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.
FirmRedwood City, CA
Since 1987 · Serves 2 counties
Serves 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.
PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationTrust AdministrationProbate Litigationand 3 more
- Office
- 333 Twin Dolphin Drive, Suite 350Redwood City, CA 94065
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
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
FirmSunnyvale, CA
Since 1978 · Serves 1 county
A Sunnyvale practice started on February 1, 1978, handling Santa Clara County probate for families whose loved one left no trust. Its four attorneys represent nominated personal representatives, heirs, and beneficiaries through summary, formal, and ancillary administration, and handle trust administration alongside estate planning.
PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationTrust AdministrationProbate
- Office
- 438 S. Murphy AvenueSunnyvale, CA 94086
FirmSan Jose, CA
Serves 2 counties
Represents estate administrators and executors across Santa Clara County from The Alameda in San Jose, carrying estates through the county's probate court. Handles the work the role requires: inventorying assets, settling creditor debts, estate tax filings, accountings, and distribution to heirs. Founder Richard Gorini is a member of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel.
PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationTrust AdministrationProbateand 2 more
- Office
- 1666 The AlamedaSan Jose, CA 95126
Solo PracticeRedwood City, CA
Serves 3 counties
Represents executors, trustees, and beneficiaries across San Mateo, San Francisco, and Santa Clara counties from a downtown Redwood City office near the courthouse, handling probate and trust administration, probate and trust litigation, and estate and gift tax questions. Michael E. Pitts has practiced in San Mateo County for more than 30 years and offers a free half-hour consultation.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateProbate Litigationand 3 more
- Office
- 600 Allerton Street, Suite 200Redwood City, CA 94063
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.
