Hayward Probate Lawyers

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.

Alden Knisbacher has represented clients in the Bay Area and across California since 1994. He has litigated hundreds of cases in various areas of law including employment, real estate, contract and business disputes, probate disputes, civil rights and other matters.

Mr. Knisbacher is a Georgetown Law graduate.

When not practicing law he can be found hiking, biking, running or cycling with his two children. Or, perhaps, playing with their pet bunny, Bobby.

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25 years representing Bay Area Families in the areas of estate planning, trust administration, probate, and estate litigation. Her unique blend of experience as a litigator and estate planning attorney, provides her with the ability to effectively manage all aspects of family wealth planning. She has been involved with the preparation and trial of hundreds of cases, representing Fortune 500 companies, individuals, and fiduciaries. In addition, she has extensive experience advising clients in creating estate plans to meet family and philanthropic goals.

John Erik Fraker is the chair of the Charitable Planning & Philanthropy Practice Group for Ainer & Fraker, LLP. Specializing in high net-worth estate planning, philanthropy, and asset protection, John excels at providing sophisticated financial solutions and advanced charitable techniques that help individuals reduce taxes, provide a lasting legacy, and strengthen the familyâs core identity. Prior to co-founding Ainer & Fraker, LLP in 2002, John handled the investment and insurance needs of high net worth families as a fee-only financial planner in the affluent Brentwood Santa Monica area of Los Angeles. Additionally, he worked as Business Development Officer for the...

April practices civil litigation specializing in employment law, estate planning and probate litigation,transportation law and real estate transactions. She is a strategic thinker and advocate who is focused on providing exceptional customer service while solving and preventing legal problems. April is a former Assistant State's Attorney in Illinois and worked as a Staff Attorney for the 19th Judicial Circuit in Illinois. She also worked for the San Diego District Attorney's Office.

Attorney Jessica Ward has been in the legal industry for over 15 years. She started as a paralegal, then a legal administrator at a busy workers' compensation defense law firm. In 2016 she decided to start her own legal document preparation company, which focused on estate planning, family law and deed preparation. During the COVID pandemic, she was re-evaluating her career goals, and had the opportunity to achieve her ultimate goal of attending law school. She graduated summa cum laude with honors and was sworn in and licensed in California to practice law. She is passionate about every family having...

Nina Decker is a licensed attorney in California. She obtained her law degree from Santa Clara University in 2012. While in law school, Nina was the Editor-in-Chief of the Santa Clara Journal of International Law, and received Witkin and CALI awards for academic achievement. She also interned for Chief Magistrate Judge Maria-Elena James of the US District Court for the Northern District of California. A native of Boise, Idaho, Nina also has a Bachelor's Degree in Sociology from Boise State University. After graduating from Santa Clara University, Nina worked as a Graduate Fellow with the Northern California Innocence Project,...

Paula Canny is one of the premier criminal defense lawyers in California. Paula has over 35 years experience. Paula practices criminal defense law in all county courts within the State of California. Although she focuses her practice primarily in California state court matters, she also handles cases in the federal criminal courts. In recent years, Paula has expanded her practice to include probate litigation, personal injury matters, and other civil litigation cases. Her trial advocacy skills have rendered a remarkable track record of success in both criminal and civil matters. Paula has had extensive experience representing...

Chris DeWys focuses on civil litigation dealing with commercial and residential real estate, business disputes, neighbor issues, land use, and landlord-tenant matters. Chris also handles Danfoura Law P.C.'s probate administration practice and litigation. Chris has been in civil litigation since 2008 and joined Danfoura Law P.C. in 2015 after four years of solo practice and two years at a boutique civil litigation firm in San Francisco. Chris is committed to active client engagement throughout the litigation process and ensuring that client goals are achieved both efficiently and with value. Chris moved to San Francisco in 2003 after growing up in...

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.

I am a Certified Specialist in Estate Planning, Trust and Probate Law by the State Bar of California Board of Specialization. My focus is on estate planning, trust and estate administration, and trust and estate litigation. I help individuals and families who face serious legal situations, and I help bring them solutions and peace of mind. My goal is to help clients gain the peace of mind that comes with taking care of their families, to help clients navigate through the challenges of trust and estate administration, and to zealously represent clients in litigation to seek the...

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...

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...

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.

With over 5 years of experience, I understand the challenges facing families when they begin to contemplate their future. I know that you want to make sure that you are leaving your loved ones in a good place, and I want to help you develop a comprehensive estate plan that allows you to achieve your specific objectives.

I offer customized Estate Plans tailored to each client's needs. I have dealt with estates of all different sizes. Even if you feel that it is unnecessary for you to create an estate plan, you may have more assets than you realize. Certainly,...

Founder and Attorney & Counselor at Law at Rose Law Firm of Napa Valley, Inc. Trevor J. Rose specializes in Estate Planning and Administration, Business, and Real Estate/Title Transactions. He currently sits on the board of directors for the Napa County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce as Vice-President and the Young Lawyers Division of the Napa County Bar Association as Past President. Trevor was born and raised in Napa, CA and became fully bilingual after spending a year studying Spanish Language, Linguistics and Literature at the University of Barcelona in Spain. He graduated Phi Beta Kappa with high honors from...

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.

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...

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...

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.

Trust Litigation Attorney The Law Office of Malachowski and Associates provides trust dispute litigation services to clients in California Superior Courts and the United States District Court for the Northern District of California. Mark Malachowski is a member of the Supreme Court of the United States Bar. We recognize that lives and fortunes hang in the balance when a client seeks our legal services, and we work closely with you to develop an individually designed action plan to achieve your goals. Mark Malachowski has a Juris Doctorate in Law and Master’s and Bachelor's Degrees in Science. Mark Malachowski...

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.