68/100LFR Score
Ranked #1 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 157 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Estate planning attorney”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
Estate Planning And Probate Lawyers in Desert Hot Springs, CA: 2026 rankings
40 estate planning and probate lawyers ranked by LFR ScoreUpdated 0 paid placements in this rankingHow we rank →
The short answer
- 1
Highest LFR Score in Desert Hot Springs: Ruben J. Martinez, APC, LFR Score 68/100; 5.0★ from 157 Google reviews; open 24/7.
- 10
Open 24 hours (per Google): Aimee Larsen Mendoza, posts 24/7 hours; ranked #10 of 40.
- 21
Most-reviewed: Mark J McGowan Law Offices PC, 263 Google reviews at 4.8★, the most of 40 ranked; ranked #21.
Rankings can't be bought. Lawyers can't pay to change their rank or score. How we rank
40 Desert Hot Springs estate planning and probate lawyers are ranked here by LFR Score, from nine published factors. 4 are open 24/7, 8 open Saturdays and 5 open Sundays, based on posted hours. The median Google rating is 5.0★ across 40 rated law firms.
Top 10 estate planning and probate lawyers in Desert Hot Springs at a glance
Ranked by our published LFR Score from public data, not by payment; a rank is not an endorsement or a prediction of results.
| Rank | Business | LFR Score | Google rating | Based in | Hours | Notable for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ruben J. Martinez, APC | 68 | 5.0★ (157) | Anaheim, 22 mi away | Open 24 hrs (Google) | Top score |
| 2 | Heritage Legal, PC | 65 | 5.0★ (96) | Palm Springs, 10 mi away | — | — |
| 3 | Palm Desert Law, A Professional Corporation | 64 | 5.0★ (198) | Palm Desert, 18 mi away | — | — |
| 4 | J. Arthur Law Firm | 63 | 5.0★ (45) | Palm Springs, 10 mi away | — | — |
| 5 | Law Office of Amanda M. Rice | 62 | 5.0★ (130) | Chino, 22 mi away | — | — |
| 6 | Desert Law Group | Kimberly T. Lee | 62 | 4.9★ (90) | La Quinta, 19 mi away | — | — |
| 7 | Palm Desert Estate Planning: A Professional Corporation. | 61 | 4.9★ (50) | Palm Desert, 16 mi away | — | — |
| 8 | Bochnewich Law Offices | 61 | 5.0★ (41) | Palm Desert, 18 mi away | — | — |
| 9 | David DL Horton Esq and Associates | 61 | 4.0★ (4) | Palm Springs, 10 mi away | Sat · Sun · Evenings | — |
| 10 | Aimee Larsen Mendoza | 60 | 5.0★ (4) | La Quinta, 21 mi away | Open 24 hrs (Google) | Open 24 hours |
All 40 estate planning and probate lawyers in Desert Hot Springs, in rank order
Ordered by LFR Score, a 0–100 score from nine published factors. Paid placement never changes the order.
Ranked by our published LFR Score from public data, not by payment; a rank is not an endorsement or a prediction of results.
Based in Palm Springs, 10 mi away
65/100LFR ScoreRanked #2 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 96 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Estate planning attorney”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
Based in Palm Desert, 18 mi away
64/100LFR ScoreRanked #3 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 198 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Estate planning attorney”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
Based in Palm Springs, 10 mi away
63/100LFR ScoreRanked #4 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 45 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Estate planning attorney”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
Based in Chino, 22 mi away
62/100LFR ScoreRanked #5 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 130 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Estate planning attorney”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
Based in La Quinta, 19 mi away
62/100LFR ScoreRanked #6 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.9★ from 90 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Estate planning attorney”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
Based in Palm Desert, 16 mi away
61/100LFR ScoreRanked #7 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.9★ from 50 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Estate planning attorney”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
Based in Palm Desert, 18 mi away
61/100LFR ScoreRanked #8 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 41 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Estate planning attorney”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
Based in Palm Springs, 10 mi away
61/100LFR ScoreRanked #9 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.0★ from 4 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Estate planning attorney”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
Based in La Quinta, 21 mi away
60/100LFR ScoreRanked #10 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 4 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Estate planning attorney”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
Based in Palm Desert, 19 mi away
60/100LFR ScoreRanked #11 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 29 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Estate planning attorney”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
#12 Hi-Desert Law
Based in Yucca Valley, 12 mi away
59/100LFR ScoreRanked #12 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.7★ from 15 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Estate planning attorney”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
Based in Cathedral City, 19 mi away
59/100LFR ScoreRanked #13 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 21 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Estate planning attorney”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
#14 Barton Law Firm
Based in La Quinta, 20 mi away
59/100LFR ScoreRanked #14 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 6 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Estate planning attorney”.
Based on 6 of 9 factors; bar status, recency and availability not yet collected.
Based in Palm Springs, 10 mi away
58/100LFR ScoreRanked #15 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.4★ from 8 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Estate planning attorney”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
Based in Palm Desert, 18 mi away
58/100LFR ScoreRanked #16 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.3★ from 20 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Estate planning attorney”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
Based in Palm Desert, 18 mi away
57/100LFR ScoreRanked #17 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 3 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Estate planning attorney”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
#18 Peck Law Group
Based in Palm Desert, 17 mi away
56/100LFR ScoreRanked #18 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 6 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Elder law attorney”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
Based in Cathedral City, 15 mi away
56/100LFR ScoreRanked #19 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 4 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Estate planning attorney”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
Based in Palm Desert, 18 mi away
56/100LFR ScoreRanked #20 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 4 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Estate planning attorney”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
Based in Palm Desert, 17 mi away
55/100LFR ScoreRanked #21 because of its Google rating and review volume: 4.8★ from 263 Google reviews, the most in Desert Hot Springs.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
Based in Palm Desert, 17 mi away
54/100LFR ScoreRanked #22 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 56 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Health insurance agency”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
Based in Cathedral City, 9 mi away
53/100LFR ScoreRanked #23 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.7★ from 53 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Bankruptcy attorney”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
#24 McCune Law Group
Based in Rancho Mirage, 16 mi away
53/100LFR ScoreRanked #24 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 7 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Personal injury attorney”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
Based in Rancho Mirage, 16 mi away
51/100LFR ScoreRanked #25 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.8★ from 21 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Paralegal services provider”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
All 40 estate planning and probate lawyers
#1 to #25 are shown in full above. Here are #26 to #40, in LFR Score order; each links to its profile.
| Rank | Business | LFR Score | Google rating | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 26 | Blythe, Walker and Associates APLC | 51 | 3.5★ (4) | 17 mi |
| 27 | Slovak, Baron, Empey, Murphy & Pinkney LLP (SBEMP) | 50 | 4.6★ (12) | 10 mi |
| 28 | Law Offices of Jeffrey E. Fromberg, APC | 50 | 5.0★ (9) | 10 mi |
| 29 | Ignazio Ficara Law Offices: Ficara Ignazio | 50 | 4.8★ (18) | 12 mi |
| 30 | Law Office of Sklar and Sklar, APC | 48 | 4.3★ (25) | 19 mi |
| 31 | Bighorn Legal Group | 48 | 5.0★ (11) | 18 mi |
| 32 | Law Offices of Rhona S. Kauffman | 48 | 4.4★ (14) | 18 mi |
| 33 | Juliene Lee Ash Attorney At Law | 48 | 4.2★ (5) | 18 mi |
| 34 | Michael Zitomer | 48 | 4.0★ (4) | 10 mi |
| 35 | Schlecht, Shevlin & Shoenberger A Law Corporation | 48 | 3.2★ (5) | 10 mi |
| 36 | Law Offices of Tecla M. Lunak, APC | 47 | 3.8★ (17) | 17 mi |
| 37 | Sever Law Office | 47 | 5.0★ (4) | 16 mi |
| 38 | Indian Wells Professional Center | 46 | 4.3★ (6) | 19 mi |
| 39 | Fesmire & Williams | 46 | 5.0★ (6) | 24 mi |
| 40 | Nikki B. Allen, Attorney at Law PC | 45 | 2.1★ (7) | 19 mi |
Also serving Desert Hot Springs
20 more estate planning and probate lawyers within 25 mi that we can't rank yet: too few reviews, or a practice area we couldn't confirm. Listed A to Z.
| Business | Google rating | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Attorney David A. Wiesen | 5.0★ (1) | 23 mi |
| Attorney Mike Accident & Injury Law | In Desert Hot Springs | |
| Barbara Barrett Law Office | 1.0★ (2) | 10 mi |
| Blythe, Walker and Associates, APLC | 5.0★ (1) | 10 mi |
| California Elder Law Center, Michael McGuire Elder Law Attorney | 1.0★ (1) | 14 mi |
| David M. Grossman, Attorney At Law | 5.0★ (2) | 17 mi |
| Desert Elder Law | 1.0★ (1) | 10 mi |
| Donna L Ortlieb Law Office | In Desert Hot Springs | |
| Gartland Law Firm | 4.0★ (2) | 22 mi |
| Lance Crossborder Law and Tax | 5.0★ (1) | 18 mi |
| Law Office Of Byron Cornelius | 1.0★ (1) | 13 mi |
| Law Office of Forest F. Wolfe | 10 mi | |
| Law Office of Thomas W. Harris Jr. | 17 mi | |
| Legacy Estate & Business Law, APC | 18 mi | |
| Mark A Tikosh Law Office | 16 mi | |
| Renell E Burch, ESQ | 4.5★ (2) | 19 mi |
| Shoup Legal - Estate Planning, Probate, Trust Administration (Palm Desert Office) | 13 mi | |
| Slovak, Baron, Empey, Murphy & Pinkney LLP (SBEMP) | 5.0★ (1) | 19 mi |
| Thompson & Associates | 5.0★ (1) | 21 mi |
| William L. Manuel, Esq | 5.0★ (1) | 10 mi |
How we ranked Desert Hot Springs estate planning and probate lawyers
We scored 40 Desert Hot Springs estate planning and probate lawyers on nine factors, weighted as shown. A law firm is ranked when its practice area is confirmed and it has 3 or more Google reviews or a claimed profile. A law firm with no Google reviews scores zero on rating, review volume and recency. Other unknown factors are left out, not counted as zero. Scores last refreshed November 9, 2026.
Paid placement never changes a rank or score. Attorney advertising businesses are paid, labelled, limited to 3 and shown above the ranking, outside it.
| Factor | Weight | Computed from | In Desert Hot Springs data |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reputation | 25% | Google star rating, adjusted for how many reviews back it | Measured |
| Bar status | 10% | An active bar or law society record matched to a lawyer at the firm (not measured until a record source is loaded) | Not yet collected |
| Review volume | 10% | Number of Google reviews, compared with the most-reviewed firm on the list | Measured |
| Recency | 10% | Share of reviews from the last 12 months | Not yet collected |
| Availability | 5% | Weekly office hours, Saturday, Sunday, and phones answered 24/7 | Measured |
| Practice focus | 15% | How clearly the firm practises this area (its Google category and name) | Measured |
| Proximity | 5% | An office in the city scores highest, less the farther away it is | Measured |
| Claimed profile | 10% | The firm has claimed its Law Firms Ranked profile (free and paid earn the same) | Measured |
| Law Firms Ranked reviews | 10% | Verified client reviews collected by Law Firms Ranked: their rating and how many there are | Measured |
How to choose an estate planning lawyer
- Check the lawyer’s status and any public discipline in the state bar or law society directory.
- Ask how many estate planning and probate matters the lawyer handles each year, and who at the firm will do the work.
- Get the fee arrangement in writing: hourly, flat or contingency, and which costs are charged on top.
- Ask how and how often the firm will update you, and how fast it answers calls and emails.
- Read recent reviews for how the firm communicated and billed, not only for outcomes.
- Ask what the flat fee includes: funding a trust, updates after life changes, and signing with witnesses.
- Meet more than one firm; many offer a short first consultation, sometimes free.
Questions to ask an estate planning lawyer
- How would you approach a matter like mine, and what are the realistic options?
- How do you charge, and what will the total likely cost?
- Who will be my main contact, and how quickly do you reply?
- Do I need a trust, or is a will enough for me?
- What does probate usually cost here, and how long does it take?
- Is there any conflict of interest that would stop you representing me?
Terms explained
- Contingency fee
- A fee that is a share of the money recovered, paid only if there is a recovery. Common in injury cases; not allowed for criminal defense or for securing a divorce.
- Retainer
- Money paid up front and held in a trust account, which the lawyer draws on as fees are earned.
- Flat fee
- One set price for a defined piece of work, such as a will or an uncontested matter.
- Limited-scope representation
- Paying a lawyer for part of a matter only, such as reviewing documents or coaching for one hearing (also called unbundled services).
- Statute of limitations
- The deadline to file a lawsuit or charge. It differs by state or province and by type of claim.
- Good standing
- A lawyer’s status as active and eligible to practise with a state bar or law society.
- Law society
- The body that licenses and disciplines lawyers in a Canadian province or territory.
- Board certification
- Recognition in a field of law by a state program or an organisation accredited for that purpose. Lawyers may only claim it when they hold it, naming the certifying body.
- Attorney–client privilege
- The rule that keeps confidential communications between a client and lawyer, made for legal advice, out of court.
- Conflict check
- The search a firm runs before taking a matter to make sure it does not represent someone on the other side.
- Pro bono
- Legal work done for free, usually for people who cannot afford a lawyer.
- Legal aid
- Publicly funded legal help for people with low incomes, through legal aid offices, public defenders or provincial legal aid plans.
Estate planning and probate lawyers in Desert Hot Springs: frequently asked questions
Which estate planning lawyer has the highest LFR Score in Desert Hot Springs?
By LFR Score, the highest-ranked estate planning lawyer in Desert Hot Springs, CA is Ruben J. Martinez, APC with an LFR Score of 68/100. It has 5.0★ from 157 Google reviews. It is open 24/7. Heritage Legal, PC (#2) and Palm Desert Law, A Professional Corporation (#3) follow. We ranked 40 estate planning and probate lawyers on nine factors, last updated November 9, 2026.
How many estate planning and probate lawyers are there in Desert Hot Springs?
LawFirmsRanked ranks 40 estate planning and probate lawyers serving Desert Hot Springs, CA. Another 20 within 25 mi are listed but not ranked yet. Counts are as of November 2026.
Which estate planning and probate lawyers in Desert Hot Springs are open 24/7?
4 ranked estate planning and probate lawyers in Desert Hot Springs post 24/7 hours. The highest-ranked are Ruben J. Martinez, APC (#1), Aimee Larsen Mendoza (#10) and McCune Law Group (#24). Hours come from each law firm's Google listing as of November 2026, so call to confirm.
Which estate planning and probate lawyers in Desert Hot Springs work on weekends?
8 of 40 ranked estate planning and probate lawyers post Saturday hours and 5 post Sunday hours. The highest-ranked open Saturdays are Ruben J. Martinez, APC (#1), David DL Horton Esq and Associates (#9) and Aimee Larsen Mendoza (#10). Posted hours are office hours; many firms meet clients by appointment outside them.
What Google rating do Desert Hot Springs estate planning and probate lawyers have?
The median Google rating among 40 rated estate planning and probate lawyers in Desert Hot Springs is 5.0★, with a median of 13 reviews. Mark J McGowan Law Offices PC has the most, 263 reviews, and ranks #21. We adjust ratings for review count, so a few five-star reviews cannot top the list.
How does LawFirmsRanked rank estate planning and probate lawyers?
Each estate planning lawyer gets a 0–100 LFR Score from nine published factors, led by reputation (25%), practice focus (15%), review volume (10%) and recency (10%). A law firm with no Google reviews scores zero on rating, review volume and recency; other factors we cannot measure are left out. Only law firms with a confirmed practice area and 3 or more reviews, or a claimed profile, are ranked.
Do estate planning and probate lawyers outside Desert Hot Springs count in this ranking?
Yes, if they are within 25 mi of the Desert Hot Springs city center, our service radius for estate planning and probate lawyers. Each listing shows where the law firm is based and how far away it is. Proximity is 5% of the LFR Score, so a nearby law firm gets a small edge.
Can estate planning and probate lawyers pay to rank higher on LawFirmsRanked?
No. The LFR Score never reads payment status, and this ranking has 0 paid placements. Up to 3 Featured law firms may appear above the list, labelled Attorney advertising and showing their honest rank.
How do estate planning and probate lawyers in Desert Hot Springs, CA charge?
Many estate planning lawyers charge a flat fee for wills, trusts and powers of attorney. Probate is billed hourly or, in some states, by a fee set by statute (California Probate Code §10810, for example). Lawyers using Clio billed an average of $391 an hour in this area (Clio Legal Trends data, October 2026; all areas $362). Ask for the fee arrangement in writing before you agree.
What happens if someone dies without a will?
State law decides who inherits (intestate succession), usually the spouse and children in set shares, and a court appoints someone to manage the estate. A will or trust lets you decide instead. This is general information, not legal advice.
How is this list of estate planning and probate lawyers in Desert Hot Springs, CA ranked?
By LFR Score only, from public data on reviews, practice focus, office location and hours. Firms labelled “Attorney advertising” paid for that placement; payment never changes a rank, and a rank is not an endorsement.
Does a lawyer need an office in Desert Hot Springs?
No, but the lawyer must be licensed in your state (or, for federal matters such as immigration, in some state). A local office makes meetings and court appearances easier, so proximity is one of our factors.
Update log for Desert Hot Springs
- November 2026: LFR Scores recalculated for 40 estate planning and probate lawyers serving Desert Hot Springs.
More estate planning and probate lawyers and Desert Hot Springs pages
Estate planning and probate lawyers near Desert Hot Springs
- Estate planning and probate lawyers in Palm Springs, CA39 ranked
- Estate planning and probate lawyers in Yucca Valley, CA17 ranked
- Estate planning and probate lawyers in Cathedral City, CA39 ranked
- Estate planning and probate lawyers in Rancho Mirage, CA36 ranked
- Estate planning and probate lawyers in Palm Desert, CA36 ranked
- Estate planning and probate lawyers in Banning, CA40 ranked
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Other practice areas in Desert Hot Springs
- Personal injury lawyers in Desert Hot Springs73 ranked
- Social Security disability lawyers in Desert Hot Springs7 ranked
- Criminal defense lawyers in Desert Hot Springs32 ranked
- Divorce and family lawyers in Desert Hot Springs35 ranked
- Bankruptcy lawyers in Desert Hot Springs20 ranked
- Immigration lawyers in Desert Hot Springs17 ranked
- Employment lawyers in Desert Hot Springs22 ranked
- Real estate lawyers in Desert Hot Springs16 ranked
- Insurance lawyers in Desert Hot Springs23 ranked
- Mediators in Desert Hot Springs8 ranked
- General practice lawyers in Desert Hot Springs69 ranked
- All lawyers in Desert Hot Springs