★ 4.9 (58 reviews) ·
1201 Puerta Del Sol Ste. 230, San Clemente, CA 92673, USA
2. Spencer K. Schneider Attorney Estate Planning Attorney
★ 5.0 (20 reviews) ·
205 Avenida Del Mar #81, San Clemente, CA 92674, USA
3. Mains Law Office Estate Planning Attorney
★ 5.0 (14 reviews) ·
2753 Camino Capistrano b1, San Clemente, CA 92672, USA
4. Law Offices of J. Sean Dumm Estate Planning Attorney
★ 5.0 (8 reviews) ·
665 Camino De Los Mares #204a, San Clemente, CA 92673, USA
5. Vondrak Law Estate Planning Attorney
★ 5.0 (7 reviews) ·
1010 S El Camino Real Ste 202, San Clemente, CA 92672, USA
6. Martucci & Associates Estate Planning Attorney
★ 4.6 (9 reviews) ·
1181 Puerta Del Sol Ste 130, San Clemente, CA 92673, USA
7. Hartman Jeffrey R Estate Planning Attorney
★ 5.0 (4 reviews) ·
501 N El Camino Real #200, San Clemente, CA 92672, USA
8. The Gibbs Law Firm, APC Estate Planning Attorney
★ 5.0 (3 reviews) ·
1221 Puerta Del Sol #100, San Clemente, CA 92673, USA
9. Susan Dallas Hattan, A Professional Law Corporation Estate Planning Attorney
★ 5.0 (2 reviews) ·
903 Calle Amanecer Ste 230, San Clemente, CA 92673, USA
10. SJN Law, PC Estate Planning Attorney
★ 5.0 (2 reviews) ·
205 Avenida Del Mar #133, San Clemente, CA 92674, USA
11. Bienert Katzman Littrell Williams LLP Estate Planning Attorney
★ 5.0 (2 reviews) ·
903 Calle Amanecer #350, San Clemente, CA 92673, USA
12. Law Office of Edward A. Pernal, Jr. Estate Planning Attorney
★ 5.0 (1 reviews) ·
647 Camino De Los Mares #234, San Clemente, CA 92673, USA
13. Winsten Law Group Estate Planning Attorney
★ 5.0 (1 reviews) ·
28 Calle Castillo, San Clemente, CA 92673, USA
14. Lisa K Hooper Law Office Estate Planning Attorney
★ 3.8 (9 reviews) ·
100 S Ola Vista # C, San Clemente, CA 92672, USA
15. 1LAW San Clemente Estate Planning Attorney
★ 3.7 (6 reviews) ·
1104A S El Camino Real, San Clemente, CA 92672, USA
16. Castagno Joseph D Estate Planning Attorney
★ 3.3 (7 reviews) ·
1181 Puerta Del Sol, San Clemente, CA 92673, USA
17. The Spencer Law Firm Estate Planning Attorney
★ 4.7 (12 reviews) ·
903 Calle Amanecer Ste 220, San Clemente, CA 92673, USA
18. Stifter Law Corporation Estate Planning Attorney
★ 5.0 (2 reviews) ·
1181 Puerta Del Sol Ste 100, San Clemente, CA 92673, USA
19. Charles Payne Law Estate Planning Attorney
★ 5.0 (1 reviews) ·
647 Camino De Los Mares Ste. 226, San Clemente, CA 92673, USA
20. ULTRA Estate Planning Estate Planning Attorney
501 N El Camino Real #200
Estate planning attorneys in San Clemente, CA: a local guide
We currently track 20 estate planning, elder law, and probate attorneys serving San Clemente, CA in Orange County. Across the ones with public reviews, the average customer rating is 4.7★ from 168 total reviews, and 16 hold a 4.5★ rating or higher. Lawrence Trust and Estate Law is among the most-reviewed locally, at 4.9★ across 58 reviews.
What estate planning costs in San Clemente
Rough planning ranges for the San Clemente area:
| Service | Typical range |
|---|
| Simple will package | $300–$1,200 |
| Revocable living trust package | $1,500–$4,000 |
| Full estate plan or probate work | $3,000–$8,000+ |
Many San Clemente estate attorneys quote flat fees for wills and trusts and bill hourly (often $250-$500/hr) for probate. Ask for a written fee agreement before you engage.
How to choose an estate attorney in San Clemente
- Pick a lawyer who focuses on estate planning and probate, not a generalist who dabbles.
- Confirm they're licensed and in good standing with the state bar, and ask how long they've practiced near San Clemente.
- Ask whether wills and trusts are flat-fee and what that covers (funding the trust, revisions, directives).
- Ask who actually does the work — the attorney, a paralegal, or a form service — and who you'll call with questions.
- For probate, ask about the realistic timeline and total cost for a San Clemente-area estate before you engage.
Questions to ask before you hire
- Who will handle my file day to day?
- What's the realistic timeline for my San Clemente matter?
- Is this a flat fee or hourly, and what exactly does it cover?
- Do you focus on estate planning and probate specifically?
- Will you help fund the trust and store the documents?
Many San Clemente listings also handle wills, trusts, powers of attorney, healthcare directives, and probate administration.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a will or living trust cost in San Clemente?
Many San Clemente estate attorneys charge flat fees, roughly $300 to $1,200 for a simple will package and $1,500 to $4,000 for a revocable living trust. Probate work is often billed hourly. Ask for a written fee agreement up front.
Do I need a will or a living trust?
It depends on your assets and goals. A will is simpler and cheaper; a living trust can avoid probate and keep matters private. A short consultation with a San Clemente estate attorney will tell you which fits.
How much does probate cost and how long does it take?
Probate cost and timeline vary by estate and county. Simple San Clemente-area estates can take several months, while complex ones run over a year. Ask the attorney for a realistic estimate for your situation.
What is the difference between estate planning and elder law?
Estate planning focuses on wills, trusts, and passing on assets; elder law also covers long-term care, Medicaid planning, and guardianship. Many San Clemente firms handle both.
Estate & elder law attorneys in San Clemente: what to know
How much does an estate planning attorney cost in San Clemente?
In the San Clemente area, simple wills often run $300–$1,200 and living trust packages $1,500–$4,000; probate and elder law work is commonly billed hourly at $250–$500. Most firms above offer a free or low-cost initial consultation — talk to two or three.
Estate planning vs. elder law vs. probate — which do I need?
Estate planning covers wills, trusts, and powers of attorney while you're healthy. Elder law adds Medicaid planning, guardianship, and long-term-care protection. Probate is the court process after a death — probate attorneys guide executors through estate administration.
What else do these firms handle?
Many attorneys above also handle special needs planning, asset protection, beneficiary disputes, estate tax planning, and real estate transfers in the San Clemente area.
Wills & TrustsLiving TrustsProbatePowers of AttorneyMedicaid PlanningGuardianshipSpecial Needs PlanningEstate Administration