San Mateo County Probate Lawyers

My law firm specializes in all aspects of tax planning and tax controversy, trust and estate planning and litigation, business formation and bankruptcy (primarily relating to business/tax debts). I have over 30 years of experience as a tax specialist.

I am a client-focused attorney with expertise in estate and tax planning, nonprofit and philanthropy, and real estate law.

My practice, T.S. Wrobel Law Group, focuses on Estate Planning, Probate, Exempt Organization Law, and Business Law services. We work directly with clients to protect their assets and legacy, and offer resources through our websites TSWrobel.Law and NonProfitLegalCenter.com to provide information and support to nonprofits and private family foundations on purpose, strategic fundraising, board structure, budget and operational issues.

Over the years, we’ve supported more than 1,600 nonprofits, private family foundations, and international NGOs across 50 states, including organizations such as...

I am an East Bay native with my own law practice since 2009. I am focused on helping my clients create custom plans for passing on their wealth and giving care-takers (future and current) the legal tools they need.

It all starts with a conversation, and it's best to have those conversations when it isn't "crisis mode." I prefer work with clients that understand the value and importance of having a plan; I don't need to spend my time convincing someone that they should have a plan (and there are plenty of attorneys that have thriving practices built on serving...

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...

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...

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.

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...

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,...

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...

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...

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.

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...

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 represent individuals and small to medium sized businesses in bankruptcy, foreclosure defense and debt consolidation matters. For individuals, I represent clients in Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcy proceedings, including adversary proceedings, including 2nd home mortgage lien stripping, redemption of vehicles and student loan reductions. For businesses, I provide services related to the winding down of a business, board and management consultations and bankruptcy debt consolidation in Chapter 11. In conjunction with my bankruptcy practice, I also provide estate planning, probate and trust administration representation. The best way to avoid probate is to plan properly by drafting...

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...

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...

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...

Jean Claude (JJ) B. Mallein Jr. is an experienced business, tax and trusts and estates attorney. Dedicated to wealth preservation, he has focused his education and practice on helping California residents secure their estates and prepare for the future. As a partner at boutique tax and estate planning firm in the Silicon Valley, Mr. Mallein gained valuable experience in wealth management, estate planning, tax planning, business succession planning, trust and estate administrations, tax controversy, real estate transactions and like-kind exchange cases. He is fully prepared to tackle complex business and estate planning cases. Mr. Mallein is a Dual Certified...

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.

You’ve spent your life building your wealth. And no matter how large or how modest – protecting your assets matters. Ivette Santaella understands that estate planning may seem daunting. You might feel uncomfortable talking about what happens after death. Or maybe you’re worried that you don’t understand the laws well enough. Santaella Law Group, APC is here to guide you through your concerns and make estate planning easy. Ivette has more than 30 years of experience talking her clients through their goals, translating and helping them navigate the law, and working with them to come up with a solid plan for...

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,...

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.

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...

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...

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.

Having come to law as a second career, I bring a broad perspective to client needs. I am honored to work with a wide range of single people and families to create estate plans that will achieve the goals that are important to them, and do everything possible to avoid the problems they are concerned about.

Whether you want to craft a plan that will avoid fighting among a blended family, protect your disabled child with a special needs trust, or pass your assets to your favorite charities, we will work together to plan and implement your ideal estate plan.