SAMUEL B. LEDWITZ, J.D., LL.M.
California State Bar Certified Specialist in Estate Planning, Trusts & Probate Law
Samuel B. Ledwitz
310-316-2400
samuel@ledwitzlaw.com
California State Bar Certified Specialist in Estate Planning, Trusts & Probate Law
Founder and Managing Partner
Samuel B. Ledwitz is an Estate Planning, Trust and Probate Law Specialist, certified by the California Board of Legal Specialization of the State Bar. Samuel attended Pepperdine University School of Law, where he earned his law degree (J.D.) with an emphasis in the areas of estate and income tax. Next, Samuel attended The University of Miami School of Law, where he earned his Post-Doctorate Degree (LL.M.) in Estate Planning.
After earning his LL.M., Sam returned to Southern California to join one of the area’s largest estate planning firms, where he helped over 1,000 clients provide for their families through responsible wealth transfers from one generation to the next. Sam also relied on his significant tax law expertise to advise clients with high net worth on sophisticated tax strategies designed to maximize the assets received by their families.
Sam realized that he could do more to help his clients, and in 2006, he started his own firm. Within a year, Sam merged with one of the biggest firms in Southern California: Bezaire & Associates. In 2010, the merged firm became known as Bezaire, Ledwitz & Associates.
Under this name, the firm continues to offer quality legal services with respect and compassion.
Sam is a three-time winner of the prestigious Five Star Wealth Manager Award and is recognized as a Superb Rated Attorney by the AVVO attorney rating service. Sam has appeared in several national and local periodicals receiving praise for his work, including Newsweek Magazine, Los Angeles Magazine, and the Torrance Daily Breeze. Sam is an active member of the Los Angeles, Long Beach and South Bay Trust and Estate Planning Councils. Sam is the proud parent of his children, Elle and Charles. He resides in Redondo Beach with his family.
Court Admissions
U.S. Court of Federal Claims 2008–present
U.S. Court of Appeals For the Ninth Circuit 2008–present
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California 2008–present
U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California 2008–present
U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California 2008–present
U.S. Supreme Court Bar 2008–present
U.S. Tax Court 2008–present
State Bar of California, Trusts and Estates Section 2000–present
State Bar of California 1998–present
U.S. District Court for the Central District of California 1998–present
Professional Associations
Long Beach Bar Association 2011–present
Long Beach Trust and Estate Council 2011–present
Los Angeles Trust and Estate Council 2011–present
National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys 2011–present
Pasadena Bar Association 2011–present
Society of Estate and Trust Practitioners 2011–present
South Bay Bar Association (LA) 2011–present
Los Angeles County Bar Association 2010–present
South Bay Estate and Trust Council 2010–present
Charitable Work
In addition to helping families through the practice of law, Samuel has always had a passion for helping others by teaching. While at Pepperdine, Sam served as the student director of the South Central Los Angeles Youth Development Project.
Samuel coordinated its entire tutoring program, overseeing the education and mentoring of children in need of academic guidance. Sam also became a licensed substitute teacher while at Pepperdine, and taught history and English night school classes to academically-challenged students for a local school district. It was through this experience teaching disadvantaged youth that Samuel became interested in supporting charities that help children.
Samuel’s charitable work motivated him to learn about estate planning techniques that would not only help the client, but the community as a whole. Sam is very active in the Assistance League of San Pedro-South Bay, serving as the Coordinator of the Assisteens, the youth chapter the Assistance League. The Firm also proudly sponsors local youth athletics, including the Torrance Girls Youth Softball League.
Practice Areas
Estate Planning
Estate planning is the process of establishing a Trust, Will, Durable Power of Attorney, and other related documents during your lifetime.
Estate Administration
Probate
Probate is the legal proceeding supervised by the Superior Court used to transfer title to assets when a person is deceased.
Estate Litigation
Advanced Estate Planning
Families with substantial estates require additional strategies beyond a typical Estate Plan to reduce and offset Estate Tax liabilities.
Conservatorship
Our Locations
The quickest way to get assistance is to contact us directly at 310-316-2400 or by emailing us at info@ledwitzlaw.com.
Life Events
New Families
Nearing Retirement
Recent Loss
Recent Blogs
So you won the Lottery, Now What?
So you won the lottery? Now what? First Things First Time Limit to collect the money, Don’t rush. Bearer instrument. Sign the back Make copies of the ticket—do not run around town with the actual ticket Do not tell everybody. Keeping it private is one of your biggest assets. How much did you win.
A SHORT LIST FOR WHY TRUSTS ARE MORE ADVANTAGEOUS THAN A WILL
1. A living trust brings all of your assets together under one single estate plan with ONE set of instructions. This arrangement makes your wishes easier to carry out. Trusts are designed to facilitate the distribution of your estate in that it will be...
SOME COMMON MISUNDERSTANDINGS REGARDING LIVING TRUSTS
SOME COMMON MISUNDERSTANDINGS REGARDING LIVING TRUSTS: 1. “They cost too much.” A properly written and legally enforceable living trust typically has a higher initial price tag than what a will does. But, when you take into consideration the privacy, legally...
Client Reviews
Very professional service 
bajabltz23:07 27 Nov 24 Ready to do business and handle any trust issues. mary grimes06:15 09 Jun 22 I’ve dealt with 3 different lawyers in regards to my will, my trust. and my LLCI’ve spent... thousands of dollars.This is by far the best experience I’ve had, he’s handling all that, eliminating the LLC, putting my houses back in my name, he’s fair and has a great attitude.I don’t have to go to another lawyer again!read moreRed Castro06:58 31 May 22 Super friendly and helpful staff. Felt confident with their services from the start. Roxanne Ramirez18:14 07 May 22 Samuel Ledwitz has been my attorney for years. Friendly, knowledgeable and accessible. mary emily smiley06:43 06 Mar 22 I am so pleased with everything about this law firm. Thank you Attorney Ledwitz for all your help... and information. Creating my Trust with your firm was a great experience and done in a timely manner. I will highly recommend your business to anyone. Once again, THANK YOU!read moreJenniffeir Suarez03:48 14 Jan 22 I heard about this firm through a friend of mine and decided to make an appointment to see them.I... was so impressed with how confidant and comfortable I felt putting my case in their hands.read moreMercedes Morales21:01 19 Oct 21 Thank you Sam for all your help! Desiree Gasca18:41 19 Oct 21 By Darren Chaker: Having dealt with San Diego attorneys too long, I was happy to accompany a friend... there office to update a trust. The staff was very professional, attorneys could articulate a response for any question posed. Definitely talented attorneys.read moreDarren Chaker17:40 20 Oct 20 My wife and I completed our Estate Planning from The Law Firm of Bezaire. we were thinking about... having our estate planning done from last couple of years and it's all done .. Thanks to The Law Firm of Bezaire!!read moreVerna Gonzalez19:15 12 Dec 19 We got our trust restated The Law Firm of Bezaire and we are very satisfied with the service we... have received. They answered all of our questions quickly and made this process easy for us. We would definitely recommend this firm to our friends and families. Thank you!read moreGloria Smith17:43 22 Nov 19 Fantastic firm! Richard Knapp02:52 10 Jul 19 The people there are just plain friendly and helpful. Couldn't get better service Jill Gilliam20:54 25 Apr 19 I was referred by a very close family friend to Bezaire, Ledwitz and Associates to do my... Grandmother's Will and have me act as Power of Attorney for my Grandmother quite a few years back. Every time we needed legal assistance, the staff has always been professional and The Law Firm of Bezaire accommodating and because of this, I have always recommended their firm to others as wellread moreBryan C. Carrington09:05 13 Feb 19 We’ve dealt with Bezaire, Ledwitz and Associates on numerous occasions for Estate Planning matters... and have been very happy with their services and friendly manner. They helped us with family estates, real estate and is our first choice for the updating of our wills in the near future. I strongly recommend them.read moreJames D. Barker09:36 12 Feb 19 My family and I have dealt with The Law Firm of Bezaire, Ledwitz and Associates numerous times for... Estate Planning matters - always finding them compassionate, approachable, and knowledgeable. I highly recommend them.read moreJack N. Goulet04:24 12 Feb 19 The Law Firm of Bezaire did a last-minute will for my mother with very little advance notice. The... staff did a fantastic job!read moreLathen Cheas04:20 12 Feb 19 only the best says it all !!! VERY happy with Mr. Samuel Ledwitz esq. and staff.Now I have peace... of mind thank-you .read moreWillow Jones-Heger22:46 07 Jan 19 We had a great experience dealing with Samuel Ledwitz when it was time to revise and update our... family trust and legal documents. We feel very confident that we are in very good hands, and that our estate and our legal affairs will be handled with the utmost professional and personal care. Highly recommended.read moreAnn Imberman21:42 22 Aug 18 I was very happy with how my estate planning was handled by Sam Ledwitz & Associates. I would... highly recommend this firm.read moreandrea mitchell21:55 19 Jan 18
As Seen in...
Awards, Certifications and Accolades
