Expertise.com
2024

Last updated:

Best Probate Lawyers in Salinas

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 Salinas Probate Lawyers on more than 25 variables across five categories, and analyzed the results to give you a hand-picked list of the best.

43

Reviewed

29

Curated

10

Top Picks

Learn about our selection process.

Providers

featured provider = Featured Provider

Website
200 Clock Tower Place, Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA 93923
  • Trusts
  • Estate Planning
  • Inheritance Taxes
  • Estate Taxes

Why choose this provider?

Schwartz Law Group Inc. near Salinas if a probate attorney offering years of experience in estate law and litigation. Serving the Central and Northern Coast regions, the firm has more than 40 years of experience in the area, helping with estate planning, administration, and probate. Its service extends from the inception of estate plans through administering the estate after a loved one's death. Additional focuses of concentration include business and real estate law matters.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Gary Schwartz - Principal51 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.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
306 Capitol St., Salinas, CA 93901
  • Estate Planning

Why choose this provider?

Hempel & Mudd Attorneys At Law provides legal services that focus on estate planning, probate, elder law, and conservatorships in Salinas and surrounding areas. The firm guides its client in drafting an estate plan utilizing trusts, wills, advance health care directives, and powers of attorney. It also counsels its client through the probate process. Helen B. Hemper, a partner, is a member of various organizations like the Monterey County Bar Association (MCBA) Trusts and Estates Section and the Alzheimer’s Association Local Program Committee.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Steven Mudd - Partner13 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 (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

Website
1188 Padre Drive, Suite 124, Salinas, CA 93901
  • Estate Planning
  • Real Estate

Why choose this provider?

Ruggiero Law Office provides its Salinas clients with trust administration and probate-related services. Its estate planning solutions include using tools like advanced health care directives, revocable trusts, powers of attorney, and wills. It also deals with business law and commercial transactions, as well as real estate matters. It strives to develop the way it offers its services through technology. Lawyer Vincent Ruggiero, who has been in the legal practice since 2016, also has experience in the field of cannabis law.

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 (5)
Google
5.0 / 5 (1)
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

Website
310 Capitol Street, Salinas, CA 93901
  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning

Why choose this provider?

Chilton & House is a law firm founded by Gregory M. Chilton and Robert L. House, probate attorneys in Salinas. The founding partners are both certified by the State Bar of California as specialists in estate planning, trust, and probate law. Their practice includes guiding clients throughout the probate process, including legal advice, tax planning, settling debts, and facilitating the distribution of assets. The firm also processes estate plans and counsels businesses and corporations.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Gregory Chilton - Partner35 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
Google
4.5 / 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.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
1418 South Main Street, Salinas, CA 93908
  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning
  • Inheritance Taxes
  • Estate Taxes
  • Trust Administration
  • Probate Litigation

Why choose this provider?

Ottone Leach & Ray LLP in Salinas are probate attorneys that help local families and individuals settle their loved ones' estates through the probate process. The firm is well-versed in handling representation and counsel for clients in probate court and can overtake the administration of the estate altogether if desired. In addition, it helps with revocable and irrevocable trusts, trust administration, family LLCs, durable POAs, and advanced directives for health care.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Gary Ray - Partner36 yrs
Anne Leach - Partner31 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.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
500 Camino El Estero, Monterey, CA 93940
  • Trusts
  • Estate Planning
  • Living Trust
  • Estate Taxes

Why choose this provider?

Johnson, Fantl & Kennifer LLP is headed by a probate attorney near Salinas and offers a comprehensive range of services for clients heading through probate court. It helps clients throughout each step of the probate process, all the way through discharge and final accounting. It also assists with revocable living trusts, durable POAs, wills, and advanced health care directives. Other services include charitable planning, generational trust planning, and charitable remainder trusts.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Mark Johnson - Partner43 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.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
4 Rossi Circle, Suite 231, Salinas, CA 93907
  • Trusts
  • Wills

Why choose this provider?

Patane Gumberg Avila, LLP Attorneys at Law is a legal firm in Salinas that includes probate among its practice areas. The firm is run by a trio of managing partners. Both Nina M. Patane and James K. Gumberg graduated with honors in law school and have been practicing since 1991. Andrea C. Avila is a Salinas native who has been in the field since 1997. All three attorneys handle a wide range of practice areas, from personal injury and family law to wine and business law.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Juan Calzetta - Associate14 yrs
Nina Patane - Partner33 yrs
James Gumberg - Partner33 yrs
Andrea Avila - Partner26 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
Google
4.4 / 5 (5)
Facebook
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

Website
318 Cayuga Street, Salinas, CA 93901
  • Estate Planning
  • Living Trust
  • Estate Taxes
  • Probate Litigation

Why choose this provider?

JRG Attorneys at Law is a full-service law firm based in Salinas. It serves communities across the Central Coast. The firm guides individuals and families through the complex process of probate. Its team of attorneys assists clients with legal issues relating to the estate of a deceased person. Its services include identifying assets, paying creditors, and filing tax returns. The firm also helps clients with other areas of estate planning including conservatorships and power of attorney.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Jeffery Gilles - Founding Partner45 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.
3.8
Google
3.8 / 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.
4.5
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
310 Capitol Street, Salinas, CA 93901
  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning
  • Probate Litigation

Why choose this provider?

Chilton & House LLP, located in Salinas, is a probate and estate planning firm offering experienced counsel and representation for clients making their way through probate court. Founded in 1971, the firm offers comprehensive service for clients of the Central Coast, with a team that gets hands-on to ensure the best possible outcomes for every client. Its estate planning arm is lead by attorneys who are certified specialists in estate planning, trust, and probate law by the State Bar of California.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Robert House - Inactive/retired58 yrs
Gregory Chilton - Partner35 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.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
26385 Carmel Rancho Lane, Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA 93923
  • Estate Planning
  • Trust Administration

Why choose this provider?

Horan Lloyd is a probate firm near Salinas with years of experience in estate law and administration. It has more than 50 years of experience in the legal industry and is one of the Central Coast's most respected and largest firm. The firm's estate planning arm focuses on the administration and probate of estates. It also offers estate planning, tax structuring advice, and end-of-life planning. Its estate planning attorneys include specialists who are certified by the State Bar of California.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Mark Myers - Partner/Member43 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
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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 Salinas, California?

    Call (831) 758-7321 to report non-emergencies to the local police station in Salinas.

  • Can children legally dispute a will in Salinas that states the deceased person's friend will inherit the property?

    Yes, children can legally dispute a will in Salinas that states the deceased person's friend will inherit the property. They can provide compelling evidence that their parent was not mentally sound when the will was created or that they were coerced by the friend into leaving them all the properties. If these requirements are met, there is a possibility that the court may grant their request.

  • How can executors appraise assets in Salinas?

    Executors can appraise assets in Salinas by hiring an expert appraiser. It's important that the appraiser they choose has relevant expertise in assessing similar items to the asset that needs to be evaluated. The expert should also not have a personal interest in the property, such as being a beneficiary or potential buyer. It is advisable to seek assistance from an attorney who can provide recommendations and connections to expert appraisers.

  • Is probate required for a small estate in Salinas?

    No, probate is not required for a small estate in Salinas. As long as the estate's total value is less than $166,250, probate is not necessary. However, if the real estate in question has a value of $30,000 or more, it must go through the probate process. Consulting with a legal professional is recommended to determine whether a specific property needs to be probated or not.

  • Are creditors in Salinas allowed to contact an heir regarding the deceased person's debt?

    Yes, creditors in Salinas are allowed to contact an heir regarding the debt of a deceased person. However, there are certain limitations on when and how they can reach out, such as communicating before 8 a.m. and after 9 p.m. Additionally, creditors are not allowed to contact the responsible individual at their workplace or through email or text messages if they have explicitly requested not to be contacted through those means.

  • What is the time limit for creditors to collect the debt of a deceased person in Salinas?

    The time limit for creditors to collect the debt of a deceased person in Salinas is one year from the date of death. This rule applies when the person's funds and assets are insufficient to cover the debt. In such cases, the creditor has the right to seize assets as soon as possible to settle the outstanding liabilities. Once the one-year period has passed, creditors are no longer allowed to pressure the responsible person into paying the debt.

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