Shapiro & Shapiro PC in Baltimore: Estate Planning and Tax-Integrated Trusts
Shapiro & Shapiro PC is a two-attorney estate planning law firm based in Baltimore that structures wills, revocable trusts, powers of attorney, and tax-minimization strategies for individuals and families. The practice sits between general legal services and specialized tax planning, offering the advantage of coordinating estate documents with income and gift tax implications rather than treating them separately.
What the firm actually handles
The firm prepares comprehensive estate plans centered on revocable living trusts, which allow assets to pass outside probate and provide continuity of management if the client becomes incapacitated. Wills are used alongside trusts where appropriate. The firm also drafts healthcare powers of attorney and financial powers of attorney, documents that specify who will manage financial or medical decisions if you cannot. For clients with significant assets or complex family situations, the firm addresses estate tax strategy and coordinates with accountants to optimize timing of gifts or distributions. The practice does not handle trust administration after death, disputes over existing trusts, or probate litigation; clients needing those services are referred to other firms.
Pricing and flat-fee structure
Shapiro & Shapiro PC uses a flat-fee model rather than hourly billing, which allows clients to budget the cost of their plan in advance. A basic revocable trust package (trust, pour-over will, financial and healthcare powers of attorney) for a single person typically costs between $1,200 and $1,800, depending on asset complexity and whether the client owns real estate in multiple states. For married couples, the cost ranges from $1,800 to $2,400 for reciprocal trusts and coordinated documents. Tax-planning consultations that coordinate with a client's accountant or address more complex gifting strategies are billed separately and typically run $300 to $500 per hour for limited scope work. The firm does not charge for an initial consultation and will spend time understanding the client's assets and family structure before providing an estimate.
Verify current flat fees by calling the office, as fee structures shift occasionally and can vary if you own property outside Maryland or have substantial retirement accounts.
How Shapiro & Shapiro PC compares to other Baltimore estate planning options
Baltimore hosts several other estate planning practices that serve similar markets. Law firms such as Semmes, Bowen & Semmes and Whiteford, Taylor & Preston offer estate planning within broader corporate and tax practices; they are better suited to clients with estates exceeding $5 million or business succession needs, and their hourly rates or flat fees tend to run 40 to 60 percent higher. Smaller solo practitioners also advertise basic will and trust services in the Baltimore market; many operate on a limited scope or use template-based approaches, which reduces cost but may miss tax-saving opportunities specific to your situation or fail to update documents as law changes. Shapiro & Shapiro PC occupies the middle ground: experienced enough to address tax coordination and multi-state assets, but sized and priced to serve middle-income and moderate-wealth clients without the overhead of a large firm. Online services such as LegalZoom or Nolo offer DIY trusts starting under $500, but they provide no attorney review and no opportunity to adapt the document to your specific family or tax circumstances.
Who this fits, and who should look elsewhere
This firm is a strong fit for Baltimore residents with estates under $3 million who want a trust-based plan, have a spouse and minor children or blended families, or own property outside Maryland. Clients with uncomplicated assets and no desire to plan beyond a basic will may find the flat fee unnecessary. Those facing estate tax exposure (combined marital estate above the current federal exemption) or needing specialized business succession planning should consult a large firm with dedicated tax counsel or a CPA with estate planning credentials. Clients who need ongoing trust administration after a death, or who anticipate disputes over the plan, should verify in advance that the firm can provide those services or will refer them to a litigation attorney early.
What your first visit involves
The initial consultation is free and conducted by phone or in person at the firm's office. You will discuss your assets, family structure, any existing estate documents, and what you want to happen to your property if you die or become incapacitated. The attorney will ask whether you own real property in other states, hold retirement accounts or life insurance, have minor children or adult children with special needs, or anticipate family conflict. Based on that conversation, the firm will estimate the scope of work and flat fee and explain the timeline (typically four to six weeks from engagement to a signed, notarized plan). After you engage the firm, you complete a detailed questionnaire, the attorney drafts documents, you review and meet to discuss them, and then you sign and have the documents notarized (often at the office). The firm retains a copy and sends you signed originals.
Hours, location, and logistics
Shapiro & Shapiro PC is located in Baltimore's inner harbor area and offers both in-person and phone consultations. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The firm does not have a dedicated parking lot, but street parking and nearby garages are available in the downtown area. Verify the office address and whether evening or weekend appointments can be accommodated by contacting them in advance, as scheduling outside standard hours is possible for clients with limited weekday availability.
Shapiro & Shapiro PC serves Baltimore clients who want a trust-based estate plan without the cost of a large firm or the risks of a DIY template, and who value attorney review coordinated with their tax situation.
