Legal Solutions for You,
Your Family & Your Business
John Palley
Johnson, Fort, Meissner, Joseph & Palley
1555 River Park Drive
Suite 108
Sacramento, CA 95815
Phone: (916) 920-5983 | Fax: (916) 920-9379
http://www.jfmjlaw.com
PROBATE AND TRUST ADMINISTRATION IS OUR BUSINESS.
Legal Topic
Wills, Trusts & Estates
Preferred New Clients
I am looking for clients in need of advice in the areas of probate and estate planning.
Sub-Categories
Insurance
- Annuities
- Life Insurance
- Estate Taxes & Gift Taxes
- Charitable Giving
- Charitable Trusts
- Drafting Trusts
- Drafting Wills
- Estate Administration
- Estate Planning
- Living Trusts
- Living Wills
- Probate
- Guardianship
- Business Succession Planning
- Special Needs Trust
- Supplemental Needs Trust
- Revocable Trust & Irrevocable Trust
Bar Admissions
CA, Dec 1994
Bar Number: 173469
Specialty Certifications
Certified Specialist in Estate Planning, Trust & Probate Law By the State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization.
Other Court Admissions
California State, Federal, and Northern District California Courts.
Association Memberships
California Bar Association; Sacramento County Bar Association; Rotary Club of Roseville, Member.
Continuing Education
I greatly exceed the requirements of the California state bar in regards to Mandatory Continuing Legal Education (MCLE). I have averaged well in excess of 20 hours a year, during the entirety of my legal career, in the areas of probate and estate planning.
Papers and Publications
419 Welfare Benefit Trusts, CLU Sections Business & Compensation, July/August, 1995
Example Cases
All of my cases are significant to me.
Education
Degree:
J.D.
School:
McGeorge School of Law, University of the Pacific
City:
Sacramento
State:
CA
Year:
1994
Focus and Accomplishments:
Legal Studies
Degree:
B.A.
School:
California State University at Sonoma
City:
Rohnert Park
State:
CA
Year:
1991
Honors:
Deans List
Focus and Accomplishments:
Major: International Business; Semester in London 1989
Number of Attorneys
6
State Licensed In
California
Firm Focus and History
Our firm has been at the same location since 1979. During that time our firm's focus has remained in the areas of probate, estate planning, real estate and business law.
Previous Employment Summary
John B. Palley, Attorney at Law, Attorney, 1995 - 1999
Manulife Financial, Legal Marketing, 1994 - 1995
Activities and Awards
I teach Estate Planning, UC Davis Extension, 2006 - Present
What is your opinion regarding clients educating themselves on legal issues?
While I appreciate clients arming themselves with knowledge to help guide them, I realize a lot of clients do not have the time and would rather hire a professional to take care of them.
Are you willing to review documents prepared by clients?
I will review documents prepared by clients and charge my standard hourly rate. However, it is often more economical to just hire me in the first place.
Are you willing to coach clients who want to represent themselves?
I am happy to be a behind the scenes attorney in some cases and will charge my standard hourly rate.
Why did you decide to be a lawyer?
I had no choice... both my parents were lawyers. Luckily, I love it!
What work experience and education helps you be a better lawyer?
I have vast experience in estate planning and probate administration. The volume of experience has shown me all sorts of different cases.
Why did you decide on your primary area of practice?
Both my parents did probate and estate planning so I grew up with some familiarity with that area of law.
What do you like best about your career?
I really enjoy helping organize people's affairs before death and/or cleaning things up after death.
Tell us about your law firm:
We currently have 6 attorneys and an equal number of support staff. We are well equipped to help clients with a variety of legal needs.
What are your strengths and style?
There are few attorneys in California who file more probate estates each year than I do.
I am extremely organized, efficient and bottom line oriented. I do not like to waste anybody's time.
Personal Interests:
I have a wife and two young children at home... not a lot of free time beyond that! However, I do go to the gym at least 5 mornings a week while the rest of my family is sleeping. I enjoy the occasional game of golf and enjoy traveling with my family as time allows.
Office Manager/Assistant
Joy Lehmann, Paralegal.
Fax
(916) 920-9379
Office Hours
Monday through Friday
7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Emergency after hours by appointment
Emergency After Hours
Yes
Foreign Languages
No
Fixed-Price Services and Fees
I have a variety of fixed price packages for estate plans after reviewing the exact facts of the case with the prospective client.
Hourly Rates
I charge $50 per hour.
Other attorneys in my firm charge between $175 and $285 per hour.
Free Initial Consultation?
I offer free consultations in some cases, by phone or in person at my
discretion.
Typical Retainer
$0.00 - $5,000 depending on the facts of the case.
Nolo's Licensing Check
Attorneys have passed a licensing check. Nolo has confirmed that every member attorney has a valid license and is in good standing with the applicable bar associations upon joining the directory.
Directory lawyers are required to notify Nolo immediately if they become the subject of any disciplinary action by any bar association.
