Fullerton, California Probate Lawyer

With proper estate planning and trust administration most probate matters can be avoided. Since opening the Law Office of J. Larry Ballard thirty five years ago, I have been helping clients with estate planning, estate administration, and probate matters. I am a certified specialist in Probate, Estate Planning, and Trust Law by The State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization, and have been for more that thirty years.

Skilled Probate Lawyer

While most complicated probate matters can be avoided by placing assets in trusts and drafting simple pour-over wills, for most people seeking a probate lawyer it is to late to use these techniques. I have extensive experience helping families navigate the complexities of probating an estate. During probate, the probate court determines the beneficiaries of the estate. It typically takes between ten and fourteen months to probate an estate without a will or trust compared to six months when an estate has been properly planned.

A majority of estates that end up in probate court do so because people died without having a will or trust. When a will is the only document available an estate is still required to go through probate, which can cost as much as 3.5% of the gross estate.

In addition to probate matters, I regularly handle will contests and the filing of federal estate tax returns. Federal Estate tax returns are due nine months after death and a majority of these are audited. Therefore, it is important to have a skilled estate administration attorney to ensure Federal Estate tax returns are filled our correctly.

Contact My Fullerton, California Law Office

Whether you need a probate attorney for simple estate administration or complex probate matters, please contact the Law Offices of J. Larry Ballard. I can be reached by phone at 714-871-1132, by e-mail, or by filling out the intake form on the Contact Us page.

The Law Offices of J. Larry Ballard

1235 North Harbor Boulevard - Suite 200 – Fullerton, CA 92832-1324

As an probate lawyer, I represent clients throughout North Orange County, the Inland Empire, Riverside County, San Bernardino County, and the cities of Diamond Bar, La Mirada, La Habra, Whittier, Anaheim, Santa Ana, Irvine, Costa Mesa, Newport Beach, Yorba Linda, Buena Park, Brea, and Placentia.