© 2026 SimplyTrust Software Inc.
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.
18 firms
Over 20 years serving Lake County families in probate, estate planning, conservatorships, and trust administration. Former banker with 28 years of financial experience. President of Lake County Bar Association.
Location
380 N Main Street, Suite JLakeport, CA 95453
Phone
(707) 263-5759
Service Area
1 county
Attorney Christine Breen provides estate planning, probate and trust administration, business formation, and real estate law services with over 27 years of experience. Woman-owned firm serving San Benito, Monterey, Santa Cruz, and South Santa Clara Counties, including special needs trusts.
Location
330 Tres Pinos Rd, Suite F8-4Hollister, CA 95023
Phone
(831) 636-2529
Established
1996
Service Area
4 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 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 Los Angeles County from Torrance. Handles probate, trust administration, conservatorships, and public benefits planning alongside estate planning. Lead attorney Cynthia R. Cox devotes much of her practice to special needs trusts and elder law, with three decades of experience.
Location
23326 Hawthorne Blvd, Suite 390Torrance, CA 90505
Phone
(310) 798-6150
Service Area
1 county
Estate planning and elder law firm serving the East Bay for over 35 years. Helping people in Walnut Creek, Lafayette, Orinda, Moraga, Danville, San Ramon, and throughout Contra Costa and Alameda Counties with wills, trusts, probate, and Medi-Cal planning.
Location
1855 Olympic Boulevard, Suite 125, Walnut Creek, CA 94596, Suite 125Walnut Creek, CA 94596
Phone
(925) 208-4543
Established
1988
Service Area
2 counties
Serves Lake County from Lakeport. Handles trust and probate administration, small-estate matters, and Medi-Cal and SSI benefits planning alongside estate planning. Dennis Fordham is a State Bar certified specialist in Estate Planning, Trust and Probate Law and the only such specialist in Lake County.
Location
870 S Main StLakeport, CA 95453
Phone
(707) 263-3235
Service Area
1 county
Inland Empire firm with offices in Corona, Riverside, Temecula, Newport Beach, and San Diego. Through its Sandoval Legacy Group division it handles probate, trust administration, conservatorships, and special needs planning across Riverside, San Bernardino, Orange, San Diego, and Los Angeles Counties. Offers a free telephonic consultation.
Location
1897 California AveCorona, CA 92881
Phone
(855) 827-6639
Service Area
4 counties
Siskiyou County's oldest and most experienced law firm with over five decades of service. Provides estate planning, trust administration, probate, guardianships, conservatorships, and special needs planning. Offices in Yreka and Mount Shasta.
Location
205 N. Mt. Shasta Blvd.Mt. Shasta, CA 96067
Phone
(530) 926-3444
Service Area
1 county
Kyle A. Krasa is a Certified Legal Specialist in Estate Planning, Trust & Probate Law by the State Bar of California. Practice focuses on estate planning, elder law, Medicaid planning, and probate/estate administration serving Monterey County and the Central Coast. Complimentary initial consultation offered.
Location
704-D Forest AvenuePacific Grove, CA 93950
Phone
(831) 920-0205
Service Area
2 counties