Estate planning attorney consultation
11 estate planning attorneys in Albuquerque, NM
Mark Caruso
Caruso Law Offices, PC
★★★★★ 4.9 (47 reviews)
4302 Carlisle Blvd NE, Albuquerque, NM 87107 (505) 883-5000 Website
Wills Trusts Probate Estate Planning Elder Law

Mark Caruso at Caruso Law Offices has served Albuquerque clients for over two decades with estate planning, probate, and elder law. Known for plain-English explanations and thorough planning.

Nicole W. Moss
Nicole W. Moss, Attorney at Law
★★★★★ 4.8 (29 reviews)
320 Gold Ave SW Suite 1000, Albuquerque, NM 87102 (505) 244-0950
Estate Planning Probate Wills Trusts

Nicole Moss focuses on estate planning and probate administration in Albuquerque, guiding families through the legal steps of settling an estate and planning ahead to minimize future burdens.

Evan Woodward
Woodward Law Firm
★★★★★ 4.8 (31 reviews)
4811 Hardware Dr NE Suite F-5, Albuquerque, NM 87109 (505) 453-3476 Website
Wills Trusts Estate Planning Powers of Attorney

Evan Woodward focuses on estate planning, wills, and trusts for Albuquerque families. The Woodward Law Firm provides personalized planning strategies to protect assets and ensure wishes are honored.

Jon Samuel Sipes
Sipes Law Firm
★★★★★ 4.7 (18 reviews)
500 Marquette Ave NW Suite 1200, Albuquerque, NM 87102 (505) 609-5515
Estate Planning Real Estate Wills Trusts

Jon Sipes provides estate planning and real estate law services to Albuquerque individuals and families, helping clients navigate complex transactions and plan for the future.

James Keller
Keller Law Offices
★★★★★ 4.7 (22 reviews)
6565 Americas Pkwy NE Suite 200, Albuquerque, NM 87110 (505) 938-2300
Wills Trusts Estate Planning Healthcare Directives

James Keller offers comprehensive estate planning services in Albuquerque, including wills, living trusts, healthcare directives, and powers of attorney tailored to each family's situation.

Matthew A. Vance
Law Office of Matthew A. Vance
★★★★★ 4.7 (16 reviews)
3800 Osuna Rd NE Suite 2, Albuquerque, NM 87109 (505) 242-6267
Estate Planning Probate Wills Family Law

Matthew Vance provides estate planning, probate, and family law services to Albuquerque-area clients. He takes time to understand each family's goals and builds plans that last.

Benosi Maduka
Maduka Law Group
★★★★★ 4.7 (9 reviews)
5000 Marble Ave NE Suite 200, Albuquerque, NM 87110 (505) 357-0938
Estate Planning Wills Trusts Powers of Attorney

Benosi Maduka offers estate planning and immigration legal services in Albuquerque, working with diverse families to create plans that reflect their unique circumstances and goals.

Arun Arjan Melwani
Melwani Law, P.C.
★★★★★ 4.6 (14 reviews)
2821 Lomas Blvd NE, Albuquerque, NM 87106 (505) 323-5800 Website
Estate Planning Wills Trusts Business Law

Arun Melwani at Melwani Law handles estate planning alongside bankruptcy and business law for Albuquerque clients. His approach emphasizes protecting what clients have built over a lifetime.

Glenn Smith Valdez
Valdez Law Firm
★★★★★ 4.6 (11 reviews)
2632 Louisiana Blvd NE Suite 300, Albuquerque, NM 87110 (505) 877-8787
Estate Planning Probate Wills Trusts

Glenn Valdez has practiced estate planning and probate law in Albuquerque for over 15 years, serving families from Rio Rancho to the South Valley with straightforward, affordable planning.

Jonathan Sooriash
Law Office of Jonathan Sooriash
★★★★★ 4.6 (8 reviews)
6200 Uptown Blvd NE Suite 400, Albuquerque, NM 87110 (505) 295-2791
Estate Planning Tax Law Trusts Wills

Jonathan Sooriash handles estate planning and tax law matters for Albuquerque families and business owners, with a focus on minimizing estate tax exposure and ensuring smooth asset transfer.

Deena L. Buchanan
Buchanan Law Firm
★★★★☆ 4.5 (7 reviews)
7430 Washington St NE, Albuquerque, NM 87109 (505) 875-5200
Estate Planning Litigation Probate Wills

Deena Buchanan focuses on estate planning and civil litigation in Albuquerque, helping families create comprehensive plans and resolving disputes that arise during estate administration.

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Frequently asked questions about estate planning in Albuquerque

Does New Mexico have an estate tax?
New Mexico does not have a state estate tax or inheritance tax. Estates are only subject to the federal estate tax, which applies to estates valued above $13.61 million (as of 2024). Most New Mexico families will not owe federal estate tax, though proper planning can still reduce income taxes paid by heirs.
What does it mean to be a community property state?
New Mexico is one of nine community property states. Most property acquired during a marriage is considered jointly owned 50/50 by both spouses, regardless of whose name appears on the title. At death, a spouse can only direct their half of community property. This has significant implications for estate planning — particularly around asset titling, trust funding, and the step-up in tax basis that can save heirs from capital gains taxes.
How long does probate take in New Mexico?
New Mexico informal probate typically takes 6 to 12 months for straightforward estates with a valid will. Formal probate, or contested proceedings, can extend to 18 months or longer. For small estates with net personal property under $50,000, New Mexico allows a simplified affidavit procedure that can resolve matters in weeks without court involvement.
Do I need a trust or just a will in New Mexico?
A will alone requires probate in New Mexico. A revocable living trust passes assets directly to beneficiaries at death without court involvement, which offers privacy, speed, and often lower overall cost. Whether a trust is appropriate depends on the size of your estate, your family situation, and whether you own real estate. An estate attorney can help you compare the two approaches for your specific circumstances.
How much does estate planning cost in Albuquerque?
A basic estate plan — will, durable power of attorney, and healthcare directive — typically costs $1,500 to $3,000 in Albuquerque. A full revocable living trust package runs $2,500 to $5,000 depending on the complexity of assets and family structure. Hourly rates for experienced estate attorneys in the Albuquerque market generally fall between $300 and $500 per hour.

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