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Best Probate Lawyers in San Jose

2023

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Website
5201 Great America Parkway, Santa Clara, CA 95054
  • Estate Planning
  • Trust Administration
  • Probate

Why choose this provider?

NortonBasu LLP provides legal assistance to clients with estate planning and probate needs in San Jose. It guides bereaved families through the probate process for simple and complex estates. Its team assists with trust and estate administration and conservatorships. In addition, it plans and crafts estates, including living trusts and powers of attorney. Its lawyers also provide court representation. Zakiya J. Norton, one of the partners, serves as a special liaison for the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Advisory Committee of the California Lawyer’s Association.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Zakiya Norton - Founding Principal and Partner10 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
Yelp
4.7 / 5 (29)
Google
5.0 / 5 (25)
Facebook
5.0 / 5 (13)

(+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

Website
75 E Santa Clara St Ste 275, San Jose, CA 95113
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning
  • Living Trust
  • Trust Administration

Why choose this provider?

Founded in 1978, Del Ponte & Hirz offers legal services to clients in San Jose and throughout its surrounding areas. It handles probate and estate administration on behalf of executors and beneficiaries, ensuring the entire process is completed quickly and efficiently and assisting with all issues that may arise throughout. The firm also provides other legal services, including counsel and representation in matters of family law, as well as estate planning.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Christopher Hirz - 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 (33)
Avvo
4.9 / 5 (17)
Google
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
2542 S Bascom Ave Ste 200, Campbell, CA 95008
  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning
  • Inheritance Taxes
  • Living Trust
  • Estate Taxes
  • Trust Administration
  • Probate Litigation
  • Estate Settlement
  • Legacy Care

Why choose this provider?

Sowards Law Firm provides probate administration and litigation services to clients in San Jose and throughout its surrounding areas. The firm has been in business for more than 25 years and assists its clients throughout the entire probate process, handling details such as creditor notification, asset appraisals, and distribution of assets to rightful heirs. It also offers legal counsel and representation in matters such as will contests and guardianship disputes.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Benjamin Sowards - Principal19 yrs
Benjamin Sowards - Attorney19 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.
4.1
Yelp
4.0 / 5 (13)
Avvo
4.4 / 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
2166 The Alameda, San Jose, CA 95126
  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning
  • Trust Administration
  • Probate Litigation
  • Estate Settlement

Why choose this provider?

Shea McIntyre PC serves clients in San Jose and its surrounding areas. The firm takes on testate and intestate probate cases and handles all aspects of the probate process on behalf of executors and beneficiaries. Additionally, its attorneys provide representation for beneficiaries or creditors in probate and estate disputes, including breach of fiduciary duty claims, and will contests. Shea McIntyre PC has been operating for more than 50 years and its attorneys are admitted to practice in state and federal courts throughout California.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Marc Shea - Partner44 yrs
John McIntyre - Partner29 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 (11)
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
777 N 1st St Ste 350, San Jose, CA 95112
  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning
  • Trust Administration
  • Probate Litigation

Why choose this provider?

The Law Offices of Christopher W. Dull is a family and estate law firm that provides legal counsel and representation to clients in San Jose and throughout its surrounding areas. The firm handles probate cases, taking care of the entire probate process including details such as creditor notifications and asset distribution. Other estate services it provides include estate planning, power of attorney, and business succession planning. Christopher W. Dull is a member of the State Bar of California and the American Bar Association.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Christopher Dull - Principal15 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
4.8 / 5 (41)
Yelp
4.0 / 5 (10)
Facebook
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

Website
16450 Los Gatos Boulevard, Los Gatos, CA 95032
  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning
  • Trust Administration

Why choose this provider?

Founded in 2015, the Law Office of Thomas E. Rossmeissl is a private practice firm that serves clients in the greater San Jose area. The firm handles all aspects of probate administration and litigation matters, including will contests and creditor claims. Attorney Thomas E. Rossmeissl who is in practice since 1990 also provides estate planning, wealth transfer, and trust modification services to his clients. He is admitted to practice in federal and state courts throughout California.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Thomas Rossmeissl - Owner and Founder33 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
FindLaw
5.0 / 5 (114)
Avvo
5.0 / 5 (15)
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
1871 The Alameda Ste 400, San Jose, CA 95126
  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning
  • Trust Administration
  • Probate Litigation

Why choose this provider?

Lonich, Patton, Ehrlich, Policastri is an estate and family law firm that handles probate cases on behalf of clients in the San Jose area. The firm's attorneys take care of all aspects of the probate process on behalf of its clients and have a high level of experience in handling special needs trusts on behalf of those with developmental disabilities. The team also handles probate litigation matters such as will and trust contests and heirship or asset ownership disputes.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
David Patton - Partner35 yrs
Mitchell Ehrlich - Partner25 yrs
Gina Policastri - Partner20 yrs
Michael Lonich - Managing Partner41 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
Avvo
4.9 / 5 (81)
Yelp
4.5 / 5 (39)
Facebook
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

Website
1101 S Winchester Blvd, San Jose, CA 95128
  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning

Why choose this provider?

The Law Offices of Berge & Berge offers legal counsel to individuals and families in and around San Jose. It has been in the industry for the past 25 years, taking care of various aspects of the probate process to effectively handle and distribute assets on behalf of the deceased and smoothing out any dispute that may arise. Managing partner Jim Berge holds a Master’s degree in tax law and is a certified public accountant which gives insight into the financial aspect of the probate process.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
James Berge - Managing Partner37 yrs
James Berge - Managing Partner37 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
5.0 / 5 (30)
Yelp
3.5 / 5 (7)
FindLaw
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
43480 Mission Boulevard Suite 270, Fremont, CA 94539
  • Trusts
  • Wills

Why choose this provider?

Since 2010, Singh Law Firm has been focusing on developing personalized estate plans for traditional families, entrepreneurs, and high-net-worth individuals in San Jose and its surrounding communities. The office helps clients protect and preserve their legacies through a variety of estate planning solutions, such as qualified personal residence trusts, pour-over wills, trust administration, advanced healthcare directives, and gifting strategies. Its team of lawyers assists clients throughout the probate process, as well as guides them in preparing their estate plans to avoid trust litigation.

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
Yelp
5.0 / 5 (198)
Google
4.8 / 5 (180)
Facebook
4.9 / 5 (44)

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
1625 The Alameda Ste 900, San Jose, CA 95126
  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning
  • Living Trust
  • Estate Taxes

Why choose this provider?

Parr Law Group PLC provides legal representation and counsel to clients in the San Jose metropolitan area. The firm is focused on several areas of practice, including probate administration. Its attorneys provide counsel to executors and beneficiaries throughout the entire probate process, helping with aspects such as asset identification, liquidation of real property, creditor notices, and distribution of inheritance. Parr Law Group's managing attorney Shawn R. Parr is a member of the State Bar of California and the Santa Clara County Bar Association.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Shawn Parr - Owner/Principal23 yrs
Eric Sidebotham - Partner23 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 (2)
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
2021 The Alameda, Suite 225, San Jose, CA 952126
  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning
  • Probate

Why choose this provider?

Serving San Jose and the nearby areas, the Law Offices of Jennifer E. Ramirez provides legal assistance for matters concerning trust administration, estate planning, and probate. The firm offers legal support and guidance to beneficiaries and executors to properly handle and distribute assets according to the decedent's wishes. Any conflicts that may arise between representatives and receivers of the decedent's assets are also managed by the firm's legal staff. Lawyer Jennifer E. Ramirez worked for two estate planning firms prior to opening her own practice.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Jennifer Ramirez - Principal10 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.
4.4
Yelp
5.0 / 5 (4)
Google
3.7 / 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
1035 Minnesota Avenue, San Jose, CA 95125
  • Estate Planning

Why choose this provider?

The Law Offices of James A. Ward provides legal assistance from its locations in San Jose and Gilroy. Its legal team provides estate planning services, which entails a discussion on how clients wish to transfer their assets. Its attorneys also counsel clients regarding long-term proactive planning for nursing home and Medi-Cal eligibility. The firm is headed by James Ward, a Certified Senior Advisor, who has a background in finance and tax. His primary practice areas include probate administration and asset protection for seniors.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
James Ward - 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.
4.6
Facebook
5.0 / 5 (4)
Yelp
3.7 / 5 (3)
Avvo
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
551 Stockton Ave Ste A, San Jose, CA 95126

Why choose this provider?

Adam Diran, Attorney at Law, is an estate planning firm serving families and individuals in San Jose and the surrounding areas. Its primary attorney, Adam Diran, has been in practice since 1998. His estate planning services cover wills and trusts, minimizing estate taxes, avoiding probate, and planning revocable living trusts. He also assists in creating wills, special needs trusts, and health care and financial powers of attorney. Diran also holds a designation as a certified divorce financial analyst.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Adam Diran - Principal25 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

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.
2.8
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
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Detail
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Website
2061 Clarmar Way Suite B, San Jose, CA 95128
  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning
  • Living Trust
  • Trust Administration
  • Probate
  • Estate Administration

Why choose this provider?

The Law Offices of Donald Ferguson serves clients throughout the Greater San Jose metro. It represents individuals in probate courts and handles trust administration matters. It also drafts estate planning documents such as wills and revocable living trusts and advises clients on how to avoid probate. The firm also conducts seminars for credit unions, banks, churches, retirement groups and municipal senior centers, and educational institutions. Founding attorney Donald Ferguson is a member of the California State Bar, Trusts and Estate Section.

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)
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
2033 Gateway Pl 5th Floor, San Jose, CA 95110
  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning
  • Probate

Why choose this provider?

Steburg Law Firm handles probate administration matters in San Jose. It assists clients in various aspects of the probate process, including the collection and identification of the decedents' properties. The law firm also offers assistance in settling the estates' debts and taxes. It counsels executors and administrators in contacting heirs and transferring the properties to them. In addition, Steburg Law Firm provides legal services concerning trust administration and will contests. Founder Anita Steburg opened her first law office in 2009.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Anita Steburg - Founder17 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.
3.8
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail
––

Website
2005 De La Cruz Blvd Suite 145, Santa Clara, CA 95050
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning

Why choose this provider?

The Law Offices of Deborah Azar helps San Jose families resolve estate and family business problems. It represents clients in litigating complex probate cases that may be complicated by tax issues or will contests. Azar and her team assist in avoiding costly and lengthy probate proceedings through services such as estate planning and trust administration. In addition, the law firm provides business and succession planning services that are tailored to clients' needs as a part of an estate plan.

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 (35)
Yelp
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
1550 The Alameda Suite 206, San Jose, CA 95126
  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning

Why choose this provider?

The Law Office of Lorna J. Drope J.D. L.L.L.M. offers its services to individuals in San Jose who have loved ones with special needs. It performs general and limited conservatorship assistance, probate administration upon death, and special needs planning. In addition, the law firm uses revocable living trust instruments to help estates minimize taxes and avoid probate. Lorna Drope has been practicing law since 1995 and founded the Bay Area Professionals Special Needs Network in 2011.

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 (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
210 N 4th St, San Jose, CA 95112
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning
  • Probate

Why choose this provider?

Leet Law is a civil litigation, corporate counsel, and probate litigation firm that serves San Jose and other communities in the Bay Area. One of its focuses is probate litigation, which deals with cases where the deceased family member was not able to leave a will or trust behind. The firm helps stakeholders make a fair decision on how to divide their assets. It also helps in drafting wills and trusts. The firm is owned by Carlos Leet, who has been practicing law since 1996.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Carlos Leet - Founder27 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)
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.
3.8
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail
––

Website
45 East Julian Street 2nd Floor, San Jose, CA 95112
  • Probate

Why choose this provider?

Morgan Law Offices provide legal services for clients throughout San Jose and surrounding communities. Owned and operated by Robert H. Morgan, the firm helps clients navigate the complexities of estate planning, probate administration, and will and trust laws. As a locally-based attorney who has had an active law practice since 1978, Morgan has extensive experience in helping clients identify their needs and providing counsel on the best course of action to represent their interests and meet their goals.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Robert Morgan - Principal45 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)

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.

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

    Call 408-277-8900 to report non-emergencies to the local police station in San Jose.

  • Which assets are eligible for probate administration in San Jose?

    Assets that are eligible for probate administration in San Jose include residential and commercial real estate and vehicles such as cars, boats, and motorcycles. Collections of art, books, jewelry, home appliances, and furniture can also be divided among heirs. Additionally, bank accounts, business profits, and stocks and bonds are considered probate assets.

  • What is the process for handling probates in San Jose?

    The process for handling probates in San Jose involves filing a petition with the probate court, informing the heirs and creditors of the passing away and the assets, and appointing an administrator if there is no will. The administrator will then identify and assess the properties and settle debts and taxes. Once the documents and liabilities are resolved, the properties will be distributed among the rightful beneficiaries.

  • What are the advantages of permitting an administrator to handle probate administration in San Jose?

    One of the advantages of permitting a personal representative to handle probate administration in San Jose is that they can be replaced if they mismanage the assets. They also need court approval before they can distribute the properties and be compensated. Additionally, if any disagreements or conflicting interests arise regarding the will, the heirs have legal options to address them.

  • Are there deadlines in the probate process in San Jose?

    Yes, there are deadlines in the probate process in San Jose. To cancel a will, it is necessary to inform the court within 30 days. Administrators have four months to identify the properties and notify creditors about the deceased individual from the submission of the letter of intent to file probate. Additionally, if someone intends to challenge the probate, they have 120 days from the date the case was filed to take action. Seek legal advisable to be aware of other crucial deadlines that may apply.

  • Why do people avoid probate in San Jose?

    The reasons people often seek to avoid probate in San Jose are due to the time-consuming nature of the process and potential delays caused by heirs living in different locations, which can hinder decision-making and obtaining signatures. Disagreements and complications can arise, especially when there are multiple beneficiaries involved. Also, the tax implications of the estate and the complexities of the required documents pose challenges.

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