Expertise.com

Best Probate Lawyers in Torrance

2023

We did the research for you!

  • Licensing
  • User Reviews
  • Mystery Shopping Calls
Probate Lawyers FAQs 〉

Last updated:

Website
3655 Torrance Blvd Suite 300, Torrance, CA 90503
  • Estate Planning
  • Living Trust
  • Last Will & Testament

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.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Dorian Jackson - Founding Attorney13 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
5.0 / 5 (14)
Yelp
4.5 / 5 (11)
Facebook
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

Price: Free Case Evaluation

Torrance, CA

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.

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

Price: Free booking service | Call 848.Book.Pro!

Website
21250 Hawthorne Blvd, Torrance, CA 90503
  • Estate Planning
  • Trust Administration

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.

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.
3.8
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail
––

Website
3424 W Carson St Ste 320, Torrance, CA 90503
  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning

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.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Lorenzo Stoller - Associate10 yrs
Sibylle Grebe - 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
FindLaw
5.0 / 5 (498)
Avvo
5.0 / 5 (36)
Yelp
4.5 / 5 (25)

(+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.
3.3
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail
––

Website
3424 W Carson St Suite 320, Torrance, CA 90503
  • Estate Planning
  • Probate
  • Estate Administration

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.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Sibylle Grebe - Founder & Principal Attorney34 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 (35)
Yelp
4.5 / 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
1845 S. Elena Avenue, Suite 400, Redondo Beach, CA 90277
  • Estate Planning

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.

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

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
841 Apollo St Ste 450, El Segundo, CA 90245
  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning
  • Trust Administration

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.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Christopher Carico - Partner35 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
3424 W. Carson Street, Suite 320, Torrance, CA 90503
  • Estate Planning

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.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Walter Hindenlang - 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.
4.6
Google
4.5 / 5 (8)
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
3820 Del Amo Blvd, Torrance, CA 90503
  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning
  • Probate

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.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Laura Thatcher - Founder26 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 (18)
Yelp
3.5 / 5 (3)
Avvo
3.0 / 5 (2)

(+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
1308 Sartori Avenue, Suite 201, Torrance, CA 90501
  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning

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.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Teresa Gutierrez - Principal8 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 (13)
Facebook
5.0 / 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
3655 Torrance Boulevard, Third Floor, Torrance, CA 90503
  • Estate Planning
  • Trust Administration
  • Probate Litigation
  • Estate Administration

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.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Eric Jeter - Founder and Owner15 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)
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
3820 Del Amo Blvd, Suite 352, Torrance, CA 90503
  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning

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.

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
23326 Hawthorne Blvd, Suite 390, Torrance, CA 90505
  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning
  • Probate Litigation

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.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Cynthia Cox - Principal32 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
Avvo
5.0 / 5 (9)
Yelp
3.5 / 5 (7)
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
28924 S Western Ave Ste 206, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275
  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning
  • Trust Administration

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.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Byron Lane - Principal Attorney36 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 (3)
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
3820 Del Amo Blvd., Suite 334, Torrance, CA 90503
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning
  • Probate

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.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Debra Burdette - Principal13 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
Avvo
4.6 / 5 (45)
Yelp
4.0 / 5 (19)
Google
4.4 / 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.
3.8
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail
––

Website
2377 Crenshaw Blvd #201, Torrance, CA 90501
  • Estate Planning

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.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Mark Swatik - 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
Yelp
5.0 / 5 (181)

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
21250 Hawthorne Blvd., Suite 500, Torrance, CA 90503
  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning

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.

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
4.7 / 5 (49)
Google
5.0 / 5 (23)
Yelp
5.0 / 5 (2)

Website
3528 Torrance Blvd., Suite 216, Torrance, CA 90503
  • Trusts
  • Estate Planning
  • Elder Law
  • Probate
  • Probate Administration

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.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Angela Klenk - Founder29 yrs
Angela Klenk - Founding Attorney29 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
21515 Hawthorne Blvd Ste 585, Torrance, CA 90503
  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning

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.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Samuel Ledwitz - Owner25 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
4.8 / 5 (27)
Yelp
4.5 / 5 (23)
Facebook
4.6 / 5 (17)

(+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

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • 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.