Probate Attorney

Common Questions and Answers

Elder Law Services Has Been Helping Families Preserve Wealth And Leave A Legacy For Future Generations Since 1995

Judd Matsunaga, Attorney - Elder Law Services of California - Los Angeles Estate Planning Law Offices

Judd Matsunaga

A Trusted Estate Planning Attorney and Real Estate Broker in Los Angeles, CA

Judd Matsunaga is a trusted, Estate Planning Attorney in Los Angeles, CA, who has helped thousands of families with Wills, Trusts, Probate, and Medi-Cal Planning for Long-Term Care. Mr. Matsunaga is also a Real Estate Broker with over 40 years of commercial, residential and development experience, mostly in Southern California and Kahala, Hawaii.

Mr. Matsunaga started his real estate career in 1979 selling apartment buildings in LA and Orange County before graduating from UCLA in 1980. A few years later, Mr. Matsunaga started to broker commercial buildings in Mid-Wilshire area. In the mid-80s, Mr. Matsunaga was developing single family homes in the Kahala area of Oahu, Hawaii.

Although Mr. Matsunaga was noted in Baron’s Who’s Who in American Real Estate in 1983, Mr. Matsunaga sent back to law school and became an attorney in 1995. After 1 year in litigation, Mr. Matsunaga found his niche in estate planning, and started Elder Law Services of California, APC in 1997. “I’m very proud to say that we have protected thousands of families from Probate Court with Revocable Living Trusts and have a 99.99% success rate in qualifying our clients for Medi-Cal benefits while preserving assets and protecting the family home.”

What makes Judd’s expertise so unique in buying or selling real estate is his knowledge of legal and tax matters. “Over the past four decades, I’ve seen Seller markets, Buyer Markets, historically high and low interest rates. Every now and then there’s an problem with a sale after escrow is opened. Think about it – Real Estate agent vs. Real Estate Broker who is also an attorney? Attorney wins every time.”

Over the years, several families who have inherited parent’s home have wanted to sell the home to divide the sale proceeds. Since they have to sell through a real estate office anyways, Mr. Matsunaga offers his real estate services while discounting (or waiving) legal fees saving his clients thousands of dollars. IT’S A WIN-WIN SITUATION!!!

Mr. Matsunaga is a member of the State Bar of California, the Los Angeles County Bar Association, the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, California Advocates for Long-Term Care (CANHR), California Association of Realtors, Beverly Hills Greater Los Angeles Board or Realtors, National Notary Association, Southern California Golf Association, National Eagle Scout Association, and the Better Business Bureau.

Call Judd Matsunaga today at (800) 403-6078 to discuss your probate, estate planning or real estate needs and experience the advantage of having a seasoned attorney and broker by your side. Your success is his top priority.

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What is Probate?

The passing of a loved one is always a difficult and heartbreaking situation to endure. In addition to grieving the loss of a dear family member or friend, you must also begin to handle funeral arrangements, life insurance claims, and other financial affairs. Many times we all have questions and concerns regarding those matters and might feel lost or confused.

Whenever a person passes away, their assets and belongings will typically pass through probate (there are exceptions). In theory, the probate process is simple. However, the reality of dealing with the courts can be stressful, complicated, and confusing. Elder Law Services of California always advocates comprehensive planning today, for peace of mind in the future. Unfortunately, if a loved one never drafted an estate plan before their passing, dealing with probate can be full of headaches.

How Long Does the Probate Process Take?

Starting the probate process immediately after a loved one’s death is always a wise decision that can help speed up the entire court process. In California, probate can last between 7 and 12 months (and even longer for a contested estate). In turn, the sooner you begin probate, the sooner you will be finished, and be able to distribute assets and other belongings to your family member and beneficiaries.

How Can a Probate Attorney Help?

If you are fortunate enough to have never dealt with the probate process, you may have questions about the court proceedings and how they work. Fortunately, with an experienced attorney involved, dealing with the courts can be relatively simple for you and your loved ones. The first step after the passing of a loved one is to find an attorney you trust, who also has experience dealing with probate.

How Elder Law Services Can Help

At Elder Law Services, our team will personally meet with you to determine a specific plan of action to speed the probate process along in the most efficient and straightforward manner possible. Our goal is to bring probate to the earliest possible conclusion while protecting your family’s assets and meeting all their needs or wishes.

Our motto is to help clients by “Making Difficult Times Simple.” Elder Law Services of California, APLC, is a law firm dedicated to assisting people during their hardest times by dealing with probate and any other estate planning issues. Give us a call to schedule an appointment with our team of experienced and reliable probate attorneys. We look forward to working with you soon.