Costa Mesa Trust and Estate Disputes

In brief: Since June 30, 2025, Orange County probate cases are heard at the Costa Mesa Justice Complex, 3390 Harbor Boulevard, Costa Mesa. Hackard Law represents beneficiaries and families in trust contests, trustee disputes, and elder financial abuse cases there. Hackard Law handles these cases on contingency: no fee and no costs if there is no recovery, unless your written agreement provides otherwise.

By Michael Hackard, California trust and estate litigation attorney. Last reviewed October 26, 2026. Updated November 3, 2026.

Every Orange County trust and probate case now ends up in Costa Mesa. Since June 30, 2025, the court’s probate courtrooms and probate clerk have been at the Costa Mesa Justice Complex, 3390 Harbor Boulevard. For many families it is the first time they have been inside a courthouse.

The City of the Arts

Costa Mesa means “coastal tableland” in Spanish; the town was called Harper until 1920 and incorporated in 1953. The Orange County Fairgrounds sit on the site of the World War II Santa Ana Army Air Base. Segerstrom Center for the Arts opened in 1985.

Your first hearing at the Costa Mesa Justice Complex

Most families picture a trial. Most trust disputes begin with a petition and a short hearing, and the court’s procedures decide a great deal before anyone speaks.

The court posts probate notes online before hearings and updates them to show matters it has pre-approved (Local Rule 601.06). Families can sign up for an alert when a new note is posted.

Responses to probate notes must be filed; they cannot be handled by email.

A party who objects orally may get a continuance to file written objections. If no written objection is on file by the continued date, the matter may be recommended for approval (Local Rule 601.08).

Remote appearances are permitted and encouraged for non-evidentiary probate hearings and elder abuse proceedings (Local Rule 601.02).

Contested matters move through trial-setting and mandatory settlement conferences, and the court offers a voluntary Probate Mediation Program.

When a caregiver is part of the story

California presumes that a gift to a care custodian of a dependent adult, made during the period of care or within 90 days before or after, is the product of fraud or undue influence (Probate Code § 21380). The caregiver must prove otherwise by clear and convincing evidence.

Warning signs

• A caregiver added to a bank account, or named in a new will or trust amendment.
• Checks or transfers the parent would not have made.
• Family calls screened or visits discouraged.
• A new lawyer, chosen by someone other than the parent.

Costa Mesa at a glance

• Population: 111,918 (2020 Census); 108,881 (2025 estimate)
• Residents 65 and older: 13.2%
• Median home value: $1,115,100
• Owner-occupied homes: 39.6%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2020 Census, 2025 population estimates, and American Community Survey 2020–2024.

Where your case is heard

Trust and probate cases for Costa Mesa are heard in the probate department of Orange County Superior Court, Costa Mesa Justice Complex, 3390 Harbor Boulevard, Costa Mesa, California 92626, approximately 4 driving miles from Costa Mesa. Actual distance varies by starting point and route. Hackard Law’s office is in Sacramento County. The firm handles matters in Orange County Superior Court and throughout California.

How fees work

Hackard Law represents families on a contingency basis. The fee is a percentage of the recovery, stated in a written agreement before work begins. The firm advances the costs of the case, which are repaid from the recovery. If there is no recovery, you owe no fee and no costs, unless your written agreement provides otherwise.