Encino firm serving Los Angeles County in probate and trust administration and in trust and estate litigation. Advises executors and administrators on notice, creditor claims, accountings, and distribution, advises heirs and beneficiaries on their rights, and handles conservatorship and guardianship administration. The consultation is free.
Whittier is in Los Angeles County.
More Probate Firms in Los Angeles County
Serves Santa Barbara, Ventura, San Luis Obispo, Kern, and Los Angeles counties, with six Central Coast and Southern California offices. Handles probate and trust administration, conservatorships, guardianships, and will and trust disputes, alongside estate planning and Medi-Cal planning. Christopher Botti is a State Bar board certified specialist in Estate Planning, Trust and Probate Law.
Serves Los Angeles County from Santa Monica. Handles estate, trust, and living trust administration, helping trustees with the filings, notices, claims, and disputes that follow a death, alongside tax-driven estate planning and business and real estate work. Founder Marc A. Bronstein started the firm in 1997, is a Certified Public Accountant, and holds a master's degree in taxation.
Napa estate planning and elder law practice led by Anthony Celaya, with offices across California from Santa Rosa and Sacramento to Los Angeles and San Diego. Handles probate and estate administration and Medi-Cal planning alongside trusts, wills, and incapacity planning. Clients are served in person or through virtual consultations, and the initial consultation is free.
Serves Pasadena and Los Angeles County from East Colorado Boulevard. Handles probate and estate administration, conservatorships, and guardianships alongside estate planning, and offers a free initial consultation on estate matters. Attorney Joseph H. Lee now leads the practice; founding partner Grace Lea Chang has died.
Serves Torrance, the South Bay, and Los Angeles County from Hawthorne Boulevard. Handles probate, trust administration, conservatorships, and Medi-Cal planning alongside estate planning and special needs trusts. Three attorneys practice here, led by Cynthia R. Cox; the firm reports 30 years of experience with estates up to $28 million.
Probate in Los Angeles County
Probate Court Record
Los Angeles County Superior Court - Probate Division
Los Angeles County
Phone
Hours
Office
Website
E-filing
Self-represented filing
Self-help forms
How to file probate in Los Angeles County →
Verified October 15, 2026 · Source
Do I need a lawyer for probate in Los Angeles County? →Settling an estate in Los Angeles County →
Forms for Planning and Settling an Estate in California
Free California forms to plan or settle an estate: a will, trust, powers of attorney, TOD deed and the probate forms. Prepare each form for California.
Revocable Living Trust
Create a revocable living trust to avoid probate, protect privacy, and control asset distribution.
Last Will and Testament
In California, a will is signed before 2Cal. Prob. Code § 6110Verified Oct 18, 2026View source witnesses, and the witnesses sign an affidavit at probate instead of a self-proving affidavitCal. Prob. Code § 6110Verified Oct 18, 2026View source.
Tools for Planning and Settling an Estate in California
Free calculators and checklists to plan or settle an estate in California: will and trust costs, probate, executor pay and taxes. Run each tool for California.
How Much Does Probate Cost?
Probate on a $500,000 estate in California costs an estimated $27,235Cal. Prob. Code § 10810Verified Sep 8, 2026View source. Attorney fees are statutory (set by law)Cal. Prob. Code § 10810Verified Sep 8, 2026View source.
How Do I Settle an Estate?
Settling an estate in California: the personal representative files the estate inventory within 120 daysCal. Prob. Code §§ 8800-8804, 8900-8903Verified Sep 15, 2026View source of appointment; creditors have 4 monthsCal. Prob. Code §§ 9050-9054, 9100-9104, 9150, 9153, 9256, 9353, 11420; CCP § 366.2Verified Oct 18, 2026View source to present claims; a simple estate closes in 9 months to 12 months.
How Much Can an Executor Charge?
California sets executor compensation by statute — about $13,000 on a $500,000 estate, roughly 2.6%Cal. Prob. Code § 10800Verified Sep 8, 2026View source.
Do I Need Probate?
In California, estates valued at $208,850Cal. Prob. Code § 13100Verified Sep 8, 2026View source or less skip probate with the Small Estate AffidavitCal. Prob. Code § 13100Verified Sep 8, 2026View source, 40 daysCal. Prob. Code § 13100Verified Sep 8, 2026View source after death.
What Are the Creditor Claim Deadlines?
In California, creditors have 4 monthsCal. Prob. Code § 9100 — later of 4 months from letters or 60 days from mailed/personal notice of administrationVerified Sep 8, 2026View source from the personal representative's appointment to present claims; late claims are barred.
Can I Self-File Probate?
In California, informal probate is not availableCal. Prob. Code §§ 8005 (hearing on the petition), 8006 (court admits the will and appoints the personal representative); no registrar or clerk informal probate trackVerified Sep 8, 2026View source, so self-filing means a formal court petition rather than a registrar filing.
