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Thomas William Dominick

Probate Attorney at San Bernardino, CA

4.9   36 reviews
Free consultation Virtual consultation available
Free consultation Virtual consultation available
  • Licensed for 37 years
    State CA
    Acquired 1985
    Status
    Active No misconduct found

We have not found any instances of professional misconduct for this lawyer.

About Thomas

Learn Thomas’s areas of practice.

5
Practice areas
IN NEED OF ASSISTANCE WITH A PROBATE, TRUST, OR CONSERVATORSHIP MATTER? CALL TOM DOMINICK!

For more than 37 years, Thomas W. Dominick has practiced primarily in estate planning, probate and trust law.  He is currently certified by the State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization as a Specialist in these areas. In recognition of his work, Martindale-Hubbell has awarded Mr. Dominick its prestigious “AV” rating, indicating that peers rank him at preeminent levels of professionalism and ethical standards. In addition, he has been repeatedly selected for inclusion to Super Lawyers magazine, a listing of prominent attorneys in each state, and is listed as "One of the Top Attorneys in the IE" by the Inland Empire Magazine. Mr. Dominick regularly lectures to lawyers, paralegals and accountants in the areas of probate administration and litigation and co-authored the handbook “The Probate Process from Start to Finish” (2003 National Business Institute).

 

At Fullerton, Lemann, Schaefer & Dominick, LLP we are dedicated to providing each client with efficient and cost-effective legal services based on our years of experience, and invite you to contact us for further information.

 

 

Mr. Dominick represents clients in estate planning, trust and probate law matters in San Bernardino, Riverside, Orange and Los Angeles Counties and throughout the Southern California communities of the Inland Empire, including San Bernardino, Riverside, Redlands, Rancho Cucamonga, Upland, Chino, Chino Hills, Ontario, Fontana, Rialto, Colton, Bloomington, Loma Linda, Highland, Yucaipa, Calimesa, Banning, Beaumont, Moreno Valley and Corona, the Mountain communities of Lake Arrowhead, Big Bear Lake, Running Springs and Wrightwood, the High Desert communities of Victorville, Barstow, Hesperia, Apple Valley and Adelanto and the Low Desert communities of Palm Springs, Palm Desert, Rancho Mirage, La Quinta, Indian Wells and Bermuda Dunes.

Awards

Gold Client Champion
AV Preeminent Peer Review Rating
Client's Choice 2018,2015,2012
Client's Choice
2018 2015 2012

Contact Thomas

Fullerton, Lemann, Schaefer & Dominick LLP
215 North D Street First Floor
San Bernardino, CA, 92401-1712
Fullerton, Lemann, Schaefer & Dominick, LLP
77564-A Country Club Drive
Suite 132
Palm Desert, CA, 92211
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Reviews

4.9 / 5.0
  36 customer reviews
Client's Choice 2018
Client's Choice
Client's Choice is an Avvo award granted to attorneys with a significant number of client reviews over 4 stars in a given year.
Posted by anonymous | June 25, 2023
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
The expert in the room
I can't imagine going through our trust litigation without Mr. Dominick. I am so grateful for his invaluable help and council. As trustee, I was chosen to resolve the result of decades of family dysfunction that made me a target of unhappy family members. There were several law firms involved, some who also specialized in probate litigation. Time and time again, Mr. Dominick was the most knowledgeable attorney and successfully countered and protected us from law firms who use the law for cynical and dishonest purposes via the flawed and expensive trust litigation process. Mr. Dominick's knowledge of the process combined with his frank honesty provided invaluable and necessary council. We will be forever grateful for his tenacity, aggressive protection when called for, and expansive knowledge that yielded the best result possible.
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Posted by Kim | February 8, 2023
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
If I could give Tom Dominick 10 stars I would!
I could not possibly give Tom the review he deserves! He is so incredibly knowledgeable, knows the laws up, down and sideways. Tom will ALWAYS answer an email or phone call quickly and is so pleasant to be around. He makes having to have a lawyer enjoyable and I never once worried about anything. He and his paralegal Terri always had paperwork to me and always one step ahead to make sure your process continues moving. If you ever attend court with Tom you will quickly see he is extremely well respected in the hallway with other attorneys and in the courtroom with the judge. His experience in this arena really shows! Seeing the way the other attorney against us was, I quickly knew Tom was superior in the way he handles his business and his clients. His When I first met Tom he spent an hour interviewing me to make sure he completely understood my case and know he was defending something he felt was right. Which I instantly knew he was the right fit for me in his integrity for his reputation and firm. He knew every answer to my questions and has been completely honest with every answer. I am beyond grateful for Tom and will recommend him to anyone over and over! He is simply the best of the best!
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Posted by Roland | March 9, 2021
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Review of Tom Dominick
Tom Dominick is an extremely knowledgeable estate attorney who demonstrates a high degree of professionalism and provides excellent customer service. I am very pleased with my interactions with him and his law firm in dealing with probate issues for my late mother's estate.
Posted by Leslie | March 8, 2021
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Experience Counts!
I hired Tom Dominick 6 years ago when as a Trustee, was sued by one of the beneficiaries. There were many legal issues with my case. I interviewed several Attorneys, and immediately was impressed with Tom's knowledge and understanding of the issues at hand. We had a tough 6 year fight. Each time we appeared in court he was prepared and articulately defended our position. Tom promptly responded to my calls and emails. I appreciated his insight and guidance throughout the entire process. Mr. Dominick's experience and persistence were key to the successful resolution we obtained. I highly recommend him!
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Posted by Colleen | January 24, 2019
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Tom Dominick Experienced Lawyer
We had a complex situation that we hired Mr. Dominick to help finish. His legal acumen, ability to grasp the intricacies of the case, and lead the way to conclusion exceeded our expectations. He has been a great help to my family. We highly recommend Mr Dominick and would engage him again if needed.
Posted by Sylvia | November 2, 2018
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Mr. Dominick
I was very pleased with Mr. Tom Dominick. It was a pleasant experience for me. I never had to go out to California. He took care of everything.
Posted by Gina | October 1, 2018
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Exceptional, honest, brilliant attorney
Mr. Thomas Dominick represented my daughters and I in a difficult family trust case. He is the first lawyer I’ve ever had to hire and I was extremely fortunate to find someone so ethical, caring, and professional. At our first meeting, he read and explained a confusing family trust in less than 30 minutes, something two other lawyers I consulted with were not able to do. He handled our case with respect for the other side, yet his correspondence was clear, direct and powerful. During the process, Mr. Dominick responded to every email personally and in a timely manner. The staff at Fullerton, Lemann, Schaefer & Dominick are courteous and highly professional. I highly recommend Mr. Dominick for anyone seeking a truly exceptional, honest, brilliant attorney.
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Posted by Vincent | September 26, 2018
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Excellent Attorney
Tom is a exceptional attorney and I was extremely lucky to have him on my side during my mom's probate. He was up front and honest with me and caring during the process. I did not want to deal with the legal process of probate but Tom made it easier for me and stood by me the entire time.
Posted by Imelda | September 25, 2018
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Trustworthy professional legal counsel with reliable success rate
I hired the firm of Mr. Thomas Dominick to represent me in a complex and contentious probate case. Mr. Dominick and his associates tackled my case, literally head on, with Mr. Dominick's strategic lead. They went to extra lengths to ensure all options were considered; by thoroughly analyzing the case historical facts without losing focus on the challenges presented. Throughout, I experienced consistency, savvy strategies, reliability, and above all, an unmatched professionalism. I highly recommend Mr. Thomas Dominick's law office, for those seeking peace of mind, trustworthiness, and professionalism.
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Posted by Jannina & Tanya | September 24, 2018
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
The Dusty Mile
We were referred to Tom by another firm and we could not have asked for a better attorney. He took our probate case, brought the facts to light, proved our case and showed us that there is justice in the world. While we hope no one else has to go through what we did, we would recommend him without hesitation in a heart beat! Thank You for everything Tom!
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Response from Thomas Dominick September 26, 2018
You're so very welcome. I am glad we were finally able to resolve the matter to your satisfaction.
Posted by Eric | June 4, 2018
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Expert. Responsive.
Tom Dominick represented me in a family trust lawsuit. The sad reality of trust law is that anyone who wants to pay for it, even if they have no case, can hire a lawyer and start harassing a trustee with charges who is trying to legitimately settle an estate, throwing subpoenas and all kinds of unwarranted but legally binding discovery demands on the trustee. It is a scary process to be sued, and above all you want a lawyer who is an expert, is connected, and, above all, is responsive. Dominick's office is right across the street from the San Bernardino courthouse. He knows the law and he knows the judges. Throughout my entire very involved four year case, every time I contacted Tom or his partner Lee Madinger, who was the detail lawyer on the case, they both always got back to me immediately, even if it was a court day for them. Tom cares about your case and treats you like it. It is comforting to have Tom and his firm on your side. If you are serious about winning, you cannot do better. (Also, the organization of Dominick's firm is financially advantageous to the client. Dominick works with an assistant attorney and paralegal who do most of the detail work at lower rates so you aren't paying the hourly rate of a full litigator for all the detail work.)
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Posted by Michael | March 2, 2018
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Thomas Dominick - Probate Case
Mr. Dominick has been handling the settling of my uncle's estate. He was referred to me via a friend who is a retired San Bernardino County judge. The judge did not personally work with Tom, but Tom was highly recommended by a friend of his. We appreciate that Tom was able to see us on very short notice. My mother and I were in town for a short period only, so this step made a huge impression on us. The offices of Fullerton, Lemann, Schaefer & Dominick (FLSD) are very well-run and professional. In our brief meeting, Tom explained the California probate process, including timeframes, fee schedules, etc. The explanation was done in a way that is understandable to people who are not attorneys, which is very important to me. My mom and I left the offices very comfortable in our decision to hire Mr. Dominick to handle the estate. I reconnected with Tom at the FLSD offices when I returned to California in June. By that time, the probate hearing and taken place and I was able to begin taking actions as the administrator. Once again, Tom was effective in his explanations of the next steps. This was important because there was a real estate transaction in which he would be involved. At our first meeting, Tom had explained the concept of "extraordinary attorney's fees" and why they are often necessary. In our case, the fees were incurred via review of the real estate documents. Overall, I have been very happy with the services provided by Mr. Dominick. From everything I can tell from my experience with him, he is very knowledgeable and one of the best at what he does. I would not hesitate to recommend he and FLSD for your legal needs. As far as constructive feedback goes, I offer the following. It seems as though routine, non-frequent communication should be included in the standard statutory fee structure. I believe in trying to be a low maintenance type of client and trust in people to do their jobs. It surprised me to be billed for brief - very brief really - email Q and A. It is undoubtedly legal, but is it necessary? I believe that any attorney would do this as hours have to be accounted for. My same judge friend told me that there are a few judges who will see things like this and not allow it, but for the most part it is "just the way things are." Tom was able to answer my questions, which is the important thing I suppose. I appreciate that Tom invited me to rate his work.
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Posted by Aaron Washington | January 31, 2018
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
amazing experience
Mr Thomas Dominick and his entire team was amazing helping me on Estate case that lasted over 2 and half years. The first day I hired Mr Dominick and until the case was finished his staff stayed in constant communication during the whole process. I would definitely recommend Mr Dominick to everyone.
Posted by Trudi | January 31, 2018
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Thank you Mr. Dominick!
Mr. Dominick helped me through the Execution of my stepdad’s Estate to include dealing with multiple nasty beneficiaries. I could not have done it without his guidance and advice. I highly recommend him and his excellent staff to anyone in need of probate, trust, estate planning or executing.
Posted by jim cardin | October 26, 2017
This review is from a potential client who consulted with this attorney.
| Consulted Attorney
So far so good.
I only had initial and initial contact/consultation with Mr. Dominick. If my case requires an attorney I wouldn't hesitate to use his services.
Posted by Alberto A | May 2, 2017
This review is from a potential client who consulted with this attorney.
| Consulted Attorney
Great Consultation
Just spent the best 15 min of my time. I have been calling many different Legal Aid offices to get some questions answered regarding my case. They were of no help and some were rude. I then found Thomas thru avvo.com. Thomas took the time to listen, and was patient in explaining to me the options I have regarding my case. Thank You!!!
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Posted by anonymous | November 7, 2016
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Probate
Thomas William Dominick was exceptional, he gave me the peace of mind. I did not worry about probate.
Posted by anonymous | October 31, 2016
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Tremendous Work on an Incredibly Difficult Probate
I figured ours was going to be a lengthy and difficult probate process, especially since I was an out-of-state executor. As such, I wanted the best legal representation to help maneuver through the complex California probate process while handling a rather complex will and also dealing multiple heirs, including a couple of difficult personalities. Mr. Dominick did an absolutely tremendous job of settlling the estate very effectively and efficiently, and provided practical solutions for handling some interesting bequests, and professionally & patiently dealt with an incredibly difficult beneficiary. I have the utmost of respect for him, his knowledge, professionalism and work ethic!
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Posted by Chyrl | September 17, 2015
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Treated with respect!
I flew in from Maryland to California to take care of my father's estate. Thomas Dominick and his staff was very helpful treating me with respect, under the circumstances, and did everything in their power to make the process happen with ease. I am very grateful for their assistance and would recommend them to anyone who needs their expertise.
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Posted by Diane | September 5, 2015
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
An excellent attorney
As a Private Professional Fiduciary, I have been represented by Attorney Dominick on several cases. He is quick to respond to my questions and return my phone calls. He and his staff are accurate, thorough, and efficient in preparing filings for the court. I highly recommend him.
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Cost

Rates
  • Free Consultation 15 minutes
Payment methods
Cash, Check, Credit Card

Resume

AVVO RATING 10.0 (Superb)

Work Experience

  • Partner
  • Fullerton, Lemann, Schaefer & Dominick LLP
  • 1986 - Present
  • Law Clerk/Attorney
  • Harold G. Ayer, APC
  • 1983 - 1985

Education

  • University of San Diego School of Law
  • JD - Juris Doctor
  • 1985
  • California State University, San Bernardino
  • BA, Business Administration
  • 1981

Legal Cases

  • Estate of Bonanno, 165 Cal.App.4th 7 (Trial and appellate counsel)
  • Judgment reversed in favor of Mr. Dominick's client.
  • Estate of Garrett, 159 Cal.App.4th 831 (Trial counsel)
  • Judgment affirmed in favor of Mr. Dominick's client

Associations

  • National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys
  • Member
  • 2013 - Present
  • Western San Bernardino County Bar Association
  • Member
  • 2009 - Present
  • Riverside County Bar Association
  • Member
  • 2007 - Present
  • San Bernardino County Bar Association
  • Member
  • 1986 - Present
  • National Conference of Bar Presidents
  • Sustaining Fellow
  • 2011 - 2013
  • San Bernardino County Bar Association
  • President
  • 2009 - 2010
View all associations

Languages Spoken

  • English

Honors and Awards

  • California Super Lawyer
  • Southern California Super Lawyers
  • 2013
  • Jack R. Freeman "Service Above Self" Award
  • San Bernardino Rotary North
  • 2012
  • Joseph P. Hertel Award Outstanding Rotarian Award
  • San Bernardino Rotary North
  • 2009
  • Southern California Super Lawyer
  • California Super Lawyers Magazine
  • 2006
  • Certified Estate Planning, Trust and Probate Law Specialist
  • California Bar Board of Legal Specialization
  • 2004
  • AV Rating
  • Martindale-Hubbell
  • 1995
  • Law Week Award
  • Bureau of National Affairs
  • 1985
View all awards

Publications

  • National Business Institute Seminar
  • The Probate Process from Start to Finish in California
  • 2003

Speaking Engagements

  • Bench-Bar Probate Symposium
  • Recent Updates in Trust , Estate and Probate Litigation
  • 2012
  • Probate Section Meeting
  • Recent Cases on Estates and Trusts
  • 2011
  • Probate Section Meeting
  • Equitable Adoption
  • 2006
  • The Probate Process from Start to Finish in California
  • Probate Procedure
  • 2003
View all speaking engagements

Attorney endorsements

Received (9)
Given (10)
Endorse Thomas
Probate Attorney | Oct 14
Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter
"The consummate estate planning attorney. Do not hesitate to hire Tom for an estate planning, probate or conservatorship matter"
Probate Attorney | Feb 21
Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter
"Tom is one of the most skilled attorneys I know. A giant in the industry. I endorse this lawyer."
Estate planning Attorney | Dec 15
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"I have known Tom Dominick since the beginning of my legal career, and he has an unsurpassed reputation in the legal community for estate planning. His experience and service to the community are unsurpassed."
Unknown Attorney | Nov 24
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"I endorse this lawyer."
Estate planning Attorney | Sep 12
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"I endorse this lawyer."
Estate planning Attorney | Jun 02
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"Tom Dominick is a well known and well respected member of the legal community in the Inland Empire. He is past President of the San Bernardino County Bar Association. He is a partner in an aggressive and successful law firm, Fullerton, Lemann, Shaefer & Dominck. I refer business to his firm. I wholeheartedly endorse Tom Dominick."
Probate Attorney | Jan 23
Relationship: Other
"I endorse this lawyer. I have met Mr. Dominick here on Avvo.com, and look forward to referring him work in the future since I do not practice in San Bernardino and Riverside County, and I am impressed with his practice. I spend a good deal of time on Avvo answering questions, offering comments et al. Mr. Dominick gained my attention by is excellent analysis/opinions/input on numerous legal issues that we were both commenting on. I checked out his website and am also quite impressed by his practice ane experience. If you are considering an attorney for probate/trust/estate planning in those counties - I recommend that you consider Mr. Dominick - as I will for my clients with matters in those counties."
Probate Attorney | Mar 02
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"I've known Tom since 2004. He has one of the best reputations in the Inland Empire. I've used him as an attorney in the past, I've had cases we've worked on together, and I've had cases were we were against each other. In all these interactions Tom was always a gentlemen. It is easy for me to highly recommend Tom as an attorney in the Probate, Trust, Estate Planning, and Real Estate areas."
Probate Attorney | Nov 26
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"I have known Tom for many years and have retained his sevices personally. He is one of the leading Probate lawyers in the Inland Empire, I have worked with their firm and highly endorse Tom and his partners."
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