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Steven M Zelinger
also known as Steve Zelinger
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About Steven
Biography
I'm a lawyer doing what I love to do - helping families better understand how to manage their future by using proper wills, trusts and asset protection. I work with all types of clients, from business owners to the elderly to young families. I enjoy face-to-face interaction with clients to first let them understand what estate planning is and can do for them...then working with other professionals (Insurance, financial advisors, accountants) to give clients the whole package of having an organized life both personally and financially.
Protect hard earned assets and secure a legacy for loved ones! Call Steve Zelinger today.
Planning your estate is about more than money, its about your legacy.
Probate can be a confusing maze. Let Steve help you straighten the path.
Tax Problem? Steve Zelinger can help relieve IRS stress.
Practice Areas
8
Practice Areas
Estate Planning
45%
18 years | 550 cases
Probate
45%
18 years | 100 cases
Tax
5%
18 years | 50 cases
Elder Law
1%
Fees and Rates
Cost
Hourly Rates
$ 275-400 per hour
Payment Methods
- Check
- Credit Card
Awards
2023 2021 2020
...
+
8
2015
Licenses
Licensed in District of Columbia for 12 years
State: District of Columbia
Acquired: 2013
No misconduct found
Licensed in New Jersey for 18 years
State: New Jersey
Acquired: 2007
No misconduct found
Licensed in Pennsylvania for 18 years
State: Pennsylvania
Acquired: 2007
No misconduct found
Location
Law Office of Steven M Zelinger, LLC
(215) 525-0215
Fax
1650 Market Street, Suite 3600, Philadelphia, PA, 19103
stevenzelinger.com/Gallery
Online Presence
Other places you can find Steven online.
Steven M Zelinger's Reviews
Showing 1 - 5 of 21 client reviews from Avvo
Posted by David | February 21, 2020 | Consulted Attorney
This review is from a potential client who consulted with this attorney.
I would recommend Steven Zelinger
I contacted Steve Zelinger when I had some questions regarding my grandfather's estate. I learned about him through Avvo, and contacted him to see if he could help me figure things out. He promptly contacted me. Steven is an excellent communicator. He was able to take legal concepts and explain them ...
Steven Zelinger
Replied last February 23, 2020Thank you. I always try to be helpful and point you in the right direction.
Posted by Keith | October 15, 2019 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Understands Parents and Complex Family Situations
Steve was great at helping us work through the guardianship and financial questions we needed to answer for our children. His guidance in navigating some complex family dynamics was masterful. I highly recommend Steve for all your estate needs.
Posted by Lorelei | September 3, 2018 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Highly recommended for your family!
My husband and I have a four month old daughter and one of the most important things we've done for her is to make sure that a will and trust were set up for her, should anything happen to us. Being new parents, it was a daunting task to even look for a lawyer, but thankfully we heard about Steven an...
Steven Zelinger
Replied last March 22, 2019Thank you for this very kind testimonial!
Posted by Christine | June 6, 2018 | Consulted Attorney
This review is from a potential client who consulted with this attorney.
Very helpful
Mr. Zelinger was able to answer my question quickly and correctly. I searched the web for 2 days and got conflicting information. I would definitely use him if I lived in the area. 5 stars!
Posted by Jeff | April 17, 2017 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Professional. Organized. Patient.
I hired Steve to review and rewrite my mother's estate documents including her will, a trust, and various power of attorney documents. I've been through this process before but the experience with Steve was different. Throughout the process Steve took care of everything and made it feel exceptionally...
Steven Zelinger
Replied last April 19, 2017Thank you so much for this review - I strive for every client to have this experience.
Steven M Zelinger's Lawyer Endorsements
"I endorse this lawyer. Mr. Zelinger is a very knowledgeable and effective advocate for his clients."
"I have viewed Mr. Zelinger's responses to questions on AVVO for many months. I am impressed with his technical knowledge, his common sense and his ability to convey his responses on legal issues in a manner that is easily understood by the reader. I would not hesitate to recommend Mr. Zelinger to anyone seeking a skilled and compassionate attorney to assist them with their affairs."
"Attorney Zelinger is a highly credentialed attorney in all aspects of estate planning. His Avvo responses and resume demonstrate deep knowledge of the law of trusts, wills, probate and related fiduciary issues, as well as practical understanding of how each of these impact real individuals and their families. He is a great resource to his clients, and a credit to the legal profession."
"Mr. Zelinger is clearly a knowledgeable attorney in his various practice areas. I endorse him."
"I endorse Mr. Zelinger. Mr. Zelinger's dedication to his clients is unquestioned and his deep legal knowledge is always apparent in his Avvo responses.."
"Mr. Zelinger is a regular contributor to the tax questions forum here on Avvo. His answers consistently demonstrate an in-depth, substantial knowledge of tax law and represent the kind of advice every client should seek from legal counsel. I endorse Mr. Zelinger"
"I admire Mr. Zellinger's contributions to this site and his timely responses to inquiries. I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this brilliant lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer. He is well versed in probate matters and provides sound recommendations."
"I endorse this lawyer. Mr. Zelinger gives sound and thoughtful comments to questioners, and shows competent understanding of his areas of law."
"Steven is a very experienced and client friendly attorney. He is truly committed to his practice and he enjoys helping people. Not all attorneys have this passion. Steven clearly does. I highly recommend his services."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"Mr. Zelinger spends valuable time giving back through sites like this. It demonstrates his passion for the law and compassion for people. Thanks for helping others with sage advice."
"I endorse this lawyer. He is an excellent lawyer who is well respected in the community."
"I highly endorse this attorney, they are a well respected member of the legal community and always give 110% to their clients cases, if you are looking for excellent representation, then look no further!"
"I endorse this lawyer. Great attorney with great skills who will go out of his way to help his client. Highly recommended."
Brandon Robinson
Wills and living wills lawyer
Kenneth Gray
Tax lawyer
Charles Moore
Probate lawyer
Heidi Stewart
Probate lawyer
Sean Green
Probate lawyer
Inna Fershteyn
Elder law lawyer
Christopher Bagnato
Family lawyer
Thomas Wagner
Probate lawyer
Rebecca Evans
Estate planning lawyer
Harold Levi
Workers compensation lawyer
Gary Dupler
Probate lawyer
John Corrigan
Estate planning lawyer
Evan Farr
Elder law lawyer
Robert Hoffman
Estate planning lawyer
Ross Miller
Criminal defense lawyer
Michael Haber
Probate lawyer
Joseph Brophy
Probate lawyer
Joseph Pankowski
Estate planning lawyer
Justin Elder
Probate lawyer
Jonathan Reed
Probate lawyer
Experience
Honors
2016
Top Contributor, Avvo
2015
Clients Choice Award, AVVO
2015
Top Contributor, Avvo
2013
Avvo Top Contributor Estate Planning, Avvo
2013
Avvo Top Contributor Probate, Avvo
2009
Hero Day Honoree, Philadelphia Fire Department
Work Experience
2014 - Present
Principal, Law Office of Steven M. Zelinger, LLC
2009 - 2013
Attorney, Rabil & Kingett, LLC
Associations
2008 - Present
Philadelphia Bar Association, Probate and Trust Law SectionMember
2007 - Present
Pennsylvania Bar AssociationMember
2007 - Present
New Jersey State Bar AssociationMember
2010 - 2019
Friends of Chester Aurthur SchoolTreasurer
Sample of Legal Cases
Sold Estate Property for Commercial Use
Home Sold, Cash in Hand for Estate
Estate Planned - Trust Put in Place with Estate Tax Savings
Estate Plan Completed Potential to Save 10s of Thousands of $
Saved home from IRS Seizure!
Stopped IRS From Seizing Home
First Time Homebuyer Tax Credit
Home buyer credit reinstated.
State Workers Compensation Judgement Settled
Client paid $3,000 to settle $322,000 debt.
Successfully Removed Lazy Co-Executor!
Co-Executor removed and client named sole executor.
Self Employed Tax Payer Audited
Reduction in tax liability of $12,000
Single Dad's Estate Tax Liability reduced
NJ Estate tax exposure reduced by 10s of thousands of dollars
Protected Trust Assets of Drug Addicted Beneficiary
Happy Client with Updated Estate Plan
$400,000 Tax Debt, Client Paid $27,000
Client Paid about 5% of what he owed.
Education
2007
Widener University School of Law
JD - Juris Doctor
1999
Kenyon College
BA - Bachelor of Arts
Speaking Engagements
2015
Moms and More March Meeting
Estate Planning for Families
2013
Death and Taxes
Pennsylvania Inheritance Tax Return - Schedule A Real Estate
2012
Pennsylvania Bar Institute Death and Taxes
Penn Inheritance Tax
2012
Parent Speaker Series
Estate Planning for Families
2011
Campus of Courses
10 Mistakes to Avoid in Estate Planning
Publications
2012
From IRS Publication 501
IRS Tax Tips
2012
Steven Zelinger Website
It's The End of the World As We Know It!
2012
Languages
English
Activity
Legal Answers
Legal Guides
Top Contributor
Steven earned significant contribution points in 2023.
Legal Answers
Q&A
I inherited a duplex in Pa. I want to give 1/2 to my son and 1/2 to my cousin .There are back taxes owed on the duplex.
22 Jun 2025
Q&A
Pennsylvania if someone dies without a will.
14 Apr 2025
Q&A
How much does a probate attorney charge to prepare and file a PA Inheritance Tax form?
02 Apr 2025