Alan B Frankle Estate Planning Law in Baltimore: Document Preparation and Trust Strategy for Mid-Market Families

Alan B Frankle's law office handles wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and related estate documents for Baltimore residents. The practice serves individuals and couples seeking to organize assets, name guardians, or establish trusts without the cost and complexity of large firms. It sits in Baltimore's estate planning market between do-it-yourself online services and full-service trust companies.

What This Practice Handles

The office focuses on core estate documents: wills that pass assets through probate, revocable living trusts that avoid probate and remain private, healthcare powers of attorney, financial powers of attorney, and advance medical directives. Frankle also addresses trust-funded mortgages and helps clients retitle property into trusts after they are drafted. The practice does not include tax planning tied to federal exemptions or multi-state real estate strategy, which typically requires a CPA or larger firm.

Pricing and Engagement Basis

The practice works on flat fees for standard packages rather than hourly billing, which gives clients budget certainty. An uncontested will typically costs less than a revocable living trust with supporting documents. A revocable trust package (trust, pour-over will, healthcare power of attorney, financial power of attorney, and advance medical directive) runs in the $1,200 to $2,000 range for a single person and higher for couples with separate trusts. Verify current pricing with the office, as estate planning rates have risen gradually across the Baltimore region since 2022.

The office requires a consultation before engagement. During that meeting, the attorney discusses assets, family structure, and goals to determine whether a will, trust, or both suit the client's situation. Clients who own Maryland real estate, name minor children as beneficiaries, or wish to avoid probate typically benefit from the full package approach.

How This Compares to Other Baltimore-Area Estate Planning Options

Online services like LegalZoom and Nolo offer templated wills and trusts for $150 to $500, with minimal attorney review. These work for simple estates under $300,000 with clear, adult beneficiaries and no disputed property. They do not include a consultation or local legal advice.

Large Baltimore law firms tied to banks or real estate practices often charge hourly rates of $250 to $400 per hour and recommend comprehensive tax planning even when a client's estate is below the federal taxable threshold. These firms suit clients with substantial assets, multiple properties, or business interests requiring trust strategies tied to tax minimization.

Frankle's mid-market flat-fee approach fits Baltimore residents with $300,000 to $1 million in assets who need documents drafted quickly and reliably but do not require tax planning or ongoing investment management. It also suits families who want local, in-person counsel without paying large-firm overhead.

Who This Suits and Who It Does Not

This practice serves Maryland homeowners, retirees, small-business owners with straightforward income, and families with minor children who need to name guardians and ensure assets reach them clearly. It is especially useful for people who own property in Maryland and want to avoid the cost and delay of probate, or who have a second marriage and need clear beneficiary instructions.

Clients with multistate property, trusts benefiting special-needs individuals, business succession planning, or estates likely to face federal estate tax should consult a larger firm or CPA-attorney partnership. Clients seeking to challenge an existing will or defend against creditor claims need a litigator, not an estate planner.

The First Visit

The consultation typically lasts 30 to 45 minutes and covers household composition, asset types (real estate, retirement accounts, bank balances, business interests), debts, and who the client wants to inherit what. The attorney explains whether a will, trust, or both makes sense given Maryland law, which probate costs depend on asset size, and how long each approach takes. The client leaves with a clear engagement plan and timeline, usually 2 to 4 weeks from signing the engagement letter to finished documents.

Hours, Location, and Logistics

Verify the office address and hours directly before visiting. The practice serves Baltimore-area clients and may offer video consultations for follow-up appointments. Parking availability depends on the office location within Baltimore; street parking may be necessary in some neighborhoods.

A solo estate planning attorney who offers flat fees for clear, standard documents earns trust by delivering on price and timeline, which Frankle's model emphasizes. For Baltimore families looking to move wills and trusts off the to-do list without overpaying, this practice is a direct choice.