Castro Valley Estate Planning Lawyers

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...

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...

I believe that the Bankruptcy Court is one of the few places in out legal system where ordinary people can go for real relief. I am dedicated to helping people throughout the Bay Area access that relief. I earned my undergraduate degree at the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign, and I earned my law degree at the University of California, Hastings College of the Law in San Francisco. While in law school, I was Articles Editor at the Hastings International and Comparative Law Review, and I graduated in 2006. I spent my first two years practicing antitrust/consumer...

The Law Office of Matthew J. Tuller is a boutique estate planning and trust settlement law firm that serves Marin County and the greater San Francisco Bay Area by providing a diverse clientele with highly customized planning & settlement solutions. Founding Partner Matthew J. Tuller, Esq. focuses on developing substantive, meaningful relationships with each client. We believe that there is no higher compliment than when an existing client or allied professional refers someone they care for to our firm. Going above and beyond to provide services that people want and need produces happy clients, which gives us both satisfaction and...

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.

Do you have questions about the estate planning process? Please call today for a free consultation.

Lynn Sherrell is in solo-practice in Berkeley California, following a dozen years in San Francisco law firms practicing personal injury, products' liability and worker's compensation law. Lynn has achieved a Specialization in Estate Planning, Trust and Probate Law of the State Bar of California Department of Legal Specialization. Lynn is client oriented and serves individuals, families, small businesses and small owner investors in many aspects of civil law and litigation. When you need an advocate on your side, get a woman on your case. Lynn is a graduate of Golden Gate University Law School with an emphasis in public interest...

We guide our clients through the creation and implementation of comprehensive wills and trusts so that you can provide for your treasured people, pets, and charities with confidence and ease. Since 2011 I have been guiding clients through the creation and administration of wills, trusts, and probate. Early in my legal career I volunteered at the Redwood City Probate Court, where I watched families argue over who would manage and inherit the money, and who would take care of the kids and grandparents. I saw so much heartache and expense that could have been avoided with good quality estate planning, and have...

As the founder of The Law Office of Mark Gullotta, San Mateo County lawyer Mark Gullotta provides legal services in a wide variety of estate planning issues and matters of probate. He has been practicing as an attorney for more than 18 years. Prior to deciding to establish his firm, Attorney Gullotta worked at another firm and as a CPA. In 2012 and 2013, he was the chair of the Trust and Estates Section of the San Mateo County Bar Association. His firm is happy to offer complimentary consultations—contact them today to get yours.

Hanlen J. Chang provides legal services in Business Law, Real Estate, Estate Planning, and International Tax matters. He was recognized as a Super Lawyers rising star in 2015. Prior to establishing his own practice Hanlen was a research attorney at the San Mateo County Superior Court Probate Department. He has also worked for several Southern California and Bay Area law firms as a litigation attorney representing business owners and professionals . Hanlen grew up in Bubendorf, Switzerland and attended...

Human / Civil Rights Attorney working with clients in the public and private spheres for over 25 years in over 75 countries. Significant experience serving non-profits in the public health and international development spheres assisting refugees, asylum seekers, and those suffering from various forms of trauma. Particular focus on LGBTQ and non-binary clients with legal / personal concerns related to gender expression and its effects and helping spearhead international initiatives addressing the same.

Current Director of the Gamelan Council - Asia-Pacific Public Health, Microfinance, and Development Center. Previous experience includes working as a primary care clinician / rural health officer for...

I am the principal of the Law Offices of James O'Neil, where I focus on delivering top-notch estate planning and estate administration services. While attending law school, I externed for the Honorable A. James Robertson II at the San Francisco Superior Court, was a member of the USF Law Review and the Intellectual Property Bulletin, won the Cali Award for the Secured Real Estate Transactions class as well as awards in trial advocacy competitions, and a was published author. After gaining valuable experience working in various law firms from 2009 to 2019, I decided to establish my own practice, the...

Trusts and Estate Planning Offices in Pleasanton and Mendocino. California estate planning attorney Debra DeCarli has been a lawyer since 1994. She received both her J.D. and Master of Public Affairs degrees from the University of Texas. Debra's unique background led to her professional commitment to estate planning for all types of families. Debra enjoys the estate planning complexities unique to non-traditional or blended families, families with young children, older couples and individuals who do not have children, and folks interested in charitable giving. Virtual meetings and flexible scheduling are available. Call Debra DeCarli at Pleasanton office: 925-568-2350 Mendocino office: 707-937-2701 Or use our...

As a litigation attorney, Mr. Loew’s primary areas of practice include trust and estate litigation (including will and trust contests), fiduciary litigation, and financial elder abuse actions.

Mr. Loew is certified as a Specialist in Estate Planning, Trust and Probate Law by the State Bar of California’s Board of Legal Specialization, a title held by less than half of one percent of practicing attorneys in California, and by only about three percent of estate planning attorneys.

In addition to the areas described above, Mr. Loew is the founding President of the San Mateo County Law Library Foundation, helping provide access to...

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’ve practiced law in the San Francisco Bay Area for over 20 years and focus my practice on Estate Planning, Probate, and General Civil Litigation. I also represent injured individuals in personal injury claims.

As an attorney, Matthew Grech began his career as a civil litigator. From there Mr. Grech transitioned into estate planning and probate & estate administration. As an estate planning/administration attorney Mr. Grech has assisted numerous clients manage trust and estate administrations from inception to closing, as well as guiding and facilitating the planning process. It was during this time that Mr. Grech realized that a number of his clients’ family members and friends were facing mounting financial troubles in the wake of The Great Recession. It was this realization that motivated Mr. Grech to begin practicing bankruptcy law, which...

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...

I am also a Certified Public Accountant and have been doing tax work in the Bay Area for 30 years. I specialize in helping people and businesses pay as few taxes as possible without getting audited. In the estate planning area I help people preserve their property for their families and pay as few estate taxes as possible. I also am the Probate Doctor who can help fix impossible situations when estates are stuck in the quagmire of California Probate.

Jamie Ogden is a partner in the Taxation and Trusts & Estates Groups. He advises individuals and business entities on a range of tax planning, tax controversy and estate planning matters. In addition to his experiences in private practice, Jamie also brings several years of service from both state and federal government, including a federal district court clerkship with the Honorable Patricia A. Seitz in Miami, Florida.

Jamie routinely advises U.S. and non-U.S. individuals on complex income, estate and gift tax planning, along with business succession and general family office matters. He serves as lead tax counsel on M&A transactions, financing,...

Anthony Franceschi is California estate planning attorney who focuses his practice on assisting seniors and their families prepare for the future. Including empowering seniors with strategic estate plans and drafting customized wills that honor clients’ final wishes, During law school, Tony was an intern for the Sacramento County District Attorney’s office, where he handled misdemeanors, traffic, and juvenile detention hearings. Before coming to MacFarlane Legal, Tony represented clients with Social Security Disability/SSI and personal injury cases.

After practicing for a successful San Francisco financial district law firm for ten years, Ronald started his own practice in 1988. His primary practice areas include business representation, business formations, conversions, acquisitions, sales and mergers, real estate and transportation law, and estate planning. He specializes in representing small to medium sized entities in various industries, including real estate, transportation and logistics, and start-up technology and commercial enterprises. Estate planning services are provided for business owners and their families.

Sidney Luscutoff is an experienced Business, Estate Planning, Probate and Real Estate Law attorney. His practice areas include bankruptcy estates, probate estates, trust estates and conservatorships. Sid provides quality, practical and strategic advocacy to the residents of California.

Sid's personal experience as a business owner and real estate developer give him a unique understanding of his clients' legal needs. Contact Sid to see how he can help you meet your goals.

Hi, I am Megan Gooing, Attorney and Counselor at Law, and my practice is primarily focused on estate planning, probate, and trust administration. I work for a boutique law firm that caters to each individual client's specific needs, rather than providing a one size fits all solution to issues. I look forward to learning how I can serve you and your family.

As an associate attorney of Shepherd Smith Edwards & Kantas LTD LLP, Ryan Cook maintains an active securities arbitration and litigation practice. Mr. Cook has worked on numerous cases dealing with individual investors, high net worth and institutional investors, corporate executives, regional banks and municipal issuers.

Prior to beginning his law practice, Mr. Cook worked in the securities industry as a licensed and registered representative with a large broker/dealer. He received his Juris Doctor (JD) degree from South Texas College of Law, where he earned his degree Summa Cum Laude (with highest honor) as the graduating salutatorian. Mr. Cook...

My name is Ravi Patel and I am trust litigation attorney based in Oakland, California. I have experience filing Heggstad Petitions throughout the state. After I graduated from Duke University School of Law, I joined a general practice law firm in my hometown, Bakersfield, California. I worked on various transactional and litigation matters and gained a broad breadth of experience in legal areas including water law, public agency law, property taxes, local taxes, real estate law, and land use law. In 2019, my partner and I relocated to Oakland, California, where I worked for the Oakland City Attorney’s office. As...

Rebecca's undergraduate degree in Social Work carries forward in her caring and passionate attitude toward representing her clients in tax issues, including tax levies, offer in compromise. Her practice includes preparing trust plans (trust, pour over will, health care directive, and power of attorney) for her clients and assisting clients selecting and forming their business entity (S Corp, C Corp, LLC or LLP). Rebecca is determined to get the best result for her client. Prepare today, for peace of mind in the future.

Throughout her legal career, Vanessa has practiced exclusively in family law. With her legal training and knowledge, she provides compassion and advocacy for her clients. Vanessa’s experience working on a broad spectrum of family law matters include divorce, pre-divorce counseling and planning, premarital agreements, complex marital property issues, high conflict child custody disputes, child and spousal support issues and domestic violence prevention and defense. Vanessa protects her clients’ assets and the best interests of her clients and their children. She represents clients in public court and before private judicial officers. In addition, she serves as a consulting attorney for clients...

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...

Experienced, dedicated and affordable immigration attorney servings the Immigration community for near 20 years. Record of winning case on asylum, VAWA claim, naturalization with criminal background, waivers, and complex family based immigrant visa petitions.

Michael J. Young is an Estate, Probate and Asset Protection Attorney in Walnut Creek, CA. Mr. Young helps his clients plan for not only "What Happens if You Die", but for "What Happens If You Don't Die And Become Ill and Need Care." He helps his clients in the design of their estate plans, to protect their assets for their senior care and to also provide a legacy for their loved ones.

Mr. Young, who has been in practice for over forty years, gives workshops every month in Walnut Creek on basic estate planning and advanced estate planning. The basic...

I have always been interested in European history and languages. I lived in France for four years before returning to the Bay Area to set up my law practice. I often work with people in the Bay Area who have family or assets in France.

We are a law firm with offices in San Diego and the San Francisco Bay Area. Our practice is focused on providing sophisticated asset protection legal services for clients throughout the country. When helpful, we can arrange personal meetings with our clients in Los Angeles and most areas in California.

We structure our clients personal and business holdings to protect against risk of loss from sources of potential liability. This structuring is based upon the correct choice of business entity and the proper asset protection strategies for holding investment assets and accumulated wealth. Our expertise is in both...

Amy Laughlin has been achieving exceptional results for clients since 1992. After graduating with honors from The University of Michigan Law School, Amy joined the San Francisco office of Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe, LLP. While there, she counseled individuals and corporations in a wide range of complex financial matters. In 2013, Amy opened her own practice where she focuses primarily on divorce, business and entertainment law.

I am an associate in the Taxation, Trusts & Estates Department at Jeffer Mangels Butler & Mitchell LLP (JMBM). My practice is centered around corporate and tax matters, including entity formation, corporate governance, mergers and acquisitions, and tax planning. I provide guidance to individuals, closely held businesses, and corporate clients on business structuring and transactional matters, aiming to minimize tax liability and support long-term strategic growth. I am recognized for my practical, thorough, and responsive approach to client service, assisting clients in navigating complex tax rules with clarity and confidence. My professional journey began with a focus on accounting and finance, and...

Mark T. Koo’s work includes Corporate Compliance and Governance, Estate Planning, Family Law, Non-Profit Formation and setting up the 501c3 Non-profit designation. Mark also helps companies file incorporation as well as other corporate legal assistance. Prior to becoming an attorney, Mark T. Koo has been involved with Silicon Valley’s technologies such as data warehousing, wireless software and hardware technologies, and internet technologies. Mark is a graduate of McGeorge Law School and is a member of the California Bar. Mark received his bachelors of science degree in electrical engineering and masters of science degree in materials science from University of California,...

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,...