Estate Planning

We Can Help

The Lawyer Referral Service (LRS) is a non-profit public service of the San Joaquin County Bar Association’s serving the legal needs of those in San Joaquin County.  We will set up an appointment for you with a pre-screened qualified estate planning attorney in San Joaquin County.  

LRS Attorneys are qualified to help you with many estate planning matters, including:

  • Conservatorship
  • Probate
  • Wills and Trusts
  • Guardianship/Adoption
  • Asset Protection
  • Domestic Partnership Benefits and Rights

To contact us for a referral appointment:

  • Click here and submit your request using our secure online form
  • Call us at (209) 948-4620 Monday through Friday, 8:30 am - 4:30 pm

All information is confidential

Why Choose the Lawyer Referral Service?

Certified by the American Bar Association and the State Bar of California (State Bar Certification #0012), and operated by the San Joaquin County Bar Association, the LRS refers hundreds of clients to qualified attorneys every year.  Our intake coordinators are trained to evaluate your situation and find the right lawyer for your specific needs.  LRS attorneys are screened regularly for their experience, knowledge and ethics.

How it Works

When you contact us, please be prepared to have the following information available:

  • Provide a brief description on the type of the estate planning issue you need legal help with.
  • Is this matter in San Joaquin County?

What it Costs

There is a non-refundable $40 fee and you will receive up to a half hour consultation with an experienced estate planning attorney.

About the Lawyer Referral Service

Since 1959, the Lawyer Referral Service (LRS) of the San Joaquin County Bar Association has been referring members of the public to experienced attorneys.

If you're seeking legal advice and/or a lawyer to represent you in court, for a fee of $40, we can refer you to an experienced, local attorney who you can hire to help with your problem.

We are certified by both the State Bar of California and the American Bar Association as a referral service. We make sure that you are properly matched with the right attorney.

Every attorney on our panels is required to apply, pay dues, and prove that he or she has the minimum requirements for the particular panel. Most of our attorneys have years of experience in their fields. Then, once they're approved, they have to be reviewed by a Peer Review Panel every two years.

Once you meet with an attorney, you and the attorney determine what he or she can do for you and the two of you will discuss the fees that you will pay. Once you hire the attorney, you can return again and again to that attorney for other matters without contacting us or paying any more referral fees. You may find your lifelong attorney from your first referral. If your attorney can't handle a matter in the future, you can come back to us for another referral.

To get a referral, you can simply fill out the form below, or call us at (209) 948-4620 Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m.

Once you pay your $40 fee* in cash, by check or by debit/credit card, we will set your initial one-half hour appointment for a private consultation.

*The $40 fee applies to most referrals and is non-refundable; there is no initial fee for discrimination, personal injury, wrongful termination, Social Security & workers' compensation.

Find an Attorney now

Ready to get a Lawyer to assist with your legal issue? Fill out our referral request form and we'll match you with a qualified attorney who specializes in the area of law that you need assistance with.

Lawyer Referral Request Form

In this section...

The SJCBA office is closed to the public in compliance with the state and county orders. Your staff is working from home and is able to serve your needs Monday – Thursday 8:30 am – 5:00 pm. The SJCBA will not be working on Fridays until further notice.

The office phone, 209-948-0125, is being monitored. Leave messages.

To reach any of your staff by email:
Robert Oakes -
Juanita Chavez -
Nicholas Closs -
Jarrod Corradi -
Linda Mussat -
Rose Ramirez -
Jennifer Riggs -
Natalie Vernon -

Thank you for your patience during this time. Please take care of yourself and those you love.
Robert E. Oakes, J.D., M.B.A.
Executive Director