Ridgecrest Probate Lawyers

Beti Tsai Bergman is the principal shareholder of the law firm, Peninsula Law, A Professional Law Corporation. Her firm specializes in probate, trusts, estates, conservatorships, and financial elder abuse. Ms. Bergman has extensive experience in representing conservators, trustees, and executors, as well as, heirs and beneficiaries in uncontested and contested trust and estate matters. Before specializing in probate, Ms. Bergman was a Deputy City Attorney for City of Los Angeles and was a business litigator in private practice.
Ms. Bergman is certified by the California Board of Legal Specialization in estate planning, trust and probate law and has earned a...

Ben has been practicing Estate Planning, Probate, and Elder Law since 2005. Prior to that, he was the Operations Manager and In-House Counsel for Arbitration Works, Inc., a leading provider of construction industry alternative dispute resolution services working closely with the California Contractor’s State License Board. Ben has also taught 1st-year Contracts Law and Wills & Trusts. Ben is a veteran of the U.S. Air Force Reserves, an Avionics Technician who served active duty during Operation Desert Storm. Honorably discharged as a Technical Sergeant, he was recognized several times for his excellent Mishap Prevention Program as the Squadron Safety NCO.

Practice Areas
Will and Living Trust drafting and review
Powers of Attorney and Advance Health Care Directives
Will and Trust Amendments and Updates
Estate, Gift, Income, and Property Tax planning Techniques for avoiding probate
Represent Executors and Administrators in Probate
Represent Trustee in Trust Administration
Advanced Estate Tax Planning: Irrevocable Trusts, Gifting Trusts, Grantor Retained Trusts (GRIT, GRAT, GRUT, QPRT), Life Insurance Trusts
Charitable Planning ? Charitable Trusts (CRAT, CRUT, CLT)

Education
University of San Diego School of Law ? Juris Doctorate in 1977
University of California, Irvine ? Bachelor of Arts in 1974
Personal Philosophy
Roberta helps families plan to transfer assets to the next generation while avoiding probate and miniming...

Partner at The Estate Lawyers, a full-service Trusts and Estates firm which focusing on Trust and Estate Litigation, Probates, Trust Administrations, Elder Abuse Actions, Conservatorships, Guardianships and Estate Planning. I strive to provide results-based representation to my clients through creative solutions carefully crafted to suit the individual needs of each client.

MARIVEL M. ZIALCITA is the founder of MMZ LAW, A Professional Corporation, where she practices in the areas of Trust and Estate, Elder Law, VA Benefits, Special Needs, Conservatorship, Trust Administration and Probate. Ms. Zialcita is a frequent speaker on trust and estate matters and holds memberships in the State Bar of California, Trust and Estate Section, The San Bernardino County Bar Association, Wealth Counsel and Elder Counsel. She currently assists in the pro bono legal services program at the James L. Brulte Senior Center in Rancho Cucamonga, California. Ms. Zialcita received her B.A. degree from the University of California,...

Blake Rummel is a litigator focused exclusively in the areas of probate, conservatorship, and estate and trust litigation. She has been successfully resolving disputes for almost 30 years, both in and out of the courtroom. Blake is highly respected by her peers, assisting them when client matters turn from administration to litigation. Although she is aggressive in representing the best interests of her clients, she treats every client with compassion and discretion, sensitive to the emotions that often cloud the parties’ ability to amicably reach agreement.

Through her representation of both fiduciaries and beneficiaries, Blake has tremendous insight into the concerns...

My journey as an estate planning attorney was driven by my desire to assist families. The complexities and intimidation of the legal system can be overwhelming, but I firmly believe it doesn't have to be that way. My approach involves communicating in plain English, ensuring that you fully comprehend your options, and aiding you in making informed and astute decisions. Through effective planning, we can circumvent future headaches and expenses while securing a lasting legacy for your family's well-being, even beyond your lifetime. My commitment lies in providing personalized attention to each client, offering one-on-one counseling, and maintaining open and responsive...

Megan Ferkel Earhart is an associate with the JMBM's Taxation and Trusts and Estates Groups. JMBM’s Trusts & Estates Group is recognized by U.S. News & World Report / Best Law Firms® with a National First Tier ranking in Trusts & Estates Law. Her practice includes estate planning, probate, trust administration and related income, gift and estate tax matters.

She has authored and co-authored articles on estate planning in the Los Angeles Daily Journal and Los Angeles Lawyer Magazine and lectures to audiences on estate planning, including the Beverly Hills Bar Association, the Jewish Community Foundation and USC Trusts and Estates...

Shadi Shaffer focuses her practice on Estate Planning, Trusts, Probate and Trust Administration. Prior to her legal career, Attorney Shaffer had an extensive and diverse work history, which helped her gain skills that have proven invaluable to her legal practice.

Attorney Shaffer opened her own firm so she could protect families, children, and businesses from the CA Probate system and serve as an advocate to prevent clients from the court system. She started the Asset Protection & Elder Law Center over 15 years ago with her best friend (25 years and counting!) Patrick P. Phancao. We wanted to build a...

We’re proud that our law firm is local and we offer our exceptional legal services to SoCal, Riverside, San Bernardino and Palm Springs California. With Our sensitivity coupled with Our aggressive approach to Probate matters and Our wealth of knowledge when it comes to Estate Planning, Our extensive experience with ALL Legal Tax Issues and Our first hand knowledge and real world experience as Business owners has allowed us to call southern California home for many years.

Handling the legal issues that arise after the death of a friend or loved one can be very challenging. If a family member has...

Gina focuses her legal practice on estate planning, probate, Medi-Cal planning, and elder law. She is dedicated to helping families from the devastating legal effects of disability and death. With proper planning, individuals and families can avoid unnecessary court proceedings, protect their assets, continue their legacies through strategic charitable giving, and provide for the security of loved ones. Gina learned firsthand the effects of failing to plan when her rancher father was killed in a vehicle accident without any planning documents in place requiring her to probate her father’s extensive estate, including business and cattle operations. As a...

Accomplished Trusts and Estates Attorney. Certified Specialist in Estate Planning, Trust and Probate Law State Bar of California, Board of Legal Specialization. Selected to Northern California SuperLawyers. For more than thirty-two years, Michael Freedman has been lead trial lawyer in more than thirty state and federal jury and bench trials involving trusts and estates law, business law, tort law, labor and employment law, professional malpractice, insurance bad faith, and environmental law. Michael Freedman has built a solid reputation as an experienced, skilled and dedicated practitioner. He has consistently upheld this high standard of service. Michael Freedman...

For 35 years, Howard Borenstein has provided trusted legal counsel for clients with Estate Planning, Probate and Tax Law needs. He is dedicated to resolving legal matters for individuals and businesses throughout Southern California.

Demonstrating his knowledge and skill, Howard has been Certified as a Taxation Law Specialist by The State Bar of California. He is committed to finding solutions for legal issues in an efficient and effective manner.

Outside of work, Howard is an active participant in the local community. In addition to working with the San Antonio Community Hospital and Harold W. Harris Foundation Trust, he is involved with the...

Mrs. Verdon founded the Hess-Verdon in 1990 and has successfully advised high net-worth individuals and corporate executives with their estate tax and corporate matters. She is a noted speaker on the subjects of Trust Litigation, Business, and Real Estate Litigation, and Advanced Estate Planning matters.

As the Managing Partner, Mrs. Verdon has built a team of experienced lawyers focusing on the following:

Business Law and business dispute litigation
Real Estate Law and litigation
Special Needs Trusts for Disabled Family Members,
Charitable Planning and many strategies for wealthy families who own businesses.
Probate and Probate litigation
Trust Administration
Mrs. Verdon’s dedication to achieving results for her clients is...

Carla Keehn has been protecting the rights of others her entire life. Initially as an army officer, then as a public defender and federal prosecutor. Now she is focused on protecting the rights of individuals and their families who have been victims of nursing home abuse and neglect. 

Carla has decades of experience as a trial attorney in the public interest and has tried scores of cases to verdict. She was awarded the United States Department of Justice Director’s Award for Superior Performance by an Assistant U.S. Attorney and the Southern District of California Leadership Award by the United States Attorney.

A...

Shawn S. Kerendian is the founder and Principal of Keystone Law Group, P.C. Shawn has managed, supervised and litigated hundreds of Probate, Trusts and Estate matters. Shawn received his undergraduate degree from UCLA and his J.D. from Loyola Law School. He has appeared before judges throughout Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, and San Bernardino counties on matters related to Trusts, Estates and Probate. Shawn is a member of the Trusts & Estates Section of the Los Angeles County Bar Association, and also a member of the Trusts & Estates and Litigation sections of the State Bar of California.

Lorilee DeSantis is an attorney whose passion for helping families protect their loved ones and their assets shines through to all who work with her. Lorilee’s clients often comment that her ability to deeply listen and understand their concerns makes it very easy for them to talk to her about difficult subjects. Her clients also appreciate that Lorilee explains complex legal concepts in ways that are easy to digest so that clients fully understand their legal options. Lorilee’s dedication to helping people with family-oriented legal issues stems from personal experiences. When Lorilee was growing up, she saw...

Nicole D'Ambrogi is a distinguished attorney based in San Diego. A “Rising Star” with just over four years of experience, Ms. D'Ambrogi has already built a name for herself in estate planning and probate law and has garnered a reputation as a staunch advocate for veterans. A former member of the U.S. Navy, her practice focuses on comprehensive estate planning, veteran benefits, and asset protection services. Among numerous other honors, Ms. D'Ambrogi has received the Women Resiliency Award by the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs in 2015 and the Trailblazer Award from the California Department of Veteran Affairs in 2016.

Calvin A. Slater has been a lawyer since 1981, with over 30 years of experience with helping clients, such as entrepreneurs, physicians, business owners and real estate investors. His legal expertise includes real estate matters, tax-deferred exchanges, trusts, estate planning, asset protection, as well as business matters such as formation, planning, and succession. He emphasizes a personal connection with each client to understand their needs and provide effective solutions. He encourages a team approach by collaborating with a client’s other professionals such as accountants and investment advisors. Mr. Slater is a certified specialist in Estate Planning, Trust & Probate Law by...

I believe that you, the client, first need to UNDERSTAND all your options. My first job is to educate you so you can make your own informed intelligent decisions. My law practice is based on this fundamental principle.

Ramon is a Spanish-speaking attorney with the firm of Jakle, Alexander & Patton, LLP in Santa Monica. He practices in the areas of Estate Planning, Trust Administration, Trust Settlement, Legal Entities, Probate, and Conservatorships. In 2011, Ramon graduated cum laude from the University of La Verne College of Law. He earned his B.A. from the University of Southern California in Spanish and Political Science. He is a graduate of Loyola High School, Los Angeles. Ramon is member of the Santa Monica Bar Association, the Los Angeles County Bar Association (Trusts & Estates Law Section), State Bar of California (Trusts & Estates Law...

Nikki Semanchik is the Founding Attorney of Semanchik Law Group. Nikki started out her legal career advising small businesses and individuals in need of estate planning. An interest in international law and her background in immigration led her to represent multi-national high-net worth individuals with business law, asset protection and tax planning. After assisting clients with tax planning through the formation of private foundations and charitable trusts, Nikki found herself drawn to nonprofit law. She now assists nonprofit organizations with formation, compliance and governance.

Nikki is passionate about nonprofit law and enjoys speaking about nonprofit formation and compliance. Her most recent...

Entering her 15th year of practice, Kimberly specializes in estate planning, probate, and trust administration and corporate law. Kimberly’s experience in assisting aging seniors, middle-aged couples and young families in trusts and estates issues is an asset to her clients. This experience allows her to provide highly customized estate plans for her clients’ unique family needs.

Kimberly compassionately and efficiently addresses the affairs of the deceased, including probate and trust administration therefore she is able to represent trustees, executors and beneficiaries in many different and often difficult situations. Additionally, Kimberly offers legal counsel to closely-held businesses at each stage...

Amy L. Gostanian Esq., Attorney and Founder of The Estate Lawyers, formerly known as Gostanian Law Group, PC. “Amy was able to take over handling my parent’s estate from another attorney and I am very grateful for all of her and her staff’s support and help. Amy is very kind and caring and helped me through some tough spots in the process. Billing was very fair and accurate. Communication was timely and greatly appreciated. I’ll be returning to have my own trust done. Thank you, Amy!” — Lisa

Michael A. Hackard. Michael A. Hackard is the principal attorney of Hackard Law Corporation - a Sacramento, California firm which represents wealthy families with extensive business interests as well as clients impoverished by the wrongdoing of others. Michael and his attorneys are dedicated to clients.

Hackard Law attorneys focus on trust and estate litigation, fiduciary litigation, will contests, trust contests, elder financial abuse, trust decanting, trust beneficiary rights, trustee removal, special needs trusts, supplemental needs trusts, title to assets, family business trusts, dynasty trusts, domestic asset preservation trusts and asset protection.

I am an Appellate Law Specialist certified by the State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization and I spearhead my firm’s Appeals and Writs group. I have handled appeals and writs in anti-SLAPP, civil-rights, commercial-litigation, employment, ERISA, family-law, personal-injury, probate, real estate and trust cases. I have briefed and orally argued writs and appeals before all manner of appellate courts, from the California Court of Appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court. I have also successfully settled multiple cases in appellate mediation. As judicial clerk for both state and federal appellate courts, I have reviewed and analyzed literally hundreds of...

Douglas A. Wright has established a reputation as the go-to attorney for estate planning matters, succession planning, living trusts, wills, probate, and business law matters.

Doug holds a Juris Doctor from University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law, and was awarded the Witkin Award for Academic Excellence in Professional Responsibility (Ethics). Doug also spent a summer studying in the prestigious International Legal Studies program in Salzburg Austria with United States Supreme Court Justice Anthony M. Kennedy. Doug completed his undergraduate studies at UCLA and holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science.

Doug is admitted to the California Supreme Court,...

Daniel T. Quane manages Doyle Quane's Trusts and Estates practice. Dan is a Certified Legal Specialist in Estate Planning, Trusts and Probate Law. He has advanced legal degrees in Taxation (LL.M.) and Estate Planning, Trust & Probate Law (LL.M.) and he was named Super Lawyer’s Rising Star in 2015 and 2016. He works with a diverse range of clients, from those of average means to wealthy families requiring complex advanced estate tax planning strategies. Dan has experience guiding families through the complex legal process required upon death in the most efficient manner possible, whether it’s through trust administration or...

Konstantine "Kosta" Demiris is a partner at the law firm of Demiris & Moore, located in the heart of downtown Walnut Creek, in the center of Contra Costa County. His practice focuses on litigation involving elder abuse (financial and physical), will and trust litigation, conservatorships, guardianships, HOA's, and appeals. Kosta is actively involved in the Contra Costa County legal community. He is a member of the Board of Directors of the Contra Costa County Bar Association's Elder Law Section. He serves as court-appointed counsel in Conservatorship cases in Contra Costa County. Kosta is dedicated to helping...

James practices in the areas of employment law for management, personal injury, estate planning, and real estate. James graduated from Arizona State University, in Tempe, Arizona, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology. He went on to earn his J.D. from the University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law, Sacramento, where he graduated fifth in his class, With Great Distinction, and Order of the Coif. While at McGeorge, James completed a judicial externship with the Honorable Justice George Nicholson, at the California Court of Appeal, Third Appellate District, in Sacramento. ...

Jennifer Fu is the Managing Partner and Founder of Amity Law Group. Ms. Fu focuses her practice in the areas of estate planning, probate, employment law and immigration. Ms. Fu counsels her clients on matters involving trust administration, preparation of an estate plan in order to maximize estate and gift tax exemptions including the drafting of living trusts and irrevocable living trusts. Ms. Fu is also experienced with defending employers in a variety of labor law matters along with employment-based immigrant and non-immigrant petitions. Ms. Fu is fluent in English, Mandarin, Cantonese and Taiwanese.

Ms. Fu received her...

Scott Sheldon is a Civil Law Attorney serving clients in the Inland Empire, Los Angeles, and Orange County. Representing individuals and small businesses with civil and probate disputes, business litigation, business transactions, estate litigation, elder law, trust disputes, and will contests.

Christina Weed understands the complex life demands and goals of her clients. Christina also understands that most of the time it is not possible to completely separate family life from business. Clients need an integrated plan that covers all of their family, business, tax, and estate planning concerns. Christina has dedicated the past thirteen years to the study and practice of law, taxation, business, accounting, and estate planning and uses this knowledge to consult with her clients in business, tax and estate planning matters. Christina is a licensed attorney with an LL.M. in Taxation from the...

Joshua D. Brysk advises clients on Business & Commercial Law, Civil Litigation, Estate Planning, Real Estate, Construction, Tax Law, and Wills, Trusts & Probate matters. He provides knowledgeable and skilled representation to clients in the San Francisco Bay Area and throughout California. With over 25 years of experience, Joshua is committed to providing unmatched personal attention and high quality legal advocacy. Helping clients avoid and solve their legal problems, Joshua's focus is always on achieving the best possible outcomes. Outside of work, Joshua is a seasoned traveler. He has also enjoyed living and working in Australia and Israel.

I am a State Bar of California Certified Specialist in Estate Planning, Trust & Probate law. I have over 30 years of experience as a trusts and estates attorney. I advise clients regarding estate planning, estate/trust administration and litigation. I have offices in Northern and Southern California and can assist you regardless of your location. I can help you with setting up your estate plan, resolving a family dispute regarding a trust or estate and with administration issues after a loved one passes away. Listen to my podcasts at www.adamsandrafferty.com to find out more information about...

I completed my undergraduate schooling at Boston University, but don’t worry; I don’t talk funny. At Boston University, I achieved a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with an accounting concentration and graduated with magna cum laude honors. That just means you’ve got a smart guy on your side. After Boston, I returned back to Los Angeles and attended Loyola Law School in Los Angeles, graduating and receiving my Juris Doctorate, my law degree. It is while I was at Loyola Law School that I was an assistant clerk for the honorable Judge Alan Ahart, Judge for the Central District...

Page Allinson’s practice focuses on general and complex commercial litigation and business law, structured finance and distressed investments, and trust and estates litigation as well as conservatorship matters (both contested and uncontested). Mr. Allinson joined Perry Johnson Anderson Miller & Moskowitz LLP in September 2017 as part of its structured finance & distressed investments practice group. Through his practice, Mr. Allinson represents clients in the financial services industry in both Sonoma County and around the country as well as businesses and start-ups. Mr. Allinson also represents individuals and families in probate matters including conservatorships and trusts and estate disputes. After graduating cum...

Attorney since 1987, passed the bar in 4 states, graduated from a law school certified by the American Bar Association, broad range of legal experience. Specializing in bankruptcy, tax, estates and trusts, and workers compensation.

My primary focus is to help the average homeowner save their house, get a fresh start on their finances, educate them on how to meaningfully budget and save money, and then help direct future investments for their future financial needs. No one sat down and explained any of this to me. I had to go out and find the information. Now I want to share it with you. Bankruptcy is not the end of the world. We will work with you to come up with a affordable legal strategy that is within your budget. ...

My practice is focused on individuals and small businesses and helping them to create estate and business succession plans that address the client's concerns and needs. I represent consumers in chapter 7 bankruptcies, as well as probate, trust administration, guardianship, conservatorship and adoption cases. I represent individuals throughout Lake County (including Middletown, Lakeport, Clearlake, Kelseyville, Lucerne, Clearlake Oaks, Glenhaven, Nice and Upper Lake) and surrounding counties. Prior to practicing law, I worked in Banking, Community Development and Education.