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Best Probate Lawyers in Santa Ana

2023

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Website
3700 South Susan Street, Suite 100, Santa Ana, CA 92704
  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Probate Litigation
  • Probate

Why choose this provider?

Bock & Plummer, Attorneys at Law, is a boutique firm handling probate litigation for Santa Ana clients. It helps resolve disputes over trusts and wills and other probate matters, which often arise from complex family dynamics. It deals with cases involving asset distribution. Co-founder Michael Bock has been in practice since 2002. He is a member of the Los Angeles and Orange County Bar Associations. Co-founder Heidi Plummer has been practicing since 2014 and is a member of the Hispanic Bar and Orange County Women Lawyers Associations.

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)

Website
10221 Slater Ave. #106, Fountain Valley, CA 92708
  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning
  • Probate

Why choose this provider?

The Legacy Lawyers P.C. is a law firm that serves clients and successor trustees in Santa Ana and Fountain Valley areas. The firm helps clients reduce personal liability and handles probate and estate planning, wills, guardianship, and accounting disputes. Its attorneys and staff are trained and experienced in asset collection, trust administration, enforcement of trust terms, and preparation of trust accounting. The firm is also located in some areas of California, such as Torrance, Laguna Hills, and Los Angeles.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Phillip Lemmons - Principal25 yrs
Matthew Stidham - Senior Associate Attorney6 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
4.2 / 5 (48)
Yelp
2.6 / 5 (27)
Facebook
4.5 / 5 (19)

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
1800 N Broadway Ste 200, Santa Ana, CA 92706
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning
  • Living Trust

Why choose this provider?

The Law Offices of Douglas Borthwick serves clients in Santa Ana and throughout its surrounding areas. The firm handles an array of legal matters, including probate administration, which typically involves petitioning the court, identifying and liquidating assets, notifying and paying creditors, and distributing remaining assets to beneficiaries. Attorney Douglas Borthwick also provides his services in matters of family and personal injury law. He is licensed to practice in courts throughout California.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Douglas Borthwick - 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.
5.0
Avvo
5.0 / 5 (281)
Facebook
5.0 / 5 (108)
Google
4.9 / 5 (106)

(+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
2700 N Main St Ste 420, Santa Ana, CA 92705
  • Estate Planning

Why choose this provider?

The Nguyen Law Group is a Santa Ana law firm serving clients in Rancho Cucamonga and Orange County in matters relating to the transfer and inheritance of a decedent's estate. The firm's attorneys are experienced estate planning lawyers who guide clients through the probate court process and support the distribution of assets when the use of a court is unnecessary. The firm's services also include determining the value of the decedent's property and paying off outstanding debts.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Andy Nguyen - Founder & Managing Attorney11 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

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
511 East 1st Street, Tustin, CA 92780
  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning
  • Trust Administration

Why choose this provider?

Amity Law Group LLP is a team of probate attorneys near Santa Ana, with additional offices in Los Angeles. They have successfully represented executors and clients who have challenged the contents of a will or the executor's behavior in their role. The firm also deals with collecting the deceased's estate, paying debts from it, and distributing the remainder between beneficiaries. The attorneys at Amity Law Group LLP are fluent in several languages, including Mandarin, Cantonese, Taiwanese, and Vietnamese.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Jennifer Fu - Managing Partner and Founder18 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 (68)
Google
5.0 / 5 (16)
Facebook
5.0 / 5 (13)

(+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
1206 North Broadway, Santa Ana, CA 92701
  • Trusts
  • Estate Planning
  • Probate

Why choose this provider?

The Law Firm of Richard O. Barndt has been serving clients in Santa Ana since 1995. The firm focuses its practice on estate planning, trusts administration, and probate litigation process. It aids clients in drafting estate planning documents such as simple wills, pour-over wills, living trusts, and financial durable powers of attorney. It also assists clients in estate administration and assets distribution to beneficiaries. The law firm also has offices in the San Diego and Orange counties.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Richard Barndt - 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.
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
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
4 Hutton Centre Drive Suite 900, Santa Ana, CA 92707
  • Estate Planning
  • Trust Administration

Why choose this provider?

Founded in 1982, Hart King offers civil litigation and transactional services to businesses and real estate clients in and across California. The firm also resolves matters, including business, trust, and estate litigations. Its estate planning attorneys represent both trustees and beneficiaries in legal concerns, such as internal affairs of trusts, elder abuse, modification or termination of trusts, and trust assets misappropriation. In addition, Hart King annually contributes to nonprofit organizations, including the American Red Cross and OC Human Relations.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
John Pentecost - Shareholder and Managing Partner42 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 (24)
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
17702 Mitchell N #101, Irvine, CA 92614
  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning

Why choose this provider?

Asset Protection & Elder Law Center helps clients in Santa Ana protect their properties and families. It guides the executors of an estate through the probate process to facilitate a fair distribution of the decedents' assets to beneficiaries. The firm establishes trusts for families with homes, financial accounts, and businesses totaling more than $160,000. It also crafts advanced healthcare directives and powers of attorney. The firm has been featured on the Fox News Channel, ABC News, and NBC for its legal insights.

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 (49)
Google
5.0 / 5 (31)

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
1851 E 1st St Fl 10, Santa Ana, CA 92705
  • Trusts
  • Wills

Why choose this provider?

Since its foundation in Orange County in 1985, the Santa Ana-based law firm of Hall Griffin LLP has grown to serve clients throughout the state, as well as Arizona, Texas, and Washington. The firm's attorneys litigate in all controversies involving probates, such as claims of undue influence on the decedent, breaches of duty by one or more fiduciaries, challenges on the will's contents by family members and other interested parties, and unresolved claims from creditors.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
John Griffin - Founding Member33 yrs
Michael Pepek - Partner28 yrs
George Hampton - Partner34 yrs
Stephanie Stringer - Partner14 yrs
Howard Hall - Founding Partner34 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)
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.
3.3
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail
––

Website
2122 North Broadway, Santa Ana, CA 92706
  • Estate Planning
  • Trust Administration

Why choose this provider?

The Patton Law Firm serves the residents of Santa Ana and the surrounding areas. Lead practitioner Andrea Patton has been implementing estate plans for more than 13 years. She plans and drafts family trusts, powers of attorney, marital property declarations, conservator nominations, advanced health care directives, and guardianship nominations. The firm's team of attorneys, paralegals, and case managers present value propositions by combining legal services with a physical approach to achieve the client's specific goals.

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
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
2107 N Broadway Ste 204, Santa Ana, CA 92706
  • Trusts
  • Estate Planning
  • Estate Taxes

Why choose this provider?

The Law Office of Steven F. Schroeder is located in Santa Ana. It provides an array of legal services to its clients, including probate administration. This process typically includes a long list of steps, including asset identification, creditor payments, tax payments, and asset distribution to rightful heirs. The firm handles all of these aspects, as well as any complications that may arise during the process, such as heir disputes or creditor claims.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Steven Schroeder - 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.
4.9
Google
5.0 / 5 (81)
Facebook
5.0 / 5 (19)
Yelp
4.5 / 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
2 Park Plaza, Suite 480, Irvine, CA 92614
  • Estate Planning
  • Trust Administration

Why choose this provider?

Snyder Law offers legal counsel to parents, seniors, and veterans in Santa Ana and the surrounding areas. It handles cases concerning estate planning, elder law, and trust administration. Helping clients secure the future of their loved ones and assets, its lawyers assist in drafting wills and estate plans suitable for all household types, including single parents or those with special needs children. In addition, owner Kevin Snyder represents pro bono clients through the Veterans Legal Institute.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Kevin Snyder - Owner18 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
4.9 / 5 (55)
Yelp
5.0 / 5 (38)
Avvo
4.8 / 5 (38)

(+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.
3.8
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail
––

Website
3200 Park Center Drive, Costa Mesa, CA 92626

Why choose this provider?

The attorneys at Modern Wealth Law focus on using their sophisticated knowledge of the probate process to guide beneficiaries in the Santa Ana area. The Costa Mesa-based firm helps navigate time-consuming matters including assets distribution, creditor claims, and petition filing. Modern Wealth Law values efficient communication and works to tailor-fit strategies in line with clients' personal circumstances and cultural beliefs. The firm is headed by John Wong, who previously contributed to the estate-related proceedings of Michael Jackson and Britney Spears.

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 (32)
Avvo
5.0 / 5 (7)
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.
4.5
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
14751 Plaza Dr., Suite B, Tustin, CA 92780
  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning
  • Probate Litigation

Why choose this provider?

Rehmani & Associates Attorneys at Law provides legal services in Santa Ana and nearby areas. It handles probate matters and guides clients in navigating the complex probate process. The firm administers decedents' estates and distributes assets to the rightful beneficiaries. Its team of attorneys also assists in other issues that require the attention of a probate court, including probate litigation, lost wills, will contest, and post-mortem tax planning. Owner Suzanne Rehmani has been in practice since 1992 and holds an LLM in taxation.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Suzanne Rehmani - 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.
4.3
Avvo
4.5 / 5 (9)
Yelp
3.0 / 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.
4.5
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
14751 Plaza Drive Suite G, Tustin, CA 92780
  • Estate Planning
  • Trust Administration
  • Probate Litigation

Why choose this provider?

Hunsberger Dunn LLP is a team of legal practitioners serving the Santa Ana area. They assist clients in transferring assets to beneficiaries and heirs throughout the probate procedure. Personal representatives and executors are also represented in court. Additionally, the attorneys offer trust administration assistance and prepare estate plans. Donald A. Hunsberger, one of the firm's lawyers, has been offering estate and business planning services since 1980. He was part of the Indiana Law Review and the Indiana Business Review's editorial staff.

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.
4.2
Google
4.6 / 5 (9)
Yelp
4.2 / 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
1800 East Garry Avenue, Santa Ana, CA 92705
  • Estate Planning

Why choose this provider?

The Law Office of Marc L. Weber provides services to the residents of Santa Ana. Marc Weber has over 40 years of experience practicing probate and estate planning law. He helps clients in probate cases by preparing court papers, giving notices to creditors, identifying the assets of a decedent, and providing legal advice throughout the proceedings. Weber is also well-versed in real estate and tax law. He has a master's degree in Taxation and is also a licensed broker.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Marc Weber - 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
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
2601 Main St., Suite 1200, Irvine, CA 92614
  • Estate Planning
  • Trust Administration
  • Probate
  • Estate Administration

Why choose this provider?

Law & Stein LLP offers legal guidance and representation in matters of probate law to the community of Santa Ana. It assists clients in filing petitions with the probate court and appointing an executor or an administrator if there is no will. Other areas of practice include estate planning, inheritance disputes, business and real estate litigation, elder abuse, and mergers and acquisition. This law firm handles a variety of clients, from large non-profit organizations to multi-generational families.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
R. Law - Partner / Owner35 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
Yelp
4.5 / 5 (15)
Google
4.4 / 5 (7)
Avvo
5.0 / 5 (4)

(+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
2060 N. Tustin, Santa Ana, CA 92705
  • Estate Planning
  • Living Trust
  • Probate

Why choose this provider?

Scoot A. Bourdelais offers legal representation in probate matters in the Santa Ana metro. Bourdelais guides his clients through the probate process, where the court orders the payment of the decedent's liabilities and the distribution of the remaining assets to the heirs and beneficiaries according to the will. Bourdelais also accepts cases that involve living trusts and complete estate planning. He has been in legal practice since 1982, focusing on crafting estate plans for clients and assisting with probate proceedings.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Scott Bourdelais - Principal41 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
4.5 / 5 (8)
Yelp
5.0 / 5 (6)
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.
3.8
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail
––

Website
1 MacArthur Pl #115, Santa Ana, CA 92707
  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning

Why choose this provider?

Since 2004, the Law Offices of Jesse A. Marino, APC, has been catering to the needs of the Santa Ana community. Its team helps individuals avoid complex probate proceedings through estate planning. Its lawyers advise about proper legal tools to distribute assets in advance to protect an inheritance. They review, update, and revise trusts, wills, and other legal instruments to settle financial and non-financial affairs prior to disability or death. The firm also practices personal injury and workers' compensation. Firm member Tam Pham is experienced in constructing personalized financial plans.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Jesse Marino - Founder and Principal19 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
4.8 / 5 (6)
Yelp
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

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 Santa Ana, California?

    The Santa Ana Police Department can be alerted about non-emergency incidents at (714) 245-8049.

  • Your father died and left behind a will. As a beneficiary, how do you get your share of assets in Santa Ana?

    Your father’s estate must go to a probate court in Santa Ana or Orange County. The court will confirm the will’s authenticity, ensure its terms are executable, take care of estate dues and taxes, and hand it over to the executor named by the deceased. The executor will be in charge of distributing the remaining assets to you and the other beneficiaries your father named in his will.

  • Your friend in Santa Ana said their parents died intestate so they had to do probate. What does that mean?

    Dying intestate simply means your friend’s parents died without leaving behind a will. There might have been an unfortunate accident, or maybe establishing a will or trust was not a priority. Because of this, the estate had to go through probate in order to determine which asset will go to which beneficiaries according to California law. In cases like these, the inheritance usually goes to the deceased’s next of kin.

  • What should you do if you want to be appointed as an estate administrator or executor in a Santa Ana probate?

    You should find a lawyer in Santa Ana who can draft a petition for probate on your behalf. Information about you, the decedent, the heirs, and the estate should be included in the petition. Filing this petition will kick off the proceedings, and it will be up to the court to confirm your appointment as executor of the estate.

  • Can a probate attorney help if your mother is chosen as the executor by a Santa Ana probate court but you believe she is incapable?

    Yes. If you think your mother lacks the capability to carry out an executor’s tasks, a lawyer can help you improve the situation. Your attorney can file a petition with the Santa Ana probate court to remove your aunt as executor, following California State Probate Code §8502. They can assist should you need to reach a settlement with your mother or attend court hearings.

  • Do you need to shoulder the cost of hiring a Santa Ana probate lawyer?

    In most cases, you do not need to shoulder the cost of retaining a probate attorney in Santa Ana. They will be paid out of your inheritance, with their fees dependent on the size of the estate. California law dictates how much attorneys can charge. If the value of the estate is $100,000 or less, your lawyer will collect 4% of it. Statutory fees differ for larger and more complex estates.

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