Santa Cruz Probate Lawyers

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...

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 assist our clients with all aspects of the estate planning process, including: the creation and/or modification of an estate plan, providing guidance upon the incapacity of a client, engaging in Medi-Cal planning, and helping the client’s trusted loved ones through the process of administrating the estate plan upon the client’s passing. When I meet with clients, I make an effort to provide an open and friendly space where the clients may ask their questions and feel that their concerns are being heard. I am proud to be the owner of a law office that values our clients’ peace of...

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.

I have been practicing law full time since 1977, and I have maintained a solo practice in Santa Cruz County since 1980. I have a general practice, with emphasis on personal injury cases, aviation accidents, and most other types of accidents. I also help individuals prepare estate plans, and eventually represent the heirs in probate proceedings. If you don't know how to describe your case, please call me, and I will let you know whether I can assist you, or else point you in the right direction.

Michael Barsi is admitted to practice in both the California and the Federal District Court's in the State of California and has practiced law for over 30 years. Mike Barsi received his Bachelor's Degree from the University of California at Berkeley with honors in December 1986 and his law degree from Santa Clara University School of Law in December 1991. Mr. Barsi practices in the areas of estate planning, Wills and Trusts as well as Probate Administration. Michael has represented clients in both California state courts and the United States Federal District Courts for over 30 years...

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...

Scott Kanter is the lead estate planning and estate and trust litigation attorney within the Hinshaw Estate Planning practice group. He was admitted to practice law in California in 1998 and he has tried in excess of twenty jury trials and over thirty court trials. Over the course of his career, his legal practice has encompassed a broad spectrum of experience including estate planning and estate and trust litigation matters. He walks his clients through the estate planning process to ensure that all of their important estate planning goals and...

Certified Specialist, Estate Planning, Trust & Probate Law, State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization
Certified Public Accountant, State of California
AV Preeminent Peer Review, Martindale-Hubbell
Northern California Super Lawyer

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,...

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

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.

I graduated from Brigham Young University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management and a Minor in Korean, which I speak fluently. My firm handles all areas of practice related to estate planning, asset protection, real estate & business law. We also help people with tough immigration matters, and business owners with immigration related business matters. Our locations in Nevada, Utah and California help people throughout the Southwest and throughout the US.

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

At Advance Planning, A Law Corporation, in Dublin and Manteca, California, we focus solely on helping individuals protect themselves and their assets for the future while creating a lasting legacy for their heirs and loved ones. Serving clients throughout the San Francisco Bay Area and Central Valley, with a focus on Alameda County, Contra Costa County, San Joaquin County, and Stanislaus County, our law firm's founder, attorney Grant A. Toeppen, has practiced law in our region since 2012, and during that time, our law office has become the trusted source for quality, personalized representation and support to those who have legal...

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.

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.

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...

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...

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.

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.

Javed Ellahie's practice focuses on estate planning, probate, real estate law and bankruptcy. He carries a Martindale-Hubbell “AV-rating”, the highest rating of legal knowledge and ethics.
Mr. Ellahie has also served as a Trustee to the Santa Clara County Bar Association and the West-Valley Mission Community College District and on the Monte Sereno City Council.

Mr. Ellahie’s estate planning experience includes setting up estate plans such as simple and complex trusts, drafting irrevocable trusts, family limited partnership, charitable trusts and other documents that provide the maximum flexibility. Mr. Ellahie can draft wills and trusts that meet the requirements of the Islamic...

I am a Certified Specialist in Estate Planning, Trust Administration and Probate Law. Based in Mountain View, I offer Flat Fee pricing for your legal needs.

I am committed to empowering my clients to create an estate plan or settle an estate in a convenient, efficient, and pleasant manner. With over 20 years of experience, I love helping clients protect loved ones and attain peace of mind.

A mother of two children, my practice is dedicated to making a positive difference for families and children.

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....

Analisa Pratt is the Founder of Pratt Law, which specializes in estate and trust planning and estate administration. Analisa has been practicing law for over 10 years and is licensed in California and Arizona. Before launching Pratt Law, Analisa practiced law with Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati and K&L Gates. She also served as a judicial law clerk in the United States District Court for the District of Arizona and as a legal research attorney with the Superior Court of California. Analisa has received a number of awards for her pro bono contributions...

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.