ from 12 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Real estate attorney”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
Based in Smithfield, 16 mi away
49/100LFR ScoreRanked #9 because of its Google rating and review volume: 4.1★ from 74 Google reviews.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
Based in Smithfield, 22 mi away
48/100LFR ScoreRanked #10 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 11 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Real estate attorney”.
Based on 6 of 9 factors; bar status, recency and availability not yet collected.
Based in Smithfield, 22 mi away
47/100LFR ScoreRanked #11 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.2★ from 35 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Law firm”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
Based in Smithfield, 22 mi away
46/100LFR ScoreRanked #12 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 12 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Attorney”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
Based in Kinston, 25 mi away
45/100LFR ScoreRanked #13 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 3.8★ from 32 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Bankruptcy attorney”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
#14 Pittman Agner
Based in Kinston, 25 mi away
44/100LFR ScoreRanked #14 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 3.9★ from 11 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Personal injury attorney”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
Based in Kinston, 25 mi away
44/100LFR ScoreRanked #15 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.0★ from 9 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Bankruptcy attorney”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
Also serving Goldsboro
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.
How we ranked Goldsboro estate planning and probate lawyers
We scored 15 Goldsboro 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 Goldsboro 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 Goldsboro: frequently asked questions
Which estate planning lawyer has the highest LFR Score in Goldsboro?
By LFR Score, the highest-ranked estate planning lawyer in Goldsboro, NC is Haithcock, Barfield, Hulse & King, PLLC with an LFR Score of 59/100. It has 4.9★ from 301 Google reviews. Baddour, Parker, Hine & Hale, P.C. (#2) and Swindell Law Firm, PC (#3) follow. We ranked 15 estate planning and probate lawyers on nine factors, last updated November 9, 2026.
How many estate planning and probate lawyers are there in Goldsboro?
LawFirmsRanked ranks 15 estate planning and probate lawyers serving Goldsboro, NC. 5 of them are based in Goldsboro; the rest serve it from nearby towns. Another 20 within 25 mi are listed but not ranked yet. Counts are as of November 2026.
What Google rating do Goldsboro estate planning and probate lawyers have?
The median Google rating among 15 rated estate planning and probate lawyers in Goldsboro is 4.2★, with a median of 32 reviews. Haithcock, Barfield, Hulse & King, PLLC has the most, 301 reviews, and ranks #1. 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 Goldsboro count in this ranking?
Yes, if they are within 25 mi of the Goldsboro 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 Goldsboro, NC 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 Goldsboro, NC 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 Goldsboro?
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 Goldsboro
- November 2026: LFR Scores recalculated for 15 estate planning and probate lawyers serving Goldsboro.
More estate planning and probate lawyers and Goldsboro pages
Estate planning and probate lawyers near Goldsboro
- Estate planning and probate lawyers in Smithfield, NC28 ranked
- Estate planning and probate lawyers in Wilson, NC16 ranked
- Estate planning and probate lawyers in Kinston, NC11 ranked
- Estate planning and probate lawyers in Clayton, NC133 ranked
- Estate planning and probate lawyers in Greenville, NC7 ranked
- Estate planning and probate lawyers in Knightdale, NC136 ranked
- Estate planning and probate lawyers in Rocky Mount, NC9 ranked
- Estate planning and probate lawyers in Garner, NC138 ranked
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- Estate planning and probate lawyers in Raleigh, NC160 ranked
Other practice areas in Goldsboro
- Personal injury lawyers in Goldsboro73 ranked
- Social Security disability lawyers in Goldsboro25 ranked
- Criminal defense lawyers in Goldsboro30 ranked
- Divorce and family lawyers in Goldsboro28 ranked
- Bankruptcy lawyers in Goldsboro17 ranked
- Immigration lawyers in Goldsboro7 ranked
- Employment lawyers in Goldsboro11 ranked
- Real estate lawyers in Goldsboro14 ranked
- Intellectual property lawyers in Goldsboro7 ranked
- Insurance lawyers in Goldsboro24 ranked
- General practice lawyers in Goldsboro67 ranked
- All lawyers in Goldsboro