How Do I Find a Probate Attorney in Santa Clara County, California?
When to consider hiring help, what to look for in a probate attorney, and firms serving Santa Clara County.
We found 11 estate law firms serving Santa Clara County. Santa Clara County is part of the San Francisco Bay Area region.
These firms handle estate administration, will contests, trust litigation, and other probate matters in Santa Clara County Superior Court - Probate Division.
California uses formal, court-supervised probate, which makes an attorney worthwhile for most estates in Santa Clara 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 Santa Clara 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.
San Francisco Bay Area Firms
Bay Area Probate & Estate Law
FirmServes San Francisco and the surrounding Bay Area counties from downtown San Francisco. Handles probate administration, trust administration and litigation, conservatorships, and contested estate matters. The lead attorney is a State Bar certified specialist in Estate Planning, Trust and Probate Law with a tax-law focus.
Location
177 Post St, Suite 600San Francisco, CA 94108
Phone
(415) 777-3300
Service Area
5 counties
Estate PlanningEstate AdministrationTrust AdministrationEstate LitigationTrust LitigationConservatorship
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Law Offices of Timothy D. Henry
Solo PracticeSan Jose practice serving Santa Clara County through the county probate court, including Campbell, Cupertino, Gilroy, Los Gatos, Morgan Hill, Saratoga, and Sunnyvale. Handles probate and trust administration, contested estate and trust matters, guardianships, and special needs planning alongside revocable living trusts and wills. Offers a free consultation.
Location
1871 The Alameda, Suite 333San Jose, CA 95126
Phone
(408) 643-0942
Service Area
1 county
Estate PlanningEstate AdministrationTrust AdministrationProbateEstate LitigationTrust LitigationGuardianshipSpecial Needs Planning
Free consultationVisit site
Sowards Law Firm
FirmCampbell boutique serving Santa Clara County and the broader Bay Area with probate administration, trust administration, and trust and estate litigation alongside estate planning. Represents fiduciaries and beneficiaries in will and trust contests, fiduciary disputes, and financial elder abuse actions. Free telephone consultation for new matters.
Location
2542 S Bascom Avenue, Suite 210Campbell, CA 95008
Phone
(408) 371-6000
Service Area
1 county
Estate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbate
Free consultationVisit site
Firms from Neighboring Regions
These firms are based in other regions but serve Santa Clara County.
Aaron, Riechert, Carpol & Riffle, APC
FirmServes 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
Estate PlanningEstate AdministrationTrust AdministrationConservatorshipProbate LitigationTrust LitigationElder Law
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Berliner Cohen LLP
FirmServes 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
Estate PlanningEstate AdministrationTrust AdministrationProbate LitigationTrust Litigation
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Breen Law Firm
Solo PracticeAttorney 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
Estate PlanningEstate AdministrationTrust AdministrationProbateSpecial Needs Planning
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Giuliano Law Offices
Solo PracticeSince 1996, Giuliano Law has helped clients throughout Hollister, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Monterey, and San Benito Counties with estate planning, trust administration, and probate matters. Offices in both Hollister and Monterey.
Location
339 7th St, Suite AHollister, CA 95023
Phone
(831) 372-4003
Established
1996
Service Area
4 counties
Estate PlanningEstate AdministrationTrust AdministrationProbate
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Penrose Chun & Gorman LLP
FirmSanta Cruz firm handling probate, trust administration, and estate and trust litigation across Santa Cruz, Monterey, San Benito, and Santa Clara Counties. Partner Steven Penrose is a Certified Specialist in Estate Planning, Trust & Probate Law. More than 100 years of combined attorney experience.
Location
1200 Pacific Ave, Suite 260Santa Cruz, CA 95060
Phone
(831) 515-3344
Service Area
4 counties
Estate PlanningEstate AdministrationTrust AdministrationEstate LitigationTrust LitigationCivil Litigation
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Pretlove Law, PC
Solo PracticeHollister and Morgan Hill firm serving San Benito, Santa Clara, and Monterey Counties, focused solely on probate, trust administration, and estate planning. Barbara Pretlove is a Certified Specialist in Estate Planning, Probate, and Trust Administration by the State Bar of California and handles conservatorships and Medi-Cal planning.
Location
17760 Monterey Rd. Ste. G, Morgan Hill, CA 95037, Suite A-206Hollister, CA 95023
Phone
(408) 850-6402
Service Area
3 counties
Estate PlanningEstate AdministrationTrust AdministrationProbateConservatorshipMedicaid Planning
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RMO LLP
FirmStatewide probate and trust litigation firm headquartered in Los Angeles, representing trustees, executors, heirs, and beneficiaries in will contests, trust disputes, and breach-of-fiduciary-duty claims. Offices in Los Angeles, Pasadena, Orange County, San Diego, the Bay Area, and Fresno. Free consultation.
Location
901 Bringham AveLos Angeles, CA 90049
Phone
(424) 320-9444
Service Area
7 counties
Estate AdministrationTrust AdministrationEstate LitigationProbate LitigationWill ContestsBreach Of Fiduciary Duty
Free consultationVisit site
Sonin Law
Solo PracticeWoodland firm serving Yolo and Solano Counties with probate, trust administration, and special needs trusts alongside estate planning. Barbara Sonin is a Certified Specialist in Estates, Trusts & Probate by the State Bar of California. Accommodates clients who cannot travel with home and hospital visits.
Location
21 Court StreetWoodland, CA 95695
Phone
(530) 662-2226
Service Area
2 counties
Estate PlanningEstate AdministrationTrust AdministrationProbateSpecial Needs PlanningLong Term Care Planning
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Frequently Asked Questions
Not every estate needs one. Simple estates, small estates under the affidavit threshold, and states with informal probate can often be handled without counsel. Contested wills, out-of-state property, and business interests usually need an attorney. The California self-filing assessment scores whether this estate can be handled without one.
California sets probate attorney fees by statute. Santa Clara County attorneys charge the same schedule as the rest of the state — there is no county-level variation. Use the probate cost calculator to see the dollar amount for your estate size.
Files the petition, publishes required notices, helps with the inventory and accounting, handles creditor claims and tax filings, and guides the final distribution. The attorney represents the personal representative, not the beneficiaries — a distinction that matters if disputes arise.
Referrals from an estate planning attorney you already work with are the best source. Bar association directories are second. Avoid attorneys who won't quote a fee structure up front or who won't explain whether your estate qualifies for simplified procedures.
Yes — by avoiding probate altogether. A revocable living trust removes the estate from court jurisdiction, which removes the need for a probate attorney at settlement time. Create a revocable trust online for about what one hour of probate-attorney time costs.
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. Information last verified: June 2026.
Superior Court - Probate Division
Santa Clara County
191 North First Street
San Jose, CA 95113
Phone:
408-882-2654Hours:
Monday - Thursday, 8:30 AM - 3:00 PM; Friday, 8:30 AM - 12:00 PM
Paper Filing Available
E-Filing Optional
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