Estate Planning & Wills
Wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and healthcare directives tailored to your family and assets.
Protect the people who depend on you.
Learn moreBoston · Est. 1998
Trusted counsel for life's most important decisions.
A boutique Boston law firm guiding families and business owners through estate planning, real estate, and business matters — with a named partner on every file.
Confidential consultation. No obligation.
Why Ashford & Vale
Counsel you keep for a generation.
Since 1998, we have represented many of the same families and businesses — and now their children. That continuity is the difference between a transaction and a trusted advisor.
25+ yearsServing Greater Boston since 1998
A named partnerWorks directly on your matter — never handed to a rotating associate
Fixed-fee plansEstate plans quoted up front, with no hourly surprises
How We Work
A clear path from first meeting to signed documents.
Sound legal counsel should feel personal, not procedural. Our engagement follows four deliberate steps.
- 01
Consultation
We listen first — to your circumstances, your family, and what you want to protect. You leave the first meeting with a clear understanding of your options.
- 02
Strategy & Quote
We outline a recommended approach and, for estate matters, a fixed fee agreed in advance. No open-ended hourly billing.
- 03
Drafting & Review
We prepare your documents and walk you through every provision in plain language, so you sign with confidence.
- 04
Execution & Beyond
We handle signing, recording, and filing — and remain available as your circumstances change over the years.
Practice Areas
Focused counsel across the matters that shape your future.
Five areas of practice, one standard of care.
Trust Administration
Guidance for trustees and beneficiaries through funding, administration, and distribution.
Carry out a trust correctly, without second-guessing.
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Business Law
Entity formation, contracts, and counsel for closely held and family businesses.
Build your business on sound legal footing.
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Real Estate
Residential and commercial closings, purchase and sale agreements, and title matters.
Close with confidence and no surprises.
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Probate & Estate Settlement
Compassionate, efficient administration of estates through the Massachusetts probate courts.
Settle an estate without carrying the burden alone.
Learn moreClient Stories
The relationships behind our reputation.
Eleanor drafted our estate plan twenty years ago and has guided our family through every change since. We wouldn't trust anyone else.
When we bought our building, James handled the closing start to finish. Clear, calm, and completely on top of every detail.
They settled my father's estate with patience and real compassion. It never once felt like a transaction.
Common Questions
What clients ask before they begin.
How much does an estate plan cost?
Most estate plans are handled on a fixed fee agreed before any work begins. After your consultation, you receive a written quote — so you know the full cost up front, with no hourly surprises.
Will I work with an actual partner?
Yes. A named partner works directly on your matter from first meeting to final signature. Your file is never handed off to a rotating associate.
Do I need an estate plan if my situation is simple?
Almost everyone benefits from at least a will, a healthcare directive, and a durable power of attorney. We will tell you honestly what you need — and what you do not.
Where are you located, and who do you serve?
Our office is in Boston, and we serve individuals, families, and businesses throughout Greater Boston and eastern Massachusetts.
How long does the process take?
A straightforward estate plan is typically completed within two to three weeks. Real estate and probate timelines depend on the matter, and we set expectations at the outset.
What should I bring to a consultation?
Simply come as you are. If you have existing documents — a prior will, deeds, or business agreements — bring them, but they are not required to begin the conversation.
Begin the Conversation
Sound counsel begins with a single conversation.
Tell us what you would like to protect, and we will show you a clear path forward.
Request a Consultation