HagEstad Law Group, PLLC logo

MT

Montana

(406) 203-9303

AZ

Arizona

(623) 999-1728

Background decorationProtecting Your Legal Interests in Montana & Arizona

Trusts & Estates Attorney in Missoula, MT

Your father's house, his savings, and a will nobody in the family agrees on are the kinds of matters that land on a personal representative's desk in the Missoula County Courthouse every week. HagEstad Law Group attorneys have experience guiding Western Montana families and fiduciaries through all of their needs with estate planning, probate, trust administration, and estate litigation.

We offer a free, no-obligation consultation so you can talk through your situation before committing to anything.

45+

Years of Combined Experience

2,000+

Clients Served

Millions

of dollars saved for our clients

“

David and his law firm helped me settle on some real estate discrepancies. He is very professional and polite. I highly recommend his services!!

Jay Lofland

5

“

We needed some legal advice for real estate information and we were able to get quick and accurate service that helped us with the purchase . Highly recommend this professional team!

Marie Payne

5

“

From the moment I called, very friendly, welcoming, helpful staff,meet with David he was awesome, answered all my concerns and gave me additional advice.I definitely recommend these guys

Natalie Dorsey

5

Pillar

Legal Services We Provide in Missoula, MT

From drafting your first will to defending an estate in court, our attorneys handle the full range of trusts and estates matters Western Montana families and fiduciaries face.

Estate & Probate Law

Probate and Estate Administration

Montana probate runs on deadlines, filings, and creditor notices, and one missed step can stall an estate for months. Our probate lawyers handle the process from petition to final distribution, so personal representatives get through it correctly and without unnecessary delay.

Estate and Trust Administration

Trustees and personal representatives who miss a step can end up personally liable. Our experienced Missoula trusts and estates attorneys guide fiduciaries through every stage, including accounting, tax filings, and court procedures, so they meet their obligations under Montana law and keep beneficiaries informed.

Estate Litigation

When an estate dispute can't get resolved at the table, you need a trusts and estates attorney in Missoula who's at home in a courtroom. We represent beneficiaries, fiduciaries, and family members in fights over asset distribution, fiduciary conduct, and breach of trust.

Contested Will

Montana law sets a real bar for challenging a will: capacity, undue influence, improper execution, or fraud. Whichever side you're on, challenging or defending, our Missoula trusts and estates attorneys build the case with the evidence and the law to back it.

Estate Planning

A solid estate plan starts with a clear picture of your assets, your family, and what you want for both. Our Missoula trusts and estates planning attorneys help you make the decisions that matter: wills, trusts, taxes, and who's in charge if something happens to you, so your plan actually holds up when it's needed.

Living Will

Your wishes about medical care should be written down, not left to guesswork. Our trusts and estates attorneys in Missoula help clients draft living wills that clearly state their preferences, so family members and doctors aren't left making difficult decisions without guidance.

Power of Attorney

A power of attorney names someone to act for you if you can't act for yourself. We walk clients through appointing a representative for financial, medical, or legal decisions, making sure the person named understands your intentions and the document holds up when it's used.

Advance Health Care Directive

An advance directive puts your medical wishes in writing before a crisis forces the issue. We draft directives that give your family and medical providers clear instructions to follow if you're unable to speak for yourself.

Probate Litigation

Not every probate case is straightforward. When disputes over assets, creditors, or fiduciary decisions arise during probate, our Missoula trusts and estate planning attorneys step in to protect the estate's interests and keep the case moving toward resolution.

Guardianship and Conservatorship

Setting up a guardianship or conservatorship means making decisions on behalf of someone who can't make them alone, a minor child or an incapacitated family member. We guide Missoula families through the process with an eye toward what Montana law requires and what's genuinely best for the person involved.

Why You Need a Trusts and Estates Attorney in Missoula, MT

Wills, trusts, probate, and estate litigation matters look simple on paper and rarely are. Whether you're setting up a trust for the first time, serving as a personal representative, or facing a contested will, the decisions you make early can determine how smoothly, or how painfully, everything unfolds later.

A Missoula trusts and estates attorney helps Western Montana families and fiduciaries anticipate the issues Montana law raises before they become problems: how assets are titled, how a trust is funded and administered, what a fiduciary owes to beneficiaries, and what a Montana probate court will expect to see if a dispute ends up in front of a judge.

That's the value a trusts and estates attorney in Missoula brings to estate planning, probate administration, trust administration, and estate litigation alike: protecting what you've built and making sure it reaches the people you intend, without an unnecessary fight along the way.

HaGestad Law Group, PLLC

Protect What Your Family Has Built

Whether you're planning ahead or already facing a probate dispute, our Missoula trusts and estate planning attorneys can help you find the right path forward.

Background decoration

Secure Your Future with HagEstad Law Group

Put your trust in HagEstad Law Group, Missoula's estate planning, probate, and trust administration firm. Contact us today for a clear path forward on your estate matter.

Our Legal Process

If you're about to embark on a succession planning journey, it can help to have a clear idea of what to expect from the process. Our lawyers blend legal authority with practical local insight and consummate professionalism as they carry out our uniquely Missoula-centered approach.

Our Estate & Probate Law Legal Process

Initial Consultation

During your no-cost consultation, you'll get the opportunity to discuss your needs, goals, and concerns with our skilled attorneys, establishing clarity and confidence from the start.

Documentation and Planning

After our initial meeting, our team will begin drafting, planning, and preparing the necessary legal documents for your circumstances.

Review and Finalization

Before proceeding with your case, a seasoned estate planning attorney will review all relevant documentation to ensure that it's in line with both the law and your individual wishes.

Execution

Next, your personal representative will formulate and implement a subtle legal strategy on your behalf.

Continued Support

We're here for you, not just during key meetings and procedures but beyond. As part of this commitment, we'll offer ongoing advice and updates as your needs and the relevant laws evolve.

Why Put Your Trust In Us?

Why Choose Our Estates and Trusts Law Firm

Trusts and estates work touches everything a family has built and everyone they care about, so the firm handling it matters. As your trusts and estates attorney in Missoula, here's what you can expect when we take on your estate planning, probate, or trust administration matter.

Experienced

Experienced Representation

Our Missoula trusts and estates planning attorneys bring years of hands-on experience in trusts, estates, probate, and business law, with work that's meant to handle hundreds of Montana estate matters for families and fiduciaries alike.

Affordable

Transparent Communication

Estate and probate matters come with enough uncertainty already. We keep you informed at every stage, in plain language, so you're never left guessing what happens next.

Approachable

Client-Centric Approach

Every family's situation is different. We take the time to understand yours before recommending a strategy, rather than defaulting to a one-size-fits-all plan.

Background
G. Patrick HagEstad

G. Patrick HagEstad

G. Patrick HagEstad

  • Licensed in Arizona and Montana
  • AV Preeminent Rated in Litigation, Insurance, and Professional liability by Martindale-Hubbell
David J. HagEstad

David J. HagEstad

David J. HagEstad

  • Licensed in Arizona and Montana
  • Specialized in Insurance Defense Matters, Estate Planning and Probate
David J. HagEstad

Brien B. Birge

Brien B. Birge

  • Licensed in Arizona and Montana
  • Specialized in Estate Planning & Insurance Litigation
David J. HagEstad

Patricia N. Morse

Patricia N. Morse

  • Licensed in Montana and Arizona
  • Specialized in Estate Planning Matters & Insurance Defense Litigation
David J. HagEstad

Michael P. HagEstad

Michael P. HagEstad

  • Licensed in Montana and Arizona
  • Specialized in Practice on Insurance Defense Litigation
Sara Arno

Sara M. Arno

Sara M. Arno

  • Licensed in Montana
  • Specialized in General Estate Planning & Insurance Defense Litigation
Emily Bruner

Emily Bruner

Emily Bruner

  • Licensed in Montana
  • Specialized in Practice In Insurance Defense Litigation

Meet the Faces Behind HagEstad Law Group, PLLC

In the heart of Missoula, HagEstad Law Group is a trusts and estates law firm serving families and fiduciaries across Missoula and the Five Valleys region. Get to know the attorneys who handle your case.

$10M+

cases resolved

95%

of Cases Won

2,000+

Clients Served

45+

Years of Combined Experience

Got Legal Needs?
‍Tell Us About Them.

At HagEstad Law Group, PLLC, our Missoula trusts and estates attorneys are here to help you with all your legal needs.

We understand that legal issues can be complex and overwhelming, but you don't have to navigate them alone!

Contact HagEstad Law Group Today!

Discuss your legal needs with us.

* Communication through our website does not establish an attorney-client relationship between you and HagEstad Law Group, PLLC.

FAQ

FAQ

Is there a difference between an estate attorney and a trust attorney?

Arrow icon

Not usually. Most Missoula estate attorneys, including ours, handle both trusts and broader estate matters, wills, probate, and estate litigation, since the two areas overlap so heavily in practice.

Is a trust necessary in Montana?

Arrow icon

Not for everyone, but a trust can help avoid probate, protect privacy, and provide for a family member long-term. Whether it makes sense for you depends on your assets, your family, and your goals, which is worth discussing directly with our skilled attorneys.

How much does it usually cost to set up a trust in Montana?

Arrow icon

Cost depends on the complexity of the trust and your overall estate plan. Contact our office for a free consultation to get a clear estimate for your situation.

How often should I review my estate plan?

Arrow icon

Review your plan regularly, and especially after major life events like a marriage, birth, death, or property purchase.

Can I change my will after it's been created?

Arrow icon

Yes. With an attorney's guidance, you can amend your will at any time to reflect changes in your wishes or circumstances.