Carmel-by-the-Sea Elder Law Lawyers

Clear and consistent communication with clients is a top priority. So is delivering consistently outstanding results promptly and reasonably. You will always speak directly with me when you call my law office. Over 28 years of law practice, I have helped hundreds of clients dealing with physical injury, elder financial abuse, difficult intrafamily conflicts over aging parents, any many other civil law issues. I live in beautiful Carmel Valley, California and have an office in Carmel, California. I offer free or reduced-price consultations for many types of cases.

John is committed to providing personalized estate planning services in a highly ethical, professional, solution oriented, and cost effective manner. In addition to providing timely and high quality legal services, he is committed to educating the community about important estate planning issues through public seminars. Mr. Laughton also has a legal background in business and real estate matters and was appointed to the City of Del Rey Oaks Planning Commission and served between 1985 and 1992. He served in the U.S. Army, including a tour of Vietnam in 1971-1972. Mr. Laughton was born in Carmel, CA and raised on...

Susan Alexander Myers holds a J.D., M.P.A. and an advanced law degree in Taxation (LL.M). She has practiced law in Texas and California for 10 years. Susan is a passionate advocate for seniors and their families and dedicates her practice to issues that arise from the aging process, including plannning for long-term care, Medi-Cal planning, estate planning, nursing home issues, public benefits, and conservatorships. Susan is also an experienced estate and trust litigator. When you have a legal problem, choose an attorney who will represent you with Compassion, Care and Commitment.

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...

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...

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...

Richard Alexander is the very definition of an experienced personal injury lawyer. With over 40 years of experience helping accident victims receive just settlements throughout California, rest assure that you are getting the best representation possible with Richard on your side.

Julia Wobbe is a tenant lawyer with Tobener Ravenscroft LLP. She serves clients in San Francisco, San Jose, Oakland, Fremont, San Rafael, Berkeley and surrounding Bay Area cities. She has helped tenants with landlord harassment, refusal to repair, and wrongful evictions. In rent-controlled jurisdictions, she fights illegal rent increases, landlord move-in evictions (OMIs and RMIs), Ellis Act evictions, and tenant evictions for renovations and capital improvements.

For over 30 years, Mr. Sparer has successfully represented individuals and businesses in litigation involving securities, contract, insurance, real estate, probate, and trust matters. Sparer Law Group (SLG), Mr. Sparer has obtained over $200 million in settlements, judgments, and recoveries on behalf of securities investors. Mr. Sparer also leads an SLG team that has successfully defended financial professionals and investment funds under investigation by the SEC, FINRA, and the California Department of Business Oversight.

SLG regularly helps resolve sensitive and confidential family disputes involving claims of elder abuse or financial misconduct. In the process, Mr. Sparer has successfully...

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...

Christa Conry is an associate at the Tobener Ravenscroft. In 2009, she earned her undergraduate degree in history, with a minor in French, from the University of Hawaii at Manoa where she was named to the Dean’s List for each year of attendance. Ms. Conry went on to earn her Juris Doctor degree cum laude from the University of California, Hastings College of the Law. During law school, Ms. Conry was the Managing Editor of the Hastings Women’s Law Journal and member of the nationally ranked Mock Trial Team. She twice received the CALI Excellence for the Future Award and...

Getting banged up in a Los Angeles accident can happen at any time. You could also have an injury at sea on a floating city like a cruise ship. Your injuries could occur in any other city or town in California. It may be from the neglect of some another entity, or individual's negligence. Their failure to exercise due diligence or foresight means that you are entitled to receive compensation for the injuries and other damages you incurred. Whether you're involved in an auto collision, motorcycle accident, pedestrian run down. You're emphatically urged to obtain sharp, expert legal services of...

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...

GUY O. KORNBLUM is the principal in Guy O. Kornblum, A Professional Law Corporation, with an office in San Francisco, California. He has specialized as a trial and appellate lawyer for over 45 years. The firm specializes in a wide range of civil litigation, including serious injury and wrongful death, financial and physical elder abuse, and all aspects of insurance including “bad faith” claims. Mr. Kornblum himself has handled over 4,000 litigated matters to conclusion and has several million dollar plus cases to his credit. He has represented hundreds of clients, small businesses, individuals, and large...

I represent clients with Products Liability, Appeals & Appellate, Consumer Law, Lemon Law, Elder Abuse, and Unfair Debt Collection disputes. I am dedicated to aggressive advocacy for California consumers facing deceptive or predatory business actions.

With nearly 30 years of trial and appellate experience, I have brought justice to thousands of clients. I have the knowledge, skill and insight needed to fight against unfair and dishonest practices. I am committed to zealously pursuing the best possible outcomes for my clients.

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...

Lisa has unique experience providing expert guidance to clients planning their lifetime gifting objectives, avoiding conservatorship, and transferring property at death through wills, trusts, and powers of attorney. She creates a customized plan for each client and provides ongoing support. Lisa brings 9 years of experience in the financial industry administering trusts as a corporate trustee, assisting trustees during administration, and working with financial institutions. She has specialized training to address the specific needs of older clients who may need additional support in the planning process and the administration. Reach out to Lisa today through her website for a complimentary consultation. Lisa's...

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...

As managing attorney and founding principal of Sweet James, LLP, James M. Bergener has secured millions of dollars in verdicts and settlements in both state and federal courts. His practice extends to injury tort litigation involving car accidents, motorcycle accidents, truck accidents, slip & falls, defective products, police excessive force, road defects, and toxic exposure.

As an avid motorcyclist and MotoGP racing enthusiast, Mr. Bergener’s experience in court is supplemented with his experience on the road. With his personal passion for bike safety, motorcycle accident victims represented by the firm have benefited from the insight of a skilled professional and...

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...

Gina focuses her legal practice on estate planning, probate, Medi-Cal planning, and elder law. She is dedicated to helping families from the devastating legal effects of disability and death. With proper planning, individuals and families can avoid unnecessary court proceedings, protect their assets, continue their legacies through strategic charitable giving, and provide for the security of loved ones. Gina learned firsthand the effects of failing to plan when her rancher father was killed in a vehicle accident without any planning documents in place requiring her to probate her father’s extensive estate, including business and cattle operations. As a...

When individuals or businesses are involved in any form of litigation, they want an attorney who offers face-to-face contact and provides valuable legal services at competitive and reasonable costs. The Law Offices of Frank S. Moore, APC in San Francisco and Healdsburg, California, has attorneys on staff and "of counsel" that are committed and dedicated to clients and have extensive experience in the following areas of practice: • Business Litigation • Appeals and Writs • Federal and White Collar Criminal Defense • Wrongful Death • Personal Injury • Civil Rights • Disability...

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 am responsible for all matters handled by my office. Paralegals, law clerks and associates may be utilized in appropriate situations, but the buck stops with me. Intentionally remaining small has enabled me to continue to provide unparalleled personal attention and confidentiality. My clients are the reason I am here, and I work hard for the best results possible. I am honored by the trust placed in me, and strive to maintain it at the highest level. You are entitled to understand the law applicable to your matter and the options available, as well as my best advice. I have...

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.

As an associate attorney of Shepherd Smith Edwards & Kantas LTD LLP, Ryan Cook maintains an active securities arbitration and litigation practice. Mr. Cook has worked on numerous cases dealing with individual investors, high net worth and institutional investors, corporate executives, regional banks and municipal issuers.

Prior to beginning his law practice, Mr. Cook worked in the securities industry as a licensed and registered representative with a large broker/dealer. He received his Juris Doctor (JD) degree from South Texas College of Law, where he earned his degree Summa Cum Laude (with highest honor) as the graduating salutatorian. Mr. Cook...

Ingrid M. Evans is the founding partner of the Evans Law Firm. Ms. Evans is a Board Certified Civil Trial Advocate, and was named as a Finalist for Consumer Attorney of the Year, Consumer Attorneys of California, 2009. Ingrid Evans is a veteran in the courtroom and was previously undefeated in jury trials as a former Deputy City Attorney for San Francisco. Ingrid Evans is an experienced litigator in state and federal courts and is licensed to practice law in California, the District of Columbia, and New York. Ms. Evans has been named as a 2010 Northern California Super Lawyers...

Zakiya Norton is a Founding Principal of Norton Basu LLP. Admitted to the Nevada State Bar in 2010 and the California State Bar in 2013, Ms. Norton has experience in all aspects of litigation. She currently focuses her practice in the areas of estate planning, probate, conservatorships and litigation issues.

Ms. Norton is committed to keeping her client’s interests at heart and reaching timely resolutions of difficult situations. Within the estate planning field she handles a number of complex issues ranging from preparation of wills and revocable living trusts to forming family limited partnerships and limited liability companies....

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,...