★ 5.0 (83 reviews) ·
426 Barcellus Ave Ste 303, Santa Maria, CA 93454, USA
★ 4.8 (339 reviews) ·
400 E Orange St, Santa Maria, CA 93454, USA
★ 4.5 (102 reviews) ·
1016 E Main St, Santa Maria, CA 93454, USA
4. Paul Greco Law Estate Planning Attorney
★ 4.8 (35 reviews) ·
301 E Chapel St, Santa Maria, CA 93454, USA
5. Law Office of James Tringham Estate Planning Attorney
★ 5.0 (27 reviews) ·
900 E Main St #101, Santa Maria, CA 93454, USA
6. Biely & Gaston Attorneys at Law Estate Planning Attorney
★ 4.9 (27 reviews) ·
195 S. Broadway, Old #211, Orcutt, CA 93455, USA
7. Egan Law Estate Planning Attorney
★ 4.5 (28 reviews) ·
426 Barcellus Ave Ste 304, Santa Maria, CA 93454, USA
8. Simmons Law Firm Estate Planning Attorney
★ 4.9 (22 reviews) ·
3420 Orcutt Rd Ste 201, Santa Maria, CA 93455, USA
9. Law Offices of R. Morgan Holland, L.C. Estate Planning Attorney
★ 4.3 (25 reviews) ·
323 Vine St, Santa Maria, CA 93454, USA
10. Andrew M. Jennings, Attorney at Law Estate Planning Attorney
★ 5.0 (17 reviews) ·
704 S McClelland St, Santa Maria, CA 93454, USA
11. Law Office of Michael S. Hardy Estate Planning Attorney
★ 4.8 (12 reviews) ·
215 N Lincoln St, Santa Maria, CA 93458, USA
12. Law Office of Aaron B. Smith Estate Planning Attorney
★ 4.7 (12 reviews) ·
241 South S Broadway #205, Orcutt, CA 93455, USA
13. Devey Law, A Professional Law Corporation Estate Planning Attorney
★ 5.0 (8 reviews) ·
1110 E Clark Ave Suite 210, Santa Maria, CA 93455, USA
14. Twitchell & Rice Estate Planning Attorney
★ 4.9 (7 reviews) ·
215 N Lincoln St, Santa Maria, CA 93458, USA
15. Carsel & Borjas, LLP Estate Planning Attorney
★ 5.0 (3 reviews) ·
937 E Main St Ste 206, Santa Maria, CA 93454, USA
16. StephensFirm Estate Planning Attorney
★ 5.0 (1 reviews) ·
518 E Main St, Santa Maria, CA 93454, USA
17. Juarez, Adam & Farley, LLP Estate Planning Attorney
★ 4.3 (7 reviews) ·
625 E Chapel St A, Santa Maria, CA 93454, USA
18. Kirk & Simas, A Professional Law Corporation Estate Planning Attorney
★ 3.8 (11 reviews) ·
2550 Professional Pkwy, Santa Maria, CA 93455, USA
19. Legal Aid Foundation of Santa Barbara County Estate Planning Attorney
★ 3.3 (6 reviews) ·
301 S Miller St #204, Santa Maria, CA 93454, USA
20. Law Offices of Adrian S. Andrade & Associates Estate Planning Attorney
★ 3.0 (5 reviews) ·
211 E Fesler St, Santa Maria, CA 93454, USA
21. Law Office of Laura Hoffman King Estate Planning Attorney
★ 5.0 (9 reviews) ·
5075 S Bradley Rd Ste 125, Orcutt, CA 93455, USA
22. Law Offices of Heather M. Weare Estate Planning Attorney
301 S Miller St #116, Santa Maria, CA 93454, USA
23. Andre Morris & Buttery Estate Planning Attorney
2739 Santa Maria Way 3rd floor, Santa Maria, CA 93455, USA
24. Law Office of Kathleen R. Patton Estate Planning Attorney
545 E Clark Ave
25. Milder Jonathan Law Offices Estate Planning Attorney
301 E Cook St Ste B1
Estate planning attorneys in Santa Maria, CA: a local guide
We currently track 25 estate planning, elder law, and probate attorneys serving Santa Maria, CA in Santa Barbara County. Across the ones with public reviews, the average customer rating is 4.6★ from 786 total reviews, and 16 hold a 4.5★ rating or higher. Michael B. Clayton and Associates is among the most-reviewed locally, at 4.8★ across 339 reviews.
What estate planning costs in Santa Maria
Rough planning ranges for the Santa Maria area:
| Service | Typical range |
|---|
| Simple will package | $350–$1,350 |
| Revocable living trust package | $1,700–$4,500 |
| Full estate plan or probate work | $3,350–$8,950+ |
Many Santa Maria 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 Santa Maria
- Read reviews and ask for references from recent Santa Maria estate clients.
- 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 Santa Maria.
- 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.
Questions to ask before you hire
- How do updates work as laws or my family change?
- Who will handle my file day to day?
- What's the realistic timeline for my Santa Maria matter?
- Is this a flat fee or hourly, and what exactly does it cover?
- Do you focus on estate planning and probate specifically?
Many Santa Maria 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 Santa Maria?
Many Santa Maria 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 Santa Maria 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 Santa Maria-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 Santa Maria firms handle both.
Estate & elder law attorneys in Santa Maria: what to know
How much does an estate planning attorney cost in Santa Maria?
In the Santa Maria 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 Santa Maria area.
Wills & TrustsLiving TrustsProbatePowers of AttorneyMedicaid PlanningGuardianshipSpecial Needs PlanningEstate Administration