Christopher Salvatore Scarcella

Christopher Salvatore Scarcella

4.6
Rating: 1.0

Licensed for 14 years

Estate planning Lawyer at Claremont, CA
Practice Areas: Estate Planning, Trusts, Elder Law, Probate

250 W. 1st. St. Ste. #244, Claremont, CA

This lawyer was disciplined by a state licensing authority in 2025
See Details

About Christopher

Biography

Practice Areas

4

Practice Areas

Estate Planning 40%

I create and maintain estate plans from everything as simple as wills to everything as complex as GRITs, GRATs, ILITs, CRTs, and all the other acronyms. I provide peace of mind by helping people create lasting legacies that pass along their values as well as their possessions. My practice implements strategies that help families avoid the expenses, delays, and frustration involved with probate, conservatorship, and estate taxes.

40%
Elder Law 15%

I help seniors take care of their advanced needs. I create health care directives, as well as help them to qualify for MediCal benefits while protecting their homes from the government placing liens on them.

15%

Fees and Rates

Cost

Free Consultation

$0 first 30 minutes

Retainer

Always


Payment Methods

  • Check
  • Credit Card

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Licenses

Licensed in California for 14 years

State: California

Acquired: 2011

Active

Lawyer disciplined by state licensing authority in 2025

Location

C.S. Scarcella & Associates

250 W. 1st. St. Ste. #244, Claremont, CA, 91711

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Christopher Salvatore Scarcella's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

4.6 /5.0

19 Client Reviews

Filter Avvo Reviews (19) Refine reviews to match your needs. Use the filters to quickly surface reviews that align with your case or priorities.

Showing 11 - 15 of 19 reviews

Posted by Sharon | May 04, 2016 | Hired Attorney | Estate Planning

I'm lucky to have found Atty Chris Scarcella

I don't travel much but had to fly to my hometown and spontaneously decided this was a good time to do a Will & Trust. I was presented with estate planning attorneys in my area from Avvo and after speaking with a few, chose Atty Scarcella. He was happy to meet with me on short notice, and expedited a...nd finalized my paperwork before my trip. He was compassionate, thorough, informative, & eased my anxiety about the process of doing something I needed to do but had been putting off for years. He let me know I could always call him which I did upon my return and he was very helpful. Estate planning is very important and you want it done right by a competent attorney, and Atty Scarcella is that attorney as well as a good person who genuinely cares about his clients, and I consider myself very lucky to have been referred to him and I highly recommend him.

Posted by anonymous | May 03, 2016 | Hired Attorney | Estate Planning

Review your lawyer - Estate Planning

Chris was very professional, knowledgeable and courteous. He is very client oriented. It was a pleasure to meet with him and obtain his valued assistance in estate planning.

Posted by Jose A. (Tony) Garcia | April 07, 2016 | Hired Attorney | Trusts

My great experience with Chris S. Scarcella

One day after many years of living without a living trust I happened to meet Mr Scarcella. He created for me a Revocable Living Trust. I never realized that we would become such good friends. First of all is his knowledge of the law as it pertains to trusts. his kindness, ethics and continued service... after the fact is most remarkable. He is not only my Trust attorney but we have actually become very good friends. I highly recommend him to anyone needing a trust. Also, if you would like me to verbally confirm what I'm printing here feel free to ask Mr Scarcella's office for my phone number.

Posted by Mike | July 29, 2015 | Estate Planning

Professional and Emphathetic Attorney for Estate Planning / Living Trust

I met Chris through a referral by my tax preparer. I have initiated 2 actions with Chris: 1) He has reviewed my parents Living Trust that was originally written in 1995 and updated in 2005. Chris recently reviewed the document for me, providing guidance and answering my questions. Chris was ...very understanding and empathetic in discussing some family illnesses that prompted me to have this Trust reviewed. 2) We have initiated work on my own Living Trust, which is currently in process. He was very patient in answering my questions.

Posted by Maria S. | July 23, 2015 | Estate Planning

Excellent Attorney

Attorney Christopher Scarcella was highly recommended to me by a friend of mine. I needed to get my will and estate planning done and Chris understood exactly what I needed. He has the experience and knowledge to help deal with sensitive legal issues. He was ethical, courteous, sincere, patient and ...compassionate. He was never hurried. He listened attentively and made sure he got all the pertinent information and provided sound legal advice. He informed me of the steps I needed to do and the timelines on when we can get all documents completed. He was also very flexible about appointment times (even during weekends which was so convenient), and was happy to meet me at a location closer to my home. He was always available to answer questions over the phone or email. He always responds right away. He is very professional, humble, honest and down to earth. His rates are very reasonable and fair. I am very happy with his services and highly recommended him to my family and friends.

See All Client Reviews

Christopher Salvatore Scarcella's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse Christopher
Jennifer Michele Daniel headshot
Jennifer Daniel

Trusts lawyer | Mar 25

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"Mr. Scarcella and I have worked together on several trust matters. He has been professional and solution-oriented, which I appreciate when working with a colleague. I endorse Mr. Scarcella."

Gary Rotkop headshot
Gary Rotkop

Estate planning lawyer | May 26

Relationship: Other

"I endorse this lawyer."

Lovette T Mioni headshot
Lovette Mioni

Estate planning lawyer | Jan 11

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Chris is a wonderful estate planning attorney. He is extremely knowledgeable and cares about his clients. I confidently refer clients to him over and over again because I know he will treat them right and do an excellent job."

David Gharakhanian headshot
David Gharakhanian

Estate planning lawyer | Nov 10

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Chris is an excellent estate planning attorney who is highly intelligent, compassionate, and an expert in his field. I refer clients to him without hesitation and he does an excellent job each and every time. I cannot endorse him highly enough."

Matthew M. Thompson headshot
Matthew Thompson

Wills and living wills lawyer | May 20

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. I have worked with Mr. Scarcella for over a year now. He always impresses me with his professionalism and knowledge."

View All Endorsements
Jennifer Michele Daniel headshot
Jennifer Daniel

Trusts lawyer

Marc G. Garlett headshot
Marc Garlett

Estate planning lawyer

Gary Rotkop headshot
Gary Rotkop

Business lawyer

Georgina Lepe headshot
Georgina Lepe

Estate planning lawyer

Lovette T Mioni headshot
Lovette Mioni

Family lawyer

David Gharakhanian headshot
David Gharakhanian

Personal injury lawyer

Maritess Tamunday Bott headshot
Maritess Bott

Estate planning lawyer

Michael Dominick Bonfrisco headshot
Michael Bonfrisco

Estate planning lawyer

Matthew M. Thompson headshot
Matthew Thompson

Bankruptcy and debt lawyer

Justin Michael Kincheloe headshot
Justin Kincheloe

Contracts and agreements lawyer

Shmuel A Steinberg headshot
Shmuel Steinberg

Bankruptcy and debt lawyer

Experience

Rating:  1.0 (Extreme Caution)

Professional misconduct

This lawyer was disciplined by a state licensing authority in 2025.

Discipline with Actual Suspension issued in CA, 2025

updated on 06/23/2025

This sanction means the attorney lost his or her license to practice law for a period of time. The attorney typically returns to practicing law when the suspension expires.

Discipline with Actual Suspension issued in CA, 2025

updated on 04/03/2025

This sanction means the attorney lost his or her license to practice law for a period of time. The attorney typically returns to practicing law when the suspension expires.

Honors

2018

Top Attorney, Inland Empire Magazine

2018

10 Best, American Institute of Legal Counsel

2018

2018 Leading Lawyers, Inland Empire Magazine

2017

Estate Planning, Trusts, and Probate Specialization, State Bar of California - Certified Specialist

2017

Top Attorney, Inland Empire Magazine

2017

Service Mark- Revocable Legacy Trust (c), United States Patent and Trademark Office

2016

Top Attorney, Inland Empire Magazine

2016

2016 Inland Valley's Favorite Attorney, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin

2016

10 Best, American Institute of Legal Counsel

2015

2015 Inland Valley's Favorite Attorney, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin

2015

Wiley W. Manuel Award for Pro Bono Legal Services, State Bar of California

2015

2015 Client's Choice Award, Avvo

2012

Admission to Practice in the Central District of California, United States District Court

2006

Certificate of Recognition - Summer Honor's, Attorney General of California

Work Experience

2015 - Present

Attorney, C.S. Scarcella & Associates

2012 - 2015

Attorney, American Legal Documents

2008 - 2012

Legal Clerk, then Attorney, Walston Cross

2008 - 2008

Legal Clerk, Attorney General of California

Associations

2016 - Present

American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys

Member

2015 - Present

National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys

Member

2015 - Present

Academy of Special Needs Planners

Member

2015 - Present

Community Senior Services

Board of Directors

2011 - Present

Orange County Bar Foundation

Member

2011 - Present

American Bar Association

Member

2011 - Present

Orange County Bar Association, Trusts and Estates Section

Member

2011 - Present

State Bar of California

Attorney Member

2008 - Present

Texas Exes -University of Texas Alumni Association

Member

2005 - Present

Colorado College Alumni Association

Member

Sample of Legal Cases

Case # CONPS 150018 The Conservatorship of James David Pearce (Person and Estate)

For petitioner

Case # 1400578 In re the matter of: THE ANA MAE LAURENCE LIVING TRUST, U/A dated May 18, 2010

For petitioner

See More Legal Cases

Education

2008

University of Texas School of Law

JD - Juris Doctor

2005

Colorado College

BA - Bachelor of Arts

Speaking Engagements

2016

Geriatrics- Elder Law, a Broad Overview

Chaffey College

2015

Estate Planning Eases Transitions

The James L. Brulte Senior Center

2015

Estate Plan Essentials

The James L. Brulte Senior Center

2015

Corona Panel Discussion on Downsizing

The Corona Senior Center

2015

25 Documents that Everyone Needs

VNA Hospice and Paliative Care

2014

The Difference Between Wills and Trusts

The James L. Brulte Senior Center

Publications

2015

Inland Valley Daily Bulletin How to Choose an Estate Planning Attorney

Languages

English

Spanish

Activity

Avvo Rating

Our Rating is calculated using information the lawyer has included on their profile in addition to the information we collect from state bar associations and other organizations that license legal professionals. Attorneys who claim their profiles and provide Avvo with more information tend to have a higher rating than those who do not.

What determines Avvo Rating?
  • Experience & background Years licensed, work experience, education
  • Legal community recognition Peer endorsements, associations, awards
  • Legal thought leadership Publications, speaking engagements
  • Discipline
    This lawyer was disciplined by a state licensing authority in 2025
    Disciplinary information may not be comprehensive, or updated. We recommend that you always check a lawyer's disciplinary status with their respective state bar association before hiring them.
Avvo Rating Levels
10.0 - 9.0 Superb8.9 - 8.0 Excellent7.9 - 7.0 Very Good6.9 - 6.0 Good5.9 - 5.0 Average4.9 - 4.0 Concern3.9 - 3.0 Caution2.9 - 2.0 Strong Caution1.9 - 1.0 Extreme Caution