About This Site
California Inheritance Law is published by Corcoran Smith Law Corp., a California litigation firm. It exists to explain California inheritance, trust, and estate dispute law clearly enough that a person in the middle of one can understand what is happening to them and how long they have to act.
Who publishes it
Corcoran Smith Law was founded by Mark C. Smith, a U.S. Army combat veteran and graduate of UC Berkeley School of Law. The firm represents heirs and beneficiaries throughout California, and meets clients in San Francisco, Sacramento, and Los Angeles.
Every attorney below is licensed and active with the State Bar of California. The bar number links to the State Bar’s own licensee record, so you can confirm it yourself rather than take our word for it.
| Attorney | Role | Law school | CA Bar No. | Admitted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mark C. Smith | Principal Attorney & Founder | UC Berkeley School of Law | 319003 | December 11, 2017 |
| Nicholas Jacobs | Attorney | Northwestern California University School of Law | 349672 | May 28, 2023 |
| Seth Steward | Litigation Attorney | The George Washington University Law School | 257561 | October 31, 2008 |
What happens when you contact us
Every case profile submitted through this site goes directly to the firm. An attorney reviews it. If the firm can take the matter, we say so. If we cannot — because of capacity, conflict, or venue — we will tell you that too, and where appropriate we can help you find counsel who can, with your written consent.
What this site is not
This is not a lawyer matching service or a directory. It is the firm’s own publication. Nothing here is legal advice, and reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship.
How we source what we publish
Statements of California law on this site cite the underlying Probate Code or Welfare and Institutions Code section, linked to the official text. Legal rules change; each page carries a verification date. If you find something out of date or wrong, tell us.