Essex Estate Planning Lawyers

Andrew focuses on estate and gift tax planning, probate and trust administration. He advises individuals and business entities on a range of tax planning and estate planning matters, and he represents trustees and executors in the administration of trusts and estates.

In addition to his experiences in private practice, Andrew also brings several years of service in the Los Angeles Superior Court Probate Division as a law clerk for the Honorable Mitchell L. Beckloff, Honorable Reva G. Goetz, and Honorable Michael I. Levanas.

Edlin Martin is a founding partner of MacKay & Martin, LLP. Her practice focuses on family law and estate planning. Prior to founding her own practice, Ms. Martin was a senior family law associate attorney, where she specialized in litigation of high-conflict family law issues such as domestic violence restraining orders, move-away cases, and child custody and visitation arrangements.

Ms. Martin has devoted much of her career to helping children and other victims of violence in family law and related immigration matters. Ms. Martin is particularly proud of her contribution to the drafting of California bill AB-1678, which was signed...

Lisa M. Burkdall provides sophisticated wealth transfer services for high net worth individuals and families. She specializes in multi-generational planning designed to preserve the client's values while achieving both tax and non-tax objectives. Adept at drafting complex, integrated estate plans, Lisa coordinates the disposition of assets through revocable trusts, life insurance trusts, customized beneficiary designations for retirement plans and lifetime gifting strategies, such as grantor retained annuity trusts and residence trusts. Her practice also includes the modification and reformation of irrevocable trusts to accommodate the beneficiaries' evolving needs and circumstances, while staying true to the trust creator's intent. Lisa enjoys...

Andrew Smith applies a broad background in litigation to resolve disputes involving trusts, estates, probate and conservatorships. He works closely with fiduciaries, beneficiaries and institutions, effectively guiding them through all stages of litigation, including discovery, mediation and trial. Andrew fervently protects the best of his clients, actively pursuing all avenues of resolution.

Before joining Weinstock Manion, Andrew began his career as an associate in the Litigation Department at Winston & Strawn LLP, where he represented corporations engaged in various types of complex commercial litigation, including trade secret, product liability, trademark and maritime disputes. He joined Weinstock Manion to specialize in estate...

Joann Deutch is an experienced and versitle attorney ready to serve those legal needs which must be litigiated in Los Angeles County. Some matters require litigation while others can be handled more informally. The presence of local counsel answers the question of whether you are serious about pursuing your case. It is important to have all the facts and know the law so that you can make good decisions about your case. I advise and represent SMALL BUSINESSES with legal issues in Los Angeles. I will file Sister State Judgments for enforcement. I advise individuals and companies in SMALL CLAIMS...

My legal practice focuses on elder law, estate planning and disability issues. My firm provides quality traditional legal services to all of our clients by listening to their special needs, understanding what is important to them, and delivering practical and realistic solutions that are designed to satisfy their specific goals. Because of our strong commitment to personal attention, compassion and professionalism, we often serve several generations within a family or different branches of the same family. We strive to build long lasting relationships with individuals, families and professional fiduciaries within our community, and are extremely proud of...

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....

Ann Michael has a broad background across estate planning, estate and trust administration and probate and trust litigation. She applies this knowledge to draft various estate planning documents, including, but not limited to, living trusts, gift trusts, GRATs, QPRTs, and life insurance trusts.

Ann is a member of Phi Delta Phi legal honors fraternity and is admitted to practice law in California, Oklahoma and Illinois (inactive).

Jack Chammas is the Managing Attorney at the Chammas Law Office, APLC. Practicing since 1996, his experience ranges from Business and Transactional Law, Real Estate Law and Civil Litigation. Two years into his practice, he joined a California Based Corporation as its in-house General Counsel. What started out as a small business venture eventually became the experience of his lifetime. Within ten years, the company grew exponentially to a multi-million dollar institution operating in 50 States. As General Counsel, Jack handled all aspects of running a multi-state multi-million dollar operation including working with law firms nationwide, participated in litigation at...

As an attorney, Mr. Lum has over fifty years of experience, specializing in all aspects of immigration applications and immigration litigation. His immigration application practice includes consultation and representation on applications for Immigrant Investor Visas (EB-5), PERM, Nonimmigrant Business Visas (E-2, L-1, H-1, B-1/B-2), and all forms of family based visa applications. Mr. Lum’s immigration litigation practice includes representation for Asylum, TPS, VAWA, and Cancellation of Removal.

Mr. Lum also provides personal representation to individuals, partnerships, and corporations regarding all business and corporate matters, trust, wills, and estates, and business litigation and real estate litigation matters.

Rivka Israel, Esq. is an experienced and knowledgeable internationally licensed attorney who has been practicing law for over 20+ years. Attorney Israel is admitted to practice in: State of California U.S. District Court - Central District State of Israel Rivka was admitted to the State Bar of California in 2000. In June of 2009, after years of working for large law firms, Rivka opened her own law office and redirected her focus to self-help assistance, uncontested divorces, Prenuptial and Postnuptial Agreements, individual assistance and personal guidance in the area Family and LGBT Family Law issues. Rivka also provides document drafting services...

Omid John Afati started Afati Law Firm in 2019 with the goal of providing the Southern California community's estate planning and trust litigating needs. Mr. Afati directs his focus on addressing his clients' concerns and desires when planning for life’s unexpected twists and turns. His experience goes beyond trust and will formation, providing his clients with a secure and manageable estate as well as formidable litigation services.

Ashley L. Dudley is the owner, president and lead counsel at the Law Offices of Ashley L. Dudley, APC. Her law practice focuses on family law and estate planning. Her family law practice focuses primarily on high conflict child custody cases, child and spousal support, domestic violence restraining orders, high value asset division. Her goal is to provide quality legal services not only to those who can afford it, but to all those who need an advocate to navigate the legal system on their behalf. Her first and foremost priority is to figure out the best avenue for helping her...

I have worked at the Lawyer in Blue Jeans Group for eight years. I received my Juris Doctorate from Thomas Jefferson School of Law in 2016.

I have extensive knowledge of estate planning and asset protection and I take personal accountability in ensuring that each client’s needs are met. I am committed to carrying out the Lawyer in Blue Jeans Group’s philosophy of delivering sensible and reliable service.

In addition to helping clients with their estate planning needs, I also host a weekly legal show on the radio. I can be heard on Sunday’s at 9 a.m. on 760 KFMB AM with...

Darshan Patel is an entrepreneur as well as an attorney. He has deep knowledge of the hospitality industry, gained through his work as an owner and manager of independent and franchised hotel properties.

Leading a team of hospitality attorneys at DPA Law Group, Darshan combines his operational insights with an understanding of federal and state law when resolving disputes involving hotels, restaurants, and other businesses across the state of California.

He understands the practical business need to minimize employment litigation through management training and other preventative measures. As a defense lawyer, he focuses on the efficient and timely resolution of employment and...

Mr. Driskell focuses his practice on business, tax, estate, bankruptcy and related matters. He is a member of the Pasadena Bar Association, the Los Angeles County Bar Association and the California Bar Association. Prior to the formation of Primuth & Driskell, LLP with Partner Jonathan Primuth in 2014, Mr. Driskell worked at a multi-state law firm, handling a wide variety of matters for individuals and small and medium sized businesses. Mr. Driskell earned his juris doctor from the University of Toledo College of Law, where he was president of the American Bar Association-Law School Division and was a member, officer...

Juanita Guillen-Mellman is a co-founding partner of Mellman & Mellman LLP, a law firm that has represented clients in various legal matters, including estate planning and probate, family law, real property, civil litigation and estate litigation. As an attorney licensed to practice in all California state and federal courts, Ms. Guillen-Mellman has gained extensive litigation experience by conducting and successfully arguing hundreds of motions, trials, and other hearings. Attorney Guillen-Mellman is well versed in what it takes to obtain results, both in and out of court. At Mellman & Mellman, LLP attorney Juanita Guillen-Mellman is an integral part of the...

Giovanni A. Correa is an estate planning, trusts, and probate attorney with more than 10 years of legal experience, including 8+ years as a California licensed attorney. Giovanni has extensive experience in estate planning and probate administration. His passion for his profession is evident in his commitment to providing exceptional customer service while always keeping costs at the forefront.

Attorney Drucker has been practicing law for over 35 years! He has developed a unique and revolutionary Flat Fee model for Divorce and Family Law. Clients can purchase services on his website www.LegalActionWorkshopLAW.com or can speak with him by phone or in our Glendale office. Attorney Drucker also handles Probate and Estate Planning documents such as Wills, Trusts & Powers of Attorney.

Mr. Mellman provides clients with a full range of legal services including estate planning, estate litigation, family law, divorce, child custody, child support, spousal support, civil litigation, business transactions, business law, intellectual property, real property, and asset protection. Mr. Mellman received a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Central Florida and obtained his Juris Doctorate from Thomas Jefferson School of Law, where he graduated in the top four percent of his class with honors of Magna Cum Laude. While in law school, Mr. Mellman served as the Managing-Editor of the Thomas Jefferson Law Review...

CA State Bar No. 229054 CA BRE No. 01394464 CA BSIS PSO No. 6905

Hi! I'm the Managing Attorney at Lawvex - a multi-attorney California business, real estate, and trusts/estates firm. Our firm has the deep expertise to handle complicated matters but our heart is to provide innovative service offerings and small engagements to those of you who have never used a lawyer before. We operate with a modern and lean business model that keeps our costs down, which allows us to efficiently handle the big projects while still being available and affordable for the small ones. Give us a try and thanks for supporting our efforts to promote speed, efficiency and...

Jeffrey B. Pape is AV® PreeminentTMPeer Review Rated by Martindale-Hubbell® . He is a certified specialist by the State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization in Taxation Law.

Born in Sioux City, IA, Jeff has practiced law for 35 years. He has extensive legal experience in civil litigation, trust litigation and probate litigation, in addition to business transactions and estate planning. He has also successfully handled a wide range of business litigation matters, which has enhanced his ability to counsel his business clients.

Jeff was named as a Super Lawyer in 2005 and 2009. He has a well-deserved reputation for professionalism...

Rodolfo strives to serve the community with integrity and honesty. He began his legal career as an associate attorney with a small immigration firm followed by a non-profit immigration firm where he oversaw immigration matters including: asylum, deportation defense before immigration court, naturalization, adjustment of status, consular processing, family petitions, and U visa cases. He represents clients throughout the United States and internationally.

Rodolfo is the son of immigrants and an advocate for immigrant rights. During his time in law school, he participated in the Southwestern Law School Immigration Clinic helping underrepresented immigrants. He also was a Summer Law Clerk at...

Shane R. Kennedy was born and raised in San Luis Obispo. He graduated from San Luis Obispo High School in 2009, and California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly), San Luis Obispo in 2014. He earned his law degree from Western State College of Law in Irvine, California, graduating magna cum laude in 2019. While in law school, Shane was elected as the ABA Media Alerts Editor of the Law Review, served as Vice-President of the Business Law Association, interned with a general counsel of an international corporation, and studied international intellectual property law at University College Dublin in Ireland during...

Bruce A. Pence III has practiced exclusively in the arena of Estate Planning, Wills and Trusts, Conservatorships and Elder Law since obtaining his Juris Doctorate from McGeorge School of Law and passing the California bar in 2015. In early 2023, Bruce A. Pence III began his own practice, Bruce Pence Law APC, focusing on Estate Planning, Wills and Trusts, Conservatorships and Elder Law based in Los Osos, California serving the Counties of San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara. Bruce Pence Law APC offers flat fee estate planning packages as well as trust administration services, probate services and conservatorship services. Bruce Pence...

Clarence J. Ferrari is a founding partner of Ferrari Ottoboni Caputo & Wunderling. He primarily handles cases involving business and tax planning, with an emphasis on business planning and wealth transfer for families, individuals, and closely-held companies. He has extensive knowledge and hands-on experience in business transfers, generation-skipping transfers, creating sophisticated estate plans, charitable trusts, life insurance trusts, and more. Mr. Ferrari also understands the state and federal tax implications regarding estate plans and business transactions. He is a certified specialist in taxation.

I have focused my practice solely on estate planning and advanced estate planning, specifically the legal work to PREVENT PROBATE. As a San Mateo County native, I receive great satisfaction in using the law to help other San Francisco Bay Area residents and home owners avoid the time consuming, costly and disruptive probate process. I meet with every client at a Fidelity Law Office near them and guide them through the estate planning process in a fun and efficient way. My positive approach and knowledge of estate planning law ensures that each client makes the right decisions for their estate...

Through my office, I have been able to practice law in a manner that best serves my clients. Being a lawyer is being able to serve people. I am in a service industry. I must be honest with my clients. This means that I will tell clients what I believe is in their best interest, regardless of my financial interest or personal bias. I do believe that people should stay out of court, if possible. Court is expensive, time consuming, and emotionally draining for clients. It is easier to fix problems prior...

Philip I. Moncharsh has been a litigation and trial lawyer since his admission to practice law in 1973. Mr. Moncharsh has successfully argued hundreds of cases to verdict in state and federal courts throughout California, and has also appeared before the California Supreme Court. Mr. Moncharsh's practice is focused on complex business and corporate disputes, insurance litigation and coverage issues, trust and estate litigation, real estate litigation, representation and counseling of public agencies and nonprofit organizations, personal injury, product liability, and professional negligence matters. He handles both civil trials and appeals.

Mr. Moncharsh serves as a court-appointed arbitrator for...

I graduated from the University of Iowa in 1972. My first year out of law school, two friends from Perry and I opened a bar and music center in Iowa City called the C.O.D. Steam Laundry. After a year I moved to California where I traveled the West Coast as a craft vendor and follower of the Grateful Dead band. In 1990, I decided to settle down in Santa Barbara and joined the California State Bar, practicing family law. My interest in family law grew to the point where I wanted to become a specialist in family...

Christopher E. Botti, co-founder of Botti & Morison Estate Planning Attorneys, Ltd., specializes in all aspects of estate planning. Mr. Botti advises clients on all aspects of estate, gift and generation-skipping tax planning, including the creation of revocable trusts, irrevocable life insurance trusts, qualified personal residence trusts, charitable remainder trusts, private annuities, private foundations, grantor retained annuity trusts, family limited partnerships and dynasty trusts. He also assists clients in the funding of revocable trusts and the preparation of estate and gift tax returns, all forms of trust and probate administration, including the purchase and sale of large trust assets, the...

Mr. Erickson's practice areas include business and commercial contract negotiations, entity formations and transactions, real estate acquisitions, sales, construction, land use planning and development, estate planning, employment law and internet law. Mr. Erickson serves domestic and international clients with respect to their interests throughout California. He enjoys long lasting relationships with many of his clients.

Mr. Erickson has developed a unique expertise in representing buyers and sellers of large estates, and advising on all aspects of the construction and management of such estates. A career accomplishment was partnering with an insurance underwriter to develop a unique course-of-construction insurance policy for large...

Mr. Tomlinson's experience in tax planning, tax audits and appeals and international business transactions is unmatched on California’s Central Coast. Mr. Tomlinson's practice also focuses on estate planning, trust and estate administrations, business formations and mergers and acquisitions.

Mr. Tomlinson received J.D. degree from Northwestern University. He began his law career as an attorney with the IRS Chief Counsel's Office. He rose to senior trial attorney with the IRS and served for a period as acting IRS Assistant Regional Counsel.

After leaving the IRS, Mr. Tomlinson served as in house counsel for several Fortune 500 corporations over a span of 18 years,...

Attorney Caitlin Rodriguez was born and raised in Ventura County and attended California State University Channel Islands (CSUCI) where she obtained a Bachelors Degree, with honors, in History. After graduating from CSUCI, Ms. Rodriguez attended California Western School of Law in San Diego, CA. During her law school career, Ms. Rodriguez was a member of the Pro Bono Honor Society, and was awarded the Academic Achievement Scholarship and the Diversity Scholarship. In addition, she interned with the San Diego County Alternate Public Defender's Office, the Community Law Project (a San Diego based organization that provides free legal advice to low-income...

I have more than 35 years of experience navigating legal issues for individuals, business owners, professionals and institutions involving: trusts and estate planning involving beneficiaries, heirs, trustees and other individuals, probate administration & litigation, business and commercial law, including business formation, corporate maintenance, mergers and dissolutions, business and civil litigation cases, including contract disputes, partnership disputes, and construction litigation, real estate law, including eminent domain, land use and zoning matters, title issues, easement disputes, real estate litigation, purchase and lease agreements.

I have offices in Bakersfield and Mammoth Lakes and service clients throughout the state of California.