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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 Jun 10, 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 4,004 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.
23 firms
Serves San Mateo and Santa Clara counties from Redwood City. Handles trust and probate administration, conservatorships and guardianships, and probate and trust litigation, with seven attorneys certified as specialists in Estate Planning, Trust, and Probate Law. Practicing on the Peninsula since 1987.
Location
333 Twin Dolphin Drive, Suite 350Redwood City, CA 94065
Phone
(650) 368-4662
Established
1987
Service Area
2 counties
Serves Merced, Mariposa, and Stanislaus counties from Merced, with offices in San Jose and Modesto. Handles trust and estate administration, sub-trust funding, fiduciary representation, and probate and trust litigation. One of the few firms with a Mariposa County presence; multiple attorneys are State Bar certified specialists in Estate Planning, Trust and Probate Law.
Location
2844 Park AvenueMerced, CA 95348
Phone
(209) 385-0700
Established
1951
Service Area
5 counties
Serves Shasta County from Redding. Handles probate administration, trust administration, conservatorships, and trust and probate litigation, including special needs trusts and Medi-Cal planning. More than 60 years of combined attorney experience since 1990; led by Managing Partner Margarita Vienneau, a former Shasta County prosecutor.
Location
1648 Riverside DrRedding, CA 96001
Phone
(530) 244-6286
Established
1990
Service Area
1 county
Serves San Diego County through the county probate court, handling probate administration, trust administration, and trust and probate litigation alongside estate planning and elder law. Attorney Vincent M. Casiano is a State Bar certified specialist in Estate Planning, Trust and Probate Law. Offers a free initial consultation.
Location
4967 Newport Avenue, Suite 12-172San Diego, CA 92107
Phone
(619) 800-6820
Service Area
1 county
San Diego estate, trust, and probate firm handling the full range of estate planning and probate court matters. Serves individuals and families throughout San Diego County with estate plan creation, probate administration, trust litigation, and beneficiary representation.
Location
2139 First Avenue, Suite 200San Diego, CA 92101
Phone
(619) 260-3500
Service Area
1 county
Sacramento-based trust and estate litigation firm led by founding attorney Michael Hackard, who has practiced law since 1976. Specializes in probate, trust, and estate litigation, representing families with complex estates and clients harmed by fiduciary wrongdoing. Handles cases throughout California.
Location
10640 Mather Boulevard, Suite 100Mather, CA 95655
Phone
(916) 313-3030
Established
1983
Service Area
5 counties
Los Angeles trust, estate and probate law firm with nearly 80 years of combined experience offering services in estate planning, trust/estate/conservatorship litigation, will and trust contests, probate litigation, and mediation/arbitration. Free consultation offered.
Location
2215 Colby AvenueLos Angeles, CA 90064
Phone
(310) 473-7000
Service Area
1 county
Los Angeles probate firm focused solely on trust, estate, and conservatorship litigation and administration across Los Angeles County. Handles matters from trustee and executor accountings to will and trust contests and elder financial abuse claims involving estates worth tens of millions. Founder Shawn Kerendian is a State Bar certified specialist in Estate Planning, Trust & Probate Law.
Location
11300 W Olympic Blvd, Suite 910Los Angeles, CA 90064
Phone
(310) 444-9060
Established
2014
Service Area
1 county
For nearly 75 years, helping families in the San Joaquin Valley and beyond build effective estate plans and handle complex probate matters. Offices in Bakersfield, Fresno, San Diego, and Santa Barbara providing cost-effective probate and estate administration services. Nancy L. Oehler is a Certified Specialist in Estate Planning, Trust, & Probate Law.
Location
10000 Stockdale Hwy, Suite 200Bakersfield, CA 93311
Phone
(661) 485-2100
Established
1951
Service Area
4 counties
Trusted probate attorneys serving California since 1998. Founded by Phil Lemmons with a mission to protect both inheritances and relationships. Offices throughout Southern California and statewide. Handles estate planning, trust administration, probate, conservatorship, guardianship, elder abuse, and trust litigation matters.
Location
10221 Slater Ave, Ste 106Fountain Valley, CA 92708
Phone
(800) 840-1998
Established
1998
Service Area
7 counties