Probate

Comprehensive Help With Probate Law and Estate Administration

Probate Attorneys 

Probate Attorneys and Estate Administration Throughout Los Angeles and Orange County

Offices in Los Angeles -Torrance – Long Beach – Pasadena – Costa Mesa

What is Probate?

Probate is the legal process used to transfer title to assets upon death. The Superior Court supervises the payment of debts, taxes, and probate fees. The Court also resolves all claims against the estate and distributes the deceased person’s property, either according to a valid Will or by statutory rules (known as “Intestacy Rules”) in the absence of a Will.

 

How We Help

We represent executors and administrators of an estate who require appointment by a Probate Court. Once appointed, we can work closely with you to:

  • Publish your estate
  • Bond your estate
  • Protect your assets during the probate process
  • Collect and inventory your assets
  • Help value your assets
  • Pay debts, taxes, and expenses of the estate
  • Address beneficiary questions and concerns
  • Resolve disputes
  • Give notice to creditors
  • Resolve creditor claims
  • Sell real property
  • File an accounting with the court
  • Make final distribution of the assets

The Cost

The most common misconception about Probate is that if you have a Will, you do not have to go through the Probate process. This is the exact opposite of how Probate works! A Will, by definition, must go through Probate. The Probate Court rules on the validity of a deceased person’s Will, interprets the instructions of the deceased, appoints an executor or personal representative of the estate, and then decides the interests of heirs and other parties who may have claims against the estate.

The Probate process has many pitfalls which can only be avoided with the help qualified Probate attorney. A simple Probate, without any complications, will still take approximately nine months to one year to be completed. However, if there are mistakes or complications, a Probate can be delayed up to three or more years, depending on the severity of the mistake or the degree of complication. Delays in the Probate system have been further compounded by budget cutbacks, which have strained the court system’s resources and reduced the available number of Probate courts from twelve down to a single court in Downtown Los Angeles.

 

Probate is necessary when an individual dies owning assets exceeding $166,250 in his/her name. California’s probate fees, set by law, are about average among the states. The fees to settle in court (listed below) do not include special fees for the sale of assets, tax preparation, and litigation.

 

Chart of Probate Costs

The approximate cost for probating an estate

 

Avoid Pitfalls and Costly Mistakes

Our team of Probate Attorneys can help you avoid those time-consuming pitfalls and mistakes, and make sure that your case gets through the Probate court as quickly as possible. Our Probate team is headed up by Samuel Ledwitz, who is a Certified Specialist in Estate Planning, Trust and Probate Law by the State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization. Less than one percent of all attorneys in California are certified Probate specialists.

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

Our firm helps Trustees and Executors comply with the many duties associated with the administration of an Estate.

Probate

Probate is the legal proceeding supervised by the Superior Court used to transfer title to assets when a person is deceased.

Estate Litigation

When the need arises to challenge, defend, or enforce a Will or Trust, our Lawyers will represent you in all legal proceedings.

Advanced Estate Planning

Families with substantial estates require additional strategies beyond a typical Estate Plan to reduce and offset Estate Tax liabilities.

 

Conservatorship

When a person becomes incapable of managing their affairs, the court can appoint a Conservator. Our Attorneys will assist you with this process.

Our Locations

Long Beach

(562) 951-1400

Los Angeles

(310) 540-0879

Torrance

(310) 316-2400

Costa Mesa

(714) 238-0030

Pasadena

(626) 398-0100

Palos Verdes

(310) 316-2400

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

Young couple swings their daughter between them

New Families

Experiencing a change in family structure or size? Did you recently have a child or adopt a pet? If you want to ensure that a loved one is taken care of, then you need a smart estate plan. We offer simple solutions to get you started.
Senior couple of Asian descent hiking by ocean

Nearing Retirement

Have you established yourself but you want to ensure your legacy is protected? We can help you make sure everything is accounted for and provide creative plans to ensure your hard work will be cherished by your beneficiaries.
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Recent Loss

Are you seeking guidance during a time of loss? Have you been given the responsibility of arranging a loved one’s affairs? Allow our experienced attorneys to escort you through these steps with compassion and confidence.

Recent Blogs

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Determine who will have access to the assets:

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Client Reviews

Ready to do business and handle any trust issues.
mary grimes
mary grimes
06:15 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 more
Red Castro
Red Castro
06:58 31 May 22
Super friendly and helpful staff. Felt confident with their services from the start.
Roxanne Ramirez
Roxanne Ramirez
18:14 07 May 22
Samuel Ledwitz has been my attorney for years. Friendly, knowledgeable and accessible.
mary emily smiley
mary emily smiley
06:43 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 more
Jenniffeir Suarez
Jenniffeir Suarez
03:48 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 more
Mercedes Morales
Mercedes Morales
21:01 19 Oct 21
Thank you Sam for all your help!
Desiree Gasca
Desiree Gasca
18:41 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 more
Darren Chaker
Darren Chaker
17:40 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 more
Verna Gonzalez
Verna Gonzalez
19:15 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 more
Gloria Smith
Gloria Smith
17:43 22 Nov 19
Fantastic firm!
Richard Knapp
Richard Knapp
02:52 10 Jul 19
The people there are just plain friendly and helpful. Couldn't get better service
Jill Gilliam
Jill Gilliam
20:54 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 more
Bryan C. Carrington
Bryan C. Carrington
09:05 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 more
James D. Barker
James D. Barker
09:36 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 more
Jack N. Goulet
Jack N. Goulet
04:24 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 more
Lathen Cheas
Lathen Cheas
04:20 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 more
Willow Jones-Heger
Willow Jones-Heger
22:46 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 more
Ann Imberman
Ann Imberman
21:42 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 more
andrea mitchell
andrea mitchell
21:55 19 Jan 18
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Awards, Certifications and Accolades

Peer Endorsements

I have known Samuel Ledwitz for close to 20 years and he has always impressed me with his intelligence, wit and having a genuine concern for helping others. I would...
Jeffrey Townsend

Mediation Attorney

I specialize in probate & trust real estate, consequently I deal with many attorneys. Samuel is an estate planning attorney that truly stands out...
Paul Hargraves

Realtor, Trust Properties USA

I endorse this lawyer. Knowledgeable, compassionate, dedicated, honest, hard working...
Nadine Jett

Divorce / Separation Lawyer

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