Effective December 1, the Court’s Pro Bono Probate Settlement Program will resume settlement conferences for trust, estate, guardianship, and conservatorship matters.
The program, paused due to the COVID-19 pandemic, is operated in partnership with the San Fernando Valley Bar Association (SFVBA) and staffed with volunteer attorneys experienced in probate matters selected by a committee of SFVBA members.
The program provides probate litigants the opportunity to resolve their cases by leveraging the expertise of highly qualified, pro bono experts. Program participation is by court referral only and may be requested by one or more of the parties or initiated by the judicial officer hearing the matter.
Participation is voluntary and must be agreed to by all parties. If all parties agree to participate, one party will act as the organizer to register and schedule the settlement conference using the Court’s online scheduler. If the matter is settled through the program, the parties will generally reduce the agreement to writing to be reviewed and signed by the judicial officer.
Settlement conferences will be held virtually unless otherwise specified.
Additional information about the Court’s Pro Bono Probate Settlement Program can be found at https://www.lacourt.org/division/probate/PR0104.aspx.