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Best Probate Lawyers in Costa Mesa, CA

Our Recommended Top 16

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

39Reviewed

29Curated

16Top Picks

Learn about our selection process.

Providers

featured provider = Featured Provider

130 South Chaparral Court, Anaheim, CA 92808

Expertise.com Rating

Why choose this provider?

Founded in 2011, the Katje Law Group is a private practice that represents families and individuals throughout the Costa Mesa metro area. Attorney September Katje compassionately guides executors through the probate process and takes on the role of administering the estate. This can include petitioning the court to start the process, investigating creditor claims, liquidizing the estate, and resolving minor disputes between heirs and beneficiaries.

  • Trusts
  • Estate Planning
  • Living Trust

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
September Katje - PrincipalActive21 yrs

4400 Macarthur Boulevard, Newport Beach, CA 92660

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
5.0 (45)
Yelp
4.5 (28)
Facebook
5.0 (5)

Why choose this provider?

Allen, Flatt, Ballidis & Leslie is a small firm of probate attorneys near Costa Mesa. Although the firm is primarily a personal injury practice, it does allocate a portion of its time to estate planning matters, which includes probating wills for large and modest estates. Its attorneys have experience advising executors and taking on the role of administering the estates of decedents, which typically includes valuing the estate and dealing with creditors.

  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Suzanne Leslie - Managing PartnerActive37 yrs

18191 Von Karman Ave. STE 100, Irvine, CA 92612

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.9 (29)
Yelp
5.0 (4)

Why choose this provider?

Essayli & Brown LLP is a law firm that caters to the legal needs of families, individuals, and professional fiduciaries in Costa Mesa and nearby areas. Its team creates estate plans to help clients avoid the time-consuming probate process and tax implications. Additionally, it litigates high-stakes cases and creates strategies to preserve clients' interests. Lawyers Bilal Essayli, a former Assistant U.S. Attorney, and Andrew Brown, a California Bar Trust & Estates section member, are the firm's partners.

  • Estate Planning

129 West Wilson Street, Suite 105, Costa Mesa, CA 92627

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Yelp
5.0 (5)
Avvo
5.0 (1)

Why choose this provider?

Law Offices of Kirk McIntosh handles different aspects of the probate process for clients in Costa Mesa and the surrounding areas. It provides legal support and guidance on matters like estate planning, probate administration, conservatorship, and guardianship. Its team has over 35 years of combined legal experience and has represented over 3,000 clients in 58 California counties. Founding attorney Kirk McIntosh was recognized by the Daily Pilot as one of the most influential people in Orange County.

  • Estate Planning
  • Estate Settlement

450 Newport Center Drive, Newport Beach, CA 92660

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Yelp
5.0 (75)
Google
5.0 (29)
Facebook
5.0 (5)

Why choose this provider?

Meier Law Firm is a probate practice serving clients in Costa Mesa. The company's areas of expertise include trusts, wills, estate administration, asset protection, and wealth preservation. It provides conservatorships and special needs trusts for children as well as elder law for aging parents. In addition, it provides tax strategy services. The firm's owners, Josh and Laura Meier, have 10 years of experience in guiding thousands of clients to plan their futures and navigate crises.

  • Trust Administration

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Laura Meier - FounderActive20 yrs

620 Newport Center Drive, Newport Beach, CA 92660

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.0 (25)
Yelp
4.0 (10)
Facebook
4.0 (5)

Why choose this provider?

Hess -Verdon is a law corporation that serves the probate and estate planning needs of residents in Costa Mesa and other surrounding metros. Its team of probate lawyers administers or contests wills and handles trust litigation. It also offers its expertise in real estate and business law, as well as corporate formation. In addition, it conducts second opinion reviews of existing cases. The law firm has been representing business owners, beneficiaries, and families for over 30 years.

  • Trusts
  • Estate Planning

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Jillyn Verdon - Managing PartnerActive34 yrs
Jillyn Hess-Verdon - Managing PartnerActive34 yrs

4440 Von Karman Avenue, Suite 350, Newport Beach, CA 92660

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
5.0 (18)
Yelp
3.4 (8)
Facebook
5.0 (7)

Why choose this provider?

Susan A. Katzen, Attorney & Counselor at Law, covers probate, estate planning, and trust administration proceedings for Costa Mesa clients. Katzen helps families navigate probate processes involving appraisals, asset inventory, and property distribution by educating them on the requirements and details of each step. They also work with clients in securing their assets with wills, living trusts, and durable powers of attorney, as well as guardianship nominations. Katzen has participated in numerous speaking engagements on legal matters for professional organizations and private groups.

  • Estate Planning
  • Trust Administration
  • Probate Litigation

2372 Morse Ave, Irvine, CA 92614

Expertise.com Rating

Why choose this provider?

First Class Counsel is a private estate planning firm that represents residents of Costa Mesa and the surrounding areas. Its team of attorneys assists individuals and families with the probate process, which includes debt resolution and the clearing of titles. It also provides probate and trust litigation services for disputes involving the management and administration of trusts, management of family businesses, and breach of fiduciary duty. Founding attorney Andrew Davis has been practicing law for more than four years.

  • Trust Administration
  • Probate Litigation

3146 Red Hill Avenue, Suite 200, Costa Mesa, CA 92626

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
5.0 (1)

Why choose this provider?

Buckner Robinson & Mirkovich caters to the legal needs of the Costa Mesa community and the surrounding areas. The firm offers legal advice and representation to clients who need probate services. Its experience in the field covers the handling of advance health care directives, trust agreements, wills, and durable powers of attorney. It also works to simplify legal documents into plain English to help clients make informed decisions. William Buckner, the firm's managing partner and director, has more than 30 years of legal experience.

  • Estate Planning

5440 Trabuco Road, Irvine, CA 92620

Expertise.com Rating

Why choose this provider?

Kohl and Associates represents Costa Mesa residents in the probate court process. It helps transfer the decedent’s assets to the rightful heirs. The firm litigates cases involving co-trustee disputes, fiduciary misconduct, and will contests. It individually tailors estate plans to meet its clients’ desires. Founder Chris P. Kohl has over 20 years of legal experience. He is a board-certified specialist in Estate Planning, Trusts, and Probate Law. His practice also includes handling conservatorship and trust administration matters.

  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning

14751 Plaza Drive, Suite P, Tustin, CA 92780

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Facebook
5.0 (7)
Avvo
5.0 (5)
Google
5.0 (4)

Why choose this provider?

Joel F. Pipes & Associates focuses its practice on defending Costa Mesa clients' rights to assets and estate proceeds. Joel Pipes, the firm's namesake, has been in practice for over 15 years, handling probate administration and litigation. He assists clients in managing and distributing the assets of deceased family members. Pipes has represented individuals, beneficiaries, executors, trustees, and corporations in complex probate matters, such as breach of fiduciary duty, conservatorship issues, reformation petitions, and trust litigation. He is also a notary public.

  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning

600 Anton Blvd, Ste 640, Costa Mesa, CA 92626

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
3.8 (10)
Yelp
3.0 (6)
Facebook
5.0 (5)

Why choose this provider?

Bohm Wildish & Matsen, LLP, assists in probate, trust, and estate administration for individuals and families in Costa Mesa. The firm's legal team guides in navigating the probate court, adhering to its complicated laws and regulations. It also offers legal services in the area of estate planning that involves conservatorship of persons and estates, beneficiary rights, and keeping plans updated regularly with current laws and changes. Partner James G. Bohm obtained a $500,000 award per year for life as a settlement to a former trust trustee.

  • Estate Planning

170 E. 17th Street Suite 208, Costa Mesa, CA 92627

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
5.0 (13)
Yelp
5.0 (12)
Avvo
5.0 (1)

Why choose this provider?

Located in Costa Mesa, Tumer & Sharif Attorneys at Law is a private multi-practice firm that caters to individuals, families, and businesses. Its team of attorneys provides trust and estate planning services. It assists with the creation of different types of wills, including pour-over wills, couple wills, conditional wills, and advanced directives. Other practice areas of the firm include business law and ADA defense. Partners Ozgun K. Tumer and Omar M. Sharif have more than 16 years of combined legal experience.

  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning

650 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa, CA 92626

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Avvo
5.0 (78)
Google
4.7 (12)
Yelp
4.5 (6)

Why choose this provider?

Zaher Fallahi CPA is an estate planning attorney and certified public accountant based in Costa Mesa who represents clients throughout Orange County in matters of probate. The attorney has more than 30 years of experience probating wills for families and individuals. His services include collecting and valuing the decedent's estate, liquidizing assets in preparation for distribution to heirs, and filing the estate's federal and state tax returns. Mr. Fallahi also offers expert witness and general counsel services.

  • Estate Planning
  • Living Trust
  • Estate Taxes

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Zaher Fallahi - Principal/CPAActive14 yrs

2 Park Plaza, Irvine, CA 92614

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.0 (44)
Yelp
5.0 (34)
Facebook
5.0 (15)

Why choose this provider?

Snyder Law is a law firm that serves clients in Costa Mesa. The firm assists with probate cases, besides helping with wills and managing multi-generational trusts. It likewise provides legal solutions like the designation of permanent and temporary guardians. It has other services, like dealing with elder law concerns such as planning medical and financial powers and creating living wills. Kevin Snyder, the firm's namesake, has over 10 years of litigation experience and provides pro bono legal services to the non-profit Veterans Legal Institute.

  • Estate Planning

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Kevin Snyder - OwnerActive19 yrs

19200 Von Karmen Avenue, Suite 880, Irvine, CA 92612

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
5.0 (8)
Facebook
5.0 (2)

Why choose this provider?

The Morten Law Group, PC advises clients on estate planning and probate issues. It represents executors and beneficiaries in Costa Mesa probate proceedings. The firm also assists individuals and married couples in developing an adequate estate plan to ensure that their assets are protected and distributed in accordance with their wishes when the unavoidable occurs. Warren Morten, the law firm's managing partner, has over a decade of legal experience, including extensive participation in business litigation and transactional matters.

  • Estate Planning
  • Probate Litigation

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Warren Morten - Managing PartnerActive18 yrs

Compare our Top Probate Lawyers

NameExpertise RatingAddressPromotionsLearn more
Katje Law Group
130 South Chaparral Court, Anaheim, CA 92808
Allen, Flatt, Ballidis & Leslie
4400 Macarthur Boulevard, Newport Beach, CA 92660
Essayli & Brown LLP
18191 Von Karman Ave. STE 100, Irvine, CA 92612
Law Offices of Kirk McIntosh
129 West Wilson Street, Suite 105, Costa Mesa, CA 92627
Meier Law Firm
450 Newport Center Drive, Newport Beach, CA 92660
Hess-Verdon
620 Newport Center Drive, Newport Beach, CA 92660
Susan A. Katzen Attorney & Counselor at Law
4440 Von Karman Avenue, Suite 350, Newport Beach, CA 92660
First Class Counsel
2372 Morse Ave, Irvine, CA 92614
Buckner Robinson & Mirkovich
3146 Red Hill Avenue, Suite 200, Costa Mesa, CA 92626
Kohl and Associates
5440 Trabuco Road, Irvine, CA 92620
Joel F. Pipes & Associates
14751 Plaza Drive, Suite P, Tustin, CA 92780
Bohm Wildish & Matsen, LLP
600 Anton Blvd, Ste 640, Costa Mesa, CA 92626
Tumer & Sharif Attorneys at Law
170 E. 17th Street Suite 208, Costa Mesa, CA 92627
Zaher Fallahi, Certified Public Accountant
650 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa, CA 92626
Snyder Law
2 Park Plaza, Irvine, CA 92614
The Morten Law Group, PC
19200 Von Karmen Avenue, Suite 880, Irvine, CA 92612

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 Costa Mesa, California?

    The non-emergency contact number of the Costa Mesa Police Department is (714) 754-5252.

  • What is the statute of limitations for contesting a will in Costa Mesa?

    As a resident of Costa Mesa, you generally have 120 days from the date the probate is opened to contest an estate and file a petition with the court, according to the probate law in the state of California. In order to contest a will, you must appear in court and file a written objection to the will at the initial probate hearing.

  • Are all assets required to pass through probate in Costa Mesa?

    No, not all properties are required to pass through probate in Costa Mesa. For example, any property that is not individually owned by the deceased is not subject to probate and can be directly transferred to the surviving spouse, according to the probate law in the state of California.

  • How long does it usually take to probate an estate in Costa Mesa?

    It usually takes about 12 to 18 months to probate an estate in Costa Mesa, California. However, there are several factors that can affect and delay the probate timeline, such as complicated estates, like real estate and business shares, will contests, and a large number of estate heirs and beneficiaries.

  • Do you have to pay inheritance taxes in Costa Mesa?

    No, Costa Mesa residents and inherited property owners are not required to pay an inheritance tax for their properties or assets due to the fact that the state of California does not have a state-level inheritance tax. Additionally, residents aren't required to pay estate taxes as well.

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