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Best Probate Lawyers in Santa Clara

2023

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Website
5201 Great America Parkway Suite 320, Santa Clara, CA 95054
  • Estate Planning
  • Trust Administration

Why choose this provider?

Norton Basu, LLP, handles the creation of estates and trusts and the litigation of probate disputes for Santa Clara-based families. Attorneys Zakiya Norton and Somita Basu help streamline the creation of comprehensive estate plans by providing clients with informative instructions and proactive insight into the process. Each plan is designed to minimize the financial and legal burdens shouldered by families due to the complications of probate hearings. Norton and Basu have been previously featured on media and news platforms like the Chicago Tribune and Medium.

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 (19)
Google
5.0 / 5 (15)
Facebook
5.0 / 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

Website
951 Mariners Island Blvd Ste 300, San Mateo, CA 94404
  • Estate Planning
  • Trust Administration

Why choose this provider?

The Law Office of Jamay Lee offers tailored counsel involving estate planning and administration within Santa Clara. Lee uses her familiarity with probate and case laws to inform clients of ways to resolve conflicts like valuation disputes, contentions for conservatorships, and breaches of fiduciary duties. Her expertise also includes the drafting of estate planning documents that provide families with opportunities to forestall future probate-related complication. She is an appointed member of the San Mateo County Superior Court's Independent Counsel Panel for trust and probate cases.

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 (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
96 N 3rd St Ste 260, San Jose, CA 95112
  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning
  • Inheritance Taxes
  • Estate Taxes
  • Trust Administration
  • Probate Litigation

Why choose this provider?

Located in San Jose, The Heritage Law Group serves clients from Santa Clara, Aliso Viejo, and surrounding areas. Its founder, Roger Wintle, has over 30 years of practice as an attorney. Roger is firm about identifying all possible solutions available to clients, a belief that the rest of the team shares. The Heritage Law Group is well-versed in California probate. The Heritage Law Group drafts wills and trusts and trust administration.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Roger Wintle - Founding Shareholder34 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

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, San Jose, CA 95126
  • Estate Planning
  • Probate

Why choose this provider?

Timothy D. Henry Law Offices has been a source of probate solutions since 2011. Serving the Santa Clara metro, the firm helps individuals settle their financial affairs with personalized estate plans that reflect their goals and family dynamics before their passing. It serves as an executor if the deceased left a will and carries out probate duties such as managing assets, notifying beneficiaries, and distributing assets. Founding attorney Timothy D. Henry also caters to Spanish-speaking individuals and is a Wealth Counsel member.

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
4.6 / 5 (12)
Google
4.8 / 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.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
2391 Zanker Road, San Jose, CA 95131
  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning
  • Trust Administration

Why choose this provider?

Robert A. Froehlich, Attorney at Law, creates legal solutions to support Santa Clara families and their multi-generational members. During probate, the firm deploys legal strategies to protect clients' children and grandchildren from Proposition 13 property tax reassessment. It also represents heirs, beneficiaries, personal representatives, and executors in probate court. Froehlich is a solo practitioner who has been handling estate law matters since 1978, and he has conducted corporate seminars at NASA and U.S. Steel on wealth management and taxation topics.

Website
2502 Stevens Creek Boulevard, San Jose, CA 95128
  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning
  • Inheritance Taxes
  • Estate Taxes
  • Trust Administration

Why choose this provider?

Temmerman, Cilley & Kohlmann, LLP provides Santa Clara residents with services focused on probate, estate administration, estate planning, and elder law. Helping individuals and families safeguard their legacies and estates, the firm's lawyers prepare estate planning instruments that limit tax exposure and avoid probate. They assist in administering estates and represent clients in estate and probate litigation. The firm has offices in San Jose and Danville and caters to clients who speak Spanish, Italian, French, Greek, Vietnamese, and Chinese.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Robert Temmerman - Founding Partner43 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.
3.9
Google
4.4 / 5 (20)
Yelp
3.0 / 5 (10)

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
900 Lafayette St., Ste. 607, Santa Clara, CA 95050
  • Estate Planning

Why choose this provider?

Tomita, Penning & Gee, LLP, is a local firm that helps with probate and trust administration matters. The firm works with clients in Santa Clara and the surrounding regions, guiding them through the probate process. It gives legal counsel to persons appointed as executors or administrators on managing and transferring a decedent's assets to the estate's heirs or beneficiaries. It also informs beneficiaries of their rights to protect their interests. One of the firm's lawyers, Christopher M. Gee, has been in practice since 2014.

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 (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
75 E Santa Clara St Suite1390, San Jose, CA 95113
  • Estate Planning

Why choose this provider?

Rui Attorneys is a boutique law office that delivers legal solutions to the residents of Santa Clara and its neighboring metros. It provides representation in estate matters such as estate planning and administration, private family foundations, and income tax payment for estates and trusts. The firm also handles revocable and irrevocable living, grantor retained annuity, charitable remainder, and intentionally defective grantor trusts. Its managing partner, Michael Lee, has established a comprehensive family wealth plan for a private client with a $50 million net worth.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Michael Lee - Managing 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 (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
900 Lafayette Street, Santa Clara, CA 95050
  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning
  • Trust Administration

Why choose this provider?

Anderson & Associates has been serving the community of Santa Clara and the rest of the Bay Area since 1982. The law firm mainly focuses on estate planning and probate. It addresses trust matters, testamentary and pour-over wills, powers of attorney, probate avoidance administration, guardianship, and conservatorship. Cheryl Glen Anderson, the firm's founder, is an expert in probate, estate planning, and trust law and partner Ryan C. Anderson handles client small business planning and LLC formation.

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
1687 Laurel Street, San Carlos, CA 94070
  • Probate

Why choose this provider?

Brainin Law Office is located in Santa Clara that handles matters of probate for beneficiaries, decedents, and executors. It assists the family of the deceased in compiling all assets and creating an inventory for distribution. The office can also examine the will to check its validity and guide executors in fulfilling all tasks. This includes paying off existing debts and securing trust funds for family members. The office's attorney, Gary Brainin, has been in practice for over 20 years and also handles estate and wealth planning.

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
Facebook
5.0 / 5 (11)
Yelp
4.5 / 5 (8)
Google
5.0 / 5 (3)

(+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
3425 S. Bascom Ave, Suite 240, Campbell, CA 95008
  • Estate Planning
  • Trust Administration
  • Probate Litigation

Why choose this provider?

Litherland, Kennedy & Associates Attorneys at Law represents Santa Clara residents who have probate law issues. The firm handles judicial processes like the assessment of a decedent's assets and the transfer of shares to heirs. The office formulates estate plans that cover contingencies like the testator's disability. Firm president Justin M. Kennedy is state bar-certified as a legal specialist in estate planning, trust, and probate law. He is a fellow of the American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Justin Kennedy - Attorney/President13 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 (33)
Avvo
5.0 / 5 (30)
Facebook
5.0 / 5 (15)

(+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
1754 Technology Drive Suite 230, San Jose, CA 95110
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning

Why choose this provider?

The Dayton Law Firm, P.C, focuses on catering to the legal needs of Santa Clara-based wealthy families. Since 1998, it has been handling a variety of estate planning needs, such as asset protection, probate administration, retirement planning, and wills and trusts. Founder Richard C. Dayton is a board-certified estate planning specialist by the State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization. He helps families customize their estate plans, including administering an executor, creating asset protection plans, and preparing a power of attorney document.

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
5.0 / 5 (13)
Google
3.9 / 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.
3.3
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail
––

Website
2570 North First Street, Suite 200, San Jose, CA 95131
  • Trusts
  • Wills

Why choose this provider?

The Law Office of Eric Shiu offers legal services to residents in Santa Clara and nearby locations. The firm provides estate planning assistance, which covers the preparation of different documents such as powers of attorney, wills, and trusts. It also represents clients in landlord-tenant disputes and provides assistance in pursuing financial compensation on behalf of injury victims. The company is headed by Eric Shiu, who has nearly 20 years of experience. He is a volunteer for Lawyers in the Library.

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
4.7 / 5 (91)
Facebook
5.0 / 5 (9)
Google
5.0 / 5 (8)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
275 Saratoga Avenue, Santa Clara, CA 95050
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning
  • Living Trust

Why choose this provider?

The Law Offices of Lawrence M. Kelly, Esq, caters to local residents in Santa Clara. It assists clients who want to put together an estate plan that includes documents like living trusts, health care directives, and powers of attorney. It also represents individuals during probate court proceedings and helps them with other administrative matters, such as income tax basis adjustments and spousal property petitions. Head attorney Lawrence M. Kelly is an estate planning, probate, and trust law specialist recognized by the California Board of Legal Specialization.

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
Yelp
4.2 / 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
2005 De La Cruz Blvd Suite 145, Santa Clara, CA 95050
  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning
  • Probate

Why choose this provider?

The Law Offices of Deborah Azar have extensive experience assisting Santa Clara residents with probate litigation, trust administration, and estate planning. Deborah Azar helps her clients assess their estate planning options, whether they need wills, trusts, or gift tax planning services. Azar also aids local business owners in business and succession planning. The attorney thoroughly explains the legal context of each case, empowering her clients with the knowledge they need to make informed decisions.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Deborah Azar - 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.
4.9
Google
4.9 / 5 (54)

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
2625 Middlefield Road No. 655, Palo Alto, CA 94306
  • Estate Planning

Why choose this provider?

Burns Law assists clients in Santa Clara and the surrounding communities in civil disputes. It litigates trust and will contests, fiduciary duty issues, and financial elder abuse actions. It also represents fiduciaries, executors, and beneficiaries in matters related to trust and probate administration. Additionally, the firm assists in contested and non-contested conservatorship proceedings. Jeremy Aaron Burns, the firm's lawyer, started his practice in 2005. He worked for large, prestigious firms before deciding to form his own firm 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.
4.7
Google
4.7 / 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.
2.5
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
––
Detail
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Website
2033 Gateway Pl 5th Floor, San Jose, CA 95110
  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Trust Administration
  • Probate Administration

Why choose this provider?

The Steburg Law Firm, P.C., represents clients in Santa Clara and the rest of the state in trust, estate, and probate cases. The firm deals with trust and will contests, beneficiary litigation, conservatorship, and asset recovery. It also advises trustees to minimize asset loss and client liabilities. Firm founder Anita Steburg has 12 years of legal experience. She works on finding win-win solutions without compromising her clients' rights if their cases reach the litigation process.

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.
3.9
Yelp
3.5 / 5 (3)
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
2845 Moorpark Ave Suite 110, San Jose, CA 95128
  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning

Why choose this provider?

The Victoria Law Offices represent parties in Santa Clara during probate proceedings. It tackles the various issues surrounding the judicial distribution of assets as dictated in wills and the administration of fiduciary trusts. The office handles estate planning matters and the establishment of conservatorship and guardianship to preserve inheritable properties. The firm also takes on insolvency cases. Counsel Victoria Li has completed studies in business administration, and her practice focuses on inheritance law and corporate taxation.

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 (31)
Google
4.2 / 5 (24)

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
17760 Monterey Rd Ste E, Morgan Hill, CA 95037
  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning

Why choose this provider?

Beau J. Jacob Attorney At Law guides Santa Clara clients in creating estate plans. He drafts estate planning instruments like wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and advance health care directives. He provides legal advice on the tax requirements an estate planning strategy may entail. Practicing law for over 30 years, Beau J. Jacob also works on business transactions, business formation, and criminal and DUI defense cases from his Morgan Hill office.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Beau Jacob - Principal29 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

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 Clara, California?

    The non-emergency contact number for the local police station in Santa Clara is (408) 615-5580.

  • What does a probate attorney in Santa Clara do?

    A Santa Clara probate attorney, sometimes referred to as an estate lawyer, is a licensed professional who works with executors and beneficiaries in settling the affairs and estate of a decedent. They provide legal advice, identify and secure estate assets, and prepare and file all documents required by a probate court. They also assist in resolving income tax issues and making the final disbursement of assets to beneficiaries once all bills and taxes have been paid.

  • What is the function of a probate court in Santa Clara?

    In Santa Clara, a probate court handles the different aspects of a probate process. It ensures that a will is executed accurately, all debts are paid, and the assets are distributed accordingly. It also approves an executor or administrator to manage one's estate, as well as name guardians for minor children. Probate courts have the power to choose the beneficiaries in case of an invalid will.

  • Is probate required in Santa Clara?

    In general, probate is required in Santa Clara. That said, there are instances where estates can just undergo a simplified process. For example, if the value of an estate is less than $166,250, a formal probate process may not be necessary. The same applies to assets attached to a surviving owner; real estate properties owned by a couple will automatically belong to the surviving spouse. Life insurance policies with identified beneficiaries will likewise go to them by default.

  • When should one start the probate process in Santa Clara?

    Once it has been determined that a decedent's assets do not qualify for a simple transfer process, the custodian of their will must go to court within 30 days of the decedent's death. They must file a Petition for Probate (Form DE-111), which could either be a Petition for Probate of Will and for Letters Testamentary or a Petition for Letters of Administration. If you are unsure of which action to take, it may be best to reach out to a probate attorney in Santa Clara.

  • How long is the probate process in Santa Clara?

    In Santa Clara, personal representatives must complete probate within a year from the date of appointment. However, this could be extended to 18 months if they file for a federal estate tax. If probate remains unfinished at that point, they should file a status report to the probate court since they have the burden to explain what remains to be accomplished and the amount of time it will take.

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