The Law Office of Raymond E Brown in Baltimore: Estate Planning With Flat-Fee Clarity
Raymond E Brown operates a solo estate planning practice in Baltimore focused on wills, trusts, and powers of attorney for individuals and families who want transparent pricing and straightforward legal structures without the overhead of a larger firm.
What this practice is
The Law Office of Raymond E Brown is a single-attorney estate planning firm serving Baltimore clients who need core documents drafted and properly executed. Brown practices estate planning exclusively, not divorce or business law, which means the office does not split attention across unrelated practice areas. The practice is structured around flat-fee engagements for standard documents rather than hourly billing, a model that suits clients who want to know the total cost before signing a retainer agreement.
Services and pricing
Standard estate planning packages typically include a will, power of attorney for financial decisions, and a healthcare power of attorney. Revocable living trusts, which allow property to pass outside probate court, are also offered as a separate service or as part of a combined package. Pricing for a basic will package generally starts in the $300 to $500 range for an individual, depending on complexity and whether the client already owns property held in trust. A living trust with supporting documents often runs $800 to $1,200 for a single person. These figures apply to straightforward estates; clients with multiple properties, blended families, or business interests should expect higher fees and should call the office directly to discuss their situation. Verify current pricing when you contact the firm, as fees may adjust.
The flat-fee approach distinguishes this practice from hourly-billed attorneys, who charge $150 to $350 per hour in Baltimore's estate planning market. With flat fees, there is no penalty for asking questions during the drafting process, and the total cost is locked in before work begins.
How it compares to other Baltimore estate planning options
Larger firms like Semmes, Bowen & Semmes and Miles & Stockbridge offer estate planning as one service among many and employ multiple attorneys. Those firms typically charge hourly rates and may require retainers of $1,500 to $3,000 for comprehensive planning. They suit clients with significant assets, complex family dynamics, or business succession concerns who benefit from access to tax specialists and trust administration staff.
Solo practices and legal document services like LegalZoom and Nolo offer lower-cost alternatives. DIY online services charge $100 to $300 for templated documents but provide no attorney review or customization for Maryland law. They suit clients with simple estates and no minor children. Brown's practice sits between those two poles: more personalized than template services and more affordable than big firms, with the tradeoff that the attorney handles the work personally rather than delegating to paralegals.
Clients with straightforward, single-state estates and moderate assets benefit most from Brown's flat-fee model. Clients with out-of-state property, substantial wealth, or intricate family situations (such as blended families with minor children from different relationships) may need the broader expertise a larger firm offers.
What the first consultation involves
Most estate planning consultations in Baltimore happen over the phone or in person at the office. The attorney will ask about the client's assets (home, vehicles, bank accounts, investments), whether there are minor children or a spouse, and any specific wishes about how property should pass after death. The consultation typically takes 30 to 60 minutes and is used to establish the scope of work. Some attorneys offer a free initial consultation; you should ask whether that applies here. Once the scope and fee are agreed, the client will usually receive a questionnaire to complete, and the attorney drafts documents based on those answers and Maryland law. Review and signing typically happen 1 to 3 weeks after the initial meeting, depending on the office schedule.
Hours, location, and logistics
The office is located in Baltimore; confirm the specific street address and current office hours when you call. Street parking is available in most Baltimore neighborhoods. The practice is small enough that clients should expect to work directly with Brown rather than a paralegal or junior associate.
Brown's flat-fee, solo-practice model makes estate planning accessible to Baltimore residents who want clear pricing and direct attorney engagement without paying for firm overhead. The practice is worth considering for anyone with a will or trust gap and a straightforward family or financial situation.
