Lafayette Probate Lawyers

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...

Christina Weed understands the complex life demands and goals of her clients. Christina also understands that most of the time it is not possible to completely separate family life from business. Clients need an integrated plan that covers all of their family, business, tax, and estate planning concerns. Christina has dedicated the past thirteen years to the study and practice of law, taxation, business, accounting, and estate planning and uses this knowledge to consult with her clients in business, tax and estate planning matters. Christina is a licensed attorney with an LL.M. in Taxation from the...

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...

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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...

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...

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25 years representing Bay Area Families in the areas of estate planning, trust administration, probate, and estate litigation. Her unique blend of experience as a litigator and estate planning attorney, provides her with the ability to effectively manage all aspects of family wealth planning. She has been involved with the preparation and trial of hundreds of cases, representing Fortune 500 companies, individuals, and fiduciaries. In addition, she has extensive experience advising clients in creating estate plans to meet family and philanthropic goals.

Attorney Jessica Ward has been in the legal industry for over 15 years. She started as a paralegal, then a legal administrator at a busy workers' compensation defense law firm. In 2016 she decided to start her own legal document preparation company, which focused on estate planning, family law and deed preparation. During the COVID pandemic, she was re-evaluating her career goals, and had the opportunity to achieve her ultimate goal of attending law school. She graduated summa cum laude with honors and was sworn in and licensed in California to practice law. She is passionate about every family having...

Daniel T. Quane manages Doyle Quane's Trusts and Estates practice. Dan is a Certified Legal Specialist in Estate Planning, Trusts and Probate Law. He has advanced legal degrees in Taxation (LL.M.) and Estate Planning, Trust & Probate Law (LL.M.) and he was named Super Lawyer’s Rising Star in 2015 and 2016. He works with a diverse range of clients, from those of average means to wealthy families requiring complex advanced estate tax planning strategies. Dan has experience guiding families through the complex legal process required upon death in the most efficient manner possible, whether it’s through trust administration or...

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...

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.

Gordon Young is a 25-year litigator, specializing in financial, trust and securities litigation. Gordon tries and arbitrates cases for trustees, beneficiaries, financial professionals, investment advisors, stock brokers, Wall Street banks, and broker-dealers. These cases include civil, probate and regulatory claims based on breach of fiduciary duty, breach of trust, fraud, suitability, mismanagement of mutual funds and managed accounts, the prudent investor rule, as well as employee promissory notes, up-front loans, raiding, trade secret, unfair competition and related employment claims. Gordon has successfully assisted numerous investment professionals with FINRA related expungement actions. Gordon has been recognized eleven times...

Jean Claude (JJ) B. Mallein Jr. is an experienced business, tax and trusts and estates attorney. Dedicated to wealth preservation, he has focused his education and practice on helping California residents secure their estates and prepare for the future. As a partner at boutique tax and estate planning firm in the Silicon Valley, Mr. Mallein gained valuable experience in wealth management, estate planning, tax planning, business succession planning, trust and estate administrations, tax controversy, real estate transactions and like-kind exchange cases. He is fully prepared to tackle complex business and estate planning cases. Mr. Mallein is a Dual Certified...

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,...

Alden Knisbacher has represented clients in the Bay Area and across California since 1994. He has litigated hundreds of cases in various areas of law including employment, real estate, contract and business disputes, probate disputes, civil rights and other matters.

Mr. Knisbacher is a Georgetown Law graduate.

When not practicing law he can be found hiking, biking, running or cycling with his two children. Or, perhaps, playing with their pet bunny, Bobby.

The Law Office of Matthew J. Tuller is a boutique estate planning and trust settlement law firm that serves Marin County and the greater San Francisco Bay Area by providing a diverse clientele with highly customized planning & settlement solutions. Founding Partner Matthew J. Tuller, Esq. focuses on developing substantive, meaningful relationships with each client. We believe that there is no higher compliment than when an existing client or allied professional refers someone they care for to our firm. Going above and beyond to provide services that people want and need produces happy clients, which gives us both satisfaction and...

Ben has been practicing Estate Planning, Probate, and Elder Law since 2005. Prior to that, he was the Operations Manager and In-House Counsel for Arbitration Works, Inc., a leading provider of construction industry alternative dispute resolution services working closely with the California Contractor’s State License Board. Ben has also taught 1st-year Contracts Law and Wills & Trusts. Ben is a veteran of the U.S. Air Force Reserves, an Avionics Technician who served active duty during Operation Desert Storm. Honorably discharged as a Technical Sergeant, he was recognized several times for his excellent Mishap Prevention Program as the Squadron Safety NCO.

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...

I graduated from Brigham Young University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management and a Minor in Korean, which I speak fluently. My firm handles all areas of practice related to estate planning, asset protection, real estate & business law. We also help people with tough immigration matters, and business owners with immigration related business matters. Our locations in Nevada, Utah and California help people throughout the Southwest and throughout the US.

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...

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.

Anthony Franceschi is California estate planning attorney who focuses his practice on assisting seniors and their families prepare for the future. Including empowering seniors with strategic estate plans and drafting customized wills that honor clients’ final wishes, During law school, Tony was an intern for the Sacramento County District Attorney’s office, where he handled misdemeanors, traffic, and juvenile detention hearings. Before coming to MacFarlane Legal, Tony represented clients with Social Security Disability/SSI and personal injury cases.

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...

At Advance Planning, A Law Corporation, in Dublin and Manteca, California, we focus solely on helping individuals protect themselves and their assets for the future while creating a lasting legacy for their heirs and loved ones. Serving clients throughout the San Francisco Bay Area and Central Valley, with a focus on Alameda County, Contra Costa County, San Joaquin County, and Stanislaus County, our law firm's founder, attorney Grant A. Toeppen, has practiced law in our region since 2012, and during that time, our law office has become the trusted source for quality, personalized representation and support to those who have legal...

As an attorney, Matthew Grech began his career as a civil litigator. From there Mr. Grech transitioned into estate planning and probate & estate administration. As an estate planning/administration attorney Mr. Grech has assisted numerous clients manage trust and estate administrations from inception to closing, as well as guiding and facilitating the planning process. It was during this time that Mr. Grech realized that a number of his clients’ family members and friends were facing mounting financial troubles in the wake of The Great Recession. It was this realization that motivated Mr. Grech to begin practicing bankruptcy law, which...

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.

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...

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...

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...

Sidney Luscutoff is an experienced Business, Estate Planning, Probate and Real Estate Law attorney. His practice areas include bankruptcy estates, probate estates, trust estates and conservatorships. Sid provides quality, practical and strategic advocacy to the residents of California.

Sid's personal experience as a business owner and real estate developer give him a unique understanding of his clients' legal needs. Contact Sid to see how he can help you meet your goals.

I'm Attorney Jay Greene, CPA, I've dedicated my practice to serving families in the San Francisco Bay Area with their estate planning, probate, and elder law needs. My background as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) complements my legal expertise, allowing me to provide a comprehensive and strategic approach to protecting your assets and ensuring your wishes are faithfully executed. Beyond the courtroom, I share my knowledge through published articles in the San Francisco Bay Times, committed to public education on these crucial matters. My primary focus is crafting personalized solutions for each client. Whether navigating probate complexities or planning for...