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2024

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Best Probate Lawyers in Lakewood

Our Recommended Top 10

We did the research for you!

  • Licensing
  • User Reviews
  • Mystery Shopping Calls

Our goal is to connect people with the best local professionals. We scored Lakewood Probate Lawyers on more than 25 variables across five categories, and analyzed the results to give you a hand-picked list of the best.

27

Reviewed

20

Curated

10

Top Picks

Learn about our selection process.

Providers

featured provider = Featured Provider

Website
475 Washington Boulevard, Marina del Rey, CA 90292
  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning

Why choose this provider?

Elder Care Law California provides legal guidance in estate planning and probate matters for clients in Lakewood. It helps individuals draft estate plan documents, including wills, trusts, medical directives, and powers of attorney. It also supports clients during the probate process, from filing a petition to transferring real properties under the estate. Laura Butkute leads the firm. She is a member of different sections of the Los Angeles County Bar Association, namely estate planning, commercial law, and bankruptcy.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Laura Butkute - Founder15 yrs

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
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
2631 Copa De Oro Drive, Los Alamitos, CA 90720
  • Estate Planning
  • Probate Litigation

Why choose this provider?

McKenzie Legal & Financial is a practice owned by lawyer, financial advisor, and real estate broker Thomas McKenzie. It assists clients with probate concerns in Lakewood and is experienced in estate appraisals, asset inventory, and will disputes. The firm also offers financial planning for same-sex couples and veterans, elder and long-term care arrangements, and real estate brokerage services. McKenzie received the Five Star Wealth Manager Award from the Los Angeles Magazine in 2011, 2019, 2020, and 2021.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Thomas Mckenzie - Principal31 yrs

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
Yelp
4.0 / 5 (7)
Google
5.0 / 5 (4)
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.
3.3
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail
––

Website
5150 E. Pacific Coast Hwy, Ste. 200, Long Beach, CA 90804
  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning
  • Living Trust
  • Trust Administration
  • Probate Litigation

Why choose this provider?

The Law Offices of David R. Zellmer focuses on handling estates and related matters for clients in Lakewood and throughout its surrounding areas. While this firm works with those who wish to prepare wills and trusts in order to avoid probate after they've passed away, it does offer assistance to those who are facing the probate process or matters that require probate litigation. Additionally, Mr. Zellmer assists with parenting agreements, Heggstad petitions, and domestic partnership agreements.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Davis Zellmer - Principal11 yrs

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.
4.5
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
2355 Crenshaw Boulevard, Torrance, CA 90501
  • Estate Planning
  • Probate Litigation

Why choose this provider?

Patinelli & Chang, LLP is a law firm that provides legal services to clients in Lakewood and the surrounding areas. It specializes in various areas such as probate, estate planning, and trust administration. Its experienced attorneys will help families with the documents needed in the probate process. The firm also helps representatives understand that not all decedent debts must be paid. Michael J. Patinelli and John W. Chang are the firm's attorneys and they have helped families understand the importance of preserving estates.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
John Chang - Founding Partner17 yrs

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 (53)
Google
5.0 / 5 (50)
Facebook
5.0 / 5 (8)

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.
3.8
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail
––

Website
4326 Atlantic Avenue, Long Beach, CA 90807
  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning
  • Probate Litigation

Why choose this provider?

The Law Firm of Marc S. Rothenberg provides probate services for clients in Lakewood and throughout its neighboring areas. The firm can offer assistance in all matters relating to the probate process, including notifying creditors, and distributing inheritance. Attorney Marc S. Rothenberg holds memberships in the California State Bar and the Long Beach Bar Foundation, which he served as the president of from 2001 through 2003. Mr. Rothenberg was named the 2006 Lawyer of the Year by the Long Beach Bar Association.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Marc Rothenberg - Principal48 yrs
Dan Rothenberg - Attorney14 yrs

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 (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

Website
5001 Airport Plaza Drive, Long Beach, CA 90815
  • Estate Planning
  • Probate Litigation

Why choose this provider?

The Law Offices of Allan B. Weiss and Associates provides probate services for clients in Lakewood and throughout the city's surrounding metropolitan area. This firm is focused on estate litigation and offers representation for trustees, executors, and beneficiaries who want to contest the contents of a will, the validity of a will, or the way an estate is being administered by next of kin. In addition to estate litigation, this firm also handles business and real estate law.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Allan Weiss - Principal55 yrs

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.
3.3
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail
––

Website
5220 Clark Avenue, Lakewood, CA 90712
  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning
  • Trust Administration
  • Legacy Care

Why choose this provider?

Featuring an estate planning attorney in Lakewood, the Law Offices of Sandra Diaz PC handles probate cases for clients in the city and throughout its surrounding areas. This firm is focused on ensuring that will executors and family members of deceased persons can effectively manage the probate process prior to distributing assets to rightful beneficiaries. Sandra Diaz is a member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, as well as the Mexican American Bar Association.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Sandra Diaz - Principal18 yrs

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
4.7 / 5 (27)
Avvo
4.7 / 5 (13)
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.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
1 World Trade Center, Long Beach, CA 90802
  • Wills
  • Living Trust
  • Estate Settlement

Why choose this provider?

The Law Office of Edward J. O'Reilly serves the legal needs of the Lakewood area. Its family and estates service include living trusts, wills, prenuptial agreements, child custody, and estate disputes. It also assists with business, transportation, and labor and employment laws, as well as personal injuries; criminal representation, expungement, and protective orders; mediation, and civil litigation. The Law Office of Edward J. O'Reilly has 15 years of experience in law enforcement and labor relations.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Edward O’reilly - Owner Principal18 yrs

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 (59)
Facebook
5.0 / 5 (16)

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.
3.8
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail
––

Website
4952 Warner Avenue, Huntington Beach, CA 92649
  • Estate Planning
  • Living Trust
  • Trust Administration
  • Probate Litigation

Why choose this provider?

Catering to the legal needs of clients in Lakewood, Miller & Miller-Bazemore is an estate planning law firm with more than six decades’ worth of experience. Its team of legal professionals provides representation services in practice areas like probate, asset protection, trust administration, and living trusts. In addition, the law office offers legal advice in estate and business planning. One of its lawyers, Sandra L. Miller, was given the 2015 Lawyer of the Year award by the Long Beach Bar Association.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Ethan Miller-Bazemore - Partner24 yrs

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 (70)
Google
4.9 / 5 (14)
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.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
3900 Kilroy Airport Way Suite 240, Long Beach, CA 90806
  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning
  • Living Trust
  • Estate Taxes
  • Trust Administration

Why choose this provider?

Established in 1961, TLD Law is a firm of estate planning, litigation, and probate lawyers providing legal counsel to families and businesses in Lakewood, Irvine, Long Beach, and beyond. With over 60 years of experience, its team is knowledgeable in a wide range of practice areas and can represent and assist clients in anything from business law disputes, and mergers and acquisitions to employment law, real estate, and tax and asset planning. TLD Law is also a certified member of the National Association of Minority & Women Owned Law Firms (NAMWOLF).

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Mark Doyle - Senior Partner and Founder41 yrs
Monica Goel - Partner / Member24 yrs
Shannon Jenkins - Managing Partner27 yrs
Daniel Gold - Partner31 yrs

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
4.6 / 5 (22)
Avvo
5.0 / 5 (6)
Facebook
4.6 / 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.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Disclaimer:  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 Lakewood, California?

    The local police of Lakewood can be reached at 562-623-3500 for non-emergencies

  • Is it necessary to hire a probate lawyer in Lakewood?

    Many people are aware that probate is a complicated process, and hiring a lawyer can help you navigate the entire process. They can assist in the preparation and timely filing of necessary documents. They can also provide legal advice to assist the executor in making informed decisions in order to complete their task.

  • Where are probate cases filed in Lakewood?

    Probate cases in Lakewood are filed and heard in the Los Angeles County Superior Courts, which has two available locations to serve its people. The Valley Courthouse is located at 42011 4th Street West, Lancaster, CA 93534, and the Stanley Mosk Courthouse is at 111 North Hill Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012.

  • What happens to a decedent's assets in Lakewood if it is not probated?

    When probate is not filed for a decedent's assets in Lakewood, there are several consequences, including late fees and other related penalties that can add up to the value of the estate. Failure to file for probate may result in the government freezing assets, unpaid debts, the loss of the right to be an executor, the court appointing a conservator, and criminal prosecution.

  • What is the purpose of a probate bond in Lakewood?

    A probate bond in Lakewood is an insurance policy that ensures the designated personal representative completes their duties and responsibilities throughout the process. A probate bond's exact amount will vary depending on the value and size of the estate and other properties, and it will be paid on a monthly basis.

  • Can a property be sold if it is going through a probate process in Lakewood?

    The answer is yes. However, in order to legally sell the property, the following steps must be taken:

    • Appraising the property.
    • Obtaining a court petition stating that you will sell the property.
    • Listing the property for sale through an auction or with the assistance of a real estate agent.
    • Submitting a new petition to the court to confirm the sale.
    • Announcement that the property has been sold.
    • Attending the probate hearing.
    • Closing the real estate contract to complete the sale.

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