Altaville Probate Lawyers

Dustin MacFarlane is an estate planning and elder law attorney with a unique background which makes him uniquely qualified to serve his clients. Prior to entering practice as an attorney in Sacramento, Dustin began his career in the long-term care industry, working with skilled nursing and assisted living facilities throughout the Central Valley and Northern California. He takes pride in the work he does in helping families provide for and protect their loved ones. Outside of his work at the firm, Dustin also hosts a weekly show on Talk 650 KSTE and is actively involved with several community organizations.

I am an Appellate Law Specialist certified by the State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization and I spearhead my firm’s Appeals and Writs group. I have handled appeals and writs in anti-SLAPP, civil-rights, commercial-litigation, employment, ERISA, family-law, personal-injury, probate, real estate and trust cases. I have briefed and orally argued writs and appeals before all manner of appellate courts, from the California Court of Appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court. I have also successfully settled multiple cases in appellate mediation. As judicial clerk for both state and federal appellate courts, I have reviewed and analyzed literally hundreds of...

Do you have questions about the estate planning process? Please call today for a free consultation.

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.

Janet L. Brewer is the principal of the Law Office of Janet L. Brewer, which has its headquarters in Los Altos, California. Janet serves clients throughout the Bay Area and Silicon Valley. She is certified by the California State Bar Board of Legal Specialization as an estate planning and probate specialist – one of fewer than 100 practicing in Santa Clara County and fewer than 1,100 practicing in California (out of over 250,000 lawyers statewide). Janet has deep experience with complex estate planning situations. In her international estate planning practice, she helps non-resident aliens, visa holders, “green card” holders and other international...

As the principal of the Law Offices of James O'Neil, James O’Neil has narrowed his primary focus to estate planning and estate administration. After graduating cum laude from the University of San Francisco School of Law, he served as an intern for the Honorable A. James Roberston II in the San Francisco Superior Court. After working in law firms from 2009 through 2019, James launched the Law Offices of James O'Neil. His mission is to guide his clients through the complex estate planning and trust and estate administration. He has helped hundreds of clients plan for their futures and manage...

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...

Attorney Gary D. Sparks is an accomplished lawyer who has successfully provided legal services and representation to families, husbands, wives, parents, military service members, and same sex partners for nearly two decades. Gary was a regular guest for several years on the former Ronn Owens Program on KGO-AM 810 in San Francisco, and has been interviewed by local and national publications in addition to publishing several of his own legal guides.

Gary graduated first in his class from John F. Kennedy University School of Law, where he was awarded magna cum laude honors for excellence in academic achievement and received...

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,...

Erik Aanestad was raised in Nevada County and is a graduate of Nevada Union High School. He is an estate planning attorney licensed to practice in both California and Nevada. Erik counsels and finds solutions for his clients in all areas of estate planning, trust and probate law and also assists clients through the process of trust administration. These are Erik’s areas of legal expertise and he focuses his work on these specific areas of law. During his legal career, Erik has spent time volunteering as a guardian ad litem (also known as a CASA) representing...

Zachary Rayo brings experience, efficiency and empathy to estate planning. Mr. Rayo’s approach is people-centered. He recognizes that the legal needs and special issues differ from client to client, that each person is unique, with unique needs that must be met with efficiency, active listening and care. Mr. Rayo knows the importance of social responsibility which manifests not only in ethical decisions and practices but also in involvement in socially important causes.

Steve Rudd is a Stanford Law School J.D. with over thirty years experience handling estate planning (trusts, wills, powers of attorney) and estate administration (trust administration, trust modification, spousal property petition and probate proceeding) for Silicon Valley clients. Steve Rudd offers quality legal services at affordable prices.

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...

Joshua D. Brysk advises clients on Business & Commercial Law, Civil Litigation, Estate Planning, Real Estate, Construction, Tax Law, and Wills, Trusts & Probate matters. He provides knowledgeable and skilled representation to clients in the San Francisco Bay Area and throughout California. With over 25 years of experience, Joshua is committed to providing unmatched personal attention and high quality legal advocacy. Helping clients avoid and solve their legal problems, Joshua's focus is always on achieving the best possible outcomes. Outside of work, Joshua is a seasoned traveler. He has also enjoyed living and working in Australia and Israel.

With over 5 years of experience, I understand the challenges facing families when they begin to contemplate their future. I know that you want to make sure that you are leaving your loved ones in a good place, and I want to help you develop a comprehensive estate plan that allows you to achieve your specific objectives.

I offer customized Estate Plans tailored to each client's needs. I have dealt with estates of all different sizes. Even if you feel that it is unnecessary for you to create an estate plan, you may have more assets than you realize. Certainly,...

I began practicing law in 1990. Prior to beginning my career, I attended UCLA from 1983-1987 with a B.A. in History. I then attended the University of California College of the Law San Francisco from 1987 to 1990. I have also been a licensed California Real Estate Broker since 1996. My main practice areas include Probate and Trust Administration, and full-service Real Estate attorney and broker services. I have brokered hundreds of real estate transactions throughout the Bay Area since 1996. Call me for a free consultation at 510.292.0193. If you prefer...

Analisa Pratt is the Founder of Pratt Law, which specializes in estate and trust planning and estate administration. Analisa has been practicing law for over 10 years and is licensed in California and Arizona. Before launching Pratt Law, Analisa practiced law with Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati and K&L Gates. She also served as a judicial law clerk in the United States District Court for the District of Arizona and as a legal research attorney with the Superior Court of California. Analisa has received a number of awards for her pro bono contributions...

Matthew Roy graduated with a degree in Government from CSU, Sacramento and his J.D. from University of the Pacific McGeorge School of Law. While living in Sacramento, Matthew has participated in various community groups and organizations. He has served on the Board of Governors of the California Community Colleges after his appointment by Governor Gray Davis as well as the Board of Directors for the Camellia Symphony Association of Sacramento. Mr. Roy volunteers with Habitat for Humanity, Women Escaping a Violent Environment (W.E.A.V.E.), the Los Angeles County Bar Association’s Domestic Violence Project, as well as oversees domestic violence prevention workshops...

I am a trust & estate attorney with Drobny Law Offices in Sacramento, California. My practice encompasses estate planning, estate administration, and estate litigation. I lead beneficiaries and trustees through each step of the litigation process. From mediation to trials, I work to help my clients successfully resolve complex legal conflicts in the quickest and most cost-efficient way possible. I am treasurer for Sacramento County Bar Association probate section, the Women Lawyers Association, Placer County Bar Association, and Placer Women Lawyers.

My name is Ravi Patel and I am trust litigation attorney based in Oakland, California. I have experience filing Heggstad Petitions throughout the state. After I graduated from Duke University School of Law, I joined a general practice law firm in my hometown, Bakersfield, California. I worked on various transactional and litigation matters and gained a broad breadth of experience in legal areas including water law, public agency law, property taxes, local taxes, real estate law, and land use law. In 2019, my partner and I relocated to Oakland, California, where I worked for the Oakland City Attorney’s office. As...

I represent individuals and small to medium sized businesses in bankruptcy, foreclosure defense and debt consolidation matters. For individuals, I represent clients in Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcy proceedings, including adversary proceedings, including 2nd home mortgage lien stripping, redemption of vehicles and student loan reductions. For businesses, I provide services related to the winding down of a business, board and management consultations and bankruptcy debt consolidation in Chapter 11. In conjunction with my bankruptcy practice, I also provide estate planning, probate and trust administration representation. The best way to avoid probate is to plan properly by drafting...

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...

Attorney Jim Filippi is the founder and principal attorney for the Filippi Law Firm, P.C. He is a native of Northern California, where he was born and raised. Jim has an extensive educational background, graduating with the following degrees: -Juris Doctor (JD) from Northwestern California University School of Law -Bachelor of Science in Law from Northwestern California University School of Law -Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from California Coast University -Associates of Science in Administration of Justice from Diablo Valley College Certificate in Law Enforcement from Napa Valley College Jim is also an adjunct professor of law at Northwestern California University School of Law, from where...

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.

Nancy E. Miller has been an attorney in California since 2015. Nancy practices law in the areas of Probate, Trusts, Wills, and Estate Planning. Nancy serves clients in Napa County, Solano County, Sonoma County and Lake County. After graduating in 1991 with her Bachelor of Arts in French, Nancy spent several years teaching elementary school in Northern California and Oregon. In 1996, Nancy began her second career in Human Resources and Payroll when she was hired at Paychex, Inc. Even though she was also a busy single mom during her 14-year course of employment at Paychex in...

Somita Basu is a Founding Principal of Norton Basu LLP. Ms. Basu began her career in financial services and insurance and has lived and worked across the globe, working with blue chip Fortune 500 companies. Her career has taken her from the New York City metropolitan area to India and Singapore, where she gained a unique perspective on global business practices and cultures. She has worked in senior management positions with a culturally diverse workforce.

Having lived abroad for 13 years, Ms. Basu is particularly sensitive to how different cultural views can influence decision-making and risk appetite....

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...

Ms. Benedetto has assisted hundreds of clients with the creation of their Wills, Living Trusts and other estate planning documents. She assists families with trust administration and probate procedures when loved ones pass away, and also prepares legal documents for conservatorships of elderly clients and limited conservatorships for developmentally disabled adults. In 2006, Ms. Benedetto created the Family Trust Law Center, later incorporated to Family TLC, Inc., to be a firm where families come for professional estate planning by licensed attorneys, at flat, reasonable fees. Amendment of documents and other hourly work is done as...

Michael J. Young is an Estate, Probate and Asset Protection Attorney in Walnut Creek, CA. Mr. Young helps his clients plan for not only "What Happens if You Die", but for "What Happens If You Don't Die And Become Ill and Need Care." He helps his clients in the design of their estate plans, to protect their assets for their senior care and to also provide a legacy for their loved ones.

Mr. Young, who has been in practice for over forty years, gives workshops every month in Walnut Creek on basic estate planning and advanced estate planning. The basic...

Sheri Hoffman attended UC Davis from 1987 to 1991, where she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science. She then attended Golden Gate University School of Law in San Francisco from 1991-1994, where she graduated Law School as a member of the Golden Gate University School of Law’s Dean’s List. Sheri passed the bar on her first attempt.

After marrying Joseph in 1996, they formed the Law Offices of Hoffman & Hoffman. Sheri is a Certified Estate Planning Specialist and a member of Wealth Counsel. Sheri’s practice includes all elements necessary to draft a comprehensive estate plan, regardless of...

Javed Ellahie's practice focuses on estate planning, probate, real estate law and bankruptcy. He carries a Martindale-Hubbell “AV-rating”, the highest rating of legal knowledge and ethics.
Mr. Ellahie has also served as a Trustee to the Santa Clara County Bar Association and the West-Valley Mission Community College District and on the Monte Sereno City Council.

Mr. Ellahie’s estate planning experience includes setting up estate plans such as simple and complex trusts, drafting irrevocable trusts, family limited partnership, charitable trusts and other documents that provide the maximum flexibility. Mr. Ellahie can draft wills and trusts that meet the requirements of the Islamic...

Having come to law as a second career, I bring a broad perspective to client needs. I am honored to work with a wide range of single people and families to create estate plans that will achieve the goals that are important to them, and do everything possible to avoid the problems they are concerned about.

Whether you want to craft a plan that will avoid fighting among a blended family, protect your disabled child with a special needs trust, or pass your assets to your favorite charities, we will work together to plan and implement your ideal estate plan.

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...

I’ve practiced law in the San Francisco Bay Area for over 20 years and focus my practice on Estate Planning, Probate, and General Civil Litigation. I also represent injured individuals in personal injury claims.

Attorney John Martin advises individuals, families, and businesses in the areas of legacy planning, wealth preservation, estate & business succession planning, and estate administration. Our law firm focuses exclusively on legacy planning, wealth preservation, estate and business succession planning, and estate administration. Our trust and estate planning services enable clients to protect their spouse's or child's s inheritance from creditors and predators, maximize control over their assets during their lifetime, benefit charities, and effectively transition their business to the next generation. Through an ongoing client maintenance program, we provide peace of mind that a client's goals will not...

I have devoted my legal practice to provide affordable and fixed cost legal services to small businesses and individuals in Northern California. The services I provide are aimed keeping my clients out of court. The potential cost savings, peace of mind, and confidence you earn when consulting with a knowledgeable lawyer while forming a business, entering into a contract, or planning for future needs, cannot be measured.

Anthony’s practice focuses on trust & estates, real estate transactions, business transactions and civil and probate litigation. Anthony brings a well-balanced and multifaceted perspective to all of his work, and is an attorney with proven experience. Anthony has represented clients in all phases of civil and probate litigation, and has provided legal advice and services for trust & estates planning and business transactions. Anthony has negotiated, drafted, and reviewed a wide range of transactions, as well as prosecuted and defended civil claims of all kinds. While at Temple University Beasley School of Law, Anthony was awarded outstanding achievement in negotiations in...