Loraine M. DiSalvo
Top rated Estate Planning & Probate attorney in Atlanta, Georgia
MendenFreiman LLP
Practice areas: Estate Planning & Probate, Tax; view more
Licensed in Georgia since: 1997
Education: Emory University School of Law
Call today:
770-741-2907
MendenFreiman LLP
5565 Glenridge ConnectorSuite 1000
Atlanta, GA 30342 Visit website
With nearly 30 years in the legal profession, Loraine M. DiSalvo brings deep, practical insight to her role as partner at MendenFreiman LLP in Atlanta, Georgia. Focusing her practice on estate planning, probate, tax law and trust administration, she helps individuals, families and business owners navigate complex legal matters with clarity. She crafts tailored strategies, including living wills, powers of attorney and wealth transfer plans, delivering the high-quality, personal guidance clients need.
Upon completion of her undergraduate degree in history from Georgia State University, Ms. DiSalvo went on to enroll at the Emory University School of Law. Honing her tenacious legal and advocacy skills, she completed her Juris Doctor with distinction. She was admitted to the State Bar of Georgia in 1997.
Ms. DiSalvo takes a highly personalized approach, taking the time to understand each client’s unique family dynamic, financial goals and long-term vision. By translating intricate tax and probate law into clear, tailored strategies, she creates comprehensive estate plans that protect assets, minimize stress and provide lasting peace of mind. This commitment of hers earned her an AV Preeminent* peer-review rating through Martindale-Hubbell and a “Superb” rating on Avvo.
In addition to her dedication to the legal field, Ms. DiSalvo has held significant leadership positions, including serving as chair of the Atlanta Bar Association Estate Planning and Probate Section. Her impressive leadership experience extends to her role on the Atlanta Bar Association's CLE Board of Trustees, where she contributed to the development of continuing legal education. Furthermore, she has taken on multiple executive leadership roles within the Professional Women's Information Network (ProWIN), showcasing her commitment to empowering women in the profession.
*AV®, AV Preeminent®, Martindale-Hubbell Distinguished and Martindale-Hubbell Notable are certification marks used under license in accordance with the Martindale-Hubbell certification procedures, standards and policies. Martindale-Hubbell® is the facilitator of a peer-review rating process. Ratings reflect the anonymous opinions of members of the bar and the judiciary. Martindale-Hubbell® Peer Review Ratings™ fall into two categories – legal ability and general ethical standards.
Practice areas
Estate Planning & Probate, Tax: ConsumerFocus areas
Estate Planning, Living Wills, Power of Attorney, Probate & Estate Administration, Tax Law, Trusts, Wills
- 70% Estate Planning & Probate
- 30% Tax: Consumer
First Admitted: 1997, Georgia
Professional Webpage: https://www.mfcounsel.com/team-members/loraine-m.disalvo
Bar / Professional Activity
- I am pleased to continue serving as the Editor-in-Chief of The Mortmain, the news letter for the Estate Planning & Probate Section of the Atlanta Bar Association., 2026
- I am honored to begin serving a two-year term as the Immediate Past President of the Estate Planning Council of North Georgia., 2026
- I am pleased to continue serving as the Editor-in-Chief of The Mortmain, the news letter for the Estate Planning & Probate Section of the Atlanta Bar Association., 2025
- I was honored to serve for a second year as the President of the Estate Planning Council of North Georgia., 2025
- I am honored to serve as the President of the Estate Planning Council of North Georgia for 2024 and 2025., 2024
- I am pleased to continue serving as the Editor-in-Chief of The Mortmain, the publication of the Estate Planning & Probate Section of the Atlanta Bar Association., 2024
- I am honored to serve as the Vice President of Programs for the Estate Planning Council of North Georgia., 2023
- I am pleased to continue serving as the Editor-in-Chief of The Mortmain, the publication of the Estate Planning and Probate Section of the Atlanta Bar Association., 2023
- I am pleased to continue serving as the Editor-in-Chief of The Mortmain, the publication of the Estate Planning and Probate Section of the Atlanta Bar Association., 2022
- I am honored to continue my service on the Advisory Board for the Professional Women's Information Network (ProWIN)., 2022
- I am honored to serve as the Vice President of Programs for the Estate Planning Council of North Georgia., 2022
- Board Member-at-Large- Estate Planning Council of North Georgia. I am honored to continue my service as a board member for the Estate Planning Council of North Georgia for 2021., 2021
- Board Member- Estate Planning Council of North Georgia. I am honored to once again have been asked to serve as a member of the Board of Directors for the Council., 2020
- Balser Professional Advisors Giving Circle. This was my fourth year of participating with this giving circle. We continued to focus on ways to help close the opportunity gap in the Atlanta community of Thomasville Heights, 2019
- Estate Planning Council of North Georgia. I am honored to have been asked to serve an additional year as a Member-at-Large on the Board of Directors of the Council., 2019
- Balser Professional Advisors Giving Circle. This was my third year of participating with this giving circle. We continued to focus on ways to help close the opportunity gap in the Atlanta community of Thomasville Heights., 2018
- ProWIN (the Professional Women's Information Network, Inc.): Advisory Board Member (2015- present); Board Member-at-Large (2014); Immediate Past President (2013); President: 2011 & 2012, President-Elect: 2010, VP of Finance/Treasurer: 2007 - 2009, Member: 2005 - present, 2021
- ProWIN, Immediate Past President, 2013
- The Mortmain, the periodical issued by the Atlanta Bar Association's Estate Planning & Probate Section, Editor-in-Chief June 2013 to present; Contributing Editor December 2005 to June 2013), 2021
- Atlanta Estate Planning Council, Member, September 2011 to present
- Board Member, Estate Planning Council of North Georgia. I am in my second year of a two-year term as a member of the board of directors., 2017
- Board Member; Estate Planning Council of North Georgia. I was honored to be asked to serve a two-year term as a member of the Board of Directors for the Estate Planning Council of North Georgia., 2016
- Member, Georgia Association for Women Lawyers, 2005 - present
- Atlanta Bar Association, Estate Planning & Probate Section, Member-at-large, Board of Directors: June 2007 - May 2009
- Collaborative Law Institute of Georgia, Member, 2010 - 2019
- Georgia Association for Women Lawyers, Co-founder and Host of North Fulton GAWL Neighborhood Networking Breakfast, April 2008 - April 2011
- Estate Planning Council of North Georgia (Member - 2008 to present)
- Atlanta Bar Association, Estate Planning & Probate Section, Contributing Editor for The Mortmain, the Section newsletter: December 2005 to May 2013
- ProWIN (the Professional Women's Information Network, Inc.), 2007 - present
- North Fulton Bar Association, Member, 2005 - present
- Atlanta Bar Association, Estate Planning & Probate Section, Immediate Past Chair (June 2013 - May 2014). During my year as Chair, the Section was selected as the Small Section of the Year by the Atlanta Bar Association.
- Atlanta Bar Association, Estate Planning & Probate Section, Treasurer: June 2010 - May 2011, Secretary: June 2009 - May 2010
- Georgia, 1997
- Atlanta Bar Association, Small Firm/Solo Practitioner Section, 2005 - present
- Atlanta Bar Association, Estate Planning & Probate Section, Member: 2005 - present
- Balser Professional Advisors Giving Circle. This is the second version of this program, which is designed to keep alumni from the Philanthropic Advisor Leadership Institute program engaged with charitable giving and planning issues, 2017
- North Fulton Bar Association (Member - 2005 to 2024)
- Atlanta Bar Association, CLE Board of Trustees, Member-at-Large, June 2013 to May 2016
- Balser Professional Advisors Giving Circle. This is the third year version of this program, which is designed to keep alumni from the Philanthropic Advisor Leadership Institute program engaged with charitable giving and planning issues, 2018
- Philanthropic Advisor Leadership Institute, Participating Class Member, Class of 2011
- Atlanta Bar Association, Estate Planning & Probate Section, Editor-in-Chief for The Mortmain, the Section newsletter: June 2013 - present
- American Bar Association, Member, 1994 - present
- Stonewall Bar Association, Member, 2005 - present
- Financial Planning Association, Member, 2001 to 2007
- Atlanta Bar Association, Taxation Section, Member, 2005 - present
- Atlanta Bar Association, Member, 2005 to present
- Georgia Bar Association, Member
- Balser Professional Advisors Giving Circle. This is a group of alumni from the Philanthropic Advisor Leadership Institute that is now focused on studying a particular set of social issues and selecting a charity that will receive a grant from the group, 2016
- Stonewall Bar Association (Member - 2005 to present)
- ProWIN, Board-Member-at-Large, 2014
- Board Member- Estate Planning Council of North Georgia. I was asked and have agreed to serve an additional 1-year term as a member-at-large on the board of directors of this group, which is comprised of attorneys, CPAs, insurance and investment professional advisors, and other professionals who assist their clients with estate planning and related concerns., 2018
- International Academy of Collaborative Professionals, Member, 2010 - 2020
- ProWIN, Advisory Board member, 2015 - 2021
- State Bar of Georgia, Member, 1997 to present
- Atlanta Bar Association, Estate Planning & Probate Section, Chair: June 2012 - May 2013, Vice-Chair/Chair Elect: June 2011 - May 2012
Videos
- Appeared on There's Joy in the House in April 2010, Internet TV show, There's Joy in the House
Transactions
- Have worked with many, many clients on estate planning which is intended to maximize the benefits of clients' generation-skipping transfer ("GST") tax exemption amounts, using both inter vivos and testamentary trusts. Developed extensive understanding of the GST tax rules
- Assisted client in the creation of a Delaware-based perpetual trust designed to benefit client's grandchildren and other, lower-generation beneficiaries, 2011
- Have worked with numerous gay and lesbian couples to prepare and implement estate planning measures intended to protect them and, in many cases, their children in the event of the death or disability of either member of the couple.
- Assisted client in settling large and complex estate which involved the establishment and funding of two testamentary trusts, allocation of decedent's GST exemption, and preparation and filing of the IRS form needed to elect out of the application of the federal estate tax for the decedent, who died during 2010
- Helped client develop ideas for and then drafted extremely complex trust which contained extensive incentive and "disincentive" provisions for client's child.
- Assisted numerous clients with planning and executing gift transactions designed to allow them to take advantage of the gift tax and generation-skipping transfer ("GST") tax exemptions in effect for 2012 before December 31, 2012
- Assisted client who filed Petition for Letters of Administration for an estate pro se, was appointed as Administrator, and then later discovered someone believed to have been an heir was not, 2010
- Helped client develop and establish a 501(c)(3) public charity for the purpose of conducting a major annual automotive event and raising funds for charity, 2000
Pro bono / Community Service
- I continue to serve as the editor-in-chief of The Mortmain, which is the periodical published by the Estate Planning & Probate Section of the Atlanta Bar Association., 2026
- I continue to answer legal questions posted by laypersons on Avvo.com and Lawyers.com, to try to provide general legal educational advice., 2026
- I have continued to answer legal questions posted by lay people on Avvo.com and Lawyers.com., 2023
- I spoke on the topic of Estate Planning at a event sponsored by the Lutheran Church of the Ascension as part of an educational series on financial planning issues., 2023
- The Mortmain- I have continued to serve as the Editor-in-Chief of The Mortmain, which is the newsletter for the Estate Planning & Probate Section of the Atlanta Bar Association., 2023
- The Mortmain- I have continued to serve as the Editor-in-Chief for The Mortmain, which is the newsletter of the Estate Planning & Probate Section of the Atlanta Bar Association. This job includes arranging for volunteers to put together informative articles for Section members, including but not limited to, summaries of CLE presentations given at Section events, planning and conducting meetings of the Editorial Board, and helping edit issues of the newsletter., 2021
- Avvo.com and Lawyers.com- I have continued to answer legal questions posted by laypersons to provide them with general legal advice and answers to legal questions on a pro bono basis., 2021
- Avvo.com and Lawyers.com - I have continued to answer questions posted by laypeople on forums hosted by Avvo.com and Lawyers.com regarding estate planning and probate related matters., 2020
- The Mortmain- I have continued to edit and help publish The Mortmain, which is the newsletter for the Estate Planning & Probate Section of the Atlanta Bar Association., 2020
- I have continued to review and answer questions posted by lay people on Avvo.com and Lawyers.com in hopes of helping people understand and deal with some of the complex probate and estate planning related issues they face., 2019
- Continue to edit The Mortmain, the publication of the Estate Planning & Probate Section of the Atlanta Bar Association. This is considered pro bono work., 2019
- Review and answer questions posted by laypeople on avvo.com and Lawyers.com about estate planning, probate, trust, and tax related issues., 2008
Educational Background
- Georgia State University, B.A., History, cum laude, 1994
- Emory University School of Law, J.D., with distinction, 1997
Scholarly Lectures / Writings
- Presented at the Atlanta Bar Association's Estate Planning & Probate Section's August 2018 breakfast. The presentation title was: "Endless Summer? Planning to Keep the Vacation Home in the Family." Presentation provided attendees with 1 CLE hour., Author & Presenter, Endless Summer? Planning to Keep the Vacation Home in the Family, Legal Industry, 2018
- Presented a short talk on charitable planning under the 2017 Tax Act at the Women Inspiring, Supporting, & Educating seminar that was put on by Lincoln Financial Advisors event for financial planners in 2018. This was my second year in a row speaking at this event; I was invited back by the organization because my first talk was very well received., Author & Presenter, Charitable Planning Under the 2017 Tax Act, Financial, 2018
- Presented at the Women Inspiring, Supporting, & Educating seminar that was put on by Lincoln Financial Advisors for women financial advisors., Author & Presenter, Some Not-So-Obvious Reasons That Estate, Trust, Conservatorship, & Guardianship Related Disputes Are Going To Explode In Number In the Future, 2017
- Estate Planning's New Paradigm; Presenter, 2014 Estate Planning Conference of the Georgia Society of CPAs, August 1, 2014, Author & Presenter, Estate Planning's New Paradigm, Accounting, 2014
- Presented along with Understanding the Basics of the Most Common Trusts at the 2014 Federal Tax Day Seminar of the American Woman's Society of Certified Public Accountants, Georgia Affiliate, on November 7, 2014, Author & Presenter, The Top 10 Estate Facts that ALL CPAs Must Know, 2014
- Understanding the Basics of the Most Common Trusts (presented along with The Top 10 Estate Facts that ALL CPAs Must Know; both presented at the 2014 Federal Tax Day Seminar of the American Woman's Society of Certified Public Accountants, Georgia Affiliate, on November 7, 2014, Author & Presenter, Understanding the Basics of the Most Common Trusts, 2014
Other Outstanding Achievements
- I spoke on estate planning issues at the Lutheran Church of the Ascension in August 2023., 2023
- I spoke as part of a panel on estate planning for a Kettering women's group program in September 2022., 2022
- I was honored to speak at a "Meet the Experts" event held by Main Street Financial Group in March 2022 on the topic of estate planning., 2022
- In June 2020, I spoke to members of the Atlanta-area 2020 Leadership class for the CREW Network (a group that is designed to help women working in the commercial real estate field) on estate planning issues., 2020
- Selected as a Five Star Professional Wealth Advisor by Atlanta Magazine in each year from 2010 through 2017., 2017
Honors
- Best Lawyers® - The Best Lawyers in America® - 2023-2027
- Super Lawyers - 2013-2027
- I am honored to have been selected for the 2026 list of Georgia Super Lawyers., Super Lawyers, Super Lawyers, 2026
- I have continued to maintain an AV- Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell., AV- Preeminent Rating from Martindale-Hubbell, Martindale-Hubbell, 2026
- I continue to maintain a 5-star rating on Avvo.com, Five Star Rating on Avvo.com, Avvo.com, 2026
- I have been selected by Best Lawyers as one of the Best Lawyers in America in the area of Estate Planning again for 2026., Best Lawyers, Best Lawyers, 2026
- I am honored to have been selected for the 2025 list of Georgia Super Lawyers., Super Lawyers, Super Lawyers, 2025
- I have continued to maintain a Five Star rating on Avvo.com for 2025., Five Star rating on Avvo.com, Avvo.com, 2025
- I have been selected as a Five Star Investment Professional again for 2025., Five Star Investment Professional, Five Star Professional, 2025
- I have continued to maintain an AV-Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell., AV Rating from Martindale-Hubbell, Martindale-Hubbell, 2025
- I have been selected as one of the Best Lawyers in America again for 2025., Best Lawyers, Best Lawyers, 2025
- I have continued to maintain an AV Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell, one of the oldest lawyer rating services in the United States., AV Rating from Martindale-Hubbell, Martindale-Hubbell, 2024
- I am honored to have been named to the list of SuperLawyers again for 2024., SuperLawyers, SuperLawyers, 2024
- I have been selected as a Five Star Investment Professional again for 2024., Five Star Investment Professional, Five Star Professional, 2024
- I have continued to maintain a five-star rating from client reviews on Avvo.com. I have also continued to maintain an Avvo.com rating of 10.0, the highest possible rating., Five Star Rating on Avvo.com, Avvo.com, 2024
- Loraine M. DiSalvo was included in the 2024 Edition of The Best Lawyers in America® for her legal expertise in Trusts and Estates., Best Lawyers in America, Best Lawyers, 2024
- Loraine M. DiSalvo has been named Five Star Investment Professionals for Twelve Consecutive Years., Five Star Investment Professional, Five Star Professional, 2023
- I have continued to maintain an AV (Preeminent) rating from Martindale-Hubbell., AV Rating from Martindale-Hubbell, Martindale-Hubbell, 2023
- I have continued to maintain a 5-star rating from Avvo.com., Five Star Avvo.com Rating, Avvo.com, 2023
- I am honored to have again been selected as a Super Lawyer for 2023., SuperLawyers, SuperLawyers, 2023
- I was selected as a Five Star Wealth Advisor for 2022 by Atlanta Magazine., Five Star Wealth Advisor, Atlanta Magazine, 2022
- I am honored to have again been selected as a Super Lawyer for 2022., Super Lawyers, Super Lawyers, 2022
- I have continued to maintain an AV rating from Martindale-Hubbell, one of the oldest lawyer rating services., AV rating- Martindale Hubbell, Martindale-Hubbell, 2022
- In March 2022, I received a Top Contributor award from Avvo.com, which is awarded when enough persons reading answers to questions have selected your answers as "Best Answer.", Top Contributor award, Avvo.com, 2022
- I have continued to maintain a 5-star rating from Avvo.com., 5-Star Avvo.com rating, Avvo.com, 2022
- I was selected as a Five Star Wealth Advisor for 2021 by Atlanta Magazine., Five Star Wealth Advisor, Atlanta Magazine, 2021
- I have continued to maintain an AV rating from Martindale-Hubbell (the best possible rating)., AV rating- Martindale Hubbell, Martindale-Hubbell, 2021
- I am honored to have again been selected for inclusion on the list of Georgia SuperLawyers for Estate Planning & Probate., SuperLawyers, SuperLawyers, 2021
- I have continued to maintain a 5-star rating from Avvo.com (the highest possible rating)., 5-Star Avvo.com rating, Avvo.com, 2021
- I was named a Five Star Professional Wealth Advisor again for 2020., Five-Star Wealth Advisor, Atlanta Magazine, 2020
- I have continued to maintain a 5-star rating on Avvo.com, based on both client reviews and reviews by other attorneys., 5-Star Avvo.com rating, Avvo.com, 2020
- I am honored to have been selected once again as a member of the Georgia SuperLawyers list in the area of Estate Planning and Probate for 2020, marking my 8th consecutive year on this list., SuperLawyers selection, SuperLawyers, 2020
- I have continued to maintain an AV rating from Martindale-Hubbell., AV rating- Martindale-Hubbell, Martindale-Hubbell, 2020
- I was named a Five Star Professional Wealth Advisor again for 2019., Five Star Professional Wealth Advisor, Atlanta Magazine, 2019
- I have continued to maintain a 5-star rating on Avvo.com, based on both client reviews and reviews by other attorneys., 5-Star Avvo.com rating, Avvo.com, 2019
- I have continued to maintain an AV rating from Martindale-Hubbell ever since it was originally awarded to me. This is the highest possible rating from Martindale-Hubbell, and it is based on a survey of my peers., AV rating- Martindale-Hubbell, Martindale-Hubbell, 2019
- Golden Key National Honor Society, Member, Georgia State University, 1994
- I have been named as a Five Star Professional for 2018., Five Star Professional, Atlanta Magazine, 2018
- AVVO.com: rated Superb (10.0 out of 10.0)- I have maintained a Superb rating from Avvo.com for many years., Superb (10 out of 10 rating), Avvo.com
- I am honored to have been named my by peers in the legal community as one of Georgia Trend magazine's 2016 Legal Elite in the area of tax, trust, and estate law., Georgia Trend Legal Elite in Tax, Estate, and Trust Law, Georgia Trend magazine, 2016
- Five Star Professional, Atlanta Magazine (this is the new name for the Five Star Wealth Manager award)- 2015 & 2016
- AV Rating - Preeminent, Martindale-Hubbell
- Selected for inclusion in Super Lawyers Georgia, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, & 2019
- Committee Star, Georgia Association for Women Lawyers (GAWL), 2010
- Five Star Wealth Manager, Atlanta Magazine, 2010 - 2014
- AVVO.com Top Contributor, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, & 2019
Awards
Avvo Client's Choice Award: This award is granted to attorneys with at least 5 reviews with 4+ stars in a given year on Avvo.com
Avvo Top Contributor: This award is granted to attorneys who have significantly contributed to Avvo.com by answering questions in the Q&A forum, publishing legal guides, or other meaningful contributions to the Avvo community.
Platinum: This award is granted to attorneys who have received at least 10 client reviews, and have an average review score of 4.5 or higher.
AV Preeminent®: This elite award is granted to attorneys who have been recognized by their peers for their very high ethical standards, with an average peer review score of 4.5 or higher.
These comments were made by fellow attorneys during the annual nomination process.
“Loraine is a brilliant attorney and clearly one of the best in all of GA.”
“I describe Loraine as an estate planning and tax savant. She has an elevated understanding of the intricacies of the tax, estate planning, and probate processes that most attorneys should aspire to achieve. Her writing reflects her deep understanding of these issues, and every one of her blog posts could stand alone as a journal article. She has demonstrated great leadership throughout the Fiduciary Law community and has quietly earned the respect of all of her peers. She continues to be a Super Lawyer.”
“An exceptionally bright T&E / Tax attorney and clearly one of the best in GA.”
“One of the best and brightest T&E attorneys in the country.”
“Exceptional and one of the brightest T&E attorneys in GA!”
“Loraine is one the best and brightest T&E attorneys in GA without any doubt. She has genius level intelligence combined with a passionate love of the law, creative problem solving ability, and genuine empathy with her clients.”
“Phenomenal Estate and Tax planning attorney who is always one of the smartest people on the room! ”
Office location for Loraine M. DiSalvo
5565 Glenridge Connector
Suite 1000
Atlanta, GA 30342
Phone: 770-741-2907
Selections
- Super Lawyers: 2013 - 2027
Additional sources of information about Loraine M. DiSalvo
"Ask a Lawyer" answers provided by Loraine M. DiSalvo
- Q: Do I need to probate my late wife's will before I can transfer a joined LLC property to my name?
A: Please accept my condolences on the loss of your wife. As for your question, unless the LLC's operating agreement itself specifically provides for a … - Q: How Can A Lawyer Assist Me In Georgia’s Probate Process?
A: A lawyer who knows the probate process and the applicable rules and options can help you figure out what steps are needed and what are option, how to …