Business Details
50+ Years
experience
Trusted 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, our firm specializes in estate planning, probate, living trusts, and wrongful death cases. With over 50 years of combined experience, we prioritize compassionate client service, streamlined legal processes, and tailored solutions to complex legal challenges.Our team of award-winning attorneys and dedicated professionals is committed to making legal matters accessible and understandable, offering free initial consultations to all clients. We serve 10 office locations across Southern California, ensuring local expertise and personalized attention for every family we assist.
Services
Estate Planning
Probate Administration
Living Trusts
Wrongful Death
Wills
Trust Administration
Guardianship
Power of Attorney
Spousal Property
Probate Alternatives
Details
- Year established: 1975
Highlights and features
- We offer 50 years of specialized experience in estate planning and probate law
- Our team provides compassionate, client-focused legal guidance
- We implement streamlined processes to simplify complex legal matters
- Free initial consultations available for all estate planning needs
- Award-winning attorneys with proven track records in probate cases
What people say
Friendly, professional, knowledgeable
Responsive and prompt
Excellent estate planning services
Seamless and pleasant process
Reasonable and inexpensive fees
Services
Estate Planning
Our estate planning services create comprehensive legal frameworks to protect assets and ensure proper distribution. We specialize in customized wills, trusts, and power of attorney documents that meet individual family needs while minimizing future legal complications. Our attorneys provide clear guidance through complex legal requirements.
Probate Administration
We guide executors through California's probate process with expert legal support. Our services include court filings, asset inventory, debt settlement, and final distribution of estates. We simplify this complex legal procedure while maintaining compliance with all state regulations and deadlines.
Living Trusts
Our living trust solutions help clients avoid probate while maintaining control over asset distribution. We establish revocable trusts that allow seamless transfer of real estate, financial accounts, and personal property to designated beneficiaries after death.
Wrongful Death
We represent families seeking compensation for losses from preventable fatalities. Our services include calculating damages, negotiating with insurance companies, and litigating cases involving medical expenses, funeral costs, and loss of companionship resulting from third-party negligence.
Probate Alternatives
We offer legal solutions to bypass traditional probate through small estate affidavits and spousal property petitions. Our attorneys help clients qualify for streamlined processes that transfer assets faster and more cost-effectively than standard probate proceedings.
People
L. Rob Werner
Founder
Founder of The Werner Law Firm with over 50 years of legal experience. Recognized for establishing the firm's reputation of excellence in estate planning and probate law across Southern California.
Troy Werner
Managing Attorney
Managing Attorney with 15+ years of experience. Recipient of the 2023 Pro Bono Attorney of the Year award. Specializes in probate law and estate planning solutions for California families.
Caley Garrison
Attorney
Experienced estate planning attorney providing personalized legal solutions. Focuses on creating comprehensive trust-based estate plans that protect client assets and family interests.
Grace Lim-Ayres
Attorney
Dedicated probate attorney assisting clients with estate administration. Specializes in guiding families through California's probate process with compassionate legal representation.
Brittany Werner
Director of Operations
Manages firm operations with extensive experience in legal administration. Ensures efficient delivery of services across all office locations while maintaining high client service standards.
Questions
What is the difference between probate and a living trust?
Probate is a court-supervised process for distributing assets through the legal system, while a living trust allows private asset transfer without court involvement.
How can I avoid probate in California?
Establish a revocable living trust, use beneficiary designations, or qualify for small estate exemptions to bypass California's probate process.
What happens if I die without a will?
California's intestacy laws will determine asset distribution, typically prioritizing spouses, children, and other blood relatives in specific legal order.
Do I need an attorney for estate planning?
While possible alone, an experienced attorney ensures legally sound documents that address complex scenarios and prevent future family disputes.
How much does probate cost in California?
Statutory fees average 4% of the first $100,000 in estate value, with total costs including court fees and administrative expenses.
What is a spousal property petition?
This streamlined legal process transfers community property to a surviving spouse without full probate proceedings, saving time and costs.
