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Best Probate Lawyers in Stockton, CA

Our Recommended Top 18

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

78Reviewed

54Curated

18Top Picks

Learn about our selection process.

Providers

featured provider = Featured Provider

115 W Walnut St Ste 3, Lodi, CA 95240

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
5.0 (11)

Why choose this provider?

Andrew D. Smith, attorney at law, is a lawyer who assists clients in Lodi and Stockton with legal matters concerning probate law, living trusts, real estate, and estate planning. Mr. Smith has experience working with cases involving conservatorships and will disputes. Cases commonly include special needs trusts, power of attorney, living trusts, guardianships, and advanced health care. Mr. Smith also practices in the areas of debt relief and business incorporation.

  • Estate Planning
  • Living Trust

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Andrew Smith - PrincipalActive27 yrs

3247 W March Ln Ste 120, Stockton, CA 95219

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
5.0 (5)
Yelp
5.0 (3)
Avvo
1.0 (1)

Why choose this provider?

Clarence K. Chan Attorney at Law is a law practice in Stockton that offers legal counsel to clients on matters involving probate, estate planning, and personal injury cases. Attorney Clarence Chan helps in the administration and execution of a decedent's estate, ensuring the property passes on to the rightful beneficiaries. The attorney also offers asset protection services, enabling clients to protect their assets from debt collectors both before and after their death.

  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Clarence Chan - PrincipalActive27 yrs

2351 W. March Lane, Suite A, Stockton, CA 95207

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Avvo
5.0 (1)

Why choose this provider?

Malm Fagundes LLP serves clients in the Stockton metro. It takes on probate cases and helps the decedent's family in carrying out the will. Its attorneys also assist clients with estate planning and administration. In addition, the firm takes on employment law cases and aid individuals who are victims of wrongful termination of employment to receive maximum compensation. One of the firm's attorneys, Scott Malm, is an arbitrator for the San Joaquin County Superior Court panel.

  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning

9381 E. Stockton Blvd., Suite 200, Elk Grove, CA 95624

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.6 (11)
Yelp
5.0 (8)

Why choose this provider?

Quinton J. Miller, Attorney at Law, is an Elk Grove-based firm that caters to clients in Stockton and the surrounding areas. Since 2006, it has been assisting individuals, couples, and businesses with estate planning and probate concerns. It handles claims and provides representation in estate litigation. Its estate planning services extend to living trusts, which allow clients to transfer their properties to their chosen beneficiaries after death. Miller also deals with powers of attorney and advance health directives.

  • Estate Planning

2465 Discovery Bay Blvd Ste 300, Discovery Bay, CA 94505

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.0 (6)

Why choose this provider?

McDonald & Mannion is a law firm active throughout the Stockton metro area that offers probate services. The firm helps the executor of the will to fulfil their legal responsibilities and it oversees the affairs of the estate to protect assets and heirs. It monitors the transfer of assets to heirs and checks to see that the actions of the executor fulfil the desires outlined in the will. The firm also works to satisfy outstanding debts against the estate.

  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Brian McDonald - PartnerActive53 yrs

5250 Claremont Avenue Suite 117, Stockton, CA 95207

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
5.0 (1)

Why choose this provider?

Jeffrey E. Prag is a Stockton-based attorney who helps clients navigate the probate process. He guides executors throughout the procedure, from valuing estates, locating beneficiaries, and paying taxes to managing and liquidating assets. He also represents clients in probate disputes and offers assistance in drafting and executing wills. Additionally, the attorney handles matters concerning guardianships, living trusts, and estate taxes. Prag, who was admitted to practice in 1988, is a former Stockton Estate Planning Council president.

  • Estate Planning

2001 Pacific Ave, Stockton, CA 95204

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
5.0 (3)
Yelp
5.0 (2)
Avvo
5.0 (2)

Why choose this provider?

The Law Office of Dru Vincent Hunt represents clients in Stockton and the surrounding communities. With more than 40 years of legal experience, the firm handles probate administration, guiding clients through the distribution of a decedent's estate under court supervision. Mr. Hunt and his legal team help those whose loved one has passed away with our without a will. The firm's other practice areas include criminal defense and post-conviction relief.

  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Dru Hunt - FounderActive11 yrs

613 1st St Ste 202, Brentwood, CA 94513

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Facebook
4.3 (16)
Yelp
5.0 (8)
Google
5.0 (5)

Why choose this provider?

Alvis, Quashnock, and Associates is a law firm located in downtown Brentwood that serves clients in the Stockton metro area and throughout Contra Costa County. Its attorneys offer legal guidance to individuals seeking probate-related assistance. Attorneys help with securing the decedent's assets, property appraisals, and advising clients on how best to repay the decedent's bills. The firm's other legal services include trust administration, advance health care directives, and drafting wills.

  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Amy Alvis - Founding PartnerActive27 yrs

3432 Hillcrest Ave., Suite 125, Antioch, CA 94531

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.7 (22)
Facebook
5.0 (1)

Why choose this provider?

Matthew M. Hart Attorney at Law is a private legal practice that serves individuals and families in Stockton and the surrounding areas. It provides legal assistance for all areas of the probate administration process, including court appearances. It also offers estate planning and trust administration services. Principal attorney Matthew M. Hart is a Certified Legal Specialist in Estate Planning, Trust & Probate Law by the State Bar of California. He has more than a decade of legal experience.

  • Wills
  • Estate Planning

420 Beatrice Ct Ste G1, Brentwood, CA 94513

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.7 (15)

Why choose this provider?

The Law Office of Edward Younger is a firm in Brentwood serving the entire Stockton metro area. This firm handles typical probate concerns such as filing paperwork and notifying heirs. It creates an inventory of assets and controls the distribution of them according to the directives left in the will. The firm also uses the estate's funds to pay its outstanding debts and works to prevent contentious litigation from arising. Estate planning and will creation services are available as well.

  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Edward Younger - PrincipalActive13 yrs

5250 Claremont Ave. #125, Stockton, CA 95207

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
3.6 (9)
Yelp
5.0 (2)

Why choose this provider?

Rosa Law Offices, PC, offers legal services to clients in probate proceedings in the Stockton metro. It assists in sending notices to the involved parties, finding and appraising assets, paying estate debts and applicable taxes, and distributing remaining assets to the rightful heirs. Additionally, the law firm handles a wide range of practice areas, including trust administration, conservatorship, trusts, wills, and estate planning, and elder law. Lead attorney Randall W. Rosā is a member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorney.

  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning

5250 Claremont Ave, Suite 149, Stockton, CA 95207

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Avvo
5.0 (160)
Yelp
4.5 (35)

Why choose this provider?

Drobny Law Offices Inc. is a firm of probate attorneys in Stockton, founded in 1989 by Attorney Mark S. Drobny. Its areas of practice include probate law, where it has successfully represented named administrators in the execution of their duties, such as collecting the decedent's estate and preparing it for distribution. This involves settling debts, and filing all paperwork with the probate court. The firm also practices estate planning, conservatorship, and business planning.

  • Trusts
  • Estate Planning
  • Living Trust

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Mark Drobny - Founder / CEOActive44 yrs

949 N Center St, Ste. A, Stockton, CA 95202

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
5.0 (2)

Why choose this provider?

Heiser Law Corporation is a legal office that serves clients in Stockton and the neighboring areas. It assists in estate planning, including probate and trust administration and creation and preparation of legal documents like wills and trusts. In addition, the firm provides services involving various aspects of real estate law and business law. Lead attorney Jeff Heiser has been helping clients with their legal needs for 47 years. The staff at Heiser Law Corporation also offers notary services.

  • Trusts
  • Estate Planning
  • Probate

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Jeff Heiser - PresidentActive50 yrs

615 13th Street, Ste B2, Modesto, CA 95354

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Yelp
5.0 (14)
Google
4.5 (8)

Why choose this provider?

The Law Office of Tracy Nieradzik assists people in Stockton who need assistance with estate planning issues such as probate. The firm is dedicated to assisting its clients in leaving a legacy by providing services such as preparing and amending a deed, an advance directive, a healthcare power of attorney, and a revocable trust. It also addresses the authorization of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act. Tracy Nieradzik, the firm's attorney, is a member of WealthCounsel and the American Bar Association.

  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning

115 W Walnut St Ste 3, Lodi, CA 95240

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Yelp
4.5 (11)
Google
4.5 (4)

Why choose this provider?

Smith and Johnson Law is a father-daughter firm that works with individuals and families in Stockton and Lodi. It handles the court-supervised probate process for decedents who did not have a trust in place at the time of death, as well as those whose assets were not successfully placed in a trust. The firm also assists clients with cases involving business formation, real estate transactions, bankruptcy, and unlawful detainer actions.

  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Andrew Smith - PartnerActive27 yrs

1035 Robinhood Drive #106, Stockton, CA 95207

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.6 (10)
Yelp
5.0 (2)
Avvo
5.0 (1)

Why choose this provider?

The Law Office of Patrick D. O’Neil, Esq., P.C., helps clients in Stockton and the neighboring communities navigate the probate process. It assists executors in filing a formal petition to the court to convene a probate estate hearing to arrange and complete the distribution of the decedents' assets to designated heirs. The law firm has been helping clients resolve family law matters since 2014, including alimony and child custody. It emphasizes open communication with clients to anticipate opposing parties' counterarguments.

  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning

3350 Deer Park Drive, Stockton, CA 95219

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.5 (2)

Why choose this provider?

Haydel & Ornellas is a law firm that serves clients in Stockton. It deals with probate law to help protect its clients' assets. The firm also works on personal injury, business law, tax planning, insurance coverage, mediation, and estate planning matters. Mark F. Ornellas, one of its attorneys, represents individuals, families, and businesses seeking estate plan guidance. He has been certified as a specialist in probate, estate planning, and trust law by the State Bar of California.

  • Estate Planning
  • Trust Administration
  • Probate

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Mark Ornellas - PartnerActive50 yrs

1207 13th Street, Modesto, CA 95354

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Yelp
4.0 (27)

Why choose this provider?

The Law Offices of Tom Hogan is a firm serving the Stockton metro area that handles probate cases. The firm works to distribute the estate's assets as closely to what was intended as possible, using the will or trust as a basis to assign property to heirs and make other lasting decisions concerning businesses and real estate holdings. It deals with creditors as well, paying as much of the estate's debts as possible and seeking to obtain any outstanding payments owed to the estate.

  • Estate Planning
  • Living Trust

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Thomas Hogan - Principal/Attorney & CPAActive44 yrs

Compare our Top Probate Lawyers

NameExpertise RatingAddressPromotionsLearn more
Andrew D. Smith, Attorney at Law
115 W Walnut St Ste 3, Lodi, CA 95240
Clarence K. Chan Attorney at Law
3247 W March Ln Ste 120, Stockton, CA 95219
Malm Fagundes LLP
2351 W. March Lane, Suite A, Stockton, CA 95207
Quinton J. Miller Attorney at Law
9381 E. Stockton Blvd., Suite 200, Elk Grove, CA 95624
McDonald & Mannion
2465 Discovery Bay Blvd Ste 300, Discovery Bay, CA 94505
Jeffrey E. Prag
5250 Claremont Avenue Suite 117, Stockton, CA 95207
Law Office of Dru Vincent Hunt
2001 Pacific Ave, Stockton, CA 95204
Alvis Quashnock and Associates
613 1st St Ste 202, Brentwood, CA 94513
Matthew M. Hart Attorney at Law
3432 Hillcrest Ave., Suite 125, Antioch, CA 94531
Law Office of Edward Younger
420 Beatrice Ct Ste G1, Brentwood, CA 94513
Rosa Law Offices, PC
5250 Claremont Ave. #125, Stockton, CA 95207
Drobny Law Offices, Inc.
5250 Claremont Ave, Suite 149, Stockton, CA 95207
Heiser Law Corporation
949 N Center St, Ste. A, Stockton, CA 95202
Law Office of Tracy Nieradzik
615 13th Street, Ste B2, Modesto, CA 95354
Smith & Johnson Law
115 W Walnut St Ste 3, Lodi, CA 95240
The Law Office of Patrick D. O’Neil, Esq. P.C.
1035 Robinhood Drive #106, Stockton, CA 95207
Haydel & Ornellas
3350 Deer Park Drive, Stockton, CA 95219
Law Office of Thomas P. Hogan
1207 13th Street, Modesto, CA 95354

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 Stockton, California?

    For non-emergency issues, contact the Stockton Police Department at (209) 937-8377.

  • Can a petitioner notify the decedent's relatives about probate administration hearings in Stockton?

    Yes. In Stockton, one of the petitioner's responsibilities is providing notices about upcoming probate administration hearings. Yet according to the Judicial Branch of California, petitioners are not allowed to send notice letters. Only parties not directly involved during the probate process should deliver the announcement to the decedent's next of kin.

  • Are personal representatives in Stockton always required to submit a final account when closing an estate?

    No. Personal representatives in Stockton are not always required to submit a final account when closing an estate. However, they need to present a written acknowledgment or waiver that contains the signatures of the decedent's beneficiaries. Once the signed documents are submitted, the court will issue a hearing date regarding the final distributions of assets.

  • What happens to a trustee who violates their fiduciary duties in Stockton?

    Since a trust is often written to protect the rights of beneficiaries, trustees are not allowed to go against the requirements stated in the document. When trustees violate their fiduciary duties in Stockton, the beneficiaries can immediately take legal action against them. They can be removed from their roles or make payments to the trust as a part of their penalties.

  • How can Stockton-based grantors safeguard the assets in their individual retirement accounts?

    Stockton-based grantors can safeguard their individual retirement accounts through a living trust. When they draft an inheritance trust document, they also get to protect their beneficiaries. For example, grantors can employ disbursement and tax control methods when setting up their trusts. This can help beneficiaries maintain their funds for a long time.

  • Can you still contest a will when probate procedures are ongoing in Stockton?

    Yes. You can still contest a will even if the probate process is ongoing in Stockton. However, you can only submit your petition within a 120-day duration since the estate administration procedure began. When contestants are unable to file their petitions before the deadline, the court will no longer accommodate their requests.

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