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2024

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Best Probate Lawyers in Torrance

Our Recommended Top 19

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Our goal is to connect people with the best local professionals. We scored Torrance Probate Lawyers on more than 25 variables across five categories, and analyzed the results to give you a hand-picked list of the best.

50Reviewed

37Curated

19Top Picks

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Providers

featured provider = Featured Provider

3655 Torrance Blvd Suite 300, Torrance, CA 90503
Website

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Review Sources

Avvo
5.0 (14)
Yelp
4.5 (11)
Facebook
5.0 (1)

Why choose this provider?

The DLJ Law Firm is a legal practice based in Torrance that serves clients throughout the metro area, with other offices in Riverside, Irvine, and San Diego. One of the firm's main areas of practice is probate law. The attorneys helps families of deceased individuals in the complex process of distributing the decedent's assets, working with personal representatives and executors to sort out matters such as property appraisals, sales, and tax clearance.

  • Estate Planning
  • Living Trust
  • Last Will & Testament

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Dorian Jackson - Founding AttorneyActive14 yrs

Torrance, CA

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Why choose this provider?

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

21250 Hawthorne Blvd, Torrance, CA 90503
Website

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Google
5.0 (14)
Yelp
5.0 (4)
Facebook
5.0 (1)

Why choose this provider?

Alta Legacy Law is a legal practice that focuses on trust and estate law. Serving Torrance clients, it handles matters involving probate, trust administration, estate planning, and conservatorship matters. Additionally, it assists with special needs planning and elder abuse cases. Lindsay H. Altamirano, the firm's founding attorney, represents clients in trust and estate litigation. She has been practicing law for more than a decade. Altamirano and her team can provide legal services virtually, reaching clients across California.

  • Estate Planning
  • Trust Administration

3424 W Carson St Suite 320, Torrance, CA 90503
Website

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Why choose this provider?

The Probate House L.C. employs a personal approach in handling estate planning and probate issues in Torrance. The firm advocates for its clients' rights and offers legal counsel in contested matters, guardianship, conservatorship, and estate administration. Its lawyers carry over 30 years of experience dealing with legal problems using a hands-on method. Lead attorney and founder Sibylle Grebe has been working for the Los Angeles Superior Court's Probate Volunteer Panel of Attorneys since 2004. Her practice also covers pet trusts.

  • Estate Planning
  • Probate
  • Estate Administration

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Sibylle Grebe - Founder & Principal AttorneyActive35 yrs

3424 W Carson St Ste 320, Torrance, CA 90503
Website

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Review Sources

FindLaw
5.0 (498)
Avvo
5.0 (47)
Yelp
4.5 (13)

Why choose this provider?

The law firm of Conover & Grebe LLP practices estate planning, probate, and elder law from its Torrance and Anaheim Hills offices, serving individuals and families throughout Orange County since the beginning of the century. The firm's probate and estate administration services are designed to provide efficient and sensitive support and guidance for clients during an emotional period. They include the filing of an inventory for the decedent's estate, dealing with creditors, and distributing the estate to the beneficiaries.

  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Sibylle Grebe - PartnerActive35 yrs
Lorenzo Stoller - AssociateActive11 yrs

23326 Hawthorne Blvd, Suite 390, Torrance, CA 90505
Website

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Yelp
2.8 (9)
Avvo
5.0 (9)
Facebook
5.0 (7)

Why choose this provider?

The Cox Law Group, Inc., is a Torrance-based firm that primarily practices elder law, estate planning, and probate. Its attorneys consult with clients to explain relevant laws and probate alternatives such as wills and powers of attorney when planning for their estate. They also counsel clients in probate proceedings, helping value the estate's assets and keeping them updated on relevant deadlines and requirements. Lead attorney Cynthia Cox has over 25 years of legal experience. She is a member of the South Bay Estate Planning Council.

  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Cynthia Cox - PrincipalActive33 yrs

1845 S. Elena Avenue, Suite 400, Redondo Beach, CA 90277

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Why choose this provider?

The Law Offices of Hofer & Harris, APC, assists in post-death estate settlement and probate administration, catering to clients in Torrance. Some of its services include dealing with financial institutions, escrow companies, re-titling assets, and fiduciary accountings. The law office helps clients conserve resources through proper planning, which encompasses identifying assets and liabilities, analyzing interpersonal and financial issues, and making informed decisions. Lead lawyer Eric Harris fulfills his mission to protect families and the future generation as a specialist in estate planning, trust, and probate law.

  • Estate Planning

3424 W. Carson Street, Suite 320, Torrance, CA 90503
Website

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Review Sources

Google
4.5 (8)
Avvo
5.0 (2)
Yelp
5.0 (1)

Why choose this provider?

The Law Office of Walter J. Hindenlang is a firm that has been serving the Torrance community since 2002. It assists individuals in settling the affairs of a decedent and in resolving potential issues among heirs and beneficiaries, by providing legal guidance in probate processes. Its practitioner, Walter J. Hindenlang, handles different problems that may arise during the process, such as will contests, competing petitions to become the administrator, and holdover tenants in estate properties. Support is also available for special circumstances like real estate agreements or sales among beneficiaries.

  • Estate Planning

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Walter Hindenlang - PrincipalActive46 yrs

3528 Torrance Blvd., Suite 216, Torrance, CA 90503

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Review Sources

Google
5.0 (1)

Why choose this provider?

Beach Cities Estate Law is a Torrance-based firm that serves clients in the local metro. It works on cases involving probate administration and provides beneficiary representation. The firm manages estate planning solutions and prepares documents like wills. It also offers Young Adult Estate Plans to help young people protect their assets by creating powers of attorney documents. The firm's founding attorney, Angela Klenk, is board-certified in probate law and estate planning from the State Bar of California. She has over 15 years of legal experience.

  • Trusts
  • Estate Planning
  • Elder Law

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Angela Klenk - Founding AttorneyActive30 yrs
Angela Klenk - FounderActive30 yrs

3820 Del Amo Blvd, Torrance, CA 90503
Website

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Review Sources

Google
4.7 (28)
Yelp
2.6 (5)
Avvo
3.0 (2)

Why choose this provider?

Thatcher Law is an estate planning firm that serves clients in Torrance. It aids older people in making estate plans in order to avoid probate and disperse their assets to their loved ones according to their wishes. The practice drafts important documents that include wills, powers of attorney, and advanced health care directives. Since 2009, lawyer Laura Thatcher has provided counsel and representation to the metro area as a practitioner, a firm partner, and eventually the founder of her own legal practice.

  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Laura Thatcher - FounderActive27 yrs

3820 Del Amo Blvd., Suite 334, Torrance, CA 90503
Website

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Review Sources

Avvo
4.6 (45)
Yelp
3.7 (20)
Google
4.4 (7)

Why choose this provider?

Debra J. Burdette Attorney at Law handles estate planning, trust, and probate law matters in the Torrance area. It assists clients throughout the whole probate process, from collecting the decedent’s assets and eradicating claims of creditors against the property of the deceased person to distributing assets to the rightful heirs. Other practice areas include family and criminal law. Debra J. Burdette Attorney at Law uses specialized technology to provide its customers with vital information about their cases.

  • Wills
  • Estate Planning
  • Probate

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Debra Burdette - PrincipalActive14 yrs

841 Apollo St Ste 450, El Segundo, CA 90245

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
5.0 (2)
Avvo
5.0 (2)

Why choose this provider?

Carico Macdonald Kil & Benz LLP is a law firm based in Torrance that offers legal services in matters involving probate and estate planning. The firm assists representatives of a decedent's estate, including executors, administrators, and family members, through the probate process, helping them resolve matters such as contested wills and large estate debts. The law firm received a national ranking and a Tier 1 ranking in Los Angeles for Trust and Estates Law from U.S. News Best Law Firms.

  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Christopher Carico - PartnerActive36 yrs

21250 Hawthorne Blvd., Suite 500, Torrance, CA 90503
Website

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Avvo
4.7 (49)
Google
5.0 (23)
Yelp
5.0 (2)

Why choose this provider?

The Law Office of James Dolenga serves the people of Torrance and nearby areas. It is dedicated to helping families achieve peace of mind by avoiding lengthy probate procedures and preparing estate administration in advance. Its team collaborates with clients to develop estate planning papers, such as wills and trusts. The office also provides elder care services, such as Medicaid arrangements and guardianship agreements. With over two decades of experience, founder James Dolenga has also represented thousands of Social Security Disability Insurance claimants.

  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning

2377 Crenshaw Blvd #201, Torrance, CA 90501
Website

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Yelp
5.0 (188)
Avvo
5.0 (74)

Why choose this provider?

Swatik & Brandlin LLP is a law firm that operates in Torrance. It assists individuals and families in trust and probate litigation by evaluating the issues and facts involved in each situation. Its legal team works with professionals from different industries to build a strong case, such as financial analysts and investment professionals. The firm also considers negotiation and mediation when handling a case. One of its lawyers, Mark Swatik, provides legal counsel for special needs planning, elder law, and civil litigation.

  • Estate Planning

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Mark Swatik - PartnerActive14 yrs

21515 Hawthorne Blvd Ste 585, Torrance, CA 90503

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.8 (27)
Yelp
4.5 (23)
Facebook
4.6 (17)

Why choose this provider?

Torrance based Bezaire, Ledwits & Associates APC was founded in 2007. It has offices in Long Beach, Los Angeles, Costa Mesa, Pasadena, and Anaheim. The firm represents administrators and executors of an estate and helps them navigate the complex probate process. Its other areas of practice include estate planning, estate administration, and conservatorship. Lead attorney Samuel Ledwits is certified by the State Bar of California's Board of Legal Specialization in Estate Planning.

  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Samuel Ledwitz - OwnerActive26 yrs

1308 Sartori Avenue, Suite 201, Torrance, CA 90501
Website

Expertise.com Rating

Why choose this provider?

Teresa Gutierrez Law is a boutique legal practice in Torrance that provides probate or trust administration, estate planning, and business law services. For five years, the law office has been helping individuals, couples, and families enjoy their estates, designing and maintaining estate plans that represent their long-term goals and wishes. Teresa Gutierrez guides her clients through complex legal decisions, such as identifying whom to trust to decide on medical care and who should care for their children.

  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Teresa Gutierrez - PrincipalActive9 yrs

28924 S Western Ave Ste 206, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
5.0 (3)
Yelp
5.0 (1)

Why choose this provider?

Lane Law Group is a law firm serving the Torrance community and the surrounding neighborhoods. The firm's attorneys focus on probate law but also handle cases involving estate planning, trust administration, business law, and real estate law. The attorneys guide clients who are named as executors through the probate process, helping them find and secure all of the decedent's assets, determining whether any estate taxes are owed, and advising on how to clear the estate's debts.

  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Byron Lane - Principal AttorneyActive37 yrs

3820 Del Amo Blvd, Suite 352, Torrance, CA 90503

Expertise.com Rating

Why choose this provider?

Watanabe & Suemori, LLP, provides Torrance clients with legal solutions for their trusts and estates in the event of death or incapacity. The law office assists them in preparing wills, revocable living trusts, advance health care directives, and durable powers of attorney. Its team also handles probate and trust administration. Additionally, it can assist those with special needs beneficiaries whose benefits must be preserved. Since 2007, it has taken a client-centered approach, maintaining constant communication with clients and traveling to meet them as needed.

  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning

3655 Torrance Boulevard, Third Floor, Torrance, CA 90503
Website

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
5.0 (1)
Avvo
5.0 (1)

Why choose this provider?

Jeter Law has been providing probate, estate planning, and trust administration and litigation services in the Torrance area since 2016. It guides its clients in navigating the complex probate process and helps ensure the decedent's assets are properly distributed. The firm's founder and owner, Eric B. Jeter, guides his clients in preparing wills, trusts, living trusts, powers of attorney, and health care directives. Jeter Law has 15 years of combined paralegal and attorney experience.

  • Estate Planning
  • Trust Administration
  • Probate Litigation

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Eric Jeter - Founder and OwnerActive16 yrs

Disclaimer:  Consumers utilizing Expertise.com are free to communicate and contract with any lawyer they choose. Expertise.com is not involved in the confidential attorney-client relationship. Featured lawyers pay a reasonable advertising cost to market their legal services with Expertise.com and must meet similar selection criteria as other lawyers. All cases are different. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

FAQs

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

    The non-emergency response number of the Torrance Police Department is (310) 618-5641. You may also dial (310) 328-3456 to reach the Community Affairs team regarding public safety issues.

  • Is probate in Torrance only applicable when a will is present?

    No, it is a common misconception that Torrance probate is only needed when decedents leave a will. Even estates with no will, which are called intestate estates, must also undergo probate. In the state of California, probate for intestate estates has an order of succession. The assets of the deceased pass on to the next of kin, which is the surviving spouse. Without a spouse, the next heirs in succession are their children, then the parents, and then the siblings.

  • What should a Torrance estate’s value be for it to require probate?

    An estate’s value in Torrance, like other estates in California, should exceed $166,250.00 for it to require probate. The presence of a decedent’s last will and testament will not prevent probate; however, it will allow the deceased to determine how their assets are to be distributed and select the person who will handle their final affairs. Each situation differs, and factors such as the titling of assets will determine the need for probate.

  • Can the decisions of a Torrance probate court be appealed?

    Yes, the decisions of a Torrance probate court can be appealed if you think the estate was not handled properly, even after it was meticulously reviewed for accuracy and fairness. The court allows for time to set things straight by letting individuals file an appeal. In the process of appeals, numerous probate courts abide by local jurisdictions’ regulations, which include Torrance.

  • When does probate litigation in Torrance occur?

    Probate litigation in Torrance results when loved ones or family members contest the direction of the executor or will or the ruling of the court. Different situations may cause beneficiaries to initiate litigation, such as:

    • trustee removal
    • financial abuse
    • accounting errors and disputes
    • issues on will and trust legitimacy
    • fiduciary claims
    • contesting documents because of incapacity, alleged threats, and fraud
    • property recovery
    • and alleged elder abuse
  • How long does a Torrance probate take?

    In Los Angeles County, where Torrance is located, uncontested probate takes an average duration of about one year to one and a half years starting from when the letters are issued. Each case has specific issues related to the decedent's circumstances, which may cause some to take longer to complete than others. Complex situations, substantial claims from creditors, and disagreements between the beneficiaries can lengthen the process considerably.