Los Angeles Probate & Trust Attorney

The Los Angeles Superior Court is the largest trial court system in the United States, and for most families a probate case is their first experience with it. A parent has died, a sibling is acting as trustee and not sharing information, or an aging relative can no longer manage money safely. You need clear answers about what happens next, and you need someone who will actually return your call.

I am Maksim Lamash, a California probate and trust attorney. From my office in Malibu, I represent executors, trustees, beneficiaries, and families throughout Los Angeles County. I handle every case myself, from the first conversation to the final order.

How the Los Angeles Probate Court Works

Under the Los Angeles Superior Court’s local rules, nearly every probate, trust, conservatorship, and guardianship case in the county, with limited exceptions for residents of the North District, is filed and heard in the Probate Division at the Stanley Mosk Courthouse, 111 North Hill Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012. Whether the estate is in Encino, Brentwood, Long Beach, or Pasadena, the case is typically heard downtown.

A few features of this court shape how a case should be run:

• Probate Notes. Before a hearing, the court’s probate attorneys review each petition and post “Probate Notes” online. The notes identify defects, such as a missing notice, an incomplete declaration, or a bond issue, that must be resolved. If they are not cleared, the hearing is often continued, sometimes for weeks. I draft filings with these reviews in mind and monitor the notes before every hearing.
• Remote appearances. Many probate hearings can be attended through LACourtConnect, the court’s remote appearance platform. This helps family members who live outside Los Angeles or out of state.
• Volume. Because the court handles a very large caseload, avoidable mistakes cost real time. A clean first petition is one of the most effective ways to keep an estate moving.

Probate in Los Angeles: What to Expect

When probate is required

For deaths on or after April 1, 2025, California generally requires a full probate when assets that pass outside of a trust, beneficiary designation, or joint ownership exceed $208,850. A separate court petition can transfer a decedent’s primary residence worth up to $750,000 without full probate. With Los Angeles home values, many estates with a house titled only in the decedent’s name will need probate.

Independent administration

Most executors and administrators in Los Angeles ask the court for authority under the Independent Administration of Estates Act. With full authority, many actions, including the sale of real property, can be taken by giving beneficiaries a Notice of Proposed Action instead of waiting for a court confirmation hearing. That can save months on a home sale. When a beneficiary objects, the matter goes back to the court.

When there is no will

If someone dies without a will, California’s intestate succession rules decide who inherits, and a court appoints an administrator. I explain how this works in What Happens When Someone Dies Without a Will in California?

Services for Los Angeles Families

• Probate Administration: from the initial petition and letters through creditor claims, inventory and appraisal, real property sales, and final distribution.
• Trust Administration: helping successor trustees meet their duties, including the required notice to beneficiaries and heirs within 60 days, accountings, tax coordination, and petitions for assets that never made it into the trust.
• Trust & Will Contests: challenging or defending estate documents where there are concerns about undue influence, fraud, or capacity.
• Beneficiary Rights: compelling a trustee to account, addressing delay or self-dealing, and seeking removal of a trustee when necessary.
• Conservatorships: petitioning for, or objecting to, a conservatorship of the person or estate for an adult who can no longer manage on their own. The court investigates every proposed conservatorship, and preparation matters.
• Financial Elder Abuse: pursuing recovery under California’s Elder Abuse and Dependent Adult Civil Protection Act when someone 65 or older has been financially exploited. When financial abuse is proven, the statute allows the court to award attorney’s fees.

Across Los Angeles County

I work with clients throughout the county, including the Westside, Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, Pacific Palisades, the San Fernando Valley, and Calabasas. Many estates involve family members in several states or countries; most of our work can be handled by phone, email, and video conference.

I serve clients in English.

Los Angeles Probate FAQ

Where do I file probate in Los Angeles County? In most cases, at the Probate Division of the Stanley Mosk Courthouse, 111 North Hill Street, in downtown Los Angeles. Limited exceptions apply to the North District.

How long does probate take in Los Angeles? A straightforward California probate commonly takes 9 to 18 months. Contested matters, real estate sales, and uncleared Probate Notes can extend that.

What are “Probate Notes”? They are the court’s pre-hearing review of a petition, posted online. They list problems the court wants fixed before it will grant the request.

How much does a probate attorney cost in Los Angeles? California sets ordinary probate attorney fees by statute, based on the gross value of the estate. Extraordinary work requires court approval. Trust administration and litigation are usually billed differently. See the FAQ and my guide to probate attorney fees.

Do I need to live in Los Angeles to serve as executor? No. A California executor does not have to live in California, though the court may require a bond, and an out-of-state executor needs reliable local counsel.

Talk With a Los Angeles Probate Attorney

Call me directly at (424) 355-5565 or reach out through the contact page. I will review the details personally and give you a clear picture of your options and next steps.

Lamash Legacy Law 23465 Civic Center Way, #116, Malibu, CA 90265 (424) 355-5565 · info@lamashlegacylaw.com

This page provides general information, not legal advice. Contacting Lamash Legacy Law does not create an attorney-client relationship.