Our Staff
Joanna Gaspar
Senior Probate Paralegal – Probate Matters, Conservatorships, Guardianships
Ms. Gaspar (or Joanna) joined our team as an Administrative Assistant in 2016. Joanna earned her Associates Degree in Business Administration in 1988. Soon after she started working for the firm she showed a real interest and commitment for the various probate matters. Joanna learned quickly, handled the phone calls and assisted potential clients with their calls. Soon thereafter she started to work on files and assisted attorneys and other paralegals. Ms. Grebe, the Probate House L.C.’s principal attorney, was hoping that Joanna would be part of the team of paralegals. And she did. There was no stopping her.
A month after starting at the firm, she enrolled in El Camino, working towards her degree in Paralegal Studies, while raising her children. She worked during the daytime and attended El Camino College in 1988. It was a difficult time for her, but she had a definite goal in mind - she wanted to be a probate paralegal. She completed her Associate Degree in Paralegal Studies at El Camino College in 2018 and we were more than pleased to celebrate with her and have her join our dynamic team of paralegals.
Now, into her 9th year here at the Probate House L.C., Joanna handles many of the firm’s probate matters with the guidance of the firm’s attorneys, in particular, our Senior Probate Attorney, Lorenzo C. Stoller.
Joanna is responsible and professional and works well with all the attorneys and the entire paralegal staff. She makes sure to keep up to date with changes in the law and has formed professional relationships with the court staff, bond personnel and various real estate agents. She is currently updating her "bag of probate tools" by learning the new Rules to Avoid Probate re AB 2016 & Non Probate Transfers of a Decedent’s Home.
Joanna spends her free time enjoying her family and friends.
Susan E. Hada
Senior Probate Paralegal - Estate Planning - Trust Administration - Probates - Conservatorships-Guardianships - Accountings
Ms. Hada (or Susan) prior to joining our firm, worked in accounting and as a programmer analyst for many years. Prior to working for the Probate House L.C. full time, Susan worked as a Legal Secretary for a Civil-Immigration attorney as well as a noted South Bay Estate Planning and Probate attorney, Walter E. Hindenlang for close to nine (9) years. During these years, Susan obtained her Probate Paralegal Certificate and assisted Ms. Grebe with part time work. Susan was always willing to work the extra mile. Having acquired superior legal skills, Ms. Grebe was delighted that Susan chose to become a full time Paralegal at the Probate House L.C.
Susan’s background in accounting and as a programmer analyst has provided her with valuable skills necessary to prepare court accountings.
Susan’s goal is to assist all clients as best she can. She is willing to go the extra mile to ensure that she completes all tasks at hand.
During her free time, other than enjoying time with her family, Susan and her husband are actively involved in a Kendo (Japanese fencing) club and they volunteer to assist with their church and with the Gardena Valley Japanese Cultural Institute, non-profit organization that promotes and conveys the Japanese culture experience.
Nikki Rodriguez
Paralegal - Limited Conservatorships - Conservatorships over the Person & Estate – Guardianships
Ms. Rodriguez (Nikki) has numerous years of legal experience working part time with a local family law attorney in Torrance. Nikki joined our firm in March of 2021 and enjoys the probate work. She almost exclusively assists Ms. Grebe handling the Limited Conservatorship Petitions. Nikki’s knowledge in this area, keeping things stream-lined, allowed The Probate House L.C. to keep the legal fees down and offer a flat rate. She is extremely helpful and kind when handling client phone calls, often providing extra time and care, and making appointments with attorneys relating to same.
Usually the parents that come to us to want to be a Conservator over their child have many questions and concerns regarding their appointment as conservator. Nikki is always patient with our clients and potential clients. Ms. Grebe who handled many PVP (now CAC) appointments over the years, having been appointed by the Court on behalf of the proposed conservatee, now represents the parents, bringing their petitions to court. She basically knows “both sides of the coin”, making it extremely helpful to express to the parents the various roles attorneys play. Nikki works almost exclusively on all limited conservatorship matters with our attorneys, however she is also familiar and works on probate Guardianships and general conservatorship matters.
Nikki is clearly the perfect person to explain to parents of developmentally disabled adults or minor children soon reaching the age of majority, what facts are needed to prepare a Petition and the process in seeking a Limited Conservatorship for them prior to setting them up to meet with the attorneys. She has great familiarity with the legal process and the various individuals involved in such a petition, such as Court Appointed Counsel (CAC attorney) (representing and advocating for the Conservatee), the Probate Investigator, and the Regional Centers.
In her free time, Nikki enjoys watching movies, getting creative in the kitchen, and spending time with her dog, family and friends.
Cindy Kelso
Senior Probate Paralegal - Probates - Conservatorships - Guardianships - Estate Planning, Court Accountings -ADD
Ms. Kelso (or Cindy) has spent much of her legal career exclusively working for our firm (previously Conover & Associates, then Conover & Grebe, LLP) now, the Probate House L.C which brings to the Probate House L.C. a wealth of experience.
Cindy often takes calls from potential clients, local or from other states and counties, as well as other countries, seeking help in various estate matters in the California courts, such as a probates, conservatorships, guardianships, and estate planning. In addition to her legal and paralegal background, she has extensive administrative experience which she acquired working at a jury consulting firm for several years as an executive assistant which suited her well and has benefitted our firm greatly.
Cindy is well liked by clients, the attorneys she works for, as well as her co-workers – she is a team player. She is kind and patient, which works well for all. She enjoys working on legal research and provides administrative support to our attorneys in particular to Attorney Lorenzo Cara Stoller. She is always ready to take on extra work. Most importantly, she is proud of being able to make the probate process understandable to clients, as well as helping with conservatorship matters (with all their complicated issues). Her friendly approach makes the process, personal and legal, as smooth and stress free as possible, at every stage, thereby reducing client’s anxiety related to same.
Cindy enjoys spending time with her family, friends, and with her dogs. She also enjoys reading and listening to podcasts. To our delight, she can be available for the firm on weekends when there are emergency matters to be dealt with.