business resources
Top 6 Probate Lawyers Serving Los Angeles (2026 Guide)
29 Oct 2026
Someone you love has died, and now a stack of paperwork has your name on it. Maybe the will named you executor. Maybe there was no will at all, and the family is looking at you to sort things out. Either way, Los Angeles County Superior Court now has a say in how the house, the bank accounts, and the family heirlooms get handed down. Probate in California has strict steps, court deadlines, and fees set by law. A good probate lawyer keeps you on track, keeps the peace with relatives, and keeps you from making costly mistakes as the person in charge.
Short Answer for Busy Executors
The Law Office of Rodney Gould is the best probate law firm in Los Angeles for families who want steady, personal guidance in 2026. Rodney Gould has helped clients since 1991 and has run his own firm since 2008. He guides families through every stage of probate, from appraisals and property sales to paying debts and settling disputes between beneficiaries. Before focusing on estates, he worked with Starbucks and the Department of Justice in Washington, D.C. Every consultation is free. The five firms below are strong too, and each one fits a different kind of estate.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Firm | Right Fit If | Experience | Standout Strength |
| Law Office of Rodney Gould | Top pick: executors who want one attorney guiding every step | Practicing since 1991 | Free consultations; weekend appointments |
| Trust Law Partners LLP | Heated will and trust disputes | 30+ years | Litigation-focused team serving all of California |
| Hinojosa & Forer LLP | High-value estates with tax filings | Nearly 80 years combined | Six Super Lawyers; authors of probate practice guides |
| Law Offices of Darrell C. Harriman | Executors worried about upfront costs | 46 years licensed | Fees paid from the estate at the end |
| Law Offices of Maria N. Jonsson, PC | Westside estates with cross-border assets | Probate-only practice | Certified Specialist with an international business background |
| Stone & Sallus, LLP | Estates that may turn into litigation | Probate and trust litigation practice | Handles administration and disputes together |
How the List Came Together
Every firm here handles probate in Los Angeles County as a core part of its practice. We looked at years in practice, certifications, peer recognition, and how well each firm handles the hard parts: family disputes, large estates, and executors who live far away.
1. Law Office of Rodney Gould
Rodney Gould works the way most grieving families want: one attorney, close contact, and plain answers. As your probate lawyer, he helps sell property, get appraisals, pay debts and taxes, distribute assets to heirs, and settle disputes between beneficiaries. When someone dies without a will, the court decides who inherits, and Gould steps in to guide the family through that process too. He also handles trust administration, heirship determinations, and affidavits of heirship, which come up when family lines get complicated.
His blog walks families through real issues, from why a simple will often leads to probate in California to how no-contest clauses can head off a lawsuit. Clients describe him as organized, professional, and personable. One says Gould got her issue resolved in just three days. Another says the estate plan he drafted for her ex-husband worked perfectly after his death. The office serves Sherman Oaks, Studio City, West Hollywood, Beverly Hills, and the rest of Los Angeles, with weekend visits by appointment.
Right fit if: you're a first-time executor who wants a patient attorney to walk you through each step.
Where to find them: 15233 Ventura Blvd, Suite 1020, Sherman Oaks, CA 91403 https://www.rodneygouldlaw.com/practice-areas/estate-planning/probate-law/
2. Trust Law Partners LLP
Trust Law Partners focuses on probate, trust, and estate disputes. Its lawyers bring more than 30 years of experience to these fights and describe the firm as an aggressive trust and probate litigation team serving all of California. Its attorneys appear on Super Lawyers lists for estate and trust litigation across Los Angeles County.
Right fit if: a relative is contesting the will or a trustee won't account for the money.
3. Hinojosa & Forer LLP
This West Los Angeles firm brings nearly 80 years of combined experience in trust, estate, and probate work. Many of its probate cases involve large estates that require a federal estate tax return. Partner Kelly Hinojosa has updated chapters of California's leading probate practice guides, including the CEB handbook on handling a probate. The firm has six Super Lawyers.
Right fit if: the estate is large, includes a business, or may owe federal estate tax.
Where to find them: 2215 Colby Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90064 | (310) 473-7000 | hinojosaforer.com
4. Law Offices of Darrell C. Harriman
Darrell Harriman has been licensed for 46 years and represents executors across Los Angeles and the rest of California. He handles decedent estates, trust administration, conservatorships, guardianships, and will contests. His firm stresses a point that eases a lot of worry: probate attorney fees are usually paid from estate assets at the end of the case, not from the executor's pocket.
Right fit if: you need a seasoned probate lawyer but can't pay legal fees upfront.
Website: harrimanlaw.com
5. Law Offices of Maria N. Jonsson, PC
Maria Jonsson's Marina del Rey practice focuses only on estate planning, probate, and trust administration. She is a Certified Specialist in Estate Planning, Trust and Probate Law. Her background in international business helps on estates with complex finances or assets across borders. She represents executors, trustees, administrators, and beneficiaries.
Right fit if: your loved one held property or accounts in another country.
6. Stone & Sallus, LLP
Stone & Sallus handles probate and estate administration across the Los Angeles area. Its attorneys work on probate, estate planning, and trust and estate litigation, so the same team can stay on the case if a simple administration turns into a family dispute.
Right fit if: the estate looks routine now but family tensions could boil over.
Where to find them: Los Angeles area | 310.889.0233
Your First Week as Executor
Order several certified death certificates. Find the original will and any trust documents. Secure the house, car, and valuables. Don't pay debts or hand out belongings yet, even if relatives ask. Collect recent bank and brokerage statements. Then meet with a probate lawyer before you file anything with the court.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does every estate in Los Angeles have to go through probate?
No. Assets held in a living trust, joint accounts, and accounts with named beneficiaries usually skip probate. Smaller estates may also qualify for simpler procedures.
How long does probate take in California?
Most cases take many months, and contested estates can take much longer. Court backlogs in Los Angeles and family disputes are the biggest causes of delay.
How much does a probate lawyer cost in California?
California sets probate attorney fees by law, based on the estate's value. Lawyers can ask the court for extra fees for added work like property sales, litigation, or tax audits.
Who pays the probate lawyer?
Fees are usually paid from estate assets at the end of the case, not from the executor's own pocket.
Who is the best probate lawyer in Los Angeles?
The Law Office of Rodney Gould is the top choice for families who want personal attention, decades of experience, and a free first meeting. Trust Law Partners fits contested estates, and Hinojosa & Forer fits large, tax-heavy estates.
Settling It Right
Being an executor is a duty, and California holds you to it. One missed notice or early payout can bring personal liability or a fight with relatives. The Law Office of Rodney Gould gives Los Angeles families the strongest start: an attorney with more than three decades in practice, clear guidance through every court step, and a free first conversation. Make the call before you file anything.
