Klaus Gottlieb

Klaus Gottlieb, Estate Planning Attorney
California | (805) 703-2282 | WealthCareLawyer.com

Offices in San Luis Obispo and Cayucos

Legal Accomplishments:
Klaus Gottlieb's legal journey is marked by noteworthy achievements. After nurturing a long-held dream of studying law, he turned it into reality by graduating from Northwestern California University School of Law in Sacramento in April 2021. His dedication and aptitude were evident when he passed the July 2021 California Bar Exam on his first attempt, a feat in a state with a 53% pass rate. His legal expertise is in Trust and Estates, where he uniquely combines deep legal knowledge, counseling skills honed as a physician, financial acumen as an MBA, and a knack for creative problem-solving. He teaches Wills and Trusts at Monterey College of Law, sharing his expertise and practical experience in estate planning with aspiring JD candidates. He is a member of the California Bar, the California Lawyers Association, and the San Luis Obispo County Bar Association.

Prior Career Highlights:
Before law, Dr. Gottlieb had a multifaceted career. As a physician, he practiced in both private and academic settings, reaching the rank of Full Professor at George Washington University. His medical expertise led him to testify frequently as a medical expert witness. In the pharmaceutical industry, he held executive positions, reflecting his leadership and analytical skills. He served 16 years in the United States Naval Reserve, including deployment in the Global War on Terrorism, achieving the rank of Commander, Medical Corps.

Educational Background:
Dr. Gottlieb's educational journey spans continents and disciplines. After medical school at the University of Bonn, Germany, he pursued an MBA at Indiana University, graduating with highest honors (Beta Gamma Sigma). He also passed the level I Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Exam and completed a Master of Science in Biotechnology at Johns Hopkins.

• Free Consultation
  Free 30-minute initial consultation. Flat fee for complete estate plans.
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California

State Bar of California

Rising Star - Southern California 2024 and 2025

Super Lawyers

2025

A Super Lawyer is an exceptional achievement and title given to lawyers across the country who have achieved high standards within their respective fields.

State Bar of California  # 339060

Member

Current

San Luis Obispo County Bar Association

Current

California Lawyers Association

Section of Trusts & Estates

Current

Various Articles in the National Law Review

National Law Review

2024

Q. How to avoid probate and protect assets after a spouse's death in California?

April 23, 2025

A: To avoid probate and protect assets after a spouse’s death in California, a comprehensive estate plan is essential. One of the most effective strategies is to create a joint revocable living trust and transfer all major assets—such as the home, bank accounts, vehicles, and camper—into the trust. When properly funded, a trust allows these assets to pass directly to the surviving spouse or designated beneficiaries without the delays and costs of probate, while also providing flexibility for managing incapacity and planning for contingencies.

In your situation, the home was purchased before the marriage and remains solely in your spouse’s name. Since it is currently your spouse’s separate property, you will first want to execute a transmutation agreement to change the character of the home to community property or jointly owned property. After transmuting the property, the next step is to transfer it into the revocable living trust. This approach ensures the home avoids probate, integrates with your overall estate plan, and—if characterized as community property—can provide a full step-up in basis upon the first spouse’s death, significantly reducing potential capital gains tax for the survivor.

It’s also important to review and update all beneficiary designations on retirement accounts, life insurance, and financial accounts. Where appropriate, you can add Payable on Death (POD) or Transfer on Death (TOD) designations to bank and brokerage accounts, so they bypass probate and go directly to the intended recipient.

In addition to planning for death, it’s wise to prepare for incapacity. Each spouse should execute a durable power of attorney for financial matters and an advance health care directive to ensure someone trusted can manage affairs or make medical decisions if either becomes unable to do so.

Finally, even though the goal is to avoid probate, each spouse should still have a pour-over will. This type of will serves as a safety net, ensuring that any assets inadvertently left out of the trust will be transferred into it after death.

Working with a qualified estate planning attorney in California will ensure that all documents are properly drafted and recorded, and that your plan is legally sound and tailored to your specific circumstances. ... Read More

Q. Legal guidance needed for inheritance dispute over late mother's estate in California.

April 22, 2025

A: You have several legal options under California law:

1. Request an Accounting

As a beneficiary, you can demand a formal accounting of the estate. If your brother refuses, the court can order it.

2. Remove the Trustee

You can petition the court to remove your brother as trustee if he’s misusing assets, refusing distributions, or hiding information.

3. Seek a TRO

A temporary restraining order can freeze estate assets and prevent further misuse, especially with texts, emails, and witnesses supporting your claims.

4. Recover Damages

You can sue for breach of fiduciary duty to recover misused or withheld property, and possibly seek punitive damages.

5. Challenge the Trust

If the trust wasn’t properly created or your mother didn’t agree to its terms, you may challenge its validity.

6. Disability Protections

You can ask the court for accommodations or a guardian ad litem to help protect your interests due to your disability.

Speak with a probate litigation attorney right away to act before deadlines expire. ... Read More

Q. Am I included in my uncle's will?

April 16, 2025

A: To find out if you’re included in your late uncle’s will in California:

1. Contact the executor. If you don’t know who the executor is, ask family members. Executors are legally required to notify all named beneficiaries. If you’re included in the will, you should receive a formal notice. Ask yourself: would the executor know how to reach you if you happen to be a beneficiary? If not, they might not be able to notify you directly — so it’s important that you take the initiative to contact them.

2. Search probate court records in the county where your uncle lived. Wills become public once they’re filed with the court. Many California counties offer online probate search tools. If you find a case, you can request a copy of the will from the court clerk.

3. If no probate case is found, the estate may not have gone through probate yet, or may be handled outside of court. In that case, you can petition the court to compel whoever holds the will to file it.

4. Your uncle may or may not have made a will. If there is no will, California’s intestate succession laws apply, which typically favor close family members. ... Read More

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