Costa Mesa Probate Lawyers

Joe is a Certified Specialist in Estate Planning, Trust & Probate Law by the State Bar of California. Joe has practiced in Probate law since 2012, including in Estate Planning, Trust and Probate Litigation, Trust and Probate Administration, Conservatorships, and the Probate of Estates, gaining extensive knowledge and experience in the many different and nuanced aspects of Probate law. Joe has been recognized as a Super Lawyers Rising Star in the years 2020 - 2023 in the field of Estate and Trust Litigation. He was most recently further honored by being named as a Super Lawyers "Up-and-Coming 25: 2023 Orange...

Priscilla Madrid a civil litigation attorney, both plaintff and defense, an estate planning and elder law attorney who is located in Anaheim Hills, California. Her practice includes personal injury and business litigation, both plaintiff and defense, estate planning for businesses and individuals, probate, trust, estate and elder abuse litigation, conservatorships, trust administration and consulting. She has extensive experience in drafting and interpreting trusts, contracts and other legal documents along with an extensive civil litigation background spanning over 25 years of practice in both state and federal courts. She has successfully tried over 25 jury trials to verdict, is...

I completed my undergraduate schooling at Boston University, but don’t worry; I don’t talk funny. At Boston University, I achieved a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with an accounting concentration and graduated with magna cum laude honors. That just means you’ve got a smart guy on your side. After Boston, I returned back to Los Angeles and attended Loyola Law School in Los Angeles, graduating and receiving my Juris Doctorate, my law degree. It is while I was at Loyola Law School that I was an assistant clerk for the honorable Judge Alan Ahart, Judge for the Central District...

Christopher J.D. Gipe is the attorney behind his eponymous law firm in Mission Viejo, California. He offers compassionate estate planning services to families throughout Southern California. With the heart of his practice being located in Orange County, including San Clemente, Dana Point, Rancho Mission Viejo, Ladera Ranch, San Juan Capistrano and Laguna Niguel. Mr. Gipe understands the importance of an estate plan and makes sure everything his clients have worked for is taken care of. He ensures their wishes are clearly stated and treated the way they want it, even when they are unable to do so. He helps with the...

Deborah is a an Orange County, CA estate planning attorney who genuinely cares about each and every one of her clients. She has a special sensitivity for seniors and works diligently to ensure that their estate planning wishes are met. Deborah is the mother to two beautiful children and understands the desire of families to ensure that their hard earned assets are passed down to the next generation. She started her firm to make sure that her clients and their children are cared for should anything happen to them. Deborah is responsive, responsible, and committed to the needs of her...

Matthew Schlau has an extensive background in civil litigation, which includes counseling private companies in hundreds of matters in all stages of litigation. His experience also includes advising companies in private joint venture arrangements and serving as outside general counsel to review, draft, and negotiate contracts and other documents relating to a wide range of exceptional and ordinary-course business transactions. He began his own practice so that he could permanently shift his focus from conflicts to building value. He now helps clients design, create, and grow by proactively addressing personal and business matters.

Matt holds a Bachelor of Arts in...

I am a determined Criminal Defense and Family Law attorney. I represent clients in Orange, San Bernardino, Riverside and Los Angeles counties with legal matters including divorce, domestic violence, guardianships and criminal defense.

During a time of intense stress and uncertainty, you need an experienced and compassionate attorney to advocate for your rights and interests. I am committed to the highest level of integrity while aggressively pursuing the best possible outcomes for my clients.

My interest in law began over 25 years ago, when following high school, I began work as a legal assistant. Since opening my own firm in 2002, my...

William Ha is a dedicated and passionate attorney and was born in Los Angeles, and raised in the South Bay. Background and Education William Ha's journey as a legal professional began with a strong commitment to serving the local community. He earned his Juris Doctorate from California Western School of Law in 2008. He has been licensed to practice in California the same year, and is also admitted the to state bar of New Mexico. Practice Areas William Ha is a seasoned attorney specializing in two crucial practice areas: Estate Planning and Bankruptcy. He is passionate about these areas of the law because they...

Luke Carlson always had an interest in business, real estate, and the protection of wealth. During his collegiate career, he realized law was the best way to immerse himself in these verticals. Today, as owner of LS Carlson Law, he and his team of attorneys service clients with their business, real estate, and estate planning needs. By nature, he is a strategist and loves analyzing a situation to determine the best solution to a client’s issue. Carlson understands that the practice of law provides endless opportunities to engage in strategic thinking. Whether it be against an opponent in litigation, which...

Dana M. Cannon has many years of experience with Probates, Conservatorships, Trusts and Estates. During that time she has advised clients on multi-million dollar trust administrations; handled complex litigation; performed estate planning; and represented clients in contested and uncontested conservatorship, guardianship, probate and trust matters. She has been a volunteer at the Los Angeles Superior Court Pro Bono Probate Settlement Program since it began. She understands that these matters may not just involve money. They are often fueled by emotions and because of that this isn’t just business, it’s personal. She looks forward to assisting you with your legal...

Mr. Perez is a former federal prosecutor.
Mr. Perez was appointed an Assistant United States Attorney (AUSA) in the criminal division in the Central District of California in 1977. He has been in private practice since 1981. He has concentrated his practice in the defense of federal crimes and of individuals and businesses under IRS criminal tax investigations. He is a skilled negotiator and trial lawyer who consistently gets good results for his clients. He believes that the defense of anybody facing any criminal charge is a serious undertaking requiring a unique skill-set because the client’s liberty is at stake. Defending...

Vince's experience spans over a decade working in several areas of the legal profession ranging from both the plaintiff's and defense's side of personal injury and insurance litigation, to residential and commercial real estate, and business litigation. Vince earned his Bachelor's degree from Long Beach State in 2001 and his Juris Doctor from Chapman University School of Law in 2005.

Joshua A. Smisko was born in Valencia, California. He attended the University of California, Irvine, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts. Mr. Smisko received his Juris Doctorate degree from Whittier Law School where he was a member of the Entertainment and Sports Law Society and a contributor to their quarterly newsletter and he also obtained a certificate in Intellectual Property. Mr. Smisko previously worked for a National Law Firm representing Banks, Mortgage Loan Lenders, Mortgage Loan Servicers and Foreclosure Trustees dealing with Wrongful Foreclosure claims, Fair Credit Reporting Act claims, Fair Debt Collection Practices Act claims, Evictions, and Bankruptcy...

Sibylle Grebe is the managing partner in the law firm of Conover & Grebe, LLP which practices extensively in the fields of probate, conservatorships, estate planning, trust administration, guardianships and elder law. While successfully and competently representing the needs of clients, Ms. Grebe has enlisted her leadership skills and experience in the service of many professional and community organizations. She has served numerous years on the Probate Volunteer Panel of attorneys for the Los Angeles Superior Court. She is a past chairman of the Elder Law Committee, a past co-chair and current committee member of the...

Paul R. Kelly, Esq. is a litigator and estate planning attorney experienced in trust, estate, probate, elder abuse, real property, and civil disputes. His past experience working for a trial judge gave him unique insight into the judicial process. Then as a former criminal prosecutor and civil litigator, Paul Kelly, Esq. spearheaded trials before both juries and judges. Today in private practice, Mr. Kelly has narrowed his focus to concentrate on the complexities of probate, trust and property law. Paul R. Kelly has represented a wide variety of clients, ranging from the elderly to professional fiduciaries, from corporations...

Thomas L. McKenzie received his Juris Doctor degree from Western State University College of Law, in Fullerton, California. While working full-time at night and attending full-time daily classes, Tom graduated law school with honors in 1993. While at law school, Tom was on the Dean’s List, and was selected as Associate Editor of Western State's Law Review. He also received several American Jurisprudence Awards for excellence in academics and real estate. Passing the bar on his first try, Tom established McKenzie Legal & Financial, and went on to practice in...

Gregory W. Cabo practices in the areas of: FAMILY LAW Family Law, including divorce, legal separation, nullity, dissolution of a domestic partnership, paternity, child custody and child visitation, guardianships, child support and spousal support, property division, prenuptial agreements, pre-divorce planning, enforcement of court orders, modification of court orders and modification of judgments, Department of Child Support Services cases, and restraining orders related to harassment and abuse under the Domestic Violence Prevention Act. PROBATE Probate, including estate and trust administration, probate litigation, trust litigation, wills and trusts challenges and related property law, corporations law and contract law issues. ESTATE PLANNING Estate Planning, including wills, trusts, special needs...

Aaron Gregg is a highly experienced estate planning lawyer located in Fullerton, CA. For the past 3 decades he has helped families and individuals create customized wealth protection strategies to ensure the easy transfer of assets after their passing. Our services include: will preparation, trust administration, probate and all other areas of estate planning. By contact a estate planning attorney you help your beneficiaries bypass the probate process, saving a large amount in taxes and avoiding a process that takes many months, if not years. If it is too late to enact a estate plan and the process has already...

When you need an expert trial lawyer, look on the top shelf! That's where you will find Wayne Philips Law. Even if trial is not in your future, you have great comfort knowing a first rate trial attorney is in your corner. We practice law like you always wished someone would. Smart. Aggressive. Cost-effective. Wayne Philips personally tried hundreds of cases--as one client succinctly put it, "he doesn't like to lose!" Quality lawyering from a firm that knows how to win cases--that's what we offer. Our priority is to fix your problem as quickly, painlessly, and cost-effectively as...

Ryan W. Young is a co-founder of the OC Trial Group and acts as one of the primary Trial attorneys. Mr. Young represents individual and corporate clients throughout the state of California. Mr. Young’s litigation career is rooted in his national law firm experience where he litigated on behalf of the 15th largest law firm in the country. He brings this “big law” experience to OC Trial Group to efficiently resolve matters for our clients. Areas of Practice Mr. Young focuses his practice on the representation of clients in trust administration, pre-litigation trust disputes, trust litigation, real estate, and...

MARIVEL M. ZIALCITA is the founder of MMZ LAW, A Professional Corporation, where she practices in the areas of Trust and Estate, Elder Law, VA Benefits, Special Needs, Conservatorship, Trust Administration and Probate. Ms. Zialcita is a frequent speaker on trust and estate matters and holds memberships in the State Bar of California, Trust and Estate Section, The San Bernardino County Bar Association, Wealth Counsel and Elder Counsel. She currently assists in the pro bono legal services program at the James L. Brulte Senior Center in Rancho Cucamonga, California. Ms. Zialcita received her B.A. degree from the University of California,...

Shawn S. Kerendian is the founder and Principal of Keystone Law Group, P.C. Shawn has managed, supervised and litigated hundreds of Probate, Trusts and Estate matters. Shawn received his undergraduate degree from UCLA and his J.D. from Loyola Law School. He has appeared before judges throughout Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, and San Bernardino counties on matters related to Trusts, Estates and Probate. Shawn is a member of the Trusts & Estates Section of the Los Angeles County Bar Association, and also a member of the Trusts & Estates and Litigation sections of the State Bar of California.