Bauersfeld, Burton, Hendricks, & Vanderhoof in Baltimore: Trust and Probate Planning at Firm Scale

A four-partner law firm in Baltimore specializing in estate planning, trust administration, and probate, Bauersfeld, Burton, Hendricks, & Vanderhoof serves individuals and families managing complex asset transfers, multi-generational planning, and trust disputes. The firm brings depth on Maryland-specific probate rules and operates as a full-service estate practice rather than a document-assembly service.

What the firm actually does

Bauersfeld, Burton, Hendricks, & Vanderhoof handles wills, revocable and irrevocable trusts, powers of attorney, and probate administration. The firm also addresses trust modifications, contested probates, estate tax planning for higher-net-worth households, and fiduciary disputes. This is attorney-led work, not template-based; each engagement involves direct lawyer time. The firm does not emphasize quick online probate or flat-rate document filing.

Services and fee structure

The firm typically charges on an hourly basis for estate planning consultations and trust drafting, with initial planning conversations ranging from 90 minutes to several hours depending on complexity. Probate administration fees vary by estate size; smaller estates may run $3,000 to $8,000 in total legal fees (not including court costs), while larger or contested probates exceed $15,000. Trust modification and dispute work is billed hourly, generally at rates between $200 and $350 per hour depending on the attorney assigned. Request a written engagement letter specifying scope and estimated cost before work begins. Many clients receive a cost estimate after an initial consultation; the firm does not post standardized pricing.

How this compares to other Baltimore estate-planning options

Bauersfeld, Burton, Hendricks, & Vanderhoof sits between solo estate practitioners and larger multi-office firms. Solo attorneys in Baltimore often charge $100 to $200 per hour but may lack resources for contested or multi-state estates. Larger Baltimore firms (particularly those within real estate or corporate practices) charge $250 to $400+ per hour and focus on high-net-worth clients; they may be overscaled for straightforward wills and trusts. Online probate services like LegalZoom handle basic document prep at $200 to $400 flat rates but do not provide attorney representation in court or in disputes. A four-partner firm like this one combines flexibility on hourly work with institutional knowledge of Maryland probate procedure, making it well-suited for middle-market families and mid-sized estates where complexity justifies attorney involvement but a boutique solo or mega-firm is mismatched.

Who it suits, and who it does not

This firm works well for Baltimore households with assets exceeding $250,000, blended families, business interests, or out-of-state property where coordinated planning across jurisdictions is necessary. Clients value the ability to sit with an attorney to discuss tax implications and dispute prevention. The firm is less ideal for households under $150,000 in assets seeking the quickest, lowest-cost document solution; those are better served by solo practitioners or online tools. Similarly, clients needing one-session flat-rate document signing will find a firm expecting hourly engagement mismatched.

What a first engagement involves

An initial consultation, typically by phone or in the office, covers your assets, family structure, and goals. The attorney will ask about beneficiaries, prior estate documents, tax concerns, and any anticipated disputes. You will discuss whether a will or trust is appropriate (trusts avoid probate; wills go through court). The attorney may then provide a cost estimate and timeline. Subsequent meetings involve document drafting, which the firm handles in-house, followed by review sessions and execution. Probate administration begins after death and includes court filings, asset inventory, creditor notification, and account settlement; timelines run 6 to 12 months in Maryland, longer if disputes arise.

Hours, location, and logistics

The firm is located in Baltimore and operates standard office hours, typically 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays. Confirm current address and whether the firm offers evening or hybrid meetings; many Baltimore estate practices now offer initial consultations by video. Parking is available at or near the office location. Call for scheduling or to request a consultation by phone.

Bauersfeld, Burton, Hendricks, & Vanderhoof anchors Baltimore's mid-market estate-planning landscape with a depth of probate litigation and trust experience that template services lack, while remaining more accessible in cost and engagement model than larger multi-office firms.