Business Details
50+ Years
experience
Estate Planning & Probate Attorneys in Southern California
The Werner Law Firm has been a trusted legal resource for Southern California families since 1975. Founded by L. Rob Werner and now led by Managing Attorney Troy Werner, the firm specializes in estate planning, probate, living trusts, and wrongful death cases. With 50 years of collective experience, our team prioritizes compassionate, client-focused service, streamlining complex legal processes to reduce client burdens.We maintain offices across 10 Southern California locations, offering free initial consultations and tailored solutions to protect clients' assets and legacies. Our attorneys have received industry recognition, including Troy Werner's 2023 Pro Bono Attorney of the Year award, while maintaining a reputation for responsive communication and transparent fee structures.
Services
Estate Planning
Probate Administration
Living Trusts
Wrongful Death Claims
Probate Alternatives
Wills & Trusts
Guardianship Planning
Trust Administration
Asset Protection
Details
- Year established: 1975
Highlights and features
- 50 years of specialized experience in estate planning and probate law
- 10 Southern California office locations for convenient access
- Free initial consultations with experienced legal professionals
- Award-winning attorneys recognized for pro bono contributions
- Client-focused approach with transparent communication and fees
What people say
Friendly, professional, knowledgeable staff
Responsive and prompt communication
Excellent estate planning services
Seamless probate process
Reasonable and inexpensive fees
Services
Estate Planning
Our estate planning services help clients create comprehensive strategies to protect assets and ensure proper distribution after death. We specialize in customized wills, trusts, and advanced directives that meet individual family needs while minimizing tax implications. Our attorneys work closely with clients to develop plans that address unique financial situations and long-term care considerations.
Probate Administration
We guide executors through California's probate process, handling all court filings, creditor notifications, and asset distributions. Our team streamlines estate settlement while ensuring compliance with complex legal requirements. We represent both individual executors and institutional fiduciaries in contested and uncontested probate matters across Southern California.
Living Trusts
Our attorneys design revocable living trusts to help clients avoid probate and maintain privacy. We create customized trust documents that specify asset distribution, establish successor trustees, and include provisions for minor children's inheritance. Our trust services include proper funding assistance to ensure effective estate transfer.
Wrongful Death Claims
We represent families seeking compensation for losses from preventable fatalities. Our services include calculating damages for medical expenses, lost income, and emotional suffering while negotiating with insurance companies and litigating complex wrongful death cases in California courts.
Probate Alternatives
We help clients utilize simplified estate transfer methods including small estate affidavits, joint tenancy arrangements, and beneficiary designations. Our attorneys assess eligibility for expedited processes like California's $750,000 primary residence transfer petition to avoid full probate proceedings.
People
L. Rob Werner
Founder
Founder of The Werner Law Firm with over 45 years of legal experience. Specializes in estate planning and probate law, establishing the firm's reputation for compassionate client service and technical excellence in Southern California.
Troy Werner
Managing Attorney
Managing Attorney with 15+ years of experience, recognized as 2023 Pro Bono Attorney of the Year. Specializes in probate litigation and trust administration, leading the firm's expansion to 10 Southern California locations.
Caley Garrison
Attorney
Estate planning attorney focusing on complex trust structures and tax minimization strategies. Provides personalized guidance to high-net-worth clients across Southern California with multi-generational wealth transfer planning.
Grace Lim-Ayres
Attorney
Probate specialist with extensive experience in contested estate matters. Represents executors and beneficiaries in California probate courts, resolving disputes over will interpretations and asset distributions.
Questions
What services does The Werner Law Firm specialize in?
We specialize in estate planning, probate administration, living trusts, wrongful death claims, and probate alternatives for Southern California residents.
How can a living trust help my family avoid probate?
A properly funded living trust allows your assets to transfer directly to beneficiaries without court involvement, saving time, costs, and maintaining privacy.
What are alternatives to full probate proceedings?
Options include small estate affidavits for estates under $208,850, spousal property petitions, and Heggstad petitions for trust-contained assets.
Do I need an attorney for estate planning?
While not legally required, our experienced attorneys help create comprehensive, legally sound plans that address complex family and financial situations.
How much does probate typically cost in California?
Statutory fees start at 4% of the first $100,000 in estate value, with total costs often reaching $11,000+ for a $400,000 estate.
