Estate Planning Attorneys in Great Falls, Montana: Protect Your Family and Assets
Estate planning is one of the most important steps you can take to protect your loved ones and ensure your wishes are honored. A qualified estate planning lawyer in Great Falls helps residents create wills, trusts, powers of attorney, healthcare directives, and complete asset-protection strategies tailored to Montana law and local probate rules.
Without a proper estate plan, Montana’s intestate succession laws decide who inherits your property, who manages your estate, and who makes medical decisions if you become incapacitated – often leading to family disputes, higher taxes, and lengthy probate in Great Falls County Probate Court.
Why You Need a Local Great Falls Estate Planning Lawyer
An attorney who regularly practices in Great Falls offers critical advantages:
- Deep knowledge of Montana probate procedures and Great Falls County filing requirements
- Familiarity with local judges and court staff, which speeds up the probate process
- Understanding of Montana-specific estate tax rules, community property nuances (if applicable), and homestead protections
- Ability to structure plans that minimize or eliminate the need for probate in Great Falls courts
- Personal service – many Great Falls estate planning lawyers still make house calls for elderly or home-bound clients
Common Estate Planning Services Offered in Great Falls
Experienced Great Falls estate planning attorneys help with:
- Last Will and Testament creation and updates
- Revocable living trusts to avoid probate
- Irrevocable trusts for asset protection and Medicaid planning
- Special needs trusts for disabled beneficiaries
- Pour-over wills and beneficiary designations
- Durable financial powers of attorney
- Advance healthcare directives and living wills
- HIPAA authorizations
- Guardianship designations for minor children
- Business succession planning for family-owned companies
- Gun trusts (NFA firearms) and pet trusts
How Much Does Estate Planning Cost in Great Falls?
Simple wills for individuals typically range from $300–$800. Married couples with basic needs often pay $600–$1,500 for mirror wills and powers of attorney. Comprehensive revocable living trust packages (including pour-over wills, trust certification, and deed transfers) usually cost $2,000–$4,500 in Great Falls, depending on the complexity of assets and family situation. Most Great Falls estate planning lawyers offer flat-fee pricing and free initial consultations.
Key Montana Estate Planning Laws That Affect Great Falls Residents
- Montana inheritance tax / estate tax rules (if any)
- Spousal elective share and augmented estate provisions
- 120-hour survivorship rule
- Homestead and personal property allowances
- Small estate affidavit limits (often $50,000–$100,000 in Montana)
- Digital asset access laws
A local attorney makes sure your plan fully uses these provisions to protect your family.
Frequently Asked Questions – Estate Planning Lawyers in Great Falls, Montana
When should I start estate planning in Great Falls ?
The best time is now – as soon as you own real estate, have minor children, or accumulate significant savings. Major life events (marriage, birth of a child, divorce, or receiving an inheritance) are also perfect triggers.
Will a simple online will be enough for my Great Falls estate?
Online documents often fail to comply with Montana signing and witnessing requirements, do not address local probate rules, and cannot customize trusts to avoid Great Falls County probate fees and delays. They frequently cause more problems than they solve.
How long does probate take in Great Falls County?
Without proper planning, probate typically lasts 9–18 months and costs 4–7% of the estate in fees. A properly funded revocable living trust usually avoids probate entirely.
Can I protect my home from Medicaid recovery in Montana ?
Yes – with advance planning (usually 5 years before needing long-term care), irrevocable trusts and other strategies can protect your Great Falls home while still qualifying for benefits. A local Medicaid planning attorney knows the latest Montana rules.
What happens if I die without a will in Great Falls ?
Montana intestate laws apply: your spouse and children (or parents if unmarried) inherit in fixed percentages. Minor children may require court-appointed guardians, and the probate court supervises everything – a slow and public process.
Ready to secure your family’s future? The experienced estate planning attorneys listed on this page serve Great Falls and surrounding communities. Most offer complimentary consultations and flat-fee estate plans. Contact a trusted Great Falls lawyer today – peace of mind is only one call away.
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