Los Angeles Estate Planning

High home values make probate expensive

The median home value in Los Angeles County is about $873,000 (August 2026).

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Statutory attorney and executor fees are based on the estate's gross value, before any mortgage is subtracted.

On an $873,000 estate, those two fees come to about $41,000 combined, before court costs.

A properly funded living trust lets your family avoid that process and keep your affairs private.

The small-estate limits are lower than most Los Angeles homes

Since April 1, 2025, California allows simplified transfers for personal property up to $208,850 and for a primary residence worth up to $750,000.

Very few homes in Los Angeles County fall under that residence limit, so most Los Angeles homeowners still need a trust to keep their home out of full probate.

Being prepared after the 2025 wildfires

The Eaton and Palisades fires of January 2025 showed many Los Angeles families how much depends on being able to find key documents and act quickly.

An up-to-date plan names who can deal with insurance claims, rebuilding decisions and finances if you cannot, and keeps copies of your trust, deeds and health care directives where your family can reach them.

If your home or papers were affected, it is a good time to review and replace your plan.

Business owners and professionals

Los Angeles County is home to hundreds of thousands of small and family businesses, from restaurants and shops to medical practices, real estate portfolios and growing companies.

For these families, wealth often includes ownership interests, company stock and workplace benefits, each with its own rules.

We identify what you own, look at how your business and company documents treat it if you die or become incapacitated, and make sure your trust and the people you name can step in when the time comes.