California uses formal, court-supervised probate, which makes an attorney worthwhile for most estates in Butte County — the filing sequence, notice requirements, and accounting leave little room for error. Estates under the small-estate threshold are the usual exception.
Probate attorney fees in California are set by statute as a percentage of the estate's value, so every Butte County attorney charges the same schedule. Price isn't the variable — experience with the Superior Court - Civil/Probate Division and responsiveness are.
A probate attorney files the petition with the Superior Court - Civil/Probate Division, publishes the required creditor notices, prepares the inventory and accounting, handles creditor claims and tax filings, and guides the final distribution. They represent the personal representative — not the beneficiaries — a distinction that matters if a dispute develops.
Solo PracticeChico, CA
Since 1993 · Serves 3 counties
Solo Chico practice serving Butte County and nearby Oroville, Paradise, Willows, and Red Bluff. Brett A. Gilman has been in private practice since 1993 and now focuses entirely on probate, wills, trusts, and estate planning, handling every client file himself. Document preparation is billed at $250 per hour.
PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationProbate
- Office
- 140 Yellowstone Drive, Suite 120Chico, CA 95973
FirmChico, CA
Since 2011 · Serves 9 counties
Chico firm serving Butte, Tehama, Glenn, Lassen, Plumas, Modoc, Lake, Mendocino, and Shasta Counties, representing the executor or trustee in administering a decedent's estate from initial probate through final accounting. Also handles Medi-Cal and long-term-care planning, special needs trusts, and veterans benefits. Partners Neil A. Harris and Nicole R. Plottel are Certified Elder Law Attorneys.
PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationTrust AdministrationProbateand 4 more
- Office
- 466 Vallombrosa AveChico, CA 95926
Solo PracticeChico, CA
Since 1996 · Serves 6 counties
Chico practice serving Butte, Plumas, Placer, Sacramento, Lassen, and Glenn counties, with satellite offices in Rocklin, Sacramento, and Lake Almanor. Handles probate for personal representatives, making the court appearances and preparing the pleadings an estate requires, and resolves probate and trust litigation. Daniel Alexander has practiced in these areas since 1996.
PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationProbateProbate LitigationTrust Litigation
- Office
- 901 Bruce Rd, Suite 230Chico, CA 95928
Solo PracticeChico, CA
Serves 8 counties
Serves Butte County and the northern Sacramento Valley from an office in Chico. Spencer M. Gysin prepares wills, revocable and irrevocable trusts, powers of attorney, and advance health care directives, and handles probate conservatorships for adults who can no longer manage their own affairs. The practice also covers family law and guardianships.
PracticesEstate PlanningConservatorshipGuardianshipLandlord Tenant
- Office
- 1395 Ridgewood Drive, Suite 300Chico, CA 95973
Solo PracticeChico, CA
Serves 4 counties
General-practice law firm with offices in Chico and Red Bluff serving Butte, Glenn, Tehama, and Yuba Counties. Estate practice covers wills, trusts, and probate — assisting testators, administrators, and beneficiaries — alongside family law and personal injury matters.
PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationTrust AdministrationProbate
- Office
- 1370 Ridgewood Drive, Suite 5Chico, CA 95973
FirmSan Francisco, CA
Since 2018 · Serves the whole state
Serves San Francisco and the greater Bay Area from downtown San Francisco, and handles probate proceedings in every California county. Guides executors, administrators, and trustees through probate and trust administration alongside estate planning, billing probate work at California Probate Code statutory rates. Founded in 2018.
PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationTrust AdministrationProbate
- Office
- 315 Montgomery Street, Suite 960San Francisco, CA 94104
Firm listings are for informational purposes only. SimplyTrust does not endorse or recommend any specific firm or attorney. Contact firms directly to verify their current practice areas and availability.
