Indexed from official State Bar of California records · Identity verification · Updated regularly

The RegistryPractice Area · Statewide

Find Estate Planning Lawyers in California

Counsel for wills, trusts, and probate: the paperwork that outlives you, done right. This is the statewide record for estate planning in California: every attorney on the State Bar of California's official roll whose published practice reaches this area, shown in neutral directory order.

Californians search this field under many names · estate planning attorney, estate planning lawyer, living trust lawyer, living trust attorney, will attorney · and the registry answers all of them from the same source. Below: the governing deadline with its citation, what to weigh as you read the record, the questions Californians ask with the code sections that answer them, and estate planning coverage county by county, from Del Norte to San Diego.

The clock & the craft

Statute of limitations

120 days to contest a trust after the trustee's statutory notice.

Cal. Prob. Code § 16061.8

A trustee's notification under Prob. Code § 16061.7 starts a 120-day contest window. Creditor claims in probate are generally barred one year after death (Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 366.2).

Reading the roster

For planning, look for attorneys who practice estate law day in and day out; ask whether the fee is flat, what the package includes (trust, pour-over will, powers of attorney, health care directive, deed work to fund the trust), and how updates are handled after marriages, births, or moves. For probate or trust administration, ask about experience in the county's probate department, statutory fees under Prob. Code § 10810, and expected timelines.

Estate Planning · statewide roster

13,058 attorneys on the official State Bar of California roll list estate planning among their practice areas, with an address of record in 57 of California's 58 counties.

12,514 of them hold an active licence; the remainder are recorded as inactive and are not currently eligible to practise.

The largest county rosters are Los Angeles (3,283), Orange (1,560), San Diego (1,381), San Francisco (659) and Santa Clara (612).

1,143 hold a State Bar Certified Legal Specialist designation, a certification issued by the State Bar's Board of Legal Specialization, and not a rating or a ranking.

For 480, the registry records a language other than English, almost always from a firm website published in that language; that describes the website, not an attorney's own ability.

Husnu Ada

Estate Planning · Ankara 06400 · Foreign County

Bar #363342 · Admitted 2025

Identity verified · View the record →

Robert D. Bedinger

Estate Planning · Upland · San Bernardino County

Bar #249040 · Admitted 2007

Taking new clients (attorney stated)

Identity verified · View the record →

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In the last 30 days attorneys have read 11 filed matters on the registry.

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Legal information, not legal advice

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11:39

Probate vs. Living Trust in California

What probate costs in California, how a revocable living trust works, four common myths, the mistake that leaves a trust useless, and other ways to skip probate, in plain language with the Probate Code sections behind each figure.

Estate Planning matters in California

The matters this field covers, as Californians search for them. Each attorney's own profile states which of these they take.

  • wills and living trusts
  • probate administration
  • trust administration
  • will and trust contests
  • powers of attorney and health care directives
  • conservatorships
  • estate tax planning
  • special needs trusts
  • small estate procedures
  • trustee and executor disputes

Estate Planning questions, cited

What makes a will valid in California?

A formal will must be in writing, signed by the testator, and witnessed by two people present at the same time who understand it is a will (Cal. Prob. Code § 6110). A holographic will, with the signature and material terms in the testator's own handwriting, needs no witnesses (Cal. Prob. Code § 6111). California also offers a fill-in statutory will form (Prob. Code § 6240).

Does a living trust avoid probate in California?

Assets properly titled in a revocable living trust pass under the trust's terms without probate administration, the successor trustee distributes them per Cal. Prob. Code §§ 16000 et seq. The trust only works for assets actually transferred into it; property left outside may still require probate unless it fits the small-estate procedures or passes by beneficiary designation.

When is probate required in California, and can a small estate skip it?

Probate is generally required when the qualifying gross value of a decedent's California property exceeds the small-estate threshold of Cal. Prob. Code § 13100: $208,850 for deaths on or after April 1, 2025 ($184,500 for deaths from April 1, 2022 to March 31, 2025), adjusted every three years under § 890. Below it, successors can collect assets by affidavit 40 days after death. Real property has separate procedures: a petition for the decedent's primary residence worth up to $750,000 (Prob. Code § 13151) and an affidavit for real property of small value (§ 13200).

How long do I have to contest a trust or a will in California?

For a trust, 120 days after the trustee serves the notification required by Cal. Prob. Code § 16061.7 (or 60 days after receiving the trust terms on request, if later), Prob. Code § 16061.8. A will contest is filed before admission to probate or, after admission, within 120 days (Cal. Prob. Code § 8270). Missing these windows usually ends the challenge.

What happens if I die without a will in California?

Your estate passes by intestate succession under Cal. Prob. Code §§ 6400 et seq. Community property goes to the surviving spouse; separate property is divided among spouse, children, parents, or siblings by statutory formula. The court chooses the administrator and heirs are fixed by statute rather than by your wishes, the situation an estate plan exists to prevent.

Legal information, not legal advice.

From the registry's blog

Estate Planning Attorney in California: The LawWhat California estate planning law actually covers, from wills to trusts, and how to confirm from the public roll who is licensed to handle it.California Probate Administration and Inheritance Law ExplainedHow California probate administration works: appointment, the four-month inventory, creditor claims, statutory fees, small-estate routes, and who inherits without a will.

From the answer files

How much do probate attorneys charge in California?Cal. Prob. Code § 10810When can a California estate skip probate?Cal. Prob. Code § 13100How long do I have to contest a trust in California?Cal. Prob. Code § 16061.8Is a handwritten will valid in California?Cal. Prob. Code § 6111How much does probate cost in California?Cal. Prob. Code § 10810How long does probate take in California?Cal. Prob. Code § 12200What should I do first when a family member dies in California?Cal. Prob. Code § 8200What does a trustee owe the beneficiaries in California?Cal. Prob. Code § 16062How does a financial power of attorney work in California?Cal. Prob. Code § 4401Do I need an advance health care directive in California?Cal. Prob. Code § 4701What happens to assets left out of my living trust?Cal. Prob. Code § 850Does divorce revoke my will or trust in California?Cal. Prob. Code § 6122How do I evaluate an estate planning attorney in California?Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code §§ 6125, 6148

Estate Planning in all 58 counties

Estate Planning in Los Angeles CountySeat: Los AngelesEstate Planning in San Diego CountySeat: San DiegoEstate Planning in San Francisco CountySeat: San FranciscoEstate Planning in Alameda CountySeat: OaklandEstate Planning in Santa Clara CountySeat: San JoseEstate Planning in Sonoma CountySeat: Santa RosaEstate Planning in Humboldt CountySeat: EurekaEstate Planning in Shasta CountySeat: ReddingEstate Planning in Sacramento CountySeat: SacramentoEstate Planning in Yolo CountySeat: WoodlandEstate Planning in Monterey CountySeat: SalinasEstate Planning in Santa Barbara CountySeat: Santa BarbaraEstate Planning in Fresno CountySeat: FresnoEstate Planning in Kern CountySeat: BakersfieldEstate Planning in El Dorado CountySeat: PlacervilleEstate Planning in Riverside CountySeat: RiversideEstate Planning in San Bernardino CountySeat: San BernardinoEstate Planning in Orange CountySeat: Santa AnaEstate Planning in San Joaquin CountySeat: StocktonEstate Planning in Stanislaus CountySeat: ModestoEstate Planning in Ventura CountySeat: VenturaEstate Planning in Tulare CountySeat: VisaliaEstate Planning in San Luis Obispo CountySeat: San Luis ObispoEstate Planning in Alpine CountySeat: MarkleevilleEstate Planning in Amador CountySeat: JacksonEstate Planning in Butte CountySeat: OrovilleEstate Planning in Calaveras CountySeat: San AndreasEstate Planning in Colusa CountySeat: ColusaEstate Planning in Contra Costa CountySeat: MartinezEstate Planning in Del Norte CountySeat: Crescent CityEstate Planning in Glenn CountySeat: WillowsEstate Planning in Imperial CountySeat: El CentroEstate Planning in Inyo CountySeat: IndependenceEstate Planning in Kings CountySeat: HanfordEstate Planning in Lake CountySeat: LakeportEstate Planning in Lassen CountySeat: SusanvilleEstate Planning in Madera CountySeat: MaderaEstate Planning in Marin CountySeat: San RafaelEstate Planning in Mariposa CountySeat: MariposaEstate Planning in Mendocino CountySeat: UkiahEstate Planning in Merced CountySeat: MercedEstate Planning in Modoc CountySeat: AlturasEstate Planning in Mono CountySeat: BridgeportEstate Planning in Napa CountySeat: NapaEstate Planning in Nevada CountySeat: Nevada CityEstate Planning in Placer CountySeat: AuburnEstate Planning in Plumas CountySeat: QuincyEstate Planning in San Benito CountySeat: HollisterEstate Planning in San Mateo CountySeat: Redwood CityEstate Planning in Santa Cruz CountySeat: Santa CruzEstate Planning in Sierra CountySeat: DownievilleEstate Planning in Siskiyou CountySeat: YrekaEstate Planning in Solano CountySeat: FairfieldEstate Planning in Sutter CountySeat: Yuba CityEstate Planning in Tehama CountySeat: Red BluffEstate Planning in Trinity CountySeat: WeavervilleEstate Planning in Tuolumne CountySeat: SonoraEstate Planning in Yuba CountySeat: Marysville

Estate Planning by city

Estate Planning in Los AngelesLos Angeles County · Los AngelesEstate Planning in Long BeachLos Angeles County · Los AngelesEstate Planning in PasadenaLos Angeles County · Los AngelesEstate Planning in Santa MonicaLos Angeles County · Los AngelesEstate Planning in San DiegoSan Diego County · San DiegoEstate Planning in Chula VistaSan Diego County · San DiegoEstate Planning in San FranciscoSan Francisco County · Bay AreaEstate Planning in OaklandAlameda County · Bay AreaEstate Planning in San JoseSanta Clara County · Bay AreaEstate Planning in Santa RosaSonoma County · North CoastEstate Planning in EurekaHumboldt County · North CoastEstate Planning in ReddingShasta County · Shasta CascadeEstate Planning in SacramentoSacramento County · Sacramento ValleyEstate Planning in DavisYolo County · Sacramento ValleyEstate Planning in FolsomSacramento County · Sacramento ValleyEstate Planning in SalinasMonterey County · Central CoastEstate Planning in Santa BarbaraSanta Barbara County · Central CoastEstate Planning in FresnoFresno County · San Joaquin ValleyEstate Planning in BakersfieldKern County · San Joaquin ValleyEstate Planning in South Lake TahoeEl Dorado County · SierraEstate Planning in RiversideRiverside County · Inland EmpireEstate Planning in San BernardinoSan Bernardino County · Inland EmpireEstate Planning in IrvineOrange County · Orange CountyEstate Planning in AnaheimOrange County · Orange CountyEstate Planning in Santa AnaOrange County · Orange CountyEstate Planning in Palm SpringsRiverside County · DesertEstate Planning in StocktonSan Joaquin County · San Joaquin ValleyEstate Planning in ModestoStanislaus County · San Joaquin ValleyEstate Planning in OxnardVentura County · Central CoastEstate Planning in FremontAlameda County · Bay AreaEstate Planning in VisaliaTulare County · San Joaquin ValleyEstate Planning in San Luis ObispoSan Luis Obispo County · Central Coast

Adjacent shelves of the law

Elder LawCal. Welf. & Inst. Code § 15657.7Tax26 U.S.C. § 6501Real EstateCal. Code Civ. Proc. § 338(b)

Full Estate Planning rosters, by surname

Adams – Lacasse · Alameda County235 attorneysLadew – Zolynas · Alameda County233 attorneysAbbass – Korn · Contra Costa County225 attorneysKoss – Zhong · Contra Costa County224 attorneysAaron – Zimmerl · Fresno County181 attorneysAbril – Young · Kern County104 attorneysAbadia – Bass · Los Angeles County197 attorneysBauer – Bury · Los Angeles County199 attorneysBush – Copans · Los Angeles County198 attorneysCopley – Eshoe · Los Angeles County202 attorneysEskander – Glickatalla · Los Angeles County200 attorneysGlowa – Hess · Los Angeles County199 attorneysHeywood – Kartchner · Los Angeles County196 attorneysKartin – Lawrence · Los Angeles County200 attorneysLawrencehughes – Mariajimenez · Los Angeles County197 attorneysMarinaccio – Morton · Los Angeles County198 attorneysMoses – Payne · Los Angeles County200 attorneysPearce – Roche · Los Angeles County200 attorneysRodarte – Shaw · Los Angeles County196 attorneysSheffield – Talei · Los Angeles County197 attorneysTalt – Wasserman · Los Angeles County201 attorneysWasvary – Zwierlein · Los Angeles County197 attorneysAarsheim – Wolberg · Marin County216 attorneysAndre – Witten · Monterey County114 attorneysAarons – Carrigan · Orange County217 attorneysCarter – Foden · Orange County214 attorneysFoley – Hunt · Orange County214 attorneysHur – Macaulay · Orange County214 attorneysMacayaon – Parviz · Orange County215 attorneysPasion – Sowers · Orange County216 attorneysSpach – Zwick · Orange County215 attorneysAdams – Youngtripp · Placer County196 attorneysAbbott – Kotik · Riverside County212 attorneysKrausz – Zundel · Riverside County212 attorneysAbdallah – Lamb · Sacramento County249 attorneysLambdin – Zwierzynski · Sacramento County248 attorneysAbdizadeh – Zumbrunn · San Bernardino County281 attorneysAbbott – Cardin · San Diego County188 attorneysCarey – Feder · San Diego County188 attorneysFerrante – Howe · San Diego County189 attorneysHsiao – Marin · San Diego County190 attorneysMarkee – Pennelle · San Diego County190 attorneysPerez – Smykowski · San Diego County193 attorneysSnow – Zweig · San Diego County189 attorneysAdams – Hall · San Francisco County211 attorneysHammonds – Payton · San Francisco County213 attorneysPelayo – Zywicz · San Francisco County213 attorneysAlegre – Zorea · San Joaquin County100 attorneysAbram – Yasutake · San Luis Obispo County138 attorneysAbbas – Langdon · San Mateo County165 attorneysLaughlin – Zshornack · San Mateo County164 attorneysAjaman – Zajic · Santa Barbara County232 attorneysAbbott – Gorini · Santa Clara County198 attorneysGorokhovsky – Nguyen · Santa Clara County197 attorneysNielsen – Zolla · Santa Clara County192 attorneysAdams – Zatman · Sonoma County275 attorneysAceituno – Kossoff · Ventura County176 attorneysKruse – Zylak · Ventura County176 attorneys

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279,000+ attorney records · 58 counties · Official State Bar records