Maya RichardsonMy father has a colleague who recently went through a messy divorce. This situation forced him to reassess everything, including his business, properties, and other assets.
It became tense when he found that his existing will hadn’t been updated in years. And since he’s had more kids in the last 10 years, that paper didn’t truly reflect his current circumstances.
He initially tried to sort things out privately to avoid legal costs. Unfortunately, that created more uncertainty around ownership and future claims. Too many legal and financial risks were involved, and he’s losing sleep over it.
Wanting to help, I assisted in researching the best wills lawyers in Columbus. That way, an experienced professional could take the load off him. So if you also need an expert to protect your long-term legacy, feel free to check out our list.
How much do wills lawyers charge in Columbus?
Wills lawyers in Columbus typically charge between $300 and $1,000 for a standard last will. The final cost depends on the attorney’s experience, the complexity of assets, the family situation, and the scope of services.
1. Estate Planning, Trust and Probate Law Firm, LLC
Address: 2529 Oakstone Dr
Contact Details:
- +1 614 963 2899
- [email protected]
Business Hours:
- Daily: 5:00 am to 11:00 pm
Estate Planning, Trust and Probate Law Firm specializes in wills, trusts, and probate for Columbus families.
Philip A. King leads the company with over 20 years of trial experience. He also previously worked with the Ohio Supreme Court’s Office of Disciplinary Counsel.
Together with the team, they prioritize personal meetings too. For us, this aligns with their values of transparency, client reassurance, and ethical asset safeguards, especially during grief.
Beyond handling wills and other basic services, they cover guardianship setups, special needs trusts, and estate tax planning for larger holdings. For us, this shows their flexible capacity.
And historically, their hourly rates go between $90 and $250 per hour, which is on the lower end of the Columbus average.
On top of that, it’s helpful that they offer a 90-day money-back guarantee on living trust packages and monthly payment plans (pay later options). We think this is uncommon in traditional law firms.
Just one thing, though. There are times when some people experience slow email responses here. Someone we interviewed even needed to show up in person to get answers.
Professional, knowledgeable, and easy to work with
“Estate Planning, Trust and Probate Law Firm, LLC has a great team for anyone needing help with wills, trusts, or probate matters. They are professional, knowledgeable, and easy to work with.”
-Amy H, Google Review
Compassionate, attentive, and incredibly knowledgeable
“This was my first time dealing with estate planning. After watching my parents navigate the difficult process of completing my grandmother’s will through probate court, I knew I wanted to find an easier, more guided approach. Thankfully, I was referred to Estate Planning, Trust and Probate Law Firm. There, I had the pleasure of working with Gabrielle Nixon, Esq. From our very first consultation, she was compassionate, attentive, and incredibly knowledgeable. She walked me through each option in a way that was easy to understand and made sure I felt comfortable every step of the way. I now have a trust and power of attorney documents that truly reflect our wishes. I’m so grateful for her guidance, and I highly recommend this law firm to anyone looking for peace of mind.”
-Shree Talbert, Google Review
2. McClenaghan Law Group
Address: 216 Bradenton Ave, Dublin
Contact Details:
- +1 614 763 6063
Business Hours:
- Mon-Thu: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
- Fri-Sun: Closed
Established in 2007, McClenaghan Law Group offers reliable estate planning and probate services in the city.
Their leader, Attorney Charles H. McClenaghan, brings over 44 years of expertise in law, finance, and real estate to guide clients through wills and asset protection.
In addition, McClenaghan has a rare background as ex-Ohio Securities Commissioner and Real Estate Superintendent. In our view, this gives the firm an edge in complex trusts and business estates that some rivals lack.
As for the rates, they typically use premium flat-fee pricing for estate planning. In our book, this at least provides clarity and prevents clients from “clock-watching” during client consultations.
More specifically, their rates fall within the $2,000 to $5,000 range. This comprehensive plan already includes the last will, revocable living trust, financial and health care powers of attorney, and the like.
But while they excel in real estate and securities-related estates, we think their niche focus isn’t ideal for high-conflict probate litigation. This can involve intense family courtroom battles, as their strength lies more in planning and amicable administration.
Very kind and helpful
“Would highly recommend The McClenaghan Law Group! So very kind and helpful helping my husband and I set up our will, trust as well as all documents required. Some of which we were not even aware of.”
-Cathy Keller, Google Review
Invaluable insights and extreme patience
“Extremely satisfied with the work provided by Charles and his staff. He had invaluable insights into setting up our trust, extreme patience regarding our changes to our will. Would recommend without a doubt!”
-Nancy Kirwin, Google Review
3. Winkler Legal
Address: 490 City Park Ave
Contact Details:
- +1 614 461 5708
Business Hours:
- Mon-Fri: 8:30 am to 5:00 pm
- Sat-Sun: Closed
Founded in 1997, Winkler Legal is a boutique practice in German Village that targets the needs of Central Ohio’s aging population. They provide elder-focused estate planning, wills, and private services for Columbus families.
Founder and owner, Attorney Dirken D. Winkler, has been offering compassionate guidance to seniors for over 3 decades. The team protects their assets from long-term care costs with elder law and Medicaid asset protection.
Basically, standard estate planning only dictates who gets assets after death. So, we love that the company’s approach protects these assets during the client’s lifetime from nursing home costs, which can average over $120,000 annually in Ohio.
Still, it’s best to note that they use a tiered pricing structure that’s generally higher than basic will-only law firms.
They give a free 15-minute phone consultation, followed by a $250 in-depth 60-minute meeting to develop a customized strategy. As for their standard estate planning, the packages typically begin at $3,500.
And as you know, they are a smaller firm than others. This results in more limited staff availability compared to bigger, multi-attorney firms in downtown Columbus.
They were totally amazing and went above and beyond for my parents
“Mr. Winkler and his team are excellent people! They did up a living Will and power attorney for my elderly parents. My dad has trouble walking and is a fall risk, I explain the situation to the attorney and all I had to do was pull up and him and his team come out on a very bitter cold day and stood there and witnessed my parents sign their paperwork. They were totally amazing, they went up and beyond for my parents and I highly recommend them to anybody!”
-Jenny Bowles, Google Review
Extremely helpful and knowledgeable
“Dirk was extremely helpful and knowledgeable when it came time for me to revise my will and create a trust.”
-Julie Feliciano, Google Review
4. Katz DiCuccio LLP
Address: 10 N High St #405, The Robert Weiler Company
Contact Details:
- +1 614 363 3500
- [email protected]
Business Hours:
- Mon-Fri: 8:30 am to 5:00 pm
- Sat-Sun: Closed
Operating since 2020, Katz DiCuccio handles probate, estate planning, and litigation for smooth asset transfers. Partners Steven Katz and Robert DiCuccio focus on tailored plans that cut court hassles.
They differentiate themselves with comprehensive tools like trusts to bypass probate court entirely. This means your money and property can go directly to your heirs without a judge’s permission.
And as a modern, tech-driven firm, we like that they streamline the client’s experience, which contrasts with the traditional in-office-only feel of older companies.
Unlike options that only draft documents, they also actively handle contested wills, fiduciary duty (a legal requirement to act in the best interest of the heirs) breaches, and complex real estate title disputes.
However, they don’t have a standard price list—especially in litigation, which is highly case-specific. They are usually billed hourly between $250 and $450, and conveniently offer flexible payment options.
As for non-contested estate planning, such as wills and trusts, they are competitive with the mid-to-high tier Columbus market. You can expect a range of $1,500 to $4,000 for comprehensive trust-based plans.
Just remember, they handle a wide variety of cases. Sometimes, we reckon clients might need to compete for time with a high-stakes lawsuit.
Responsive from the beginning and extremely knowledgeable
“I am a service coordinator at a low income senior apartment complex. I had several residents that needed help with their wills and we were fortunate enough to have the opportunity to work with Steven Katz. Mr. Katz was very professional and responsive from the beginning. Mr. Katz is extremely knowledgeable and took time to answer questions and help fulfill the residents’ needs. I will definitely work with Steven Katz in the future and highly recommend his services.”
-Sarah Neymeyer, Google Review
Very professional and prompt in our communication
“My husband and I worked with Steven Katz to write our wills. Steven was very professional and prompt in all of his communication and we are very happy with the final products.”
-Ashley Jacobs, Google Review
5. Gasper Legal
Address: 3492 Snouffer Rd, Suite #200
Contact Details:
- +1 614 845 1923
Business Hours:
- Mon-Fri: 8:00 am to 5:00 pm
- Sat: 8:00 am to 2:00 pm
- Sun: Closed
Having been around since 2014, Gasper Legal highlights estate planning, probate, and elder law for Columbus-area individuals needing asset protection.
Their founding attorney, Christopher T. Gasper, leads the team in providing affordable services for family security. Plus, we love their free consults and 24-hour response guarantees, which are faster than other firms that can take days.
In addition, Atty. Gasper is known for his no-nonsense approach. This also applies to his knowledge in unique areas like NFA Trusts (for firearms) and adoption.
And when it comes to prices, they often work on a flat-fee basis, competitive with the mid-tier market in the city. This can go from $1,000-$3,000 for standard plans.
The firm is also a provider of ARAG legal insurance as well. We believe this can significantly reduce or even fully cover the cost of estate planning for members.
The only drawback for us is that they are very focused on Franklin and Delaware Counties (North Columbus, Dublin, and Powell).
Knowledgeable and trustworthy attorney
“As a Realtor specializing in probate, it’s essential that I connect my clients with a knowledgeable and trustworthy attorney who will always act in their best interest. Christopher Gasper is exactly that. His extensive experience in estate planning, wills and trusts, probate, elder law, and estate administration makes him an invaluable resource. I have full confidence when referring clients to him, knowing they’ll receive expert guidance and ethical service. If you need an attorney who genuinely cares and puts clients first, I highly recommend Christopher Gasper”
-Oliver Chapman, Google Review
Consistently responsive, professional, and reliable
“Chris Gasper has been my first choice for all probate and estate needs for years. He is consistently responsive, professional, and reliable. I highly recommend him to anyone seeking experienced guidance in this area”
-Sara Russell, Google Review
