Santa Monica Estate Planning Lawyers

Attorney Robert Miller has a 10.0 Avvo rating, and has been designated a “Client’s Choice DUI Attorney.”

He was named by clients as a top Orange County DUI Lawyer on Yelp, receiving Yelp’s highest rating award, based on reviews.

Mr. Miller has 23 years practicing law in Orange County, including at other criminal defense and DUI firms and practices with his own firm.

Robert Miller has been the author or co-author of three books on DUI defense and has appeared on television and radio as a legal commentator.

He has successfully handled thousands of cases and has many positive...

Blaine M. Brown is a co-founder of the OC Trial Group and acts as one of their primary trial attorneys. Mr. Brown is a highly awarded and reviewed trial attorney who has been named to Best Lawyers’ annual list of “Ones to Watch” and has also been rated by Super Lawyers as a “Rising Star.” He has also earned an Avvo rating of “Superb 10/10” and recognition as a “Top 40 Under 40 Trial Layer” by the National Trial Lawyers. Mr. Brown represents clients in a variety of matters, including trust and estate matters (trust litigation and trust administration), financial elder...

Are you a small business owner? or thinking about starting a business? Or do you have an existing business that now has a business, contract or employment issue?

With business disputes, we first try to keep a dispute from become a lawsuit. If we can find a way that protects our client and serves their best interest, then we always try that first. If, however, you are already in a lawsuit, then we immediately go to protect our client, keeping in mind what is best for you.

With starting a company, we look at what our client ultimately wants to accomplish....

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,...

Roy Schneider's areas of practice include business planning, entity formation, mergers, acquisitions and sales of businesses, employment law, contracts, transactional matters of all kinds, real estate transactions, homeowners associations, non-profit law and estate planning. Business & Corporate Transactions Roy advises and represents companies and entrepreneurs with a broad range of business related services. He advises his clients on business law, start-up assistance related to the choice and formation of an entity, the protection of a trademark or license agreement and regularly assists with buying or selling a business. Roy prepares contracts of all types with the view...

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

Four law school degrees and certificate, along with graduate degree. Long time law professor and dean. Professor. Love helping folks. Doing Living Trusts for twenty-one years!

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...

Kevin G. Staker, the principal attorney in the firm, received his Juris Doctor degree from the University of Utah College of Law, and his Master of Laws (LL.M.) in Taxation degree from New York University School of Law. Kevin is the founder of the Planned Giving Council of Ventura County. Kevin has three times been a member of the Board of the Ventura County Bar Association, and was the chair of its annual dinner committee 14 of 15 years. Kevin Staker is a member of the Board, and was President for 2016 and the latter part of 2022, of Ventura...

Marty Burbank is the expert in Elder Law, Veteran's Benefits and Asset Protection for Medical and Dental Practices. Our team is located in Fullerton, the heart of North Orange County. This proximity allows us to reach a broad spectrum of clients. Marty Burbank provides the same planning and legal power of the larger firms, yet in a personalized setting. We utilize the latest in technology to create and store documents for all our clients. Every client receives services that are customized to their specific needs. We never use templates. Since 2002 Marty Burbank has focused his practice...

Joe is a Certified Specialist in Estate Planning, Trust & Probate Law by the State Bar of California. Joe has practiced in Probate law since 2012, including in Estate Planning, Trust and Probate Litigation, Trust and Probate Administration, Conservatorships, and the Probate of Estates, gaining extensive knowledge and experience in the many different and nuanced aspects of Probate law. Joe has been recognized as a Super Lawyers Rising Star in the years 2020 - 2023 in the field of Estate and Trust Litigation. He was most recently further honored by being named as a Super Lawyers "Up-and-Coming 25: 2023 Orange...

Tina has dissolved Gehres Law Group to focus on building a NFP organization, YesHope.org. She is no longer taking clients. Thank you for your patronage.

Mr. Bardwell’s practice focuses on all aspects of wealth transfer planning, including estate planning, charitable planning, business succession planning and post-death administration.

Mr. Bardwell routinely assists individuals and families in efficiently minimizing estate, gift and generation-skipping transfer taxes through the creation of wills, trusts, business entities and charitable organizations and the use of gifts, sales and other wealth-transfer strategies. He works closely with each client's team of advisors, including accountants, investment advisors and insurance agents, to ensure the client's personal planning and wealth preservation goals are accomplished in a coordinated manner. In addition, he advises clients on estate and trust administration,...

I am an accomplished attorney with extensive experience in Business, Estate Planning, Tax, Probate, Immigration Planning, Charitable Planning, and Entities Law matters. Based in California, I represent multi-national individuals and businesses across the world.

A Certified Specialist in Estate Planning, Trust and Probate Law, I provide experienced, knowledgeable and skilled counsel. I am dedicated to personalized service and exceptional advocacy, focused on meeting my clients' legal needs.

Visit my website for more information, or call to set up a consultation and see how I can help you.

Ben Schwefel practices in the realm of trusts and estates, encompassing estate planning, trust administration, probate, conservatorships, and fiduciary litigation. His clientele encompasses a diverse spectrum, spanning high-net-worth individuals, families, trustees, beneficiaries (both individuals and charitable organizations), entrepreneurs, corporate leaders, and professional fiduciaries. He routinely collaborates with his clients to implement advanced estate planning strategies aimed at minimizing income, gift, and estate tax implications. Additionally, Ben provides guidance to clients regarding the establishment and operation of both for-profit and nonprofit business entities, such as limited liability companies (LLCs), corporations, family limited partnerships (FLPs), private foundations, and public charities. Beyond his professional...

California Attorney David L. Crockett has been providing comprehensive legal representation for over 40 years in the areas of Trust and Estate Litigation, Trust and Probate Administration, and Estate Planning including preparation of Wills and Trusts. As these areas all overlap, his experience with the courts and litigation has given him unique insight in the preparation of wills and trusts. Mr. Crockett is dedicated to the careful preparation of documents to meet the specific needs of his clients.

As a Licensed Certified Public Accountant and Real Estate Broker, Mr. Crockett prepares all types of estate, trust and real estate documents including...

Mr. Blevins is a graduate of the University of Arizona, James E. Rogers College of Law (JD, 2007) and the University of California, Santa Barbara (BA, 2002).

Mr. Blevins has over a decade of legal experience providing estate planning services to families and strategic business counsel to small corporations and Fortune 500 companies. Mr. Blevins' unique background of serving as both corporate in-house counsel for various corporations and as a private litigation counsel makes him uniquely poised to quickly and effectively resolve your legal needs. Our clients include individuals, families, start-ups, small businesses and Fortune 500 companies.

Mr....

Versatile trial attorney offering a solid track record of litigation success and experience in various facets of the law. Motivated and articulate professional who thrives in courtroom settings, excels at client rapport, discovery and deposition. Exceptional skill in drafting, reviewing, and analyzing pleadings, motions, responses to summary judgments, opinions, briefs and other legal documents. Recognized as leading defense attorney in Southern California, particularly skilled at “connecting” with and building rapport with jurors, resulting in positive verdicts in vast majority of nearly 20 jury trials, and hundreds of misdemeanor cases. Reputation as a “no nonsense” attorney and aggressive litigator among the...

What makes me unique is that I am both a Business Owner and a Corporate & Business Law Attorney. I actually started my first business at age 8 when I launched “Dan’s Bird Farm.” As the owner of the Kehr Business Law PC, I provide business, corporate general counsel, technology, Internet, e-commerce and tax law, as well as trust, will, estate and succession planning legal services. I founded, managed and have run my own law firm for over 17 years. My experience as a business owner makes me uniquely suited to approach legal representation from the business owner’s perspective. I...

Aside from presenting seminars statewide focusing on the importance of estate planning and preparing living trusts, Mona’s practice involves assisting individuals - especially entertainers and others excelling in their respective fields - in their immigration matters, as well as working with individuals and companies requiring contracts assistance.

Annette Dawson-Davis, B.S., M.Ed., J.D.

MY STORY:
After my father, Howard Q. Dawson, Sr.-Major USAF, died, I found his trust was not well-written. My dad was sold an estate plan by a large corporation based in another state. These corporations are called "Trust Mills," which give accountants and financial advisors large referral fees to recommend their services to clients. The attorney that prepared the trust did not take the time to make sure all of the important details and contingencies were covered. The attorney did not stand behind the product and was not available to help when problems arose....

CPA AND TAX ATTORNEY ON YOUR SIDE Jayson Aquino "Atty Jay" can do both. There are some tax attorneys do not have an adequate background in accounting and lack the proficiency to thoroughly offer bookkeeping services. Alternately, certain certified public accountants (CPAs) may not be familiar with how to resolve a person’s unpaid back taxes, tax lien or tax levy. As a CPA and licensed tax attorney, Jayson has helped individuals and businesses throughout Huntington Beach and Orange County with a wide range of tax matters. Jayson takes pride in offering affordable rates. Many clients have found that his rates are competitive and even...

Cindy Nguyen is the managing partner at Amity Law Group and has had extensive experience in estate planning, probate, employment law and business litigation. Ms. Nguyen loves to work with families to help them create an estate plan that will avoid taxes and protect them against probate.

Ms. Nguyen also provides preventive counseling to employers regarding claims of discrimination, harassment, disability accommodation, wage and hour violations, ADA violations, misclassification, and other alleged claims of employer misconduct. She represents employers in state and federal courts, and before administrative agencies such as the California Division of Labor Standards Enforcement and the U.S....

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...

L. Rob Werner is the founding attorney of The Werner Law Firm and is ranked as one of the most experienced lawyers in the state of California. He launched the Law Offices of L. Rob Werner in 1975 and since has built the company into an award-winning firm. He has repeatedly been recognized for his quality service to his clients and to the community. Some of the honors he has received include: Readers' Choice Award for Best Attorney from the Los Angeles Daily News; SCV Bar Association Attorney of the Year; Voted "Best Of" Santa Clarita Valley...

An Ivy League graduate, Troy Werner has been an indispensable asset to The Werner Law Firm, providing exceptional legal service to its clients. Troy has won numerous awards during his tenure as an attorney, including being recognized with an award as one of the Top 40 individuals under 40 in the community. Troy Werner continues the tradition of excellence in the firm. His father L. Rob Werner, founder of The Werner Law Firm, ranks among the most experienced lawyers in California. Starting the Law Offices of L. Rob Werner in 1975, the Werners have built it into the...

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...

Oxnard estate planning attorney Eric Ridley loves helping families and small businesses in Oxnard, Ventura, Camarillo and Santa Barbara counties protect their assets through estate planning, Family Asset Protection & Medi-Cal planning. I help seniors preserve their self-determination and their dignity, along with their assets. Attorney Eric Ridley always gives free consultations, and answers his own phone. Agressive and compassionate, Eric Ridley serves clients in Ventura, Santa Clarita, Port Hueneme and all points in between. https://www.ridleylawoffices.com