Santa Barbara County Elder Law Lawyers

Joe is a Certified Specialist in Estate Planning, Trust & Probate Law by the State Bar of California. Joe has practiced in Probate law since 2012, including in Estate Planning, Trust and Probate Litigation, Trust and Probate Administration, Conservatorships, and the Probate of Estates, gaining extensive knowledge and experience in the many different and nuanced aspects of Probate law. Joe has been recognized as a Super Lawyers Rising Star in the years 2020 - 2023 in the field of Estate and Trust Litigation. He was most recently further honored by being named as a Super Lawyers "Up-and-Coming 25: 2023 Orange...

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...

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...

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...

"I love my work. I get to make a real difference to help people maintain their businesses and livelihoods. A file is more than just paper, it is my client's hard work and often a significant portion of their lives. I enjoy working with my clients to empower them to take control of their tax, estate planning and business issues." Frank Huerta Jr. Esq. Frank Huerta Jr. has 19 years of experience as an attorney and law clerk working in government and tax law issues. He has a successful record of representing taxpayers before the IRS, Franchise Tax Board, Board Of...

Jeffrey Gaffney is a 30 year attorney and retired Navy Captain. Originally from New York, he moved to San Diego in 1985 and has remained here since, military duties permitting. An attorney since 1993, Jeff is a graduate of the University of San Diego School of Law. He began as a law clerk in 1991, helping aggrieved investors recover from unscrupulous stockbrokers. A former registered representative ("used stock salesman") and principal (licensed manager of registered representatives), he began his own law firm in the midst of a scandal involving Prudential Securities' sales of limited partnerships. Since then,...

Mirko Ivanovic is the Managing Partner at Ivanovic & Lucius, P.C, an attorney with extensive corporate experience, and has served as a law enforcement professional for nearly twenty years. His practice is focused on corporate consulting, estate planning, elder abuse, family law, finance, general counsel services, immigration, and personal injury law. Before becoming an attorney, Mirko held key executive roles in both public and private entities, contributing significantly to their growth and development. He served as a top-level manager for a $1.8 billion corporation and held executive positions in consulting, finance, and marketing sectors. Additionally, Mirko actively participated on the board...

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...

Shadi Shaffer focuses her practice on Estate Planning, Trusts, Probate and Trust Administration. Prior to her legal career, Attorney Shaffer had an extensive and diverse work history, which helped her gain skills that have proven invaluable to her legal practice.

Attorney Shaffer opened her own firm so she could protect families, children, and businesses from the CA Probate system and serve as an advocate to prevent clients from the court system. She started the Asset Protection & Elder Law Center over 15 years ago with her best friend (25 years and counting!) Patrick P. Phancao. We wanted to build a...

Nicole D'Ambrogi is a distinguished attorney based in San Diego. A “Rising Star” with just over four years of experience, Ms. D'Ambrogi has already built a name for herself in estate planning and probate law and has garnered a reputation as a staunch advocate for veterans. A former member of the U.S. Navy, her practice focuses on comprehensive estate planning, veteran benefits, and asset protection services. Among numerous other honors, Ms. D'Ambrogi has received the Women Resiliency Award by the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs in 2015 and the Trailblazer Award from the California Department of Veteran Affairs in 2016.

Scott Sheldon is a Civil Law Attorney serving clients in the Inland Empire, Los Angeles, and Orange County. Representing individuals and small businesses with civil and probate disputes, business litigation, business transactions, estate litigation, elder law, trust disputes, and will contests.

John Jahrmarkt, Esq. is the owner and managing partner of Jahrmarkt & Associates. John has more than 20 years of experience handling all kinds personal injury claims - from complicated catastrophic injuries to garden variety "soft tissue" pain. John knows how the insurance industry works and the steps their adjusters can take to protect their profits. All of our accident and injury claims are managed by John, experienced in fighting back against any low-ball insurance offers. We have recovered a number of multi-million dollar rewards for our clients, and we have established a reputation for excellence and professionalism...

Alexander R. Ginzburg is an experienced Family Law, Elder Law, Probate and Estate Planning Attorney at Ginzburg & Bronshteyn, APC. His practice areas include Trust Litigation, Conservatorships, Divorces & Annulments, Asset division, High profile and high net worth matters, Spousal & Child Support, Child Custody, Prenuptial Agreements and Pre-divorce financial planning. Mr. Ginzburg guides clients through the legal process with an individualized plan of action and quality legal representation. He is dedicated to providing intelligent, aggressive, compassionate and affordable advocacy focused on achieving the best possible results. In 1986, Mr. Ginzburg obtained a B.S. Degree in Electrical Engineering from the University...

Attorney Maureen Lyons focuses on Elder Law and Estate Planning including Medi-Cal & Veterans Long Term Care Planning and Special Needs Planning. Maureen is a graduate of Southwestern University School of Law, Los Angeles. Maureen also holds an MS in Applied Biometry from the University of Southern California; an MA in Psychology from California State University, Los Angeles; and a BA in English from the University of California, Riverside. Maureen is a Past President of the Estate Planning Council of Riverside County, Past President of the Southern California Chapter of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys...

Principal Owner
Jack E. Stephens J.D., LL.M. has been practicing law in San Diego since 1990, helping thousands of taxpayers reduce taxes and homeowners protect their property with Trust strategies. Jack Stephens has been designated as Top Lawyer by San Diego Magazine, Best of the Bar, and Avvo on a consistent basis. He has received annual awards including the AV Preeminent Attorney Rating by Martindell-Hubbell, representing the highest possible rating in both legal ability and ethical standards. As an active contributor to continuing education in Estate Planning, Jack Stephens has authored and edited quarterly newsletters, pamphlets, and contributed articles to the...

Michael A. Hackard. Michael A. Hackard is the principal attorney of Hackard Law Corporation - a Sacramento, California firm which represents wealthy families with extensive business interests as well as clients impoverished by the wrongdoing of others. Michael and his attorneys are dedicated to clients.

Hackard Law attorneys focus on trust and estate litigation, fiduciary litigation, will contests, trust contests, elder financial abuse, trust decanting, trust beneficiary rights, trustee removal, special needs trusts, supplemental needs trusts, title to assets, family business trusts, dynasty trusts, domestic asset preservation trusts and asset protection.

Mr. Griggs has over twenty years experience in the criminal justice system, including employment in both the Los Angeles County District Attorney and the Public Defenders office. He has successfully represented thousands of clients facing all types of criminal charges such as DUI, hit and run, theft, domestic violence, "three strikes" cases, assault with a deadly weapon, drug sales and/or possession, burglary, juvenile matters, rape, sex offenses, robbery, grand theft, receiving stolen property, extortion, embezzlement, criminal threats, "white collar" crime, fraud, internet crime, kidnapping, carjacking, petty theft, manslaughter, attempted murder and murder.

Alex relishes the challenges in these cases and enjoys...

I am a criminal defense attorney, mostly handling matters in state court (a small percentage of my work is in federal court). The courts I appear in most often are Torrance, Long Beach, Compton and Airport Courthouse, but I also appear frequently in Bellflower, Westminster, Fullerton, Downtown LA (both at the Clara Shortridge Foltz and Metropolitan courthouses), Downey, Santa Ana and East Los Angeles. I also do appear in Rancho Cucamonga, West Covina, El Monte and Pomona courts, but not too often. I handle all levels of criminal matters, from murder down to public urination, from DUI...

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...

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...

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...

I began my legal career in general civil litigation in Sacramento focusing on real estate, business and employment law. I shifted focus to the areas of estate planning, trust and probate administration, opening LifePath Law in late 2006. My practice evolved to include litigation regarding trusts and estates, such as will contests, financial elder abuse, care custodian issues, and trustee fiduciary duties.

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...

Samuel graduated from Cornell University with a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy where he also studied the Japanese language. He went on to teach English in Japan for three years, immersing himself in the culture and becoming fluent in the language. Samuel earned his J.D. at the University of California, Davis, School of Law where he received a merit-based scholarship and the Witkin Award for Academic Excellence in the field of International Taxation. ?Samuel’s passion for estate planning has driven his career for the past decade. He has lectured at the California Society of CPA events on transfer tax issues. He...

Blaine M. Brown is a co-founder of the OC Trial Group and acts as one of the primary Trial attorneys. Since Mr. Brown was five years old, he knew he wanted to be a Trial attorney, tagging along with his father to jury trials, depositions, and other legal events. Mr. Brown loved experiencing first-hand the competitive world successful Trial attorneys thrive in on a day-to-day basis. Mr. Brown’s background and life-long exposure to the legal profession gives him a unique perspective into the hard work and attention to detail it takes to be a successful Trial attorney. Within the past year,...

Attorney Genene N. Dunn is an accomplished attorney with a passion for helping clients with decedent estates and a commitment to helping clients secure their future. Her legal journey began in 2008 when she started working as a law clerk, specializing in estate planning. In 2014, she was admitted to the bar and became a licensed attorney, allowing her to apply her extensive knowledge and expertise to serve clients' needs effectively. In 2016, Genene took a significant step in her career by becoming a partner and co-owner of Hunsberger Dunn LLP, a renowned law office dedicated to providing comprehensive legal services...

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...

Karina N. Lallande received Bachelor of Arts Degrees in Sociology and Global Studies with a Socio-Economic and Political Emphasis from the University of California, Santa Barbara and a Juris Doctor Degree from the University of California Hastings, College of the Law in San Francisco, California. Her practice focuses on litigating personal injury and wrongful death cases, primarily involving claims of premises liability; trucking accidents; collisions between automobiles, motorcycles, bicycles, and pedestrians; defective products; civil rights; and medical malpractice. Ms. Lallande represents victims who have suffered catastrophic injuries, such as brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, birth injuries, amputations, and traumatic...

I'm the owner and managing attorney of Stipp Law Firm. We are a small boutique plaintiff's personal injury and elder abuse law firm, with a passion for representing persons injured by: car accidents, elder abuse, nursing home abuse, wrongful death, defective products, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, dog bites, slip and fall accidents, trip and fall accidents, among others.

Lukas I. Pick graduated from the University of California-Santa Barbara where he earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in English. He went on to attend law school at the University of San Diego, where he earned his Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree. After graduating law school he began working for a law firm which specialized in defending physicians in cases of medical malpractice. He became a partner in only 3 years, and learned how insurance companies value and approach litigation.

In 2010, Lukas I. Pick stopped practicing defense work and began representing victims of personal injury and elder abuse/neglect. Since 2010, 100%...

Our firm specializes in Elder Law with particular emphasis in California Medi-Cal eligibility planning, Medi-Cal estate recovery minimization planning, estate planning and trust administration. We work closely with our clients to ensure that their assets are protected and preserved according to their individual circumstances and goals.

Partner at The Estate Lawyers, a full-service Trusts and Estates firm which focusing on Trust and Estate Litigation, Probates, Trust Administrations, Elder Abuse Actions, Conservatorships, Guardianships and Estate Planning. I strive to provide results-based representation to my clients through creative solutions carefully crafted to suit the individual needs of each client.

Jonathan Howell is an attorney who has spent the majority of his career representing individuals and families who have been hurt or lost a loved one due to the fault of someone else or a business.

Jonathan attended University of California Irvine from which he obtained a Bachelors of Science. He then obtained his Juris Doctorate degree from Loyola Law School in Los Angeles. While in law school, he represented individuals in a range of cases from police brutality, Catholic priest sexual abuse cases, auto collisions, train collisions and mass injury cases including a BP oil refinery explosion.

After becoming an attorney,...

A graduate of McGeorge School of Law, Daniel A. Hunt is lead attorney and owner of the Law Offices of Daniel A. Hunt. He is a State Bar of California Certified Legal Specialist in Estate Planning, Trust & Probate Law.

Mr. Hunt is a member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys and the Sacramento Estate Planning Council. He has served as President, Vice President, and Secretary of the Probate and Estates section of the Sacramento County Bar Association. He currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Sacramento County Bar Association.

Mr. Hunt lectures widely on estate planning topics,...

Adam Stoddard is a partner in the firm and has represented developers, general contractors and their insurance companies specializing in the representation of businesses and individuals in complex construction defect litigation, contract, and fraud-based disputes. This included representation ranging from Fortune 500 companies, to national builders and to individual board members of non-profit corporations through the initial investigation, pre-litigation process, and trial. Adam also worked for a prominent plaintiff's law firm representing homeowner's associations in complex construction defect cases. This provided Adam with a practical approach to critically evaluate construction defect claims and implement effective resolution strategies through mediation and settlement...

Dennis Sandoval, paralyzed in a 1992 car accident, turns personal adversity into advocacy in Riverside and San Bernardino Counties. California's sole attorney certified in estate planning, elder law, and taxation, Dennis earned distinctions like Certified Elder Law Attorney (CELA) and Accredited Estate Planner® (AEP). His financial expertise, including Enrolled Agent, CFP, and RFC designations, enriches his estate planning, elder law, and tax controversy practice. For seventeen years, Dennis directed education for the American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys (AAEPA), contributing to NAELA and the National Elder Law Foundation. In 2014, he became a Fellow of the National Academy of Elder Law...

C L Farrell, a Southern California native, joined the Sandoval Legacy Group in 2023 after five years as an associate attorney in San Bernardino. Specializing in general civil law, she established her Inland Empire practice, aiding small businesses, families, and individuals in estate planning, trust administration, and litigation. A meticulous attorney, C L also supports clients in enforcing civil judgments and offers contract drafting and review services, including real estate transactions. Trained in alternate dispute resolution, C L serves as a mediator for probate, trusts, and estate disputes through the Riverside County Bar Association. She held key roles in the San...