California uses formal, court-supervised probate, which makes an attorney worthwhile for most estates in Contra Costa 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 Contra Costa County attorney charges the same schedule. Price isn't the variable — experience with the Superior Court - Probate Division and responsiveness are.
A probate attorney files the petition with the Superior Court - 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.
FirmFairfield, CA
Serves 2 counties
Fairfield firm serving Solano and Contra Costa counties. Guides families through the California probate process in the Solano County court, advises trustees and beneficiaries during trust administration, and represents parties in contested will and trust proceedings. The practice also covers estate planning, guardianships, elder abuse, and family law.
PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationTrust AdministrationProbateand 5 more
- Office
- 547 Jefferson St, Suite AFairfield, CA 94533
FirmSan Francisco, CA
Serves 5 counties
Serves San Francisco, San Mateo, and the surrounding Bay Area from downtown San Francisco. Handles probate and trust administration through asset distribution and title transfers, plus conservatorships and trust and estate litigation. Principal Sheila Robello holds an LLM in taxation and is a State Bar certified specialist in Estate Planning, Trust and Probate Law.
PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationTrust AdministrationProbate Litigationand 2 more
- Office
- 177 Post St, Suite 600San Francisco, CA 94108
FirmOakland, CA
Serves 2 counties
Boutique Uptown Oakland practice serving Alameda County executors and successor trustees. Settles a decedent's estate whether or not a court proceeding is required, advises beneficiaries of estates and trusts, and represents fiduciaries appointed to administer estates, trusts, and conservatorships. The practice traces to a firm founded in Oakland in 1948.
PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationTrust AdministrationProbateConservatorship
- Office
- 1901 Harrison Street, Suite 1500Oakland, CA 94612
FirmWalnut Creek, CA
Serves 2 counties
Walnut Creek firm serving Contra Costa and Alameda counties. Probate work covers court filings and hearings, creditors' claims, inventory and appraisals, court accountings, and distribution, alongside trust administration, conservatorship petitions, and special needs trusts. Represents trustees, personal representatives, beneficiaries, and heirs in will contests and trust disputes.
PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationTrust AdministrationProbateand 6 more
- Office
- 2033 N Main Street, Suite 720Walnut Creek, CA 94596
Solo PracticeNapa, CA
Serves 16 counties
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.
PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationTrust AdministrationProbateand 2 more
- Office
- 960 School St.Napa, CA 94559
Solo PracticeOakland, CA
Since 1986 · Serves 2 counties
Serves executors, heirs, and trustees in Oakland and across Alameda County from Harrison Street downtown. A boutique built around the probate process and trust administration, with estate planning, Medi-Cal planning, and first-party special needs trusts alongside. Founder Mike Broad has practiced in the East Bay since 1986.
PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationTrust AdministrationProbateand 2 more
- Office
- 1999 Harrison Street, 18th FloorOakland, CA 94612
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.
