Expertise.com
2024

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Best Probate Lawyers in Tustin

Our Recommended Top 19

We did the research for you!

  • Licensing
  • User Reviews
  • Mystery Shopping Calls

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

36

Reviewed

29

Curated

19

Top Picks

Learn about our selection process.

Providers

featured provider = Featured Provider

Website
1800 E. Garry Avenue, Suite 116, Santa Ana, CA 92705
  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning

Why choose this provider?

Ovando Bowen, LLP, serves families and businesses in and around Tustin. The firm primarily offers estate planning and probate services. Its attorneys help clients establish legal documents to support their beneficiaries in distributing their assets and providing for minor family members post-death or incapacity, while minimizing estate taxes. They also represent beneficiaries in probate litigation, such as in will challenges. Founding partner Sara Ovando is an active member of the American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys.

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 (11)
Facebook
5.0 / 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
1131 East Main Street, Suite 107, Tustin, CA 92780
  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning
  • Probate
  • Power of Attorneys

Why choose this provider?

Bauer & Shekerlian Attorneys at Law offers legal assistance to clients in Tustin and the neighboring areas. It provides probate administration services that include assistance in transferring the decedents' assets to beneficiaries or legal heirs. The law firm also covers estate and wealth, special needs, tax, and business planning. The team at Bauer & Shekerlian Attorneys at Law brings more than 40 years of combined experience. It can cater to clients who speak Spanish, Korean, and Vietnamese.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Phil Shekerlian - Partner12 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
Yelp
4.6 / 5 (11)
Google
5.0 / 5 (10)
Facebook
5.0 / 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.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
38 Corporate Park, Irvine, CA 92606
  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning

Why choose this provider?

Beatrice Phan Law provides comprehensive and customized estate planning assistance to Tustin residents and the surrounding areas. The firm counsels clients on using legal tools such as revocable trusts, wills, powers of attorney, health care directives and other legal documents to protect themselves and their loved ones, as well as to ensure that their legacies live on. It advises on trust administration and child protection planning. It assists individuals throughout the probate process, helping them distribute or transfer their deceased loved ones' assets to the beneficiaries or heirs. Founding attorney, Beatrice Phan, brings over 19 years of experience in the legal field.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Beatrice Phan - Principal22 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
Yelp
5.0 / 5 (24)
Google
5.0 / 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
2112 East 4th Street, Santa Ana, CA 92705
  • Trusts
  • Wills

Why choose this provider?

Shafer, Grossman & Rupp, APLC is a law company in Santa Ana that also serves clients in Tustin and surrounding areas. Its probate attorneys concentrate on helping people resolve their issues concerning wills and trusts. Additionally, they assist clients in the areas of personal injury, traffic accidents, criminal defense, employment law, and bankruptcy. Shafer, Grossman & Rupp, APLC also provides consultations on immigration law, which includes matters such as green card applications, family petition process, and status adjustment requests.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Mark Shafer - Partner15 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 (18)
Google
5.0 / 5 (11)
Avvo
5.0 / 5 (10)

(+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
1101 Dove Street, Suite 200, Newport Beach, CA 92660
  • Estate Planning

Why choose this provider?

Soto Law Group APC serves families and individuals in the community of Tustin and the surrounding areas. The firm offers legal counsel in matters involving conservatorships, estate planning, trust administration, will and trust disputes, and child protection plans. It also provides legal services throughout the probate process, such as distributing assets following a will, paying the debts of the estate, determining the natural heirs, and collecting bills for the estate. Its founder, R. Dede Soto, has more than 15 years of legal experience.

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
Facebook
4.8 / 5 (10)
Google
5.0 / 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.
3.3
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail
––

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

Why choose this provider?

Rehmani & Associates Attorneys At Law offers represents individuals on matters involving probate in Tustin. It covers lost wills, will contests, litigation, and post-mortem tax planning. It also handles living trusts, conservatorship, and estate planning. It helps clients in identifying the correct beneficiaries and implementing the proper distribution of assets. It also assists clients in determining the validity of the will in case of family disputes. One of its lawyers, Suzanne Rehmani, is also a real estate broker and has an LLM in taxation.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Suzanne Rehmani - 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.
4.8
Google
4.9 / 5 (29)
Avvo
4.6 / 5 (9)
Yelp
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.
4.5
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
1341 East Chapman, Orange, CA 92866
  • Estate Planning
  • Probate

Why choose this provider?

For more than 35 years, the Law Office of Robert E. Hales has been serving individuals, families, and businesses throughout Tustin. It represents clients in probate courts and helps them draft estate planning documents such as irrevocable trusts, revocable trusts, and special needs trusts. The firm also offers legal assistance with business structuring matters. Chad Hales, one of the attorneys from the company, has broad experience representing clients in litigation concerning the California Endangered Species Act and the California Environmental Quality Act.

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
4.4 / 5 (15)
Yelp
1.8 / 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
14101 Yorba Street, Suite 101, Tustin, CA 92780
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning

Why choose this provider?

The Law Offices of Stephen M. Magro handles estate matters, whether simple or complex cases, in the Tustin area. It represents guardians, entities, trustees, executors, and beneficiaries in probate proceedings that include will contests and breach of fiduciary duty actions. In addition, the law firm assists clients in conservatorship and guardianship concerns, trust administration, and estate litigation. Magro has been practicing law for over 30 years and has litigated over 140 trust and estate disputes to date.

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
Facebook
5.0 / 5 (13)
Google
4.1 / 5 (8)
Yelp
3.7 / 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
122 E. Walnut Ave., Suite A, Monrovia, CA 91016
  • Estate Planning

Why choose this provider?

The Law Offices of Kate Young caters to the legal needs of clients in Tustin and its neighboring metros. It offers legal assistance on matters involving the probate process, including filing court petitions, appointing an administrator or executor, determining the rightful heirs or beneficiaries, filing for periodic accounting, and distributing assets. The practice also handles estate planning services, such as revocable living trusts, powers of attorney, guardianships, and simple wills. Its lawyer, Kate Young, has almost 20 years of legal experience.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Kate Young - Principal22 yrs
Kate Young - Principal22 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)

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
14751 Plaza Drive Suite P, Tustin, CA 92780
  • Probate Litigation
  • Probate

Why choose this provider?

Joel F. Pipes & Associates is a Tustin-based law firm that helps clients resolve probate disputes. For more than 15 years, it has been guiding executors throughout the probate administration process. It tackles probate litigation cases involving will contests, administrator appointment disputes, executor fee issues, and trustee removals. Its attorney also assists in creating wills, establishing trusts, and preparing powers of attorney. Sole practitioner Joel F. Pipes has been a lawyer since 2002. A significant part of this practice covers the defense of beneficiary rights.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Joel Pipes - Principal22 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
Facebook
5.0 / 5 (7)
Avvo
5.0 / 5 (5)
Google
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?

Scott A. Bourdelais is an attorney whose practice focuses on estate and probate matters. Bourdelais helps individuals and families in Tustin circumvent the lengthy probate process by designing revocable living trusts or estate plans. These name the trustees or representatives who will take care of the client's wealth upon death. These documents will also direct the asset transfers and guardianship arrangements according to the decedent's final wishes. The attorney has been practicing law since 1982. Bourdelais also frequently presents seminars about trusts in Orange County.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Scott Bourdelais - Principal42 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
2372 Morse Ave, Irvine, CA 92614
  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning
  • Probate

Why choose this provider?

Citadel Law Corporation represents the residents of Tustin in cases concerning probate and family law. It handles contested wills and trusts, files Heggstad and spousal petitions on clients' behalf, and represents estate executors. The company also offers trustee and estate administration solutions, such as mediation, counseling, and tax planning. It guides individuals and families in organizing assets and creating living trusts, tax-exempt charitable foundations, and irrevocable life insurance trusts. Citadel Law Corporation helps businesses establish business entities and stock assignments.

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
5.0 / 5 (6)
Facebook
5.0 / 5 (6)
Yelp
2.5 / 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
2372 Morse Ave, Irvine, CA 92614
  • Estate Planning
  • Trust Administration
  • Probate Litigation

Why choose this provider?

First Class Counsel is a law firm that provides legal services and representation to clients in Tustin and surrounding areas. It assists in probate matters such as estate and trust administration along with trust litigation. Its attorneys make tailored estate plans for clients that address their unique needs and protect the assets of individuals and their loved ones. Other practice areas of the firm include business succession planning, guardianship and conservatorship, elder law, and long-term care.

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
4.8 / 5 (33)
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
1551 N. Tustin Ave. Suite 1020, Santa Ana, CA 92705
  • Estate Planning
  • Trust Administration
  • Probate

Why choose this provider?

Merhab Robinson & Clarkson Law Corporation offers legal services in the Tustin metro. It assists clients with supervised and unsupervised probate after the death of a loved one. Probate can be lengthy, and the firm's lawyers can help clients avoid it through a revocable living trust, beneficiary designation, or joint tenancy. They also help clients craft estate plans using various tools, such as powers of attorney, wills, and trusts. Paula Clarkson, a partner at the firm, is a board-certified specialist in estate planning, probate, and trust.

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 (12)
Facebook
5.0 / 5 (7)
Avvo
5.0 / 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
1010 North Ross Street, Santa Ana, CA 92701
  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning
  • Probate Litigation

Why choose this provider?

Moore and Affiliates, PLC is a Santa Ana law firm providing Tustin residents with assistance in comprehensive estate planning. With more than 22 years of legal experience, probate lawyer Terrence Moore counsels clients on using wills, powers of attorney, revocable trusts, and other legal instruments to safeguard their legacies. He helps them create estate plans that avoid probate and limit tax expenses. In addition to handling estate administration and litigation, Moore lends his expertise in various aspects of taxation.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Terrence Moore - Principal33 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 (22)
Yelp
4.5 / 5 (10)
Google
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.
3.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
17671 Irvine Blvd. Suite 120, Tustin, CA 92780
  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning
  • Probate

Why choose this provider?

Wolf Law Firm Attorney at Law is a private practice that handles matters concerning estate planning and probate administration. It serves the Tustin area, helping executors and beneficiaries of the estates effectively manage and distribute assets on behalf of the deceased. Its legal staff also assist in preparing legally binding documents such as wills and living trusts, durable powers of attorney, and health care directives. Gerald A. Wolf has been practicing law since 1971. He is well-versed in the areas of real estate and business 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.
5.0
Yelp
5.0 / 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
1851 East First Street, Suite 840, Santa Ana, CA 92705
  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning
  • Living Trust
  • Probate

Why choose this provider?

Petros Law Offices is a firm that provides legal services to clients in Tustin. It focuses on cases related to probate practice and estate planning. It attorney advises the clients on all aspects involved in the estate planning process. These include planning for the property disposition, addressing potential issues on estate and gift tax, and planning in the event of incapacity. Lee J. Petros, the firm’s founder and principal, also has experience in trial, appellate cases, and alternative dispute resolution.

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
1170 Roosevelt, Irvine, CA 92620
  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning
  • Living Trust
  • Estate Taxes

Why choose this provider?

The Law Offices of Yvonne Hsu is a multi-cultural and multi-lingual estate planning firm. It has staff members who also speak Mandarin, Taiwanese, Korean, Japanese, and Russian. The firm caters to Tustin clients, providing trust and estate planning services, including living trusts that allow the administration of clients' assets during their lifetime in the event of disability, as well as the distribution of their assets upon death. Before founding the firm, principal lawyer Yvonne Hsu had worked as an associate advising Fortune 500 companies, such as Boeing and Starbucks.

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
4.0 / 5 (12)
Google
4.5 / 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
200 Sandpointe Avenue, Santa Ana, CA 92707
  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning
  • Living Trust

Why choose this provider?

Copenbarger & Copenbarger LLP provides a wide range of estate planning services from several offices throughout California. The firm was founded in 1979, and its probate lawyers near Tustin have more than 150 years of combined experience. Copenbarger & Copenbarger LLP offers particular expertise in estate planning, wealth transfer strategies, and charitable planning for high-net-worth clients. The firm's lawyers have assisted clients in donating a total of more than one billion dollars to various charities and churches.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Lloyd Copenbarger - Senior Partner/ Founder45 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
4.9 / 5 (42)
Yelp
3.0 / 5 (4)
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.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

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 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 Tustin, California?

    The Tustin Police Department's non-emergency dispatch number is 714-573-3225.

  • How long must probate in Tustin last?

    California state law, which is applied in Tustin, mandates that the representatives of an estate must complete the entire probate process within one year. There are certain cases, however, when this timeline is allowed to be extended up to 18 months. A thorough estate planning may reduce the amount of time for the conduct of probate.

  • Do family members need to pay inheritance or estate taxes as part of probate in Tustin?

    No, family members do not need to pay inheritance or estate taxes as part of probate in Tustin because California law does not impose them. However, the family still needs to settle federal estate taxes, which should be paid within nine months after the death of the decedent. They have to file the deceased’s final individual federal and state income tax returns by the next regular filing date in April after the decedent’s passing.

  • When is probate needed for an estate in Tustin?

    Probate in Tustin is usually mandated when a decedent has real estate valued at more than $100,000 or if their personal property amounts to more than $166,000. A California court would need to oversee an estate’s transfer of asset and property ownership to its legal heirs, whether the deceased has a valid will or not.

  • How does creating a well-drafted Tustin estate plan help avoid expensive probate?

    According to California’s Probate Code S.6400, creating a well-drafted Tustin estate plan can help avoid expensive probate as it allows the owner to designate and choose their asset beneficiaries. Without this estate plan, the probate court may likely allocate the assets in a way that may not agree with the desires of the decedent. An estate plan helps prevent unnecessary disagreements among beneficiaries and ultimately helps avoid probate or trust litigation.

  • Is a Tustin will enough to circumvent a lengthy and expensive probate?

    A Tustin will may not be enough to circumvent expensive probate if the estate’s total value, which includes cash, investments, real estate, and business and personal belongings, exceeds $150,000. In such a case, more extensive estate planning is needed beyond a basic will. Tustin residences valued at less than $400,000 are nearly non-existent, and this causes many residents to believe that their estate has less than $150,000 because they have no such equity.

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