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Jane K. Penhaligen
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Jane K. Penhaligen
Law Offices of Jane K. Penhaligen
3478 Buskirk Ave
Suite 1000
Pleasant Hill, CA 94523
Phone: (925) 746-7113 | Fax: (925) 746-7101
http://www.jpenhaligenlaw.com
Strategic Estate Planning, Where Your Feelings Matter
Legal Topic
Wills, Trusts & Estates
Preferred New Clients
I feel strongly about helping individuals, business owners and families, whether traditional or nontraditional, who require thoughtful counsel with both a tax and legal perspective to make the best personal and economic decisions possible. I work to reduce estate taxes and help individuals provide for their family. This unique legal specialty is offered in a way that takes personal feelings into account.
Sub-Categories
Wills, Trusts & Estates
- Nolo Document Review
- Estate Taxes & Gift Taxes
- Income Taxes
- IRS Disputes
- Power of Attorney
- Property Taxes
- Tax Planning
- Charitable Giving
- Charitable Trusts
- Drafting Trusts
- Drafting Wills
- Estate Administration
- Estate Planning
- Living Trusts
- Living Wills
- Probate
- Asset Protection
- Power of Attorney
- Business Succession Planning
- Special Needs Trust
- Revocable Trust & Irrevocable Trust
Bar Admissions
CA, Dec 1987
Bar Number: 132628
Other Court Admissions
California State Courts.
Association Memberships
• California State Bar
• State Bar of California Trusts and Estates Section
• The Estate Planning Council of Diablo Valley
Continuing Education
In 2004, I obtained a Master of Law in Taxation which required completing 28 units of classes that entailed hundreds of hours of class and study. Continuing education classes in estate planning, real property law, business law, family law and taxation.
Papers and Publications
I publish articles for my clients and business associates on relevant and timely estate planning issues and recommendations.
Example Cases
I propose and establish estate plans for my clients that allow their families to avoid litigation. My significant work entails establishing various trusts, business succession plans, and charitable plans for people. I draft plans that protect children and families, allow for taxes to be saved and family businesses to be passed on and thrive rather than fail. I like to provide plans that keep family ties strong.
Education
Degree:
J.D.
School:
Pepperdine University
City:
Malibu
State:
CA
Year:
1987
Focus and Accomplishments:
Business Law.
Degree:
B.S.
School:
University of California
City:
Berkeley
State:
CA
Year:
1982
Focus and Accomplishments:
Conservation and Natural Resources.
Degree:
Masters in Tax Law (LL.M.)
School:
Golden Gate University
City:
San Francisco
State:
CA
Year:
2004
Honors:
With Honors
Focus and Accomplishments:
Estate, Real Property and Business Taxation.
Number of Attorneys
1
State Licensed In
California
Firm Focus and History
I learned early on that when individuals and businesses turn to the courts to seek retribution, there are rarely "winners." I established the Law Office of Jane K. Penhaligen with the resolve to provide a more strategic solution to individuals and business owners who want to reduce their estate taxes and provide for their families. General law practitioners do not have the specialized training that my firm provides to create estate plans that consider tax consequences in their preparation. The Law Office of Jane K. Penhaligen provides thoughtful counsel with both the tax and legal perspective needed to make the best personal and economic decisions.
Previous Employment Summary
I worked for various medium size firms in the Bay Area. In addition to estate planning, I have a background in construction defect litigation and general counsel work for homeowner's association, during which I learned the ropes of litigation.
Activities and Awards
I wrote a planned giving guide for the Coral Reef Alliance on a pro bono basis.
What is your opinion regarding clients educating themselves on legal issues?
I encourage clients to educate themselves. It is my opinion that this helps clients make better decisions regarding their legal needs.
Are you willing to review documents prepared by clients?
I will review documents prepared by clients. However, unless it is a fairly simple document, I will not endorse or guarantee it.
I am willing to review documents generated by Nolo products.
Are you willing to coach clients who want to represent themselves?
I cannot engage in this practice. I think the potential for liability is too great.
Why did you decide to be a lawyer?
Originally I wanted to practice environmental law. However, during my undergraduate education at Berkeley I majored in Conservation and Natural Resources and took a lot of environmental law classes where I learned that environmental law was very procedural and focused on how much someone was polluting and whether or not they were staying within guidelines. This did not appeal to me.
What work experience and education helps you be a better lawyer?
I spent a year after college interning for then state assemblyman Tom Bates. Working with the public to help the community helped me improve my listening and negotiating skills. Obtaining my Masters in Tax Law provided me with the expertise to analyze the whole of my clients' situations and propose comprehensive plans to save them as much money as possible on their taxes.
Why did you decide on your primary area of practice?
In law school, I focused on business law because I was interested in a general business education and thought I would become corporate counsel. When I finally found estate planning, I knew it was the right area of practice for me because I could focus on helping people avoid legal problems later on and help families remain close. Also, I really enjoy showing people how to save money on taxes.
What do you like best about your career?
I like being able to help families discuss crucial and difficult issues and resolve indecision while keeping their economic and tax issues in mind, so that the right personal decisions are also the right financial decisions.
Tell us about your law firm:
I mainly work by myself, which means that my clients' work is always drafted and reviewed by an attorney, not a paralegal or assistant. My assistant Cynthia has a college education in business and is a mom, so she enjoys working a flexible schedule. Take a moment to look at some of our testimonials.
What are your strengths and style?
My best strength is my ability to listen to my clients and apply my expertise and experience in estate planning and tax law to their unique situations to help them establish the best estate plan for their needs.
My style varies according to the needs of my clients and the tasks at hand.
Personal Interests:
I am an outdoors person, whether it is hiking, running, sailing or SCUBA diving, which is what I enjoy best.
Office Manager/Assistant
Cynthia Jones
Fax
(925) 746-7101
Office Hours
Monday through Friday
8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Emergency After Hours
Yes
Foreign Languages
None
Fixed-Price Services and Fees
I can provide an estimate for general estate plans which will vary depending on the information gained in the interview.
I charge per hour to review documents generated by Nolo products. If the will and/or trust is simple and the circumstances are typical, it should not take more than an hour and quite possibly less.
Hourly Rates
$250 to $290 per hour.
Free Initial Consultation?
Free one-half hour initial consultation.
Typical Retainer
Our typical retainer is $500.
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.
