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Gadi Zohar, Esq.

2600 El Camino Real
Suite 506
Palo Alto, CA 94306
Map

Phone: (650) 493-9200 | Fax: (650) 830-0757
http://www.gadizohar.com

Client Centered Trusts & Estates Attorney

Types of Cases
Firm Focus & History
Practice & Philosophy
Office Information
Fees

Legal Topic

Estate Planning

Number of Attorneys

State Licensed In

California

Firm Focus

~ Estate Planning: wills, trusts, advance health care directives, durable powers of attorney, special needs trusts, same-sex couples estate planning (same fees as opposite-sex couples)

~ Trust Administration: representing trustees in administering a trust

~ Probate: including decedents' estates, spousal property petitions, and other probate court matters

~ Beneficiary Representation: representing beneficiaries' rights and interests through the trust administration or probate administration process

Firm History

After several years practicing psychotherapy as a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, I changed career to law.* Four days before I took the LSAT, my daughter was born. During my third year of law school, my son was born. The career change was not easy but it was worth it, because I truly love what I do. My training and skills as a therapist give me a unique ability in implementing a client-centered approach to my trust and estate practice.

Prior to practicing law at a top trusts and estates law firm in San Jose, I was an intern to the Honorable Mary Anne Grilli at the Santa Clara County Probate Court. After a stint at the law firm, I opened my own practice in Palo Alto. I enjoy the personalized service I can provide as a solo practitioner and I feel strongly that my clients are better served as a result.

*Note: I do not offer psychotherapy or psychological counseling.

Activities and Awards

Member: San Mateo County Bar Association, Silicon Valley Bar Association, Santa Clara County Bar Association, Palo Alto Area Bar Association, Peninsula Estate Planning Council, Palo Alto Chamber of Commerce.

Example Cases

I tailor my estate plans to clients' needs. For example, for some clients I include incentives in trust instruments for beneficiaries to complete college. For other clients I include language indicating spiritual beliefs and preferences in advance health care directives. I am currently representing a beneficiary in a case involving a suspect document which suddenly appeared, leaving my client much less money than the original trust. With a challenging set of facts, I am also representing a creditor in a probate court process in collecting his debt from an intestate decedent.

What is your firm's point of view regarding clients educating themselves on legal issues?

I appreciate it when clients educate themselves on legal issues and I am happy to help in that regard. As a client-centered practitioner, I follow the client's goals and values. Thus, for clients who want a lot of information about the law, I am happy to oblige. Likewise, for clients who prefer that I take care of matters and offer them a basic explanation, I can accommodate those desires.

Are your attorneys willing to review documents prepared by clients?

I would consider this on a case-by-case basis. However, generally speaking, it is likely to cost as much or more for me to review an estate plan as it would cost for me to draft one from scratch.

Are your attorneys willing to coach clients who want to represent themselves?

No.

Are your attorneys willing to help a client with one discrete part of a case, without taking on the whole case?

Yes.

What are your policies about dividing work among the firm's partners, associates, and paralegals to make the process most cost-effective for the client?

I am a solo practitioner. The efficiency of a solo practitioner is that I never need to learn anything about a case in order to come up to speed.

How frequently does your firm use mediation, arbitration, or collaborative law to resolve cases?

N/A

Does your firm provide pro bono legal services or otherwise participate in your community?

I have provided low fee services for those with limited means.

What distinguishes your law firm from others?

Although I do not offer psychotherapy or psychological counseling, my skills as a therapist offer a unique perspective to the services I provide. I practiced psychotherapy with a client-centered approach and I bring that to my law practice. That means that I really listen to each client and allow the client’s needs and values to guide my services. I never try to fit the client into a mold that is convenient for me.

Office Manager/Assistant

Fax

(650) 830-0757

Office Hours

Monday through Friday 9:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. However, I am often available after hours.

Emergency After Hours

Foreign Languages

I speak conversational Hebrew.

Fixed-Price Services and Fees

For a typical couple's estate plan, my flat fee is $1,850 ($1,600 through 12/31/11 for those who mention this ad) and the same plan for an individual will run about $1,550 ($1,300 through 12/31/11 for those who mention this ad). Rates may vary depending on the particulars of your estate planning needs.

Hourly Rates

$250

Free Initial Consultation?

Yes — 1 hour initial consultation is free.

Typical Retainer

Half of the total fee for flat fee estate plans. Other services are evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

Understanding Fees

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