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Best Probate Lawyers in Santa Maria

2023

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Website
503 South McClelland Street, Santa Maria, CA 93454
  • Trusts

Why choose this provider?

C4 Legal Assistance and Mediation offers professional legal assistance to residents in Santa Maria. It focuses on helping clients with matters involving civil and family laws, such as probate, wills and trusts, deeds, divorce, child custody, and family support. With more than five decades of experience, its team members also give advice to those who are planning to start a business or currently maintaining one. C4 Legal Assistance works with a number of lawyers, who can provide clients with more extensive legal services.

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.
4.0
Google
4.0 / 5 (21)
Yelp
4.0 / 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
705 East Main Street, Santa Maria, CA 93454
  • Estate Planning

Why choose this provider?

The Law Office of Christopher S. Biely is a Santa Maria-based law firm providing services to clients across California. It handles cases concerning probate law, such as matters of will and executing estate. Additionally, the firm's practice areas include various aspects of family, including divorce, child custody, adoption, and guardianships. Christopher S. Biely, the firm's principal lawyer, is a Santa Barbara College of Law graduate, where he received the Witkin Award for Excellence. He also holds over a decade of legal experience.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Christopher Biely - 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.
4.0
Google
4.0 / 5 (14)

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
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Website
426 Barcellus Avenue, Santa Maria, CA 93454
  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning
  • Living Trust

Why choose this provider?

The Law Office of Rodolfo Marquez has a probate lawyer in Santa Maria. Committed to providing tailored legal services, the firm assists clients in legal matters concerning probate, estate planning, and durable powers of attorney. They handle advance health care directives, trusts, revocable, special needs, and life insurance. The Law Office of Rodolfo Marquez represents clients throughout the United States and internationally. Its founder, Rodolfo Marquez, is a native Spanish speaker.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Rodolfo Marquez - Founding 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.
5.0
Google
5.0 / 5 (5)
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
1303 East Grand Avenue, Arroyo Grande, CA 93420
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning

Why choose this provider?

Law Offices of Dennis James Balsamo, APLC, offers legal services to clients in Santa Maria. Established in 2002, the firm counsels in cases related to probate and other areas such as personal injury, business law, and landlord-tenant disputes. Its lawyer, Dennis James Balsamo, helps and educates clients in situations where probate is needed, including contested wills and trust litigation. Balsamo previously worked as a police officer and was a criminal investigator.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Dennis Balsamo - 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.
4.4
Google
4.0 / 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.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
1103 Johnson Avenue, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning
  • Living Trust
  • Trust Administration

Why choose this provider?

With offices located in Saratoga and San Luis Obispo, boutique law firm Douglass Barnes, LLP has probate lawyers near Santa Maria. Whether clients need assistance in estate planning and taxation, probate and trust administration, trust and estate litigation, or elder law planning, Douglass Barnes, LLP is committed to using its lawyers' years of experience and expertise in providing legal advice and representation. The firm's other services include mediation, business planning, and Medi-Cal planning.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Douglas Barnes - 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.
4.5
Yelp
4.0 / 5 (7)
Facebook
5.0 / 5 (5)
Google
5.0 / 5 (1)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
3.3
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail
––

Website
756 Santa Rosa St, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
  • Estate Planning
  • Trust Administration

Why choose this provider?

Established in 1992, the Stephen K. Hall & Associates is a boutique-style law firm focusing on estate, trust, and elder law concerns. It provides straightforward legal advice to clients in the Central Coast area. Stephen K. Hall, an estate planning attorney near Santa Maria can review and revise existing estate plans, work on standard wills and revocable family trusts, and help with complex estate plans. Stephen K. Hall also serves as a member of the Board of Directors for Transitions Mental Health Association.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Stephen Hall - Principal34 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
4.8 / 5 (4)
Avvo
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
241 South Broadway Street, Orcutt, CA 93455
  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning
  • Trust Administration
  • Probate Litigation

Why choose this provider?

With over 10 years of experience, the Law Office of Aaron B. Smith provides assistance to clients who have concerns about estate planning, wills and trusts, trust administration, and probate. Aaron B. Smith is committed to delivering competent as well as affordable representation to his clients. He has worked with individual clients, average married couples, and multimillion-dollar corporations. Regardless of client nature, he ensures that each one is given the same level of respect and representation.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Aaron Smith - 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.
4.3
Google
4.2 / 5 (5)
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
2238 Bayview Heights Drive, Suite C, Los Osos, CA 93402
  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning

Why choose this provider?

Sullivan Law Corporation is headed by Shaunna Sullivan, who has nearly four decades of legal experience in matters involving wills, trusts, and estates. In addition to providing estate planning services to help clients put their affairs in order, she helps people navigate the process of administering a deceased loved one's estate. Based in Los Osos, Sullivan Law Corporation's other areas of focus include contracts, transaction and business counseling, farm and ranch transactions, and intellectual property.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Shaunna Sullivan - 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.
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.
4.5
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
1014 Palm St, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
  • Estate Planning
  • Living Trust
  • Estate Taxes
  • Trust Administration

Why choose this provider?

O'Neill and Woolpert's team of estate planning, trust, and probate attorneys in Santa Maria has been serving the Central Coast for over 35 years. The legal team assists clients throughout the transition, from handling conservatorship up to estate tax. The firm's practice is also focused on trust administration, living trust, and special needs trust. O'Neill and Woolpert strives to take a collaborative approach when handling cases and providing personalized service to each client.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Charron O'neill - 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
Avvo
5.0 / 5 (42)
Google
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
755 Santa Rosa St Ste 310, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning
  • Living Trust
  • Trust Administration

Why choose this provider?

The law office of John A. Ronca Jr. provides legal counsel to its clients through its offices in San Luis Obispo and Santa Maria. The law firm assists clients in preparing wills, living trusts, and durable powers of attorney. John A. Ronca Jr. also provides clients suitable representation in all aspects of real estate ownership, including acquisition, sales, transfers, and leasing. Additionally, the law firm also offers counseling in starting or expanding a business.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
John Ronca - Principal45 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
115 West Park Avenue, Santa Maria, CA 93458
  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning
  • Trust Administration

Why choose this provider?

Michael S. Hardy, Attorney at Law, is an estate planning attorney in Santa Maria who has been practicing law for over 40 years. He handles comprehensive estate and business succession plans and drafts legal tools such as wills, trusts, and powers of attorney. Easing the burden of settling a loved one’s final affairs, he assists clients with the paperwork and process of probate and estate or trust administration. Hardy's other focus areas are real estate and business law.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Michael Hardy - Principal46 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
4.7 / 5 (7)

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
1410 Marsh Street, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning

Why choose this provider?

Carmel & Naccasha, LLP has been serving individuals and businesses throughout the Central Coast since 2004. Its probate attorneys near Santa Maria are well-versed in wills, trusts, and estate planning. They help clients prepare a clear, complete, and tax-efficient plan for the distribution of their assets after they pass on. In addition to handling trust litigation and administration, they assist clients seeking to modify a trust. The law firm has offices in San Luis Obispo and Paso Robles.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Ziyad Naccasha - Co-Founder/Partner21 yrs
Timothy Carmel - 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
4.5 / 5 (8)
Yelp
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

Website
323 Vine Street, Santa Maria, CA 93454
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning

Why choose this provider?

For over three decades, the Law Offices of R. Morgan Holland, L.C., has been providing legal assistance to clients in Santa Maria. Founding attorney, R. Morgan Holland, received his Juris Doctorate in 1988. He is a member of the American Trial Lawyers Association. His law firm focuses on estate planning and probate services to help families settle the affairs of a deceased loved one. It guides clients in various aspects of the probate process, including estate debts and taxes, property appraisals, and division of assets.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Roy Holland - 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.
4.3
Google
4.0 / 5 (25)
Facebook
5.0 / 5 (5)
Yelp
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 Santa Maria, California?

    For non-emergency situations, please call (805) 928-3781 extension 2277.

  • Are heirs and beneficiaries responsible for paying the deceased person's taxes in Santa Maria?

    No, heirs and beneficiaries are typically not obligated to pay the taxes owed by the deceased person in Santa Maria, except for specific circumstances involving the surviving spouse. The taxes are typically settled using the assets of the deceased, and tax payments take precedence over distributions to creditors or beneficiaries.

  • How long does the probate process in Santa Maria usually take?

    The duration of the probate process in Santa Maria depends on the complexity of the case. Normally, it can span from a few weeks to over a year. Complex cases may take even longer. However, estates valued below $166,250 might be eligible for a simplified small estate procedure, which can accelerate the settlement timeline.

  • Where are probate matters heard in Santa Maria?

    Probate matters in Santa Maria and the entire northern Santa Barbara County are heard at various times and locations. These include Dept. SM 4 on Mondays at 8:30 a.m., Dept. SM 2 on Tuesdays at 9:00 a.m., and Dept. SM 3 on Wednesdays at 8:30 a.m. The hearings take place at the Cook Division, located at 312 E. Cook St., Santa Maria.

  • Can the court in Santa Maria appoint a conservator if probate is not properly managed?

    Yes, the court in Santa Maria has the authority to appoint a conservator in cases where the estate is inadequately managed or probate procedures are not appropriately followed. The conservator assumes the responsibility of managing and safeguarding the assets, which can potentially result in conflicts among beneficiaries who try to relinquish control over the estate's administration.

  • What services does the probate facilitator provide in Santa Maria?

    In Santa Maria, the probate facilitator, funded by the Sargent Shriver Civil Counsel Act grant program, provides valuable services to individuals in the north county area. They specifically assist those seeking conservatorship or guardianship of a person (excluding estate matters). The licensed attorney probate facilitator offers guidance on various aspects of these cases, such as petitions, objections, terminations, visitation, successors, fee waivers, notice and service requirements, and annual status reports.

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