Standard Probate Lawyers

Elijah Keyes’ interest in estate planning and special needs began as a child where he saw the effects of long term illness in his household. He gained an appreciation of the effects of physical and mental illnesses and how they affect families and communities. Ever since becoming an attorney, Elijah has worked exclusively in the areas of estate planning, special needs, elder law, and tax.

Elijah is recognized as a Certified Specialist in Estate Planning, Trust and Probate Law by the State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization. He is the Vice President and a Trustee of the Silicon Valley...

I represent individuals and small to medium sized businesses in bankruptcy, foreclosure defense and debt consolidation matters. For individuals, I represent clients in Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcy proceedings, including adversary proceedings, including 2nd home mortgage lien stripping, redemption of vehicles and student loan reductions. For businesses, I provide services related to the winding down of a business, board and management consultations and bankruptcy debt consolidation in Chapter 11. In conjunction with my bankruptcy practice, I also provide estate planning, probate and trust administration representation. The best way to avoid probate is to plan properly by drafting...

Sheri Hoffman attended UC Davis from 1987 to 1991, where she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science. She then attended Golden Gate University School of Law in San Francisco from 1991-1994, where she graduated Law School as a member of the Golden Gate University School of Law’s Dean’s List. Sheri passed the bar on her first attempt.

After marrying Joseph in 1996, they formed the Law Offices of Hoffman & Hoffman. Sheri is a Certified Estate Planning Specialist and a member of Wealth Counsel. Sheri’s practice includes all elements necessary to draft a comprehensive estate plan, regardless of...

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...

I have devoted my legal practice to provide affordable and fixed cost legal services to small businesses and individuals in Northern California. The services I provide are aimed keeping my clients out of court. The potential cost savings, peace of mind, and confidence you earn when consulting with a knowledgeable lawyer while forming a business, entering into a contract, or planning for future needs, cannot be measured.

I am a trust & estate attorney with Drobny Law Offices in Sacramento, California. My practice encompasses estate planning, estate administration, and estate litigation. I lead beneficiaries and trustees through each step of the litigation process. From mediation to trials, I work to help my clients successfully resolve complex legal conflicts in the quickest and most cost-efficient way possible. I am treasurer for Sacramento County Bar Association probate section, the Women Lawyers Association, Placer County Bar Association, and Placer Women Lawyers.

Michael E. Lonich is the managing partner of Lonich & Patton and has nearly 30 years of experience representing a wide range of businesses and individuals. His practice concentrates on Estate Planning, Business Law and divorce mediation. Mike draws upon his expertise and the firm's resources to partner with individuals and families to develop comprehensive estate plans and successfully represent clients in trust administration and probate litigation. From the creation of a simple will to a complex trust, family limited liability partnership or business succession plan, maximizing financial benefits as well as ensuring the peace of mind that an estate...

Matthew Roy graduated with a degree in Government from CSU, Sacramento and his J.D. from University of the Pacific McGeorge School of Law. While living in Sacramento, Matthew has participated in various community groups and organizations. He has served on the Board of Governors of the California Community Colleges after his appointment by Governor Gray Davis as well as the Board of Directors for the Camellia Symphony Association of Sacramento. Mr. Roy volunteers with Habitat for Humanity, Women Escaping a Violent Environment (W.E.A.V.E.), the Los Angeles County Bar Association’s Domestic Violence Project, as well as oversees domestic violence prevention workshops...

Gordon Young is a 25-year litigator, specializing in financial, trust and securities litigation. Gordon tries and arbitrates cases for trustees, beneficiaries, financial professionals, investment advisors, stock brokers, Wall Street banks, and broker-dealers. These cases include civil, probate and regulatory claims based on breach of fiduciary duty, breach of trust, fraud, suitability, mismanagement of mutual funds and managed accounts, the prudent investor rule, as well as employee promissory notes, up-front loans, raiding, trade secret, unfair competition and related employment claims. Gordon has successfully assisted numerous investment professionals with FINRA related expungement actions. Gordon has been recognized eleven times...

Hi, I am Jill Gregory, Attorney & Counselor at Law, and the founder of Jill Gregory Law, a boutique wills, trusts, estate planning and probate law firm based out of Newport Beach, Orange County and Tahoe City, Placer County. With over 25 years of experience working with clients throughout California as a estate planning attorney handling special needs trusts, long-term care planning, elder law, probate, trust administration, asset protection planning as well as business planning, you know you will be in good hands working with us. I look forward to learning how we can serve you and your family. Contact us today...

A graduate of McGeorge School of Law, Daniel A. Hunt is lead attorney and owner of the Law Offices of Daniel A. Hunt. He is a State Bar of California Certified Legal Specialist in Estate Planning, Trust & Probate Law.

Mr. Hunt is a member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys and the Sacramento Estate Planning Council. He has served as President, Vice President, and Secretary of the Probate and Estates section of the Sacramento County Bar Association. He currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Sacramento County Bar Association.

Mr. Hunt lectures widely on estate planning topics,...

Education Ms. Mayer graduated from the University of California, Davis with degrees in Political Science and Communications. She earned her Juris Doctorate from Santa Clara University School of Law with a Certificate in Public Interest and Social Justice. Awards and Honors During law school, Heather Mayer was recognized with the Award for Best Oral Advocate and the Pro Bono Award. Ms. Mayer is the recipient of the prestigious Witkin Award for Academic Excellence in Wills & Trusts, Advanced Legal Writing, Interviewing & Counseling, and for the Advanced Practice Clinic of the Northern California Innocence Project....

Mr. Sowards is an estate planning and wealth transfer attorney. He sets ups estate plans, including living trusts, to help to avoid probate, minimize taxes and limit conflict. He also helps to settle out and administer trust and probate estates. He represents trustees to help them comply with the terms of the trust agreement and the California Probate Code. He minimizes conflict and lawsuits between trustees and beneficiaries or legal heirs. He also represents small and family owned businesses. He has saved his clients millions of dollars in probate fees and has successfully resolved several family conflicts that likely would...

Certified Specialist in Estate Planning, Trust & Probate Law from the California State Bar Board of Legal Specialization. Legal services in the areas of (1) Trust & Estate, including Wills, Living Trusts, Probate, Trust Administration, and Conservatorships. (2) Taxation, including Compromise of Tax Liabilities, Tax Payment Agreements and Workouts, Defense Against IRS Collection, Audit and Appeals, and Abatement of Tax Penalties (3) Family Law, including Prenuptial Agreements, Divorce, Custody, Division of Assets, and Guardianships.

Somita Basu is a Founding Principal of Norton Basu LLP. Ms. Basu began her career in financial services and insurance and has lived and worked across the globe, working with blue chip Fortune 500 companies. Her career has taken her from the New York City metropolitan area to India and Singapore, where she gained a unique perspective on global business practices and cultures. She has worked in senior management positions with a culturally diverse workforce.

Having lived abroad for 13 years, Ms. Basu is particularly sensitive to how different cultural views can influence decision-making and risk appetite....

Since 1992, Richard Hemb has focused his legal practice on the areas of estate planning and business formation. When representing clients facing these types of issues, Mr. Hemb takes the time necessary to evaluate the facts of the case and offer practical solutions, regardless of the complexity of the matter. Mr. Hemb is a skilled legal advocate who offers his clients the personal attention and dedication they deserve to get the job done. Mr. Hemb’s bottom line is to make his clients feel comfortable and confident that their interests are being safeguarded throughout the entire process.

Jean Claude (JJ) B. Mallein Jr. is an experienced business, tax and trusts and estates attorney. Dedicated to wealth preservation, he has focused his education and practice on helping California residents secure their estates and prepare for the future. As a partner at boutique tax and estate planning firm in the Silicon Valley, Mr. Mallein gained valuable experience in wealth management, estate planning, tax planning, business succession planning, trust and estate administrations, tax controversy, real estate transactions and like-kind exchange cases. He is fully prepared to tackle complex business and estate planning cases. Mr. Mallein is a Dual Certified...

Member of California and Federal Bar. Managing partner, current practice involves civil litigation, personal injury litigation for plaintiffs, defense, Probate, Consumer law, Family Law. As an Attorney, I am quite proficient in pleading and practice procedure, legal research in the library, web and computer, judicial procedure and rules of evidence. I have tried over a 200 court and jury trials. I have arbitrated and mediated over 500 cases. I have had experience with Superior, Appeals and Federal courts. I am a hearing officer for the City of Stockton and County of San Joaquin and a Pro...

I have more than 35 years of experience navigating legal issues for individuals, business owners, professionals and institutions involving: trusts and estate planning involving beneficiaries, heirs, trustees and other individuals, probate administration & litigation, business and commercial law, including business formation, corporate maintenance, mergers and dissolutions, business and civil litigation cases, including contract disputes, partnership disputes, and construction litigation, real estate law, including eminent domain, land use and zoning matters, title issues, easement disputes, real estate litigation, purchase and lease agreements.

I have offices in Bakersfield and Mammoth Lakes and service clients throughout the state of California.

Based in Elk Grove, California, the Law Offices of Quinton J. Miller has been serving the Sacramento region since 2006. We help clients prepare for the future and put the past to rest. Our office counsels individuals, couples, and businesses based on years of experience drafting, administering, and when necessary litigating trusts and wills. Quinton Miller began practicing law in 2006, after receiving his Juris Doctorate degree from Oak Brook College of Law. A job offer from a classmate led him to Elk Grove, and he opened a general practice in the Elk Grove area with a...

A native of Orange County, California, Eric left the warm weather of Southern California to attend St. Mary’s College where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Integrated Liberal Studies and Philosophy as well as a Paralegal Certificate. Eric worked as a paralegal for several AM 100 Law Firms for five years while attempting to pursue his dream of becoming a rockstar. Ultimately, Eric’s desire to perform in a courtroom prevailed over his desire to be on stage so he hung up his bass guitar to attend the University of Pacific, McGeorge School of Law where he obtained his Juris...

Through my office, I have been able to practice law in a manner that best serves my clients. Being a lawyer is being able to serve people. I am in a service industry. I must be honest with my clients. This means that I will tell clients what I believe is in their best interest, regardless of my financial interest or personal bias. I do believe that people should stay out of court, if possible. Court is expensive, time consuming, and emotionally draining for clients. It is easier to fix problems prior...

Hannah Sargent received her undergraduate degree from University of California Los Angeles and graduated from University of California, Berkeley, School of Law. While in school, she spent time clerking for the U.S. Attorney’s Office in San Jose. She is a former military officer, company commander, two-time Iraq war veteran and decorated AH-64D Apache Helicopter pilot. She is currently the principal attorney at Sargent Law Office, where she practices litigation, business and commercial law, and estate planning, and she lives in Castro Valley with her family. Between her time working and being with her family, she enjoys...

Local Estate Elder Law Planning Attorney
Long term Pleasant Hill resident, Jeffrey Hall, didn’t follow the traditional path to the practice of law. Indeed, attorney Hall grew up in central Los Angeles, and in a time when there was no expectation that he would attend college; and law school was simply not an option. However, after completing his bachelor’s degree in Economics from Saint Mary’s College, he volunteered with the Air Force in 1981 and served for 9 years, both reserve and active. Upon returning to California, he and his wife made Pleasant Hill their home and have...

At the Chubb Law Firm we help modern families create customized modern estate plans. We’re passionate about our work and know how important it is to develop and implement a plan that takes care of you and your loved ones at all stages of your life. In addition to "traditional" probate avoidance trust planning, we focus our practice on the unique planning needs of persons with disabilities (beyond the Special Needs Trust) as well as helping families navigate the difficult and overwhelming emotional, familial, medical and legal realities of aging (including planning to access Medi-Cal and Veterans Administration...

You’ve spent your life building your wealth. And no matter how large or how modest – protecting your assets matters. Ivette Santaella understands that estate planning may seem daunting. You might feel uncomfortable talking about what happens after death. Or maybe you’re worried that you don’t understand the laws well enough. Santaella Law Group, APC is here to guide you through your concerns and make estate planning easy. Ivette has more than 30 years of experience talking her clients through their goals, translating and helping them navigate the law, and working with them to come up with a solid plan for...

Amy's approach to estate planning is to focus on each client's unique needs and objectives. She strives to design a comprehensive plan for her clients that provides the maximum protection without compromise. Her broad experience enables her to provide keen insight for her clients. She is deeply commitment to her clients and the ethical standards of her profession. Amy has lived in Brentwood since 2001 with her husband and two daughters. She is a Director for the Brentwood Chamber of Commerce and in her free time, enjoys yoga, reading and golf.

Ms. Benedetto has assisted hundreds of clients with the creation of their Wills, Living Trusts and other estate planning documents. She assists families with trust administration and probate procedures when loved ones pass away, and also prepares legal documents for conservatorships of elderly clients and limited conservatorships for developmentally disabled adults. In 2006, Ms. Benedetto created the Family Trust Law Center, later incorporated to Family TLC, Inc., to be a firm where families come for professional estate planning by licensed attorneys, at flat, reasonable fees. Amendment of documents and other hourly work is done as...

Sam graduated from the University of Utah with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Accounting in 2008 and his Juris Doctor from UNLV in 2011. He went on to receive a Masters of Law (LL.M.) in Taxation from Georgetown University in 2012. Sam’s practice includes estate planning, asset protection, trust administration, probate, guardianship, and business organization. Sam has established a strong reputation within the Las Vegas legal community for his expertise and provides continuing legal education courses in his areas of practice. Sam is fluent in Spanish and is licensed in both Nevada and Utah and is a member of the Southern...

I am lucky to be an estate planning and probate attorney in Auburn, California. I work just up the road from where I grew up in Newcastle. Before attending law school at McGeorge, I spent a few years in Los Angeles. I loved going to class at U.C.L.A., but didn't care for the congestion of people and cars. So, I moved back, got married, and thought about the future. I ended up convincing my wife to attend law school with me. It was a good thing I did, for I had the best study partner in our class. She graduated...

Having come to law as a second career, I bring a broad perspective to client needs. I am honored to work with a wide range of single people and families to create estate plans that will achieve the goals that are important to them, and do everything possible to avoid the problems they are concerned about.

Whether you want to craft a plan that will avoid fighting among a blended family, protect your disabled child with a special needs trust, or pass your assets to your favorite charities, we will work together to plan and implement your ideal estate plan.

Thomas D. Reid received his Juris Doctorate from the University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law in Sacramento, California. Prior to his law school career, he studied Criminal Justice at the University of Nevada in Reno, Nevada. Tom is currently licensed to practice law in California and Oregon. He is an active member of the American Bar Association, Phi Alpha Delta law fraternity, the University of Nevada Alumni Association, and the Oregon and California State Bars. He served as the Treasurer, Secretary, Vice President and is currently a past President of the Probate and Estate Planning Section of the...

OLIVER GREENWOOD is the principal of the Law Offices of Oliver Greenwood in Pleasant Hill. He is the author of chapters 1, 4, 12, 16, and 17 in the CEB Guardianship Handbook. Mr. Greenwood received his B.A. degree from the University of California, Berkeley, and his J.D. from Golden Gate University in San Francisco. A frequent speaker regarding probate matters and a member of the Judicial Council's Probate & Mental Health Advisory Committee. Mr. Greenwood is also a contributing author to CEB's conservatorship and powers of attorney and health care directives books. Mr. Greenwood's areas of practice include conservatorships, guardianships,...

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.

Lawrence (Larry) Kelly has been providing professional and courteous Estate Planning, Probate and Trust Law services for clients in the South Bay Area and beyond for 25+ years.

Zachary Rayo brings experience, efficiency and empathy to estate planning. Mr. Rayo’s approach is people-centered. He recognizes that the legal needs and special issues differ from client to client, that each person is unique, with unique needs that must be met with efficiency, active listening and care. Mr. Rayo knows the importance of social responsibility which manifests not only in ethical decisions and practices but also in involvement in socially important causes.

I am an attorney at the Law Offices of Daniel A. Hunt, focusing on Trust & Estate Litigation. I was born in Israel and came to the United States in 2002. I am fluent in both English and Russian. I ultimately moved to the Sacramento area and went to Folsom High School before earning my undergraduate degree in psychology from CSU Sacramento. I then pursued and earned a Juris Doctorate with distinction from McGeorge School of Law. Following graduation, I became a deputy district attorney who handled all facets of criminal prosecution such as domestic violence, driving under the influence, and...

Tiffani Aanestad is an estate planning attorney and focuses her work on trust administration, trust and estate mediation and litigation, and probate matters. Tiffani graduated from Thomas Jefferson School of Law, cum laude, and was a member of Law Review during law school. Like her husband, Erik Aanestad, Tiffani is also licensed in California and Nevada. Additionally, she is licensed in Florida and got her start as a young attorney there while Erik attended law school. For the past several years she has spent her career defending her client’s interests in civil litigation. ...