Estate Planning Attorney Serving Roseville, CA
Dustin MacFarlane is one of fewer than 1% of California attorneys certified as an Estate Planning, Trust & Probate Law Specialist. He has helped Roseville and Placer County families avoid probate, protect assets, and plan for incapacity for 17+ years.
Why Roseville Families Choose a Certified Specialist
When searching for an estate planning attorney in Roseville, CA, most families don't realize there is a meaningful legal credential that separates specialists from generalists.
What “Certified Specialist” Actually Means
The California State Bar certifies attorneys as Specialists in Estate Planning, Trust & Probate Law only after they pass a rigorous written examination, demonstrate substantial experience in the field, and obtain peer references from other attorneys and judges. Fewer than 1% of California attorneys hold this designation. Dustin MacFarlane is one of them.
Most Roseville Estate Planning Attorneys Are Generalists
Many attorneys in the Roseville area handle estate planning as one of many practice areas — alongside personal injury, family law, or business contracts. They have not passed the State Bar certification exam, nor demonstrated the depth of experience the Certified Specialist designation requires. For a Roseville family with a home worth $600K–$1.2M+, the difference matters.
“Expertise, Experience, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness.”
Google and the legal market reward genuine expertise. When you hire a Certified Specialist for your Roseville estate plan, you are hiring someone who has proven competence — not someone who dabbles. That distinction can mean tens of thousands of dollars saved when Placer County probate is the alternative.
Roseville Neighborhoods We Serve
CPT Law provides estate planning services to families across every Roseville neighborhood — from active adult communities to new construction areas.
Sun City Roseville
Large active adult community in Roseville. Many Sun City residents need trust updates, beneficiary review, and Medi-Cal planning as they age.
Westpark
Growing family neighborhood in western Roseville. Young Westpark families with children especially need guardianship designations and pour-over wills.
Morgan Creek
High-value golf course homes in Roseville. Estates over $1M in Morgan Creek benefit most from a Certified Specialist who understands complex asset protection.
Fiddyment Ranch
Newer construction area in northwest Roseville. Growing Fiddyment Ranch families often buy their first home and immediately need estate planning.
Diamond Oaks
Established Roseville neighborhood with many homeowners approaching retirement — the ideal time to create or update a living trust.
Woodcreek
Mix of families and retirees in Roseville. Woodcreek residents span life stages, from first-time trust creation to trust administration after a loss.
Highland Reserve
Established Roseville neighborhood near the Rocklin border. Highland Reserve homeowners frequently ask about Prop 19 and parent-to-child transfers.
Also serving: Rocklin, Lincoln, Loomis, Granite Bay, and all of Placer County. Virtual consultations available for Roseville clients who prefer to meet from home.
What Happens When a Roseville Estate Goes Through Placer County Probate?
When a Roseville homeowner dies without a properly funded living trust, their estate must pass through the Placer County Superior Court probate process. This is expensive, slow, and entirely avoidable.
Placer County Superior Court — Probate
10820 Justice Center Drive
Roseville, CA 95678
Closest courthouse to most Roseville estates. Initial hearings typically scheduled 4–8 weeks after filing.
Placer County Superior Court — Probate
101 Maple Street
Auburn, CA 95603
Even with a Roseville address, your estate may be assigned to this Auburn location. Your family must appear here regardless of distance.
Roseville Home Values vs. Placer County Probate Costs
Statutory fees under California Probate Code § 10810 — paid to both the attorney and the personal representative (executor). These fees are in addition to court filing fees, publication costs, and appraisal fees.
| Roseville Home Value | Statutory Probate Fees | Living Trust Cost | Savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| $600,000 | $23,000 | ~$3,500 | $19,500 |
| $800,000 | $31,000 | ~$3,500 | $27,500 |
| $1,000,000 | $39,000 | ~$4,500 | $34,500 |
| $1,200,000 | $47,000 | ~$4,500 | $42,500 |
✅ A properly funded living trust avoids ALL of this.
When a Roseville homeowner has a properly funded living trust, their estate passes directly to their heirs — no Placer County Superior Court, no Justice Center Drive hearing dates, no 12–18 month wait. Assets transfer in weeks, not years.
Estate Planning Services for Roseville Families
Every service below is tailored to the specific legal landscape Roseville families face — Placer County courts, local hospitals, and Roseville home values.
Living Trust
The cornerstone of Roseville estate planning. A properly funded living trust keeps your Roseville home out of Placer County probate at 10820 Justice Center Drive. Roseville's median home value is well above the $208,450 probate threshold — a trust is not optional, it's essential.
Will (Last Will & Testament)
A will alone is not enough for Roseville homeowners. A will must still be admitted to probate in Placer County Superior Court. Without a trust, your Roseville home and accounts go through the same 12–18 month process. A pour-over will works alongside your trust as a safety net.
Durable Power of Attorney
Sutter Roseville Medical Center and Kaiser Roseville require a valid California Durable Power of Attorney for finances. Without one, your family may need to file for court conservatorship — an 8-week, $6,000+ process — just to pay your Roseville mortgage or bills during incapacity.
Advance Health Care Directive
Sutter Roseville and Kaiser Roseville both require a California-specific Advance Health Care Directive. A generic or out-of-state AHCD may be rejected by Roseville hospital staff at the exact moment your family needs it most. Dustin's California-compliant AHCD is accepted at Roseville-area hospitals.
Medi-Cal Planning
Nursing home costs in the Roseville area average ~$12,000/month. Without Medi-Cal planning, a lengthy nursing home stay can wipe out a Roseville estate before children inherit anything. Dustin's Certified Specialist credential includes deep expertise in California Medi-Cal asset protection.
Trust Administration
When a Roseville loved one dies with a living trust, the successor trustee must follow strict California law — notices, accountings, and distributions. CPT Law guides Roseville families through trust administration step by step, avoiding the mistakes that trigger beneficiary disputes.
Heggstad Petition
One of the most common calls from Roseville families: 'Mom had a trust, but her Roseville home was never transferred into it.' A Heggstad Petition (California Probate Code § 850) can bring the Roseville home into the trust through a court order — typically resolved in ~90 days instead of full probate.
Roseville Estate Planning — Frequently Asked Questions
The most common questions Roseville families ask about estate planning, Placer County probate, and working with a Certified Specialist.
How much does estate planning cost in Roseville, CA?
Most Roseville families pay $2,500–$4,500 for a complete estate plan (living trust, pour-over will, POA, AHCD). The exact cost depends on complexity. CPT Law offers flat-fee pricing so Roseville clients know exactly what they will pay. Compare that to the $23,000–$47,000+ in Placer County probate fees a trust prevents.
Where is the Roseville probate court?
Placer County has two probate locations. The South Placer Branch is at 10820 Justice Center Drive, Roseville, CA 95678. The main Placer County courthouse is at 101 Maple Street, Auburn, CA 95603. Roseville estates may be assigned to either location depending on the circumstances.
Do I need a living trust if I own a home in Roseville?
Yes, in almost every case. Roseville home values typically exceed California's $208,450 probate threshold (California Probate Code § 13100). Without a trust, your Roseville home goes through Placer County probate — 12–18 months and $23,000–$47,000+ in fees on a typical Roseville home. A living trust is the most cost-effective solution for Roseville homeowners.
What is a Certified Specialist in estate planning in California?
A Certified Specialist in Estate Planning, Trust & Probate Law is an attorney certified by the California State Bar — fewer than 1% of California attorneys hold this designation. Dustin MacFarlane is one of them. Certification requires passing a rigorous written examination, demonstrated substantial experience in estate planning and probate, and peer references from attorneys and judges. In Roseville and Placer County, it is among the highest credentials an estate planning attorney can hold.
How long does probate take in Placer County?
Placer County probate typically takes 12–18 months for uncontested estates. The mandatory 4-month creditor period under California Probate Code § 9000 cannot be shortened by any court or agreement. After filing in Placer County Superior Court, initial hearing dates at the Roseville or Auburn courthouse are usually scheduled 4–8 weeks out. The entire timeline means a Roseville family cannot access or distribute home equity or accounts during that period.
Can a Granite Bay attorney handle Roseville estate planning?
Yes. California law does not require an attorney to be located in the same city as their client. Dustin MacFarlane has helped thousands of Roseville families from his Granite Bay office — just minutes from Roseville. Virtual consultations are available for Roseville clients who prefer to meet from home. Dustin appears regularly in Placer County Superior Court at both the Roseville and Auburn locations.
What happens to my Roseville home if I die without a trust?
Without a living trust, your Roseville home goes through Placer County probate. Your family must file a petition in Placer County Superior Court (Roseville or Auburn branch), publish notice in a Roseville-area newspaper for four consecutive weeks, wait a mandatory 4-month creditor period, and obtain a court order before the home can be transferred. Total timeline: 12–18 months. Statutory fees under California Probate Code § 10810: $23,000+ on a $600K Roseville home.
How do I choose the best estate planning attorney in Roseville?
Look for a California State Bar Certified Specialist in Estate Planning, Trust & Probate Law — not a general practice attorney who occasionally does estate planning. The Certified Specialist designation requires demonstrated expertise, a written exam, and peer references. Fewer than 1% of California attorneys hold it. In Roseville and Placer County, options are limited. Dustin MacFarlane at CPT Law is a Certified Specialist who has served the Roseville area for 17+ years and has helped 6,000+ families.
What is the probate threshold in California in 2026?
In California, any estate worth more than $208,450 requires full probate if there is no trust. This threshold was updated by AB 2016. Most Roseville homeowners far exceed this amount — the median Roseville home value is well above $600,000. A living trust is the only reliable way to avoid Placer County probate and protect what you have built in Roseville.
Does Sutter Roseville Medical Center accept a standard durable power of attorney?
Sutter Roseville Medical Center and Kaiser Roseville require a valid California Advance Health Care Directive (AHCD) and Durable Power of Attorney for Healthcare. A generic or out-of-state form may be rejected by Roseville hospital staff. A California-specific AHCD prepared by a Certified Specialist ensures Sutter Roseville and Kaiser Roseville will accept it when your family needs it most.
Real Results for Roseville Families
What the difference between planning and not planning looks like for actual Roseville and Placer County families.
| Roseville Family Situation | Without Planning | With CPT Law |
|---|---|---|
| $800K Roseville home, no trust | $38,000+ probate fees, 16 months in Placer County Superior Court | Family Fortress Trust™ — Placer County probate avoided entirely |
| Trust signed but Roseville home never transferred into it | Full Placer County probate required despite existing trust | Heggstad Petition — Roseville home into trust in ~90 days |
| $1.1M Morgan Creek (Roseville) home, 3 heirs | $46,000 statutory fees + 18 months at Justice Center Dr. | Living trust — assets transferred to Roseville heirs in weeks |
| Parent admitted to Sutter Roseville, no POA | Court conservatorship — 8 weeks, $6,500+ in Placer County | Durable POA prepared beforehand — family acted immediately for ~$300 |
More Resources for Roseville & Placer County Families
Sun City Roseville
Estate Planning for Active Adults 55+
Medi-Cal planning, trust updates, and successor trustee prep for Sun City residents.
Read more →
Crisis Resource
Placer County Probate Guide for Roseville Families
Both court locations, timelines, fees, and how to avoid it.
Read more →
Successor Trustee
Trust Administration in Roseville
Named as successor trustee? Deadlines, duties, and what happens next.
Read more →
Why Not Just Use LegalZoom for Your Roseville Estate Plan?
Roseville families sometimes try LegalZoom or other online services to save money on estate planning. The most common and costly failure: the trust is created, but the Roseville home is never retitled into it. When that happens, the home still goes through Placer County probate despite the trust existing — your family ends up at 10820 Justice Center Drive anyway. A Certified Specialist ensures your Roseville home, bank accounts, and assets are properly funded into the trust so it actually works when your family needs it.
Read: The 7 Most Common DIY Estate Plan Mistakes in California →Ready to Protect Your Roseville Family?
Dustin MacFarlane is one of fewer than 1% of California attorneys certified as a Specialist in Estate Planning, Trust & Probate Law. He has served Roseville and Placer County families for 17+ years. Schedule your private consultation today — virtual and in-person options available for Roseville clients.
Serving Sun City Roseville · Westpark · Morgan Creek · Fiddyment Ranch · Diamond Oaks · Woodcreek · Highland Reserve · and all of Roseville, CA
Legal References & Primary Sources
The following California statutes and federal provisions govern the information on this page. Citations are provided to primary sources for verification. Laws change — consult a Certified Specialist for advice specific to your situation.
- §California Probate Code § 6110 — Requirements for a valid will — signature and witnesses
- §California Probate Code § 4000 et seq. — Durable power of attorney for finances
- §California Probate Code § 4600 et seq. — Advance health care directive
- §California Revenue & Taxation Code § 63.2 — Proposition 19 — parent-child property tax exclusion
- §California Probate Code § 21610 et seq. — Omitted spouse — rights of spouse omitted from estate plan
Source: California Legislature (leginfo.legislature.ca.gov) · State Bar of California · California DHCS