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Estate planning attorneys in California average $443 per hourClio Legal Trends Report 2025Verified Jan 1, 2025 for wills and estates work. Flat-fee packages run roughly $1,329–$2,658 for a simple individual will and $4,320–$6,480 for a basic revocable trust. Online and DIY services cost $30–$300 for the same documents — see the will cost calculator for a side-by-side comparison.
California has a generous small-estate threshold of $208,850. Estates under that line can use the Small Estate Affidavit procedure, which is a form rather than a court case — most families can handle it without an attorney. For estates above the threshold, formal probate generally benefits from counsel because of the procedural overhead, even when nothing is contested. The California probate calculator estimates total costs based on estate value.
In California, the situations where retaining counsel is typically worth the cost are: blended families with children from prior relationships (community property rules can produce surprising outcomes); ownership of a business, rental property, or significant investment assets; special-needs dependents who need a special-needs trust to preserve benefits; substantial property held in multiple states. If none of these describe your situation, the simpler online and DIY tools are often enough.
California is one of a small number of states where probate attorney fees are set by statute as a percentage of the estateCal. Prob. Code § 10810Verified May 31, 2026, rather than billed by the hour or negotiated. The schedule produces fees of roughly 2%–5% of the estate value, with the executor entitled to the same percentage on top. This is the main reason California families with real estate set up living trusts to stay out of probate entirely.
Start by filtering the directory above by your county and the practice area you need. Look for firms with experience in your specific situation — board certifications in estate planning, trust, or probate law are a strong signal. Most California estate planning attorneys offer an initial consultation; some are free, others charge a flat fee. Ask up front whether the firm bills by the hour or by flat-fee package, and what the expected cost is for your situation.
Search 3,941 estate law firms across 51 states.
Firm listings are for informational purposes only. SimplyTrust does not endorse or recommend any specific firm or attorney. Contact firms directly to discuss your situation and verify their current practice areas and availability.
10 firms
Husband and wife estate planning attorney team Erik and Tiffani Aanestad understand the risks of probate and create lasting, personalized solutions while protecting assets and ensuring legacy for heirs and family. Specializing in Living Trusts, Estate Administration, Probate, and Elder Law serving Grass Valley, Nevada City, and Nevada County.
Location
430 South Auburn StreetGrass Valley, CA 95945
Phone
(530) 798-4321
Service Area
3 counties
Law firm with a Mammoth Lakes office serving Mono and Inyo Counties. Founded by Robert H. Brumfield III, practicing since 1984. Practice includes estate planning, trust administration, probate, asset protection, and real estate matters in the Eastern Sierra.
Location
325 Old Mammoth Rd, Suite A1Mammoth Lakes, CA 93546
Phone
(661) 384-6940
Service Area
2 counties
Serves Orange County from Irvine, focusing on trust and estate litigation and probate alongside advanced estate planning. Keith Codron is a State Bar certified specialist in Estate Planning, Trust and Probate Law with over 40 years in practice and particular experience with complex trust structures, including dynasty trusts, charitable remainder trusts, and special needs trusts.
Location
19200 Von Karman AvenueIrvine, CA 92612
Phone
(949) 622-5450
Service Area
1 county
Serves San Francisco, Alameda, and Marin counties from downtown San Francisco. Handles probate and trust administration, Medi-Cal and elder law matters, and asset protection alongside estate planning. Founder Jay Greene is both a licensed attorney and CPA.
Location
447 Sutter St, Suite 435San Francisco, CA 94108
Phone
(415) 905-0215
Service Area
3 counties
Merced firm practicing in the area since 1960, handling estate planning, probate, trust administration, and elder law for Merced County families. Keith Creighton King is a State Bar of California certified specialist in Estate Planning, Trust & Probate Law.
Location
510 West 21st StreetMerced, CA 95340
Phone
(209) 722-5746
Established
1960
Service Area
1 county
Modesto estate planning and probate firm founded in 2009, serving Stanislaus County and the Central Valley. Attorney Gina Leguria, who probated her own father's estate, handles wills, trusts, trust administration, probate, Medi-Cal planning, elder law, and special needs planning. Free 30-minute consultation offered.
Location
1315 K StreetModesto, CA 95354
Phone
(209) 416-0353
Established
2009
Service Area
1 county
General practice attorney in Yreka with over 25 years of experience serving Siskiyou County. Estate planning services include wills, trusts, powers of attorney, healthcare directives, succession planning, estate tax minimization, probate, and transfer on death deeds.
Location
205 Lane StreetYreka, CA 96097
Phone
(530) 842-2054
Service Area
1 county
Irvine firm practicing exclusively in estate planning, asset protection, probate, and trust administration for Orange County families. John L. Wong is a Certified Specialist in Estate Planning, Trust and Probate Law by the State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization.
Location
2600 Michelson Dr, Suite 950Irvine, CA 92612
Phone
(949) 371-5003
Service Area
1 county
Fresno firm serving Fresno County and the Central Valley with probate and trust administration alongside estate planning. Handles wills, trusts, powers of attorney, asset protection, and decedent estate matters.
Location
7636 N. Ingram Avenue, Suite 111Fresno, CA 93711
Phone
(559) 374-2223
Service Area
1 county
San Diego firm with offices in San Diego and Vista serving San Diego County with probate, estate administration, trust administration, and conservatorships alongside estate planning. Guides executors and successor trustees through decedent estate and trust administration. Founder Nicole D'Ambrogi is a U.S. Navy veteran who advocates for veterans.
Location
3517 Camino Del Rio S, Suite 406San Diego, CA 92108
Phone
(619) 550-3080
Service Area
1 county