Los Angeles Probate Estate Litigation Attorneys
Our Los Angeles probate estate litigation attorneys are leaders in the probate community, recognized by our peers as some of the best attorneys in the region. The attorneys at RMO have decades of experience representing clients in probate estate disputes, helping executors, administrators, heirs, beneficiaries, spouses, and creditors build a strategy to secure the best possible result.
What is Probate Litigation in Los Angeles?
Probate litigation involves legal disputes that arise after someone passes away, often related to the validity of a will, the conduct of an executor, or disagreements among heirs. In Los Angeles, these cases frequently involve high-value estates, blended families, real estate portfolios, and business interests. Common issues include will contests, breach of fiduciary duty, disputes over asset distribution, and conflicts between beneficiaries. Successfully navigating probate litigation in Los Angeles requires experienced legal counsel who understands local court procedures and California probate law.
Our Los Angeles Office
With an extensive network that spans across California, our Los Angeles clients can conveniently find us at our local office and contact us to schedule a consultation.
Our Awards
Los Angeles Probate Litigation Attorney Spotlights
Our probate litigation attorneys are widely recognized throughout Los Angeles and across the country for their skill in resolving complex estate disputes. We pair strategic courtroom advocacy with a client-first mindset, delivering trusted guidance with professionalism, integrity, and care.
Scott E. Rahn
- Founding Partner
Scott E. Rahn
- Founding Partner
Mathew M. Wrenshall
- Managing Partner – Pasadena
Mathew M. Wrenshall
- Managing Partner – Pasadena
Stephanie K. Delaney
- Managing Attorney – Estate Administration
Stephanie K. Delaney
- Managing Attorney – Estate Administration
Phillip J. Szachowicz
- Attorney
Phillip J. Szachowicz
- Attorney
Ora Zarnegar
- Attorney
Ora Zarnegar
- Attorney
Melanie Cohen
- Attorney
Melanie Cohen
- Attorney
Melanie Cohen is an attorney based in RMO LLP’s Los Angeles office. She brings a precision-driven approach to representing beneficiaries, as well as individual, professional, and corporate fiduciaries in complex trust and probate estate litigation. Guided by our core values, Melanie is dedicated to understanding the unique dynamics of each case, providing strategic, efficient, and compassionate guidance to clients.
Probate Estate Litigation Services We Offer in Los Angeles
With the complexity of estate administration and the potential disputes that can arise, the support of a skilled and empathetic attorney can be invaluable. Our Los Angeles attorneys offer all the following services to clients in Southern California.
Frequently Asked Questions About Probate Litigation in Los Angeles
How do I know if my probate dispute should be filed in Los Angeles County?
Jurisdiction typically depends on where the decedent resided at the time of death or where their property is located. If the person lived or held assets in Los Angeles County, your matter will likely be heard in the Los Angeles Superior Court, Probate Division. During your free consultation, we can confirm whether Los Angeles is the appropriate venue for your case.
Are there any unique aspects of probate litigation in Los Angeles County courts?
Yes. Los Angeles County has one of the busiest probate courts in California, which can impact scheduling and timelines. Additionally, certain local rules and judicial preferences may affect how motions are handled or how quickly cases move through the system. Our firm has deep experience in Los Angeles probate courts, which helps us navigate these local nuances effectively.
How long does probate estate litigation take in Los Angeles?
The timeline varies depending on the complexity of the case, the number of parties involved, and whether the dispute goes to trial. Some matters can be resolved in a few months, while others, particularly those involving contested wills or fiduciary misconduct, may take a year or more. Our goal is always to resolve matters efficiently while protecting your interests.
What does probate estate litigation cost in Los Angeles?
Costs depend on the scope of the dispute, the number of court filings, and whether the matter settles early or proceeds to trial. At RMO Lawyers, we always discuss fees transparently so you can make informed decisions.
Are initial consultations free with RMO Lawyers in Los Angeles?
Yes. We offer a free, no-obligation consultation for probate estate litigation matters. During this meeting, we’ll listen to your situation, evaluate your options, discuss fees and retainers, and recommend next steps based on your goals.
What types of probate estate disputes does RMO Lawyers handle?
We represent clients in a wide range of probate litigation matters, including contested wills, claims of undue influence, breach of fiduciary duty, disputes involving executors or administrators, and elder financial abuse. Whether you’re pursuing or defending a claim, we are here to protect your rights.
Why Hire a Probate Litigation Lawyer in Los Angeles
Navigating a probate dispute in Los Angeles County isn’t just about knowing California probate law. It requires an understanding of the unique dynamics of the county’s diverse communities and its complex court system. With over 10 million residents spread across more than 4,000 square miles, Los Angeles County is not a single legal environment. At RMO Lawyers, we have deep roots in the local probate litigation landscape and know how to approach disputes with a strategic, hyperlocal perspective. We appear in these courtrooms regularly, which means we understand how individual judges manage their dockets and how opposing counsel typically approach cases. These insights help our clients make better-informed decisions. In a probate system that is often overcrowded and delayed, we use our local experience to avoid procedural pitfalls, keep cases moving forward, and resolve matters as efficiently as possible.
Our Los Angeles Community Connection
We are deeply engaged in the Los Angeles legal community, with a strong focus on probate litigation. As active members of the Los Angeles County Bar Association Trusts and Estates Section, one of the largest and most respected voluntary bar associations in the country, we contribute to ongoing dialogue and developments in the field. Our attorneys have also held leadership roles with the Beverly Hills Bar Association Trusts and Estates Section and the Beverly Hills Estate Planning Council, including service as President Emeritus and frequent speakers on probate-related topics.
Our work has earned recognition from local publications. The Los Angeles Business Journal has named our attorneys among the “Top Litigators,” as well as featured them in “Leaders of Influence: Thriving in Their 40s” and “Most Admired Law Firms to Work For.” The Los Angeles Times recognized members of our team as “Legal Visionaries” in its Business of Law series, highlighting our contributions to the advancement of probate litigation throughout the region.
We continue to support the greater Los Angeles legal community through speaking engagements with the Los Angeles Paralegal Association, San Fernando Valley Bar Association Trusts and Estates Section, and South Bay Bar Association Trusts and Estates Section. These ongoing efforts reflect our commitment to leadership and excellence in probate litigation.
Los Angeles Publications & Mentions
Our attorneys are frequently featured in respected Los Angeles media outlets, where they share analysis on trust, estate, and fiduciary matters with an emphasis on probate litigation. Their published work and industry recognition reflect a strong commitment to educating both the public and the legal community.
Highlights include:
• Business Visionaries, Los Angeles Times
• Leaders of Influence: Litigators & Trial Lawyers, Los Angeles Business Journal
• Surgical Focus, Daily Journal
• Demurrers on Deadline, Daily Journal
Through these contributions, our team offers clear, practical guidance to individuals, families, fiduciaries, and legal professionals throughout Los Angeles, reinforcing our role as thought leaders in probate and fiduciary litigation.
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Get trusted guidance and resolution in your probate litigation case – contact our Los Angeles probate lawyers today for a free consultation.
Client Testimonials
See what our clients have to say about working with us in Los Angeles.
Los Angeles Probate Litigation Case Wins
Our Los Angeles probate estate litigation law firm handles all types of estate litigation cases and has a longstanding reputation of protecting people and defending legacies.
Who We Represent in Los Angeles Probate Litigation Cases
Probate estate litigation cases are complex and involve multiple parties. RMO can offer legal representation to all of the following potential clients in Los Angeles, regardless of which side of a case they are on. No matter what, our goal is the same, to help clients understand their legal rights and help them achieve resolution.
Executors & Administrators
We offer close legal guidance to estate representatives throughout the estate administration process to prevent potential disputes. In the event that your appointment or administration efforts are challenged, we can help you build a defense in probate or estate litigation. We will thoroughly investigate your dispute and work to resolve it through mediation or litigation, whether it’s a competing probate petition or objection, a will contest, a breach of fiduciary duty claim, a petition for instructions, or a petition for removal.
Beneficiaries & Heirs
Beneficiaries and heirs are the most common targets in disputes over wills and inheritances. Our Los Angeles probate estate litigation attorneys at RMO safeguard the interests of beneficiaries and heirs in disputes, helping to protect their rights by offering legal representation in litigation or mediation, contesting estate plan amendments, and advocating for their rightful distribution of assets.
Spouses
The surviving spouse of a decedent has unique rights to an inheritance of a loved one’s estate under California state law. Our probate estate litigation attorneys in Los Angeles will assist in understanding and exercising these rights. By offering counsel for spousal claims, representation in litigation, and more, we will help spouses navigate will or trust disputes so they can reclaim what is rightfully theirs.
Creditors
Creditors with an interest in an estate must follow careful procedures in the probate process or risk missing out on recovering their debts. If these debts are not properly resolved, litigation may be a viable option. If you are a creditor seeking to resolve debts from an estate, our Los Angeles Probate attorneys can help you identify the necessary legal action to pursue what’s rightfully yours and settle unresolved debts.
Our Los Angeles Probate Courts
The Los Angeles County Probate Courts are a probate court system created by state statute and overseen by elected judges. In general, a probate court oversees several processes related to the administration of a decedent’s or ward’s estate.
A probate court will facilitate some of the following processes in Los Angeles County:
- Probates the wills of deceased persons
- Declares the heirs of deceased persons who die without a will
- Establishes guardianships for incapacitated persons and minors
- Supervises court-ordered involuntary mental health commitments
A probate court also has jurisdiction to hear lawsuits appertaining to or incident to an estate of a decedent or ward as well as actions by or against a personal representative of a decedent’s or ward’s estate. These cases may cover a wide range of topics, from product liability to fiduciary litigation to medical malpractice to family law.
Probate Courts in Los Angeles
Cases from Los Angeles County are heard at the following courthouses:
Stanley Mosk Courthouse (Downtown Los Angeles)
The Stanley Mosk Courthouse serves as the primary venue for probate litigation in Los Angeles County. Most contested probate, trust, and conservatorship matters are handled here.
111 N. Hill Street
Los Angeles, CA 90012
(213) 830-0850
Stanley Mosk Courthouse Probate Division
Michael D. Antonovich Antelope Valley Courthouse (Lancaster)
The Antelope Valley Courthouse handles trust and estate cases from the northern parts of Los Angeles County, such as Lancaster, Palmdale, and nearby communities. Cases are assigned here based on the decedent’s residence or where estate assets are located.
42011 4th Street West
Lancaster, CA 93534
(661) 974-7200
Antelope Valley Courthouse Probate Division
Why Hire RMO Lawyers
Our Los Angeles probate litigation lawyers focus exclusively on resolving inheritance, estate, and fiduciary disputes with clarity, compassion, and results. We are trusted not only for our legal skill, but also for our commitment to integrity and empathy, helping clients navigate emotionally charged probate matters while protecting their rights and interests inside and outside the courtroom.
Everything we do centers around our core values:
- Lead with Integrity
- Precision-Driven Results
- Stronger Together
Our Los Angeles probate litigation team lives these values by putting clients and their objectives at the heart of every case. We start by listening closely, understanding family dynamics, and carefully reviewing the facts to craft a tailored strategy. Whether you’re contesting a will, pursuing a claim against a fiduciary, or defending your inheritance, we work to bring clarity, resolution, and peace of mind.
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