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Best Probate Lawyers in Costa Mesa

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2023
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Allen, Flatt, Ballidis & Leslie logo
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Allen, Flatt, Ballidis & Leslie

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4400 Macarthur Boulevard, Newport Beach, CA 92660
  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning

Business Description

Allen, Flatt, Ballidis & Leslie is a small firm of probate attorneys near Costa Mesa. Although the firm is primarily a personal injury practice, it does allocate a portion of its time to estate planning matters, which includes probating wills for large and modest estates. Its attorneys have experience advising executors and taking on the role of administering the estates of decedents, which typically includes valuing the estate and dealing with creditors.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
5.0
Google
5.0 / 5 (45)
Yelp
4.5 / 5 (28)
Facebook
5.0 / 5 (5)

(+1 additional source)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
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Detail
Bohm Wildish & Matsen, LLP logo
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Bohm Wildish & Matsen, LLP

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600 Anton Blvd, Ste 640, Costa Mesa, CA 92626
  • Estate Planning

Business Description

Bohm Wildish & Matsen, LLP, assists in probate, trust, and estate administration for individuals and families in Costa Mesa. The firm's legal team guides in navigating the probate court, adhering to its complicated laws and regulations. It also offers legal services in the area of estate planning that involves conservatorship of persons and estates, beneficiary rights, and keeping plans updated regularly with current laws and changes. Partner James G. Bohm obtained a $500,000 award per year for life as a settlement to a former trust trustee.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
3.9
Google
3.8 / 5 (10)
Yelp
3.0 / 5 (6)
Facebook
5.0 / 5 (5)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
4.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
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Detail
––
Buckner Robinson & Mirkovich logo
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Buckner Robinson & Mirkovich

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3146 Red Hill Avenue, Suite 200, Costa Mesa, CA 92626
  • Estate Planning

Business Description

Buckner Robinson & Mirkovich caters to the legal needs of the Costa Mesa community and the surrounding areas. The firm offers legal advice and representation to clients who need probate services. Its experience in the field covers the handling of advance health care directives, trust agreements, wills, and durable powers of attorney. It also works to simplify legal documents into plain English to help clients make informed decisions. William Buckner, the firm's managing partner and director, has more than 30 years of legal experience.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
5.0
Google
5.0 / 5 (1)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
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Detail
Essayli & Brown LLP logo
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Essayli & Brown LLP

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18191 Von Karman Ave. STE 100, Irvine, CA 92612
  • Estate Planning

Business Description

Essayli & Brown LLP is a law firm that caters to the legal needs of families, individuals, and professional fiduciaries in Costa Mesa and nearby areas. Its team creates estate plans to help clients avoid the time-consuming probate process and tax implications. Additionally, it litigates high-stakes cases and creates strategies to preserve clients' interests. Lawyers Bilal Essayli, a former Assistant U.S. Attorney, and Andrew Brown, a California Bar Trust & Estates section member, are the firm's partners.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
4.7
Google
5.0 / 5 (25)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail
First Class Counsel logo

First Class Counsel

2372 Morse Ave, Irvine, CA 92614
  • Trust Administration
  • Probate Litigation

Business Description

First Class Counsel is a private estate planning firm that represents residents of Costa Mesa and the surrounding areas. Its team of attorneys assists individuals and families with the probate process, which includes debt resolution and the clearing of titles. It also provides probate and trust litigation services for disputes involving the management and administration of trusts, management of family businesses, and breach of fiduciary duty. Founding attorney Andrew Davis has been practicing law for more than four years.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
5.0
Google
5.0 / 5 (13)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
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Detail
Fortin Law Group logo
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Fortin Law Group

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151 Kalmus Dr., Costa Mesa, CA 92626
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning
  • Living Trust

Business Description

Using a holistic approach, Fortin Law Group helps Mesa residents create personalized estate plans that meet their individual and families’ goals, needs, and situations. The firm prepares powers of attorney, advanced healthcare directives, HIPAA authorizations, revocable living trusts, and wills. After completing the plans, it follows up with clients to accommodate their changing needs. Fortin Law Group also represents businesses dealing with construction law- and contract-related matters and general liability claims. Its attorneys have obtained verdicts through bench and jury trials, as well as motions for summary judgment.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
5.0
Facebook
5.0 / 5 (3)
Google
5.0 / 5 (1)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail
Hess-Verdon logo

Hess-Verdon

620 Newport Center Drive, Newport Beach, CA 92660
  • Trusts
  • Estate Planning

Business Description

Hess -Verdon is a law corporation that serves the probate and estate planning needs of residents in Costa Mesa and other surrounding metros. Its team of probate lawyers administers or contests wills and handles trust litigation. It also offers its expertise in real estate and business law, as well as corporate formation. In addition, it conducts second opinion reviews of existing cases. The law firm has been representing business owners, beneficiaries, and families for over 30 years.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
4.0
Google
4.0 / 5 (25)
Yelp
4.0 / 5 (10)
Facebook
4.0 / 5 (5)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
4.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail
––
Joel F. Pipes & Associates logo
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Joel F. Pipes & Associates

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14751 Plaza Drive, Suite P, Tustin, CA 92780
  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning
  • Probate Litigation

Business Description

Joel F. Pipes & Associates focuses its practice on defending Costa Mesa clients' rights to assets and estate proceeds. Joel Pipes, the firm's namesake, has been in practice for over 15 years, handling probate administration and litigation. He assists clients in managing and distributing the assets of deceased family members. Pipes has represented individuals, beneficiaries, executors, trustees, and corporations in complex probate matters, such as breach of fiduciary duty, conservatorship issues, reformation petitions, and trust litigation. He is also a notary public.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
5.0
Facebook
5.0 / 5 (6)
Avvo
5.0 / 5 (5)
Google
5.0 / 5 (4)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail
Katje Law Group logo
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Katje Law Group

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130 South Chaparral Court, Anaheim, CA 92808
  • Trusts
  • Estate Planning
  • Living Trust
  • Estate Taxes

Business Description

Founded in 2011, the Katje Law Group is a private practice that represents families and individuals throughout the Costa Mesa metro area. Attorney September Katje compassionately guides executors through the probate process and takes on the role of administering the estate. This can include petitioning the court to start the process, investigating creditor claims, liquidizing the estate, and resolving minor disputes between heirs and beneficiaries.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
4.0
Google
4.6 / 5 (55)
Yelp
4.0 / 5 (36)
Avvo
4.6 / 5 (26)

(+2 additional sources)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail
Kohl and Associates logo

Kohl and Associates

5440 Trabuco Road, Irvine, CA 92620
  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning

Business Description

Kohl and Associates represents Costa Mesa residents in the probate court process. It helps transfer the decedent’s assets to the rightful heirs. The firm litigates cases involving co-trustee disputes, fiduciary misconduct, and will contests. It individually tailors estate plans to meet its clients’ desires. Founder Chris P. Kohl has over 20 years of legal experience. He is a board-certified specialist in Estate Planning, Trusts, and Probate Law. His practice also includes handling conservatorship and trust administration matters.

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail
Larsen & Risley Attorneys at Law logo
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Larsen & Risley Attorneys at Law

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3200 Park Center Drive Suite 720, Costa Mesa, CA 92626
  • Estate Planning
  • Probate Litigation

Business Description

Larsen & Risley Attorneys at Law handles complex cases in Costa Mesa, including those involving businesses and high-net-worth individuals. The law firm represents trustees and executors in estate and trust asset administration. It also counsels interested parties in the litigation of trust and will contests. Its lawyers help clients develop estate plans that reduce tax impacts and produce income. Principal Gerald Larsen was admitted to the bar in 1990. He is a member of the American Association of Attorney Certified Public Accountants.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
4.3
Google
4.2 / 5 (5)
Yelp
5.0 / 5 (1)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail
Law Offices of Kirk McIntosh logo

Law Offices of Kirk McIntosh

129 West Wilson Street, Suite 105, Costa Mesa, CA 92627
  • Estate Planning
  • Estate Settlement

Business Description

Law Offices of Kirk McIntosh handles different aspects of the probate process for clients in Costa Mesa and the surrounding areas. It provides legal support and guidance on matters like estate planning, probate administration, conservatorship, and guardianship. Its team has over 35 years of combined legal experience and has represented over 3,000 clients in 58 California counties. Founding attorney Kirk McIntosh was recognized by the Daily Pilot as one of the most influential people in Orange County.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
5.0
Yelp
5.0 / 5 (5)
Avvo
5.0 / 5 (1)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail
Meier Law Firm logo
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Meier Law Firm

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450 Newport Center Drive, Newport Beach, CA 92660
  • Trust Administration

Business Description

Meier Law Firm is a probate practice serving clients in Costa Mesa. The company's areas of expertise include trusts, wills, estate administration, asset protection, and wealth preservation. It provides conservatorships and special needs trusts for children as well as elder law for aging parents. In addition, it provides tax strategy services. The firm's owners, Josh and Laura Meier, have 10 years of experience in guiding thousands of clients to plan their futures and navigate crises.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
5.0
Yelp
5.0 / 5 (75)
Google
5.0 / 5 (29)
Facebook
5.0 / 5 (5)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
4.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail
––
Modern Wealth Law logo

Modern Wealth Law

3200 Park Center Drive, Costa Mesa, CA 92626

Business Description

Modern Wealth Law handles probate law cases in the Costa Mesa area. It helps individuals distribute their real estate in trust and administer a trust after the death of a parent or spouse. It also handles estate planning services, including asset protection, trust litigation, and trust administration. One of its attorneys, John L. Wong, has represented the conservatorship estate of Britney Spears and the estate of Michael Jackson. Wong is also the co-chair of the Orange County Asian American Bar Association.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
5.0
Yelp
5.0 / 5 (50)
Google
5.0 / 5 (32)
Facebook
5.0 / 5 (4)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail
Morten & Fairchild, PC logo
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Morten & Fairchild, PC

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19200 Von Karman Avenue, Irvine, CA 92612
  • Estate Planning
  • Probate Litigation

Business Description

Morten & Fairchild PC is a small firm of estate planning and probate lawyers near Costa Mesa who share many years of experience advising and supporting executors, administrators, heirs, and beneficiaries. The attorneys can assist clients in a number of ways, such as notifying the correct probate court and validating the will, communicating with the estate's creditors, and closing the final accounts after distributing the estate in accordance with the decedent's wishes and the decisions of the court.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
5.0
Yelp
5.0 / 5 (5)
Avvo
4.2 / 5 (5)
Google
5.0 / 5 (4)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail
Morten & Fairchild, PC logo
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Morten & Fairchild, PC

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19200 Von Karman Ave Ste 880, Irvine, CA 92612
  • Estate Planning

Business Description

Morten & Fairchild, PC, is a law firm that serves individuals and families across Costa Mesa and the surrounding areas. It resolves estate planning and probate issues to help clients resolve disputes relating to their deceased loved ones' estates. It also assists individuals who wish to create or establish customized estate plans to protect the future of their assets and loved ones. One of its attorneys, Warren Morten, started his legal career as a transactional associate who handles complex commercial legal matters.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
4.5
Avvo
4.2 / 5 (5)
Google
5.0 / 5 (3)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail
Snyder Law logo
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Snyder Law

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2 Park Plaza, Irvine, CA 92614
  • Estate Planning

Business Description

Snyder Law is a law firm that serves clients in Costa Mesa. The firm assists with probate cases, besides helping with wills and managing multi-generational trusts. It likewise provides legal solutions like the designation of permanent and temporary guardians. It has other services, like dealing with elder law concerns such as planning medical and financial powers and creating living wills. Kevin Snyder, the firm's namesake, has over 10 years of litigation experience and provides pro bono legal services to the non-profit Veterans Legal Institute.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
4.9
Google
4.0 / 5 (44)
Yelp
5.0 / 5 (34)
Facebook
5.0 / 5 (15)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
4.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail
––
Susan A. Katzen Attorney & Counselor at Law logo
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Susan A. Katzen Attorney & Counselor at Law

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4440 Von Karman Avenue, Suite 350, Newport Beach, CA 92660
  • Estate Planning
  • Trust Administration
  • Probate Litigation

Business Description

Susan A. Katzen, Attorney & Counselor at Law, covers probate, estate planning, and trust administration proceedings for Costa Mesa clients. Katzen helps families navigate probate processes involving appraisals, asset inventory, and property distribution by educating them on the requirements and details of each step. They also work with clients in securing their assets with wills, living trusts, and durable powers of attorney, as well as guardianship nominations. Katzen has participated in numerous speaking engagements on legal matters for professional organizations and private groups.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
5.0
Google
5.0 / 5 (16)
Facebook
5.0 / 5 (4)
Avvo
5.0 / 5 (1)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
4.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail
––
Tumer & Sharif Attorneys at Law logo
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Tumer & Sharif Attorneys at Law

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170 E. 17th Street Suite 208, Costa Mesa, CA 92627
  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning

Business Description

Located in Costa Mesa, Tumer & Sharif Attorneys at Law is a private multi-practice firm that caters to individuals, families, and businesses. Its team of attorneys provides trust and estate planning services. It assists with the creation of different types of wills, including pour-over wills, couple wills, conditional wills, and advanced directives. Other practice areas of the firm include business law and ADA defense. Partners Ozgun K. Tumer and Omar M. Sharif have more than 16 years of combined legal experience.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
4.8
Google
5.0 / 5 (13)
Yelp
5.0 / 5 (10)
Avvo
5.0 / 5 (1)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail
Zaher Fallahi, Certified Public Accountant logo
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Zaher Fallahi, Certified Public Accountant

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650 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa, CA 92626
  • Estate Planning
  • Living Trust
  • Estate Taxes

Business Description

Zaher Fallahi CPA is an estate planning attorney and certified public accountant based in Costa Mesa who represents clients throughout Orange County in matters of probate. The attorney has more than 30 years of experience probating wills for families and individuals. His services include collecting and valuing the decedent's estate, liquidizing assets in preparation for distribution to heirs, and filing the estate's federal and state tax returns. Mr. Fallahi also offers expert witness and general counsel services.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
4.9
Avvo
5.0 / 5 (78)
Google
4.7 / 5 (12)
Yelp
4.5 / 5 (6)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Consumers utilizing Expertise.com are free to communicate and contract with any lawyer they choose. Expertise.com is not involved in the confidential attorney-client relationship. Featured lawyers pay a reasonable advertising cost to market their legal services withExpertise.com and must meet similar selection criteria as other lawyers. All cases are different. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is the non-emergency contact number for the local police station in Costa Mesa, California?

    The non-emergency contact number of the Costa Mesa Police Department is (714) 754-5252.

  • What is the statute of limitations for contesting a will in Costa Mesa?

    As a resident of Costa Mesa, you generally have 120 days from the date the probate is opened to contest an estate and file a petition with the court, according to the probate law in the state of California. In order to contest a will, you must appear in court and file a written objection to the will at the initial probate hearing.

  • Are all assets required to pass through probate in Costa Mesa?

    No, not all properties are required to pass through probate in Costa Mesa, California. For example, any property that is not individually owned by the deceased is not subject to probate and can be directly transferred to the surviving spouse, according to the probate law in the state of California.

  • How long does it usually take to probate an estate in Costa Mesa?

    It usually takes about 12 to 18 months to probate an estate in Costa Mesa, California. However, there are several factors that can affect and delay the probate timeline, such as complicated estates, like real estate and business shares, will contests, and the large number of estate heirs and beneficiaries.

  • Do you have to pay inheritance taxes in Costa Mesa?

    No, Costa Mesa residents and inherited property owners are not required to pay an inheritance tax for their properties or assets due to the fact that the state of California does not have a state-level inheritance tax. Additionally, Costa Mesa residents aren't required to pay estate taxes as well.