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Michael Ellis Freedman

Michael Ellis Freedman

Your trust and probate advocates
  • Estate Planning, Probate, Elder Law
  • California
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Biography

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 has also achieved an AV rating from Martindale-Hubbell's Peer Review rating system, its highest rating.

Practice Areas
Estate Planning
Guardianship & Conservatorship Estate Administration, Health Care Directives, Trusts, Wills
Probate
Probate Administration, Probate Litigation, Will Contests
Elder Law
Fees
  • Free Consultation
    One hour free consultation.
  • Credit Cards Accepted
  • Contingent Fees
    Contingency fees are available in some trust and probate litigated matters.
Jurisdictions Admitted to Practice
California
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Languages
  • English
  • Mandarin
Professional Experience
Senior Counsel
Freedman Law Firm
- Current
Freedman Law Firm specializes in trusts and probate litigation, administration, financial elder abuse law, and estate planning
General Counsel
U.S. Nursing Corporation
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General counsel for national leading hospital and medical facility nurse placement corporation
Solo Attorney
Law Offices of Michael E. Freedman
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The law offices of Michael E. Freedman practiced in the areas of consumer civil litigation with a focus on product liability, premises liability, employment law, and probate law.
Education
Temple University Beasley School of Law
J.D. (1984) | Law
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Honors: Articles Editor Environmental Law Journal
Activities: Trial advocacy and competition
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State University of New York - Buffalo
B.A. (1979) | English and Education
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Honors: Phi Beta Kappa Magna Cum Laude
Activities: New York Teacher's Certificate Program
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Awards
Super Lawyer
Super Lawyers
Professional Associations
California State Bar  # 122446
Member
- Current
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Bar Association of San Francisco  # 117729
- Current
Activities: Member
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Certifications
Certified Specialist in Estate Planning, Trust and Probate Law
State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization
Websites & Blogs
Website
freedmanlawfirm
Legal Answers
12 Questions Answered
Q. Im tired of trying to do this probate! I give up Can somebody help please Its out of LA Cali dept 11
A: Sorry about your frustration with the Probate process. Although it is somewhat easy to commence a probate by using the judicial counsel forms, the final steps to obtaining the court order for distribution is not done by form. You must file a petition and in many cases an account, provide a full report pursuant to the probate code and draft a final order with a proposed distribution. You should retain counsel. The attorney for the personal representative and the personal representative are entitled to the same statutory compensation. Feel free to contact me. michael@freedmanlawfirm.
Q. I can't get bonded to come Executor what are options?
A: I recommend that you retain a licensed professional fiduciary.
Q. Sell a deceased person's condo, with no will in California ($300,000). Brother and sister are only kin.
A: Before you can sell the real property, you must probate the estate. The deceased person died intestate, I assume, and so the court must appoint an administrator of the estate, and Letters of Administration will issue. The Letters will give the administrator the authority to list and sell the real property. The sale may be by notice of proposed action, or by court confirmation of sale. The probate administration must conclude before the distribution of the assets of the estate to the heirs at law.
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Contact & Map
580 California Street
Suite 1200
San Francisco, CA 94104
Toll-Free: (877) 777-1666
Telephone: (415) 777-1666
Fax: (415) 777-1699