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Cordia Lynn Farrell

Cordia Lynn Farrell

Probate & Trust Estates Attorney
  • Estate Planning, Elder Law, Probate ...
  • California
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Biography

A Southern California native, C L Farrell, enjoys practicing probate and trust litigation for nearly four decades across Southern California. She assists small businesses, families, and individuals with estate planning and their probate and trust administration and litigation needs. She guides clients through the process of probate administration and trust administration and assists in the preparation of Court required estate accountings. As a trial attorney, she represents clients in disputes concerning the validity of wills or trusts, entitlement to inherit decedent estates, competing petitions for fiduciary appointments as estate administrators or trustees, breaches of fiduciary duties, and cases involving financial exploitation of the elderly or mentally infirmed.

C L is trained in alternate dispute resolution and has served as a mediator of probate, trusts, and estate disputes. She served the San Bernardino County Bar Association as Chairperson of the Fee Arbitration program. She served as Judge Pro Tempore in the San Bernardino County Superior Court Family Law and Small Claims cases.

In 2009, C L co-designed the Fiduciary Management Certificate Program for the University of California Riverside Extension and served as an Advisory Board Member and Instructor. In 2010, she established the Osborne-Whelan Endowed Rugby Academic Scholarship at the University of California College of the Law, San Francisco (formerly UC Hastings College of the Law) and currently chairs the scholarship's Advisory Committee.

C L’s personal interests include sailing, traveling, and genealogical research.

Practice Areas
Estate Planning
Guardianship & Conservatorship Estate Administration, Health Care Directives, Trusts, Wills
Elder Law
Probate
Probate Administration, Probate Litigation, Will Contests
Real Estate Law
Residential Real Estate
Additional Practice Area
  • Trust & Estates Administration & Accountings
Fees
  • Free Consultation
    Free 30 minute consultation offered.
  • Credit Cards Accepted
Jurisdictions Admitted to Practice
California
State Bar of California
ID Number: 132882
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Languages
  • English
Professional Experience
Mediator, Probate, Trusts and Estates
Riverside County Bar Association Dispute Resolution Services
- Current
Senior Probate & Trust Litigation Attorney
Law Offices of C L Farrell, PC
- Current
Co-Designer, Professional Fiduciary Certificate Program
University of California Riverside Extension
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Adjunct Professor, Paralegal Certificate Program
University of California Riverside Extension
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Education
Golden Gate University School of Law
J.D. (1983) | Law
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California State University - San Francisco State University
B.A. (1979) | English
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Awards
Distinguished Peer Review Rated
Martindale-Hubbell
Professional Associations
San Bernardino County Bar Association
Member
Current
Activities: Former Chair, Attorney-Client Fee Arbitration
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Orange County Bar association
Member
- Current
Activities: Member, Probate & Estates Section
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Riverside County Bar Association
Member
- Current
Activities: Dispute Resolution Services Mediator
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California State Bar  # 132882
Member
- Current
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Websites & Blogs
Website
Legal Answers
5 Questions Answered
Q. What if I do not know where or what the estate/trust of my late fathers. But was contacted by an attorney .
A: It is possible that the attorney who initially contacted you had consulted with someone looking to claim your late father’s assets and wanted to confirm if you were related and alive so that you may have a claim to your late father’s assets as an heir or beneficiary of his Will or Trust. It is also possible that once you confirmed your relationship, the attorney realized that as your father’s sole heir, his prospective/actual client did not have any interest in your father’s estate and opted not to accept legal representation of that party. Still, you are entitled to know more about your father’s estate planning documents and assets.

If you know the city or county where your later father lived, search that county’s website for probate cases filed under your father’s name.

If you don’t know where your late father lived, try googling his name (followed by the state where he last lived to narrow the search). You may find information in a published obituary or his address which will enable you to obtain from a title company or realtor in that area a copy of the Deed to his residence that may be titled in the name of his Trust (if he has one). From there, you can locate a probate and trust attorney in that county to assist you further.

You confirm you have the name and phone number of the attorney who initially contacted you. Google the attorney’s name followed by the word “attorney” or the attorney’s phone number to locate the attorney’s law firm URL (link) and contact information.

Next, draft a letter to the attorney, referencing your late father’s name and the date and essence of the last contact you had with the attorney or the law firm.

- Request copies of your late father’s Will, Trust and any Court papers that have been filed regarding his Trust or decedent’s estate.

- Ask for confirmation of who the lawyer represents regarding your late father’s affairs and how that person is connected to your late father (i.e. as the nominated executor or administrator of his Will and/or as successor trustee of your later father’s Trust. Ask the attorney to confirm if s/he is currently representing that person or not.

- Provide your complete contact information including mail address, email address and telephone (home and mobile).

- Remind the attorney that you understood he wanted you to provide him with proof of your relationship to your late father. Ask what documentation the attorney requires of you to establish this proof.

Best wishes in your endeavors.
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Q. if it involves an estate in California, do I need to find an state lawyer in California or can I use one in Nevada?
A: If you have an interest in a California’s decedent’s estate, then you will want to retain a California attorney who practices in the field of orobate and trust administration and litigation to assist you in evaluating your rights and directing you how best to proceed.

If the California attorney you contacted is not returning your phone calls, contact me. I’d be happy assisting you.
Q. In California, which form do you use to respond to a Petition for Instructions in a probate case?
A: Simply draft a pleading entitled “Objections of (insert your status and name , ie Heir Phil Suth) to Petition For Instructions”.
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Contact & Map
Law Offices of C L Farrell, PC
P O Box 9224
P O Box 9224
Redlands, CA 92375-2424
Telephone: (909) 307-2677
Monday: 8 AM - 5 PM
Tuesday: 8 AM - 5 PM
Wednesday: 8 AM - 5 PM
Thursday: 8 AM - 5 PM
Friday: 8 AM - 5 PM (Today)
Saturday: Closed
Sunday: Closed
Notice: And by appointment