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Best Probate Lawyers in San Diego

2024

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Providers

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Website
11440 W Bernardo Ct Ste 300, San Diego, CA 92127
  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning
  • Living Trust
  • Trust Administration
  • Probate Litigation
  • Estate Settlement

Why choose this provider?

The Grossman Law Firm has offices in Riverside, Temecula, and San Diego. It provides legal counsel and representation to clients throughout the probate process, helping executors, trustees, and beneficiaries to navigate all probate matters including creditor notices, debt and tax payments, and asset distribution. The firm also handles probate and trust litigation, representing clients in matters of disinheritance or will contests. The Grossman Law Firm received a distinguished peer-rating from Martindale-Hubbell in 2018.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Scott Grossman - Principal/President30 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.
4.6
Avvo
4.9 / 5 (19)
Google
4.4 / 5 (14)
Facebook
4.6 / 5 (10)

(+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
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Price: Free Phone Consultation

San Diego, CA

Why choose this provider?

Need help contacting a Probate Lawyer in San Diego? Call our Concierge team at 848-Book-Pro (848-266-5776 from 6 am - 4 pm PT | Mon - Fri). They are standing by to help you get the service you need.

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

Price: Free booking service | Call 848.Book.Pro!

Website
4475 Mission Blvd Ste 224, San Diego, CA 92109
  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning
  • Living Trust
  • Estate Taxes
  • Trust Administration
  • Probate Litigation
  • Estate Settlement
  • Legacy Care

Why choose this provider?

Tresp Law PC has offices in Solana Beach and Pacific Beach and serves clients throughout the greater San Diego area. Principal attorney Elizabeth A. Tresp helps her clients in all types of probate matters, including typical probate administration and probate litigation, which typically arises from issues such as undue influence claims, removal of trustees, or will contests. She also provides estate planning and beneficiary representation services. Elizabeth A. Tresp is a member of several professional associations, including the Probate Attorneys of San Diego.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Elizabeth Tresp - Principal Attorney11 yrs
Alexander Nunez - Associate Litigation Attorney19 yrs
Elizabeth Tresp - Principal11 yrs
Michele Fischbein - Associate Attorney24 yrs
Abraham Ames - Associate Attorney8 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 (9)
Yelp
5.0 / 5 (2)

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
12396 World Trade Dr Suite 301, San Diego, CA 92128
  • Trusts
  • Estate Planning

Why choose this provider?

Preston Estate Planning has been serving clients in the San Diego area since 1981. The firm assists with probate administration, walking clients through the court-supervised process of distributing a deceased loved one's assets. Its attorneys have also helped manage disputes among beneficiaries and settle any outstanding debts. Preston Estate Planning was founded by John Preston, a specialist in estate planning, trust, and probate law as certified by the California State Bar.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
John Preston - Founder and Principal44 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.
4.8
Google
4.9 / 5 (627)
Yelp
3.0 / 5 (32)
Facebook
4.1 / 5 (9)

(+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
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
9820 Willow Creek Rd. #460, San Diego, CA 92131
  • Estate Planning
  • Probate

Why choose this provider?

California Estate and Elder Law addresses the probate concerns of its clients in the San Diego metro. It helps individuals in creating estate plans, dividing assets to beneficiaries, and settling other financial affairs. The firm's client relations coordinator assists bereaved families in navigating the complex estate settlement and probate process. One of its attorneys, Richard Scott Stewart, attended television and radio shows to talk about his knowledge of elder law. His other practice areas include estate planning and asset protection or retention.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Richard Stewart - Principal28 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
4.4 / 5 (12)
Yelp
1.3 / 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

Website
San Diego, CA 92131
  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning
  • Probate Litigation

Why choose this provider?

Fischer & Van Thiel is a San Diego law firm that is "here to mediate" but also "ready to litigate." The firm's attorneys focus on all aspects of family law and divorce, including estate planning. The company is a BBB accredited business with a rating of A+. In client testimonials, the firm's attorneys are described as "professional but also compassionate."

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Michael Fischer - Founder19 yrs
Craig Van thiel - Co-Founder23 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
Avvo
5.0 / 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.
3.3
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail
––

Website
4660 La Jolla Village Dr Suite 725A, San Diego, CA 92122
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning

Why choose this provider?

San Diego Legacy Law is a firm that provides legal assistance to San Diego clients in a range of probate matters. The process involves filing a probate petition, conducting an asset inventory, satisfying debts, distributing remaining assets, and finally, closing the estate. Nicole D'Ambrogi, the owner of this firm, is an advocate for veterans and she has been given the President Pro Bono Service Award by the California State Bar.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Nicole D’ambrogi - Founder11 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.
4.9
Google
5.0 / 5 (38)
Yelp
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.
3.3
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail
––

Website
11665 Avena Place, San Diego, CA 92128
  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning
  • Inheritance Taxes
  • Living Trust
  • Estate Taxes
  • Trust Administration

Why choose this provider?

Located in Rancho Bernardo, Robinson & Wilson, ALC is a law firm representing residents of Rancho Bernardo and throughout the San Diego County. With over 40 years of practice, both of the firm's attorneys are certified by the California Board as specialists in estate planning, trust, and probate law. The firm can assist clients in various stages of these practice areas, from the creation of an estate plan to the administration of a family member's estate.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Roberta Robinson - Partner47 yrs
Daniel Wilson - Partner12 yrs
Roberta Robinson - Partner47 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
4275 Executive Square, La Jolla, CA 92037
  • Probate

Why choose this provider?

The Law Office of Kris Mukherji serves the estate planning and probate needs of San Diego Residents. The firm assists with probate proceedings, which include verifying the authenticity of a will, creating an inventory and appraising the value of a deceased person's assets, settling outstanding taxes and debts, and distributing the assets to the decedent's beneficiaries and heirs. The firm's sole practitioner, Kris Mukherji, opened his practice in 2012. His focus is on business law, in addition to estate planning and probate.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Kris Mukherji - Principal12 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 (37)
Avvo
4.9 / 5 (37)
Facebook
5.0 / 5 (34)

(+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
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
451 A Street Suite 600, San Diego, CA 92101
  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning
  • Probate

Why choose this provider?

Van Dyke & Associates, APLC, is a boutique law firm serving the San Diego metro since 1998. The firm assists individuals and families with probate and trust administration litigation. It represents trustees, executors, and potential beneficiaries through the probate litigation process. The firm has secured favorable outcomes for its clients, even in complex or contentious issues. The firm's founder, Richard "Scott" Van Dyke, has been practicing law for over 25 years.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Richard Dyke - Founder / Managing Shareholder26 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
4.2 / 5 (5)
Yelp
5.0 / 5 (1)
Avvo
5.0 / 5 (1)

(+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
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
10620 Treena St., Suite 230, San Diego, CA 92131
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning
  • Probate Litigation

Why choose this provider?

The Law Offices of Irina Sherbak, APC is a private practice serving San Diego and the nearby areas. Irina Sherbak is fully bilingual and is able to handle all aspects of the probate process, handling and distributing assets on behalf of the deceased while working with the executors and the beneficiaries of the estate. Sherbak also assists with drafting estate planning documents such as revocable and irrevocable trusts, advanced health care directives, durable powers of attorney, and wills.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Irina Sherbak - Principal and Founder12 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
4.7 / 5 (14)
Yelp
4.3 / 5 (12)
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

Website
3033 Fifth Avenue Suite 400, San Diego, CA 92103
  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning
  • Probate

Why choose this provider?

William H. Sauls Attorney at Law is a firm that provides personalized legal solutions to clients in San Diego. Since 1981, it has been assisting clients in the areas of estate planning, probate, and business law. The firm is equipped to handle probate administration that includes preparing and analyzing documents such as wills and trusts for a fair distribution of assets to the rightful beneficiaries. The firm's founding attorney, William Sauls, was chosen as one of San Diego's best lawyers by San Diego Magazine.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
William Sauls - Principal43 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.
4.3
Google
5.0 / 5 (7)
Yelp
3.0 / 5 (2)
Avvo
5.0 / 5 (2)

(+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
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
402 West Broadway Suite 1200, San Diego, CA 92101
  • Probate

Why choose this provider?

Reznik Law Group provides clients in San Diego with legal advice and strategies in litigation, corporate law, cross-border disputes, and entity formation. It also helps family members navigate the complex probate process. Its probate services include administering and distributing assets to beneficiaries and heirs and assisting families in dealing with the business or commercial property their loved ones left in the state. Its founding attorney, Mauricio Reznik, is fluent in English and Spanish and has served Hispanic and local clientele.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
N. Reznik - Founder15 yrs
Nuni Reznik - 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.
4.8
Google
4.6 / 5 (44)
FindLaw
5.0 / 5 (39)
Yelp
4.7 / 5 (6)

(+3 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.
3.8
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail
––

Website
501 West Broadway, Suite 600, San Diego, CA 92101
  • Probate

Why choose this provider?

Estate Plan California represents clients with probate concerns in the San Diego metro. It offers probate advice for assets such as stocks, bonds, and investments, and assists in finalizing the estates of individuals who died without leaving a will. An estate plan is provided for clients to ensure that assets are transferred to the proper heirs. Estate Plan California also handles civil litigation cases. Tara R. Burd, the firm's principal, is a representative on the Board of the California Lawyers Association.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Tara Burd - Principal and Founder13 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
4.5 / 5 (23)
Facebook
4.6 / 5 (11)

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.
3.5
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail
––

Website
2727 Camino Del Rio South Suite 202, San Diego, CA 92108
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning
  • Probate

Why choose this provider?

Dell'Acqua Law handles the probate and estate planning matters of clients in San Diego and the surrounding areas. It focuses on helping individuals protect their assets from unnecessary taxes, make provisions for charitable donations, and minimize conflict against heirs by providing wills and trusts, deeds, financial powers of attorney, and health care directives services. The law firm also practices other areas of law, including marital property division, child support, and family law. Founding attorney Dawn M. Dell’Acqua is also admitted to the Texas Bar.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Dawn Dell'acqua - Principal28 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
Avvo
5.0 / 5 (19)
Google
4.9 / 5 (12)
Yelp
4.0 / 5 (12)

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
4420 Hotel Circle Court, Suite 200, San Diego, CA 92108
  • Estate Planning
  • Probate

Why choose this provider?

Heidi Klippel Law Offices offers legal guidance and representation in matters of probate to the locals of San Diego. The law firm assists clients who are trying to avoid probate or need to initiate probate for a loved one's estate. Its other practice areas are trust administration and estate planning, handling revocable living trust, durable power of attorney, and an advance health care directive. Heidi Klippel has been offering comprehensive estate and trust services since 2004.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Heidi Klippel - Principal22 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.
4.8
Yelp
4.8 / 5 (44)
Google
4.6 / 5 (9)
Avvo
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
7220 Trade Street, Suite 115, San Diego, CA 92121
  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning
  • Probate

Why choose this provider?

Jenkins & Jenkins offer probate services to individuals and families in San Diego and surrounding areas. It covers last will and testaments, health care directive, power of attorney, and guardianship nomination. It handles different trusts, such as separate property, continuing lifetime, and revocable living trust. It also assists clients with drafting and administering trusts and guides clients in avoiding possible tax liabilities. One of its partners, Michael Jenkins, developed a personal inclination to estate planning after his father's passed away without any plan.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Caroline Jenkins - Partner12 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 (104)
Yelp
5.0 / 5 (58)
Facebook
5.0 / 5 (21)

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
8880 Rio San Diego Drive Suite 800, San Diego, CA 92108
  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning

Why choose this provider?

The Law Office of Elise Paul, APC, serves clients in and around San Diego. The firm's founder, Elise Paul, is an experienced probate administration and estate planning lawyer who handles the court paperwork and facilitates the transfer of assets. She also assists the executors in inventorying the deceased's assets, managing taxes, and distributing properties according to the wills or state law. In addition, Paul helps clients prepare trusts, wills, health care directives, and powers of attorney to save families from the trouble of dealing with probate.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Elise Paul - Principal35 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
Avvo
5.0 / 5 (4)
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

Website
16776 Bernardo Center Drive, San Diego, CA 92128
  • Estate Planning
  • Probate

Why choose this provider?

Smykowski Law Offices is a practice that has been serving San Diego for more than 40 years. It assists grieving families in the court-supervised probate process of determining the value of a deceased loved one's assets and belongings. This includes contacting creditors, settling outstanding bills, and filing income tax returns. One of the firm's lawyers, Robert A. Smykowski, utilizes his background in electrical engineering and business administration to be able to update his computer software program for his legal practice.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Robert Smykowski - Partner42 yrs
David Smykowski - Partner6 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 (51)
Yelp
5.0 / 5 (7)
Avvo
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
1901 Camino Vida Roble, Ste 121, Carlsbad, CA 92008
  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning
  • Living Trust
  • Trust Administration

Why choose this provider?

Established in 2021, Opelon LLP is a San Diego-based law firm that assists clients in probate, trust administration, estate planning, and conservatorships. It also offers virtual estate planning services. Founders Matthew Odgers and Owen Rassman have a combined experience of over 25 years in the industry. Owen has been practicing trust administration, estate planning, and probate in California for over 15 years. He also stays updated on probate laws and local and state procedural rules by representing clients in probate courts.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
T. Owen Rassman - Attorney20 yrs
Matt Odgers - Co-Founder11 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
4.5 / 5 (28)

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 San Diego, California?

    The San Diego Police Department's non-emergency phone number is (619) 531‑2000.

  • What happens if a person passes away in San Diego without having a will?

    If an individual in San Diego dies without a will, a family member who is likely to inherit will start a Petition for Probate in court to become the Administrator. This person must have a good credit history because the court will ask for a bond unless all legal heirs of the deceased waive the bond requirement in writing and the Administrator resides in California. Employing a probate lawyer who can provide guidance is crucial, especially when processing creditor claims because dealing with creditors can be quite complicated.

  • What are some potential grounds for disputing a will or trust in San Diego?

    Some of the potential grounds for challenging a will or trust in San Diego are:

    • Unlawful Influence: You can challenge a will or trust modification if you believe someone changed it for personal gain, especially in the person's later years.
    • Lack of Mental Capacity: The will or trust may be invalid if the creator or amender has lacked the mental capacity to comprehend the consequences of their actions.
    • Fraud: If a beneficiary manipulates the testator for personal gain or deceitfully excludes rightful heirs, the will can be invalidated.
    • Breach of Fiduciary Duty: Executors, conservators, and trustees have legal duties. They can be sued if they mismanage assets, distribute them incorrectly, or issue inaccurate estate reports.
  • What are the duties of an executor in San Diego?

    The executor in San Diego must file the will with the court and initiate the probate process. Once approved, their primary responsibility is to notify parties with an interest in the estate according to California state statutes. The executor must also advertise the estate to allow creditors to make their claims, which are then reviewed and paid from estate assets. Only after these claims are settled can beneficiaries receive their portion of the estate. Following the notice period, the executor accumulates all of the decedent's assets and distributes the remaining assets by the will.

  • What is the typical fee for probate attorneys in San Diego?

    Fees can vary based on case complexity. Typically, San Diego probate lawyers charge around $500 for filing a probate petition and another $500 for filing the petition for final distribution. Additionally, the estate is responsible for covering fees related to probate publication of the notice, California probate referees for asset valuation, and certification of court document copies.

  • What is the duration of an administration in San Diego, whether it is probate or non-probate?

    Settlement times for estates in San Diego vary based on factors such as the value and the presence of a living trust or will. Larger estates with a living trust typically take 10-12 months to settle, while estates with just a will often require probate, which can take 15-20 months. Smaller estates with a living trust used to settle within 4-8 weeks, but a recent California law now mandates a specific notice to trust beneficiaries and heirs, allowing them four months (sometimes six months) to contest the trust. This extends the estate administration period, even though the substantive efforts typically still take 4-8 weeks. If probate is necessary, a standard timeframe is 10-14 months.

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