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Estate Planning Lawyer · Pittsburgh, PA/Updated June 13, 2026

The 10 Best Estate Planning Lawyers in Pittsburgh, PA

Avoiding common pitfalls in estate planning is crucial. Selecting a qualified lawyer can safeguard your family's future and assets.

Editorially independent10 companies evaluated
cover story
★ Editor's ChoiceAmerican Wills & Estates
96Score
Latest update · June 13, 2026: Initial ranking published. 10 Pittsburgh-metro estate planning lawyer businesses evaluated, top 10 ranked by Vetted Score.

Estate planning is essential for protecting your loved ones and ensuring your wishes are honored after you pass. In Pittsburgh, many individuals face challenges due to poorly drafted wills or misunderstandings about legal requirements. Hiring the right estate planning lawyer can prevent these costly mistakes.

To compile this list, we evaluated ten estate planning lawyers in the Pittsburgh metro area based on their ratings and review counts. Our focus was on transparency and quality, ensuring that each law firm has a proven track record of satisfied clients.

10estate planning lawyers evaluated in Pittsburgh
4.85average rating across the field
1.1Kcustomer reviews analyzed

Cityvetted analysis of public Google review data, updated June 13, 2026.

How much does estate planning lawyer cost in Pittsburgh? See the price breakdown →

Our top picks

At a glance · three categories
★ Editor's Choice
96Score

American Wills & Estates

★★★★★4.9(429 reviews)

With a stellar rating of 4.9 from 429 reviews, American Wills & Estates is frequently praised for its thorough approach and knowledgeable staff.

Read full review
Best Value
95Score

Schwartz Montoya Legal, LLC

★★★★★5.0(121 reviews)

Scoring a perfect 5 from 121 reviews, Schwartz Montoya Legal, LLC is noted for its fair pricing and exceptional service.

Read full review
Most Reviewed
94Score

Cozza Law Group PLLC

★★★★★4.9(118 reviews)

Cozza Law Group PLLC holds a strong 4.9 rating from 118 reviews, with clients often highlighting their professionalism and attention to detail.

Read full review

All 10, compared

Data as of June 13, 2026
BusinessVetted ScoreGoogle ratingReviewsBest for
1
96Score
4.9★★★★★
429Comprehensive estate planning
2
95Score
5.0★★★★★
121Affordable estate planning
3
94Score
4.9★★★★★
118Thorough consultations and follow-up
4
88Score
4.8★★★★★
122Personalized attention and guidance
5
86Score
4.9★★★★★
68Efficient service and clear communication
6
85Score
4.9★★★★★
61Custom estate planning
7
84Score
4.8★★★★★
95Elder law and senior estate planning
8
82Score
4.8★★★★★
73New clients needing guidance
9
80Score
4.5★★★★★
23Clarity in estate planning
10
78Score
5.0★★★★★
4Individualized service
Methodology

How we evaluated all 10 estate planning lawyers.

We assessed the estate planning lawyers in Pittsburgh using their online ratings, client reviews, and overall reputation in the community. Each lawyer was scored on a scale of 0 to 100, reflecting their performance and client satisfaction.

Our rankings are updated monthly, and no lawyer pays for placement. This ensures that our recommendations are based solely on merit, providing you with reliable options for your estate planning needs.

The Vetted Score: six weighted factors

Customer sentiment25%
Rating quality20%
Review volume & velocity20%
Website trust signals15%
Service breadth10%
Business longevity10%

Sentiment is measured by AI analysis of review text, recency-weighted, with verified-pattern checks to discount suspicious review bursts.

Full reviews

The rankings · in order
1
★ Editor's Choice

American Wills & Estates

★★★★★4.9(429 reviews)
96Score

With a stellar rating of 4.9 from 429 reviews, American Wills & Estates is frequently praised for its thorough approach and knowledgeable staff. Clients appreciate the clear communication and personalized service. This firm excels in creating comprehensive estate plans tailored to individual needs. However, with such a high volume of clients, response times can occasionally lag.

Pros

  • Highly knowledgeable attorneys
  • Personalized service
  • Clear communication

Cons

  • Response times may vary
Best forComprehensive estate planning
Service areaPittsburgh, PA
Typical pricing$200 to $500
2
Best Value

Schwartz Montoya Legal, LLC

★★★★★5.0(121 reviews)
95Score

Scoring a perfect 5 from 121 reviews, Schwartz Montoya Legal, LLC is noted for its fair pricing and exceptional service. Clients commend the firm for its expertise in navigating complex estate matters. They are especially good for those seeking value without sacrificing quality. However, their smaller team may limit availability during peak times.

Pros

  • Fair pricing
  • Expertise in complex matters
  • Responsive service

Cons

  • Limited team size may affect availability
Best forAffordable estate planning
Service areaPittsburgh, PA
Typical pricing$150 to $400
3
Most Reviewed

Cozza Law Group PLLC

★★★★★4.9(118 reviews)
94Score

Cozza Law Group PLLC holds a strong 4.9 rating from 118 reviews, with clients often highlighting their professionalism and attention to detail. This firm is particularly well-regarded for its thorough consultations and follow-up support. One downside is that their growing popularity may lead to longer wait times for appointments. That is a substantial body of feedback for a local operator, enough to trust the rating rather than credit a lucky streak. Most of what reviewers hire it for is thorough consultations and follow-up. It serves Pittsburgh, PA, with $200 to $450 pricing, and the honest trade-offs are longer wait times for appointments.

Pros

  • Professional staff
  • Attention to detail
  • Thorough consultations

Cons

  • Longer wait times for appointments
Best forThorough consultations and follow-up
Service areaPittsburgh, PA
Typical pricing$200 to $450
4

Kim A. Bodnar, Attorney at Law

★★★★★4.8(122 reviews)
88Score

Rated 4.8 by 122 reviewers, Kim A. Bodnar, Attorney at Law, is known for her friendly demeanor and clear explanations of the estate planning process. Clients appreciate her willingness to answer questions thoroughly. However, her smaller practice means she may not handle large estates as effectively as larger firms. That is a substantial body of feedback for a local operator, enough to trust the rating rather than credit a lucky streak. Most of what reviewers hire it for is personalized attention and guidance. It serves Pittsburgh, PA, with $150 to $400 pricing, and the honest trade-offs are limited capacity for large estates.

Pros

  • Friendly service
  • Clear explanations
  • Thorough answers to questions

Cons

  • Limited capacity for large estates
Best forPersonalized attention and guidance
Service areaPittsburgh, PA
Typical pricing$150 to $400
5

Biernacki & Associates, P.C.

★★★★★4.9(68 reviews)
86Score

Biernacki & Associates, P.C. has a solid 4.9 rating from 68 reviews, praised for its knowledgeable staff and efficient service. Clients often highlight the firm's responsiveness and ability to simplify complex legal jargon. However, the lower review count suggests a less established reputation compared to higher-ranked firms. The sample is modest but steady, with reviewers describing the same strengths instead of one-off praise. Most of what reviewers hire it for is efficient service and clear communication. It serves Pittsburgh, PA, with $200 to $450 pricing, and the honest trade-offs are less established reputation.

Pros

  • Knowledgeable staff
  • Efficient service
  • Simplifies legal jargon

Cons

  • Less established reputation
Best forEfficient service and clear communication
Service areaPittsburgh, PA
Typical pricing$200 to $450
6

Very Law

★★★★★4.9(61 reviews)
85Score

With a rating of 4.9 based on 61 reviews, Very Law is recognized for its client-focused approach and thorough estate planning services. Customers appreciate the attention to detail and the ability to address unique needs. One downside is that their limited size may lead to scheduling challenges for clients. The sample is modest but steady, with reviewers describing the same strengths instead of one-off praise. Most of what reviewers hire it for is custom estate planning. It serves Pittsburgh, PA, with $200 to $500 pricing, and the honest trade-offs are scheduling challenges due to limited size.

Pros

  • Client-focused approach
  • Thorough services
  • Attention to detail

Cons

  • Scheduling challenges due to limited size
Best forCustom estate planning
Service areaPittsburgh, PA
Typical pricing$200 to $500
7

The Elder Law Offices of Shields & Boris

★★★★★4.8(95 reviews)
84Score

The Elder Law Offices of Shields & Boris has a commendable rating of 4.8 from 95 reviews. Clients appreciate their expertise in elder law and estate planning, particularly for seniors. While their focus on elder law is a strength, it may not suit younger clients seeking more general estate planning services.

Pros

  • Expertise in elder law
  • Good for seniors
  • Thorough service

Cons

  • Less suitable for younger clients
Best forElder law and senior estate planning
Service areaPittsburgh, PA
Typical pricing$150 to $400
8

Anderson Law Firm

★★★★★4.8(73 reviews)
82Score

Anderson Law Firm holds a solid 4.8 rating from 73 reviews. Clients commend their friendly service and willingness to take time explaining legal concepts. They are particularly helpful for those new to estate planning. However, some clients have noted that the firm could improve its follow-up communication. The sample is modest but steady, with reviewers describing the same strengths instead of one-off praise. Most of what reviewers hire it for is new clients needing guidance. It serves Pittsburgh, PA, with $150 to $400 pricing, and the honest trade-offs are follow-up communication could improve.

Pros

  • Friendly service
  • Time taken to explain concepts
  • Good for newcomers

Cons

  • Follow-up communication could improve
Best forNew clients needing guidance
Service areaPittsburgh, PA
Typical pricing$150 to $400
9

Sikov and Love, P.A.

★★★★★4.5(23 reviews)
80Score

Sikov and Love, P.A. has a 4.5 rating from 23 reviews. Clients appreciate their straightforward approach and thoroughness. This firm is particularly good for those seeking clarity in estate planning documents. On the downside, the limited number of reviews suggests a less established presence in the market. The review base is still thin, so we read the rating as promising rather than proven and weighted it accordingly. Most of what reviewers hire it for is clarity in estate planning. It serves Pittsburgh, PA, with $200 to $450 pricing, and the honest trade-offs are limited number of reviews.

Pros

  • Straightforward approach
  • Thoroughness
  • Clarity in documents

Cons

  • Limited number of reviews
Best forClarity in estate planning
Service areaPittsburgh, PA
Typical pricing$200 to $450
10

The Pittsburgh Probate Law Firm

★★★★★5.0(4 reviews)
78Score

The Pittsburgh Probate Law Firm has a perfect rating of 5 from just 4 reviews. Clients are impressed with the individual attention they receive. However, the very small review base makes it difficult to assess overall reliability and service consistency. The review base is still thin, so we read the rating as promising rather than proven and weighted it accordingly. Most of what reviewers hire it for is individualized service. It serves Pittsburgh, PA, with $150 to $400 pricing, and the honest trade-offs are very small review base.

Pros

  • Individual attention
  • High rating

Cons

  • Very small review base
Best forIndividualized service
Service areaPittsburgh, PA
Typical pricing$150 to $400
Before you book

How to choose an estate planning lawyer in Pittsburgh

Selecting an estate planning lawyer requires careful consideration. Here are key factors to keep in mind as you make your choice.

Check their experience

Look for lawyers who specialize in estate planning and have a solid track record in Pittsburgh. Experience can greatly influence the quality of your estate documents.

Read client reviews

Client feedback can provide insight into how a lawyer communicates and handles cases. Prioritize those with numerous positive reviews.

Assess their communication style

Choose a lawyer who is responsive and willing to explain complex legal terms. Clear communication is essential for a smooth estate planning process.

What it costs

What estate planning lawyers cost in Pittsburgh

Basic Will Preparation$300 to $600 for a simple will, depending on the complexity of your assets and family situation.
Comprehensive Estate Plan$1,200 to $2,500 for a full estate plan, including wills, trusts, and powers of attorney.
Hourly Consultation$150 to $400 per hour for legal advice and document review.
Trust Administration$1,000 to $3,000 for managing and executing the terms of a trust after the grantor's death.

Frequently asked questions

How much does estate planning cost in Pittsburgh?

Estate planning services in Pittsburgh typically range from $300 to $1,500, depending on the complexity of your needs.

What should I look for in an estate planning lawyer?

Look for experience, client reviews, and clear communication. It's important that the lawyer understands your specific situation and can tailor their services accordingly.

How often is this ranking updated?

We re-run the full analysis monthly with fresh review data. Last updated June 13, 2026.

Our verdict

For most Pittsburgh residents: <strong>American Wills & Estates</strong>

Contact American Wills & Estates first for reliable estate planning. If you prefer a perfect rating with fewer reviews, choose Schwartz Montoya Legal, LLC. For a solid option with a focus on personalized service, consider Cozza Law Group PLLC.