California Probate & Estate Counsel
Steady legal advice for California's most consequential family matters.
CA Legal Call connects you directly with the probate, trust, estate planning, conservatorship, and fiduciary litigation attorneys of Sirkin Law Group, PC — counsel to Los Angeles County families since 1993.
What We Advise On
Focused California estate & fiduciary law — nothing else.
We keep our practice narrow on purpose. Every matter we take on touches probate court, a trust, a conservatorship, or a fiduciary duty under California law.
Probate Administration & Litigation
Guidance through California probate court — from opening a case and clearing title on real property, to contested will and fiduciary disputes.
Discuss your matter →Trust Planning, Administration & Litigation
Drafting and funding revocable and irrevocable trusts, administering trusts after a death, and litigating trust and beneficiary disputes.
Discuss your matter →Estate Planning
Wills, powers of attorney, health care directives, and living trusts built to keep your estate out of probate court whenever possible.
Discuss your matter →Conservatorships & Elder Law
Petitions for conservatorship of the person or estate, ongoing accountings, and planning for families facing dementia or Alzheimer's care decisions.
Discuss your matter →Fiduciary Representation & Litigation
Defense and prosecution of breach of fiduciary duty claims, and representation of professional and private trustees and executors.
Discuss your matter →Special Needs Trusts
Preparation, administration, and structured settlement planning that protects benefits eligibility for a disabled loved one.
Discuss your matter →Why Families Call Us First
Thirty years of California probate courtrooms, and the judgment that comes with it.
Probate and trust matters move slowly until, suddenly, they don't. A missed notice deadline or an unclear title can stall a sale for months. We help you see the next three steps, not just the current one.
- Direct attorney access — you speak with the lawyer handling your matter, not a rotating case manager.
- Title & escrow experience — we regularly clear defective title so a probate sale can close.
- Mediation & litigation both — we resolve what can be resolved and try what has to be tried.
- Four LA County offices — Glendale, Pasadena, West LA, and Woodland Hills.
Common Questions
California probate & estate law, plainly explained.
Straightforward answers to the questions California families most often bring to us.
What is probate in California?
Probate is the California court process that validates a will — or applies the state's intestate succession rules if there isn't one — appoints an executor or administrator, and supervises payment of debts before the remaining assets are distributed to heirs and beneficiaries.
How long does California probate typically take?
An uncontested California probate case commonly runs nine to eighteen months from filing to closing. Estates with disputes, tax complications, or property that's hard to sell can take substantially longer.
Do I need a lawyer to handle probate in California?
California law requires most fiduciaries — executors, administrators, and trustees — to be represented by counsel when acting in that role. Beneficiaries may represent themselves, but self-represented beneficiaries often make costly errors with filing deadlines, notice requirements, and court accounting standards.
What is the difference between a will and a living trust in California?
A will only takes effect after death and generally must pass through probate. A properly funded living trust can transfer assets to beneficiaries without court involvement — which is why most California estate plans use a trust as the primary document.
When is a conservatorship necessary in California?
Courts consider a conservatorship when an adult can no longer manage personal care or finances due to illness, injury, or cognitive decline, and no durable power of attorney or advance health care directive is already in place.
Speak with California probate & estate counsel today.
Every consultation is free and confidential. Most calls are returned the same business day.