Friant Probate Lawyers

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...

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...

Steve Rudd is a Stanford Law School J.D. with over thirty years experience handling estate planning (trusts, wills, powers of attorney) and estate administration (trust administration, trust modification, spousal property petition and probate proceeding) for Silicon Valley clients. Steve Rudd offers quality legal services at affordable prices.

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....

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.

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...

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...

Alice A. Salvo in Woodland Hills, California, offers quality representation in estate planning, trust, probate, elder law and conservatorship cases. Our firm is dedicated to helping elders and families throughout Los Angeles and the San Fernando Valley effectively plan and protect their future. As we age, there are going to be a number of choices we have to make that involve our well-being and our family's financial security. These are tough choices, but with our guidance, together we can better understand what options fit your needs. We offer compassionate representation, preserve assets and inheritance, create Living Trusts, Special...

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...

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...

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.

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....

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...

Scott Grossman graduated from Tufts University in 1987, California Western School of Law in 1994, and the University of San Diego with a Masters of Law in Taxation (LLM (Tax)) in 2005. Scott founded The Grossman Law Firm, A.P.C. in 1999. Scott is a much sought after speaker for both professional groups and the general public. He has presented continuing education seminars to hundreds of accountants, financial planners, and insurance agents. Scott presented numerous seminars to the general public on probate, trust administration, probate litigation, and trust litigation.

Scott is admitted to practice before the California Supreme Court, the United States...

My approach to practicing law is to make it as stress-free as possible for my clients. That means that I have created an environment where working with my firm is understandable, approachable and pleasant. I have been practicing law for approximately 15 years and my area of specialization is estate planning, which includes the drafting of wills, trusts and also handling probate matters. As mentioned previously, taking care of my clients is my top priority, and as such, I charge a flat fee for nearly all of the clients that I work with. We do not...

As the principal of the Law Offices of James O'Neil, James O’Neil has narrowed his primary focus to estate planning and estate administration. After graduating cum laude from the University of San Francisco School of Law, he served as an intern for the Honorable A. James Roberston II in the San Francisco Superior Court. After working in law firms from 2009 through 2019, James launched the Law Offices of James O'Neil. His mission is to guide his clients through the complex estate planning and trust and estate administration. He has helped hundreds of clients plan for their futures and manage...

I have been practicing estate and probate law since 1994. My practice is 100% focused on California probate court cases only. I pride myself on efficiency and answering my client's questions within minutes rather than days. I am a Certified Specialist in Estate Planning, Trust and Probate Law. I have highest ratings on numerous websites including Martindale Hubbell "AV" rated, AVVO "10.0" rated, and am a "Superlawyer." I also am a past Sacramento Bee estate and probate "expert." I speak on estate and probate law to professional groups and have been quoted in numerous articles on the...

Van Dyke & Associates, APLC is a boutique probate litigation law firm providing sophisticated legal services to clients nationwide facing complex trust, estate and related tax matters in State or Federal Courts in the Southern California area. The firm is based in San Diego, CA and appears regularly in courts throughout California.

Zaher Fallahi, Attorney At Law, CPA, is a Tax Law Firm, licensed in California and Washington D.C. as Attorney and CPA. We practice as an Orange County Tax Attorney and Los Angeles Tax Attorney. We advise clients with undisclosed Foreign Accounts; the IRS Offshore Voluntary Disclosure Program (OVDP), Streamlined Filing Compliance Procedures, Report of Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts (FBAR), Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA), Foreign Gifts, Tax Audit Representation, Federal Tax Liens/Levies, Employment Taxes, Innocent Spouse Relief, Non-Filed Tax Returns, Offer-In-Compromise, Estate Planning and Probate. Zaher Fallahi testifies before the court as an expert witness on tax...

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...

Attorney John Martin advises individuals, families, and businesses in the areas of legacy planning, wealth preservation, estate & business succession planning, and estate administration. Our law firm focuses exclusively on legacy planning, wealth preservation, estate and business succession planning, and estate administration. Our trust and estate planning services enable clients to protect their spouse's or child's s inheritance from creditors and predators, maximize control over their assets during their lifetime, benefit charities, and effectively transition their business to the next generation. Through an ongoing client maintenance program, we provide peace of mind that a client's goals will not...

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....

R. Sam Price is an experienced and highly educated attorney who’s passionate about helping others. Sam’s exceptional talent is to make complicated legal jargon and court procedures, simple and easy for his clients to comprehend.

Sam is the managing attorney of the growing boutique law practice, Price Law Firm, APC, which focuses on probate, estate planning, trust administration, long-term care planning and litigation. He represents clients in probate matters and prosecutes and defends clients in probate and trust litigation. He made such an impression on an author client that she based a character of a probate attorney on him, in her...

Sam McGovern is an attorney who was born and raised in San Diego, California. He obtained the degree of Juris Doctor Magna Cum Laude from California Western School of Law in San Diego, graduating in the top 2% of his class. Prior to becoming a lawyer, Sam McGovern worked as a police officer. The unexpected take-away from Sam's time in law enforcement was a unique expertise in problem solving and conflict resolution. Sam’s unique background lends itself to providing excellent representation to clients that results in peace of mind. He’s been there when individuals were first faced with seemingly insurmountable...

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...

Mr. Schorr is a Los Angeles Real Estate Attorney and who manages Schorr Law, APC. Schorr Law is an active real estate litigation firm based in West Los Angeles, California. We represent a wide array of clients, including businesses and high net worth individuals for all of their commercial and residential real estate needs. Our attorneys are uniquely positioned to provide an energetic, results-oriented, system of dispute resolution designed and proven to achieve the end results our clients desire. Litigation experience includes the representation of businesses, property owners, landlords, tenants, buyers and sellers of real estate, residential and...

Mr. Pearl is a dedicated third generation Bakersfield Attorney. He is experienced and effective advocating for clients in a broad array of Consumer Bankruptcy matters. Mr. Pearl also provides skilled representation for complex legal issues in Estate Planning, Elder Law, Medi-Cal Planning, Probate and Trust Administration. In addition, he is experienced in areas such as Taxation, Corporate Law, Real Estate, Intellectual Property and Secured Transactions. Mr. Pearl is committed to exceptional service and legal representation for his clients.

In 2000, Mr. Pearl earned a B.A. in Business and Economics from UC Santa Barbara, where he received a five year golf scholarship....

Matthew focuses on elder law, estate planning, and related practice areas. He began his career in the field of trusts and estates, and expanded into elder and probate law. He quickly realized that he enjoyed the personal nature of working in estate and elder law, and chose to continue by opening his own firm. He is passionate about taking care of his clients, and treats each of them as if they were family. Matthew was admitted to the California bar in 2006 and has practiced law in Contra Costa Country since 2006. He earned his J.D. at...

Janet L. Brewer is the principal of the Law Office of Janet L. Brewer, which has its headquarters in Los Altos, California. Janet serves clients throughout the Bay Area and Silicon Valley. She is certified by the California State Bar Board of Legal Specialization as an estate planning and probate specialist – one of fewer than 100 practicing in Santa Clara County and fewer than 1,100 practicing in California (out of over 250,000 lawyers statewide). Janet has deep experience with complex estate planning situations. In her international estate planning practice, she helps non-resident aliens, visa holders, “green card” holders and other international...

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...

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...

Michael Avanesian, the group’s president and managing partner, has developed a reputation for being an assertive lawyer who is fearless and committed to winning. Michael represents the face of Avian Law Group and never hesitates in accepting the challenge of defending his client’s rights. Michael’s leadership is founded on the principles of ethics and justice. In his tenure as a lawyer, Michael Avanesian has taken heavy responsibility by handling challenging cases of real estate fraud, contested probate, partnership disputes, and trust disputes. With his skillful negotiation skills and grasp of the system, he has achieved the best results for some of...

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...

Named top 10% of Lawyers in California - Lawyers of Distinction 2017 Client's Choice Award - Avvo.com 2014 SuperLawyers 2019, 2020 and 2021

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...

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...

Blaine M. Brown is a co-founder of the OC Trial Group and acts as one of the primary Trial attorneys. Since Mr. Brown was five years old, he knew he wanted to be a Trial attorney, tagging along with his father to jury trials, depositions, and other legal events. Mr. Brown loved experiencing first-hand the competitive world successful Trial attorneys thrive in on a day-to-day basis. Mr. Brown’s background and life-long exposure to the legal profession gives him a unique perspective into the hard work and attention to detail it takes to be a successful Trial attorney. Within the past year,...

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...

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...