63/100LFR Score
Ranked #1 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.9★ from 351 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Estate planning attorney”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
Estate Planning And Probate Lawyers in Stafford, CT: 2026 rankings
77 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 Stafford: Kane, Hartley & Kane, P.C., LFR Score 63/100; 4.9★ from 351 Google reviews.
- 6
Open 24 hours (per Google): McLane & McLane Law Firm, posts 24/7 hours; ranked #6 of 77.
- 17
Most-reviewed: Kocian Law Group, 135 Google reviews at 4.9★, the most of 77 ranked after Kane, Hartley & Kane, P.C.; ranked #17.
Rankings can't be bought. Lawyers can't pay to change their rank or score. How we rank
77 Stafford estate planning and probate lawyers are ranked here by LFR Score, from nine published factors. 2 are open 24/7, 4 open Saturdays and 3 open Sundays, based on posted hours. The median Google rating is 4.7★ across 77 rated law firms.
Top 10 estate planning and probate lawyers in Stafford 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 | Kane, Hartley & Kane, P.C. | 63 | 4.9★ (351) | Glastonbury, 25 mi away | — | Top score |
| 2 | The Law Office of Nyles L Courchesne, P.C. | 60 | 4.8★ (66) | Agawam, 18 mi away | — | — |
| 3 | Attorney Thomas B Kane | 59 | 4.9★ (70) | Glastonbury, 25 mi away | — | — |
| 4 | Smith Law Group, LLC | 59 | 4.9★ (25) | Mansfield City, 15 mi away | — | — |
| 5 | Falkenstein, Meggers, Paul & Robinson, P.C. | 57 | 4.6★ (23) | Manchester, 19 mi away | — | — |
| 6 | McLane & McLane Law Firm | 57 | 4.8★ (132) | Agawam, 21 mi away | Open 24 hrs (Google) | Open 24 hours |
| 7 | Bert McDowell Injury Law, LLC | 57 | 5.0★ (124) | Hartford, 25 mi away | Open 24 hrs (Google) | — |
| 8 | David George Carlson | 57 | 4.1★ (10) | East Longmeadow, 13 mi away | — | — |
| 9 | Oath - Windsor Estate Planning & Investment Attorneys | 57 | 4.9★ (17) | Windsor, 21 mi away | — | — |
| 10 | Law Office of Gabrielle Labonte | 56 | 5.0★ (6) | Killingly Center, 22 mi away | — | — |
All 77 estate planning and probate lawyers in Stafford, 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 Agawam, 18 mi away
60/100LFR ScoreRanked #2 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.8★ from 66 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Estate planning attorney”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
Based in Glastonbury, 25 mi away
59/100LFR ScoreRanked #3 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.9★ from 70 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Estate planning attorney”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
Based in Mansfield City, 15 mi away
59/100LFR ScoreRanked #4 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.9★ from 25 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Estate planning attorney”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
Based in Manchester, 19 mi away
57/100LFR ScoreRanked #5 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.6★ from 23 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Elder law attorney”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
Based in Agawam, 21 mi away
57/100LFR ScoreRanked #6 because of its Google rating and review volume: 4.8★ from 132 Google reviews.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
Based in Hartford, 25 mi away
57/100LFR ScoreRanked #7 because of its Google rating and review volume: 5.0★ from 124 Google reviews.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
Based in East Longmeadow, 13 mi away
57/100LFR ScoreRanked #8 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.1★ from 10 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Estate planning attorney”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
Based in Windsor, 21 mi away
57/100LFR ScoreRanked #9 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.9★ from 17 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Estate planning attorney”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
Based in Killingly Center, 22 mi away
56/100LFR ScoreRanked #10 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 6 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 Glastonbury, 25 mi away
56/100LFR ScoreRanked #11 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.7★ from 30 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Estate planning attorney”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
Based in Windsor, 21 mi away
56/100LFR ScoreRanked #12 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.6★ from 19 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Estate planning attorney”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
Based in South Windsor, 18 mi away
56/100LFR ScoreRanked #13 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.6★ from 11 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Estate planning attorney”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
Based in Manchester, 19 mi away
56/100LFR ScoreRanked #14 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.2★ from 15 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Probate attorney”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
Based in Windsor, 23 mi away
55/100LFR ScoreRanked #15 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.2★ from 18 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Estate planning attorney”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
Based in East Longmeadow, 13 mi away
55/100LFR ScoreRanked #16 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 3 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Estate planning attorney”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
#17 Kocian Law Group
Based in Manchester, 19 mi away
54/100LFR ScoreRanked #17 because of its Google rating and review volume: 4.9★ from 135 Google reviews.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
Based in Holyoke, 22 mi away
54/100LFR ScoreRanked #18 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 77 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Bankruptcy attorney”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
Based in Longmeadow, 14 mi away
53/100LFR ScoreRanked #19 because of its Google rating and review volume: 4.9★ from 95 Google reviews.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
Based in Longmeadow, 14 mi away
53/100LFR ScoreRanked #20 because of its Google rating and review volume: 4.8★ from 84 Google reviews.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
Based in Holyoke, 23 mi away
52/100LFR ScoreRanked #21 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.9★ from 59 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Bankruptcy attorney”.
Based on 6 of 9 factors; bar status, recency and availability not yet collected.
Based in Glastonbury, 25 mi away
51/100LFR ScoreRanked #22 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 3.3★ from 3 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Elder law attorney”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
Based in Ludlow, 14 mi away
51/100LFR ScoreRanked #23 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.3★ from 41 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Bankruptcy attorney”.
Based on 6 of 9 factors; bar status, recency and availability not yet collected.
#24 KKC Law
Based in Ellington, 16 mi away
51/100LFR ScoreRanked #24 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.8★ from 68 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Law firm”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
Based in Ludlow, 14 mi away
51/100LFR ScoreRanked #25 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 13 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Real estate attorney”.
Based on 6 of 9 factors; bar status, recency and availability not yet collected.
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 77 ranked estate planning and probate lawyers here; the rest are on their profiles.
Also serving Stafford
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Attorney Alfred Geoffrion Jr. | 3.0★ (1) | 14 mi |
| Bonnie D. Kumiega & Associates, LLC | 8 mi | |
| Douglas R. Peterson Attorney at Law | 13 mi | |
| Feinstein, Michele J - Shatz Schwartz & Fentin Pc | 18 mi | |
| Fogel Bruce M | 17 mi | |
| Henry C. Cropsey, Attorney at Law | 5.0★ (1) | 14 mi |
| James Rogers | 4.0★ (1) | 19 mi |
| Jeffrey W. Roberts, Attorney at Law | 5.0★ (1) | 18 mi |
| Klyman Carol Cioe | 5.0★ (1) | 18 mi |
| Law Office of John L. Roberts | 14 mi | |
| Law Offices of Christina T. Vassallo, Esq.. | 5.0★ (1) | 17 mi |
| Law Offices of James Taylor Brown, LLC. | 5.0★ (2) | 12 mi |
| Lewis, Lewis & Ferraro, LLC | In Stafford | |
| Manning Law Office - Estate Planning and Real Estate | 13 mi | |
| Michelman Law Offices | 17 mi | |
| Muska Edward | 2.5★ (2) | In Stafford |
| Ratner, Todd C. | 17 mi | |
| The Prue Law Group, P.C. | 14 mi | |
| Thomas D O'Connor Jr., Attorney at Law | 3.0★ (2) | 17 mi |
| Wendell D. Avery | 4.8★ (22) | In Stafford |
How we ranked Stafford estate planning and probate lawyers
We scored 77 Stafford 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 Stafford 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 Stafford: frequently asked questions
Which estate planning lawyer has the highest LFR Score in Stafford?
By LFR Score, the highest-ranked estate planning lawyer in Stafford, CT is Kane, Hartley & Kane, P.C. with an LFR Score of 63/100. It has 4.9★ from 351 Google reviews. The Law Office of Nyles L Courchesne, P.C. (#2) and Attorney Thomas B Kane (#3) follow. We ranked 77 estate planning and probate lawyers on nine factors, last updated November 9, 2026.
How many estate planning and probate lawyers are there in Stafford?
LawFirmsRanked ranks 77 estate planning and probate lawyers serving Stafford, CT. Another 20 within 25 mi are listed but not ranked yet. Counts are as of November 2026.
Which estate planning and probate lawyers in Stafford are open 24/7?
2 ranked estate planning and probate lawyers in Stafford post 24/7 hours. The highest-ranked are McLane & McLane Law Firm (#6) and Bert McDowell Injury Law, LLC (#7). Hours come from each law firm's Google listing as of November 2026, so call to confirm.
Which estate planning and probate lawyers in Stafford work on weekends?
4 of 77 ranked estate planning and probate lawyers post Saturday hours and 3 post Sunday hours. The highest-ranked open Saturdays are McLane & McLane Law Firm (#6), Bert McDowell Injury Law, LLC (#7) and Kocian Law Group (#17). Posted hours are office hours; many firms meet clients by appointment outside them.
What Google rating do Stafford estate planning and probate lawyers have?
The median Google rating among 77 rated estate planning and probate lawyers in Stafford is 4.7★, with a median of 15 reviews. Kane, Hartley & Kane, P.C. has the most, 351 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 Stafford count in this ranking?
Yes, if they are within 25 mi of the Stafford 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 Stafford, CT 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 Stafford, CT 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 Stafford?
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 Stafford
- November 2026: LFR Scores recalculated for 77 estate planning and probate lawyers serving Stafford.
More estate planning and probate lawyers and Stafford pages
Estate planning and probate lawyers near Stafford
- Estate planning and probate lawyers in Tolland, CT110 ranked
- Estate planning and probate lawyers in Ellington, CT124 ranked
- Estate planning and probate lawyers in Storrs, CT69 ranked
- Estate planning and probate lawyers in Mansfield City, CT60 ranked
- Estate planning and probate lawyers in Enfield, CT126 ranked
- Estate planning and probate lawyers in Windsor Locks, CT129 ranked
- Estate planning and probate lawyers in Manchester, CT122 ranked
- Estate planning and probate lawyers in Willimantic, CT52 ranked
- Estate planning and probate lawyers in South Windsor, CT138 ranked
- Estate planning and probate lawyers in Windsor, CT139 ranked
Other practice areas in Stafford
- Personal injury lawyers in Stafford364 ranked
- Social Security disability lawyers in Stafford36 ranked
- Criminal defense lawyers in Stafford98 ranked
- Divorce and family lawyers in Stafford73 ranked
- Bankruptcy lawyers in Stafford90 ranked
- Immigration lawyers in Stafford38 ranked
- Employment lawyers in Stafford62 ranked
- Business lawyers in Stafford7 ranked
- Real estate lawyers in Stafford82 ranked
- Tax lawyers in Stafford16 ranked
- Intellectual property lawyers in Stafford10 ranked
- Insurance lawyers in Stafford77 ranked
- Mediators in Stafford52 ranked
- General practice lawyers in Stafford263 ranked
- All lawyers in Stafford