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Maria G. Wilson
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Maria G. Wilson
Maria Grace Wilson, Attorney at Law
626 Brown Street
Healdsburg, CA 95448-3711
Phone: (707) 431-7250 | Fax: (707) 395-0078
I'm here to help you plan the future!
Legal Topic
Wills, Trusts & Estates
Preferred New Clients
I prefer to take on clients at the beginning of the planning process although I am happy to assist with clients who have already begun the process and have made some changes mid-stream.
Sub-Categories
Taxes
- Estate Taxes & Gift Taxes
- Drafting Trusts
- Drafting Wills
- Estate Administration
- Estate Planning
- Living Trusts
- Living Wills
- Probate
- Power of Attorney
- Special Needs Trust
- Revocable Trust & Irrevocable Trust
Bar Admissions
CA, Dec 1992
Bar Number: 160712
Other Court Admissions
California Courts, United States District Court- Eastern District, United States District Court-Northern District, United States Court of Appeals-9th Circuit.
Association Memberships
State Bar of California
Continuing Education
I attend continuing legal education seminars on the topics of estate planning, drafting wills and trust, probate and trust administration as required by the State Bar.
Example Cases
I often have clients who have never met with an attorney before and need help planning their estate due to the birth of a child, death of a parent or other such circumstance. The clients need help to assure their wishes are met with regard to how their resources are managed for the benefit of their children and family. I help them understand and articulate their goals and put them in a legal format to make sure their goals are met to the best of our abilities.
Education
Degree:
J.D.
School:
University of San Francisco
City:
San Francisco
State:
CA
Year:
1992
Focus and Accomplishments:
International Relations and Political Science
Number of Attorneys
1
State Licensed In
California
Firm Focus and History
My firm's focus is on Estate Planning, Wills and Trusts, Trust and Probate Administration. After working in a local law firm, I opened my practice in Heladsburg in the spring of 1998.
Previous Employment Summary
I previously worked in the Office of General Counsel at Bank of America in San Francisco in the litigation group. I then moved north and worked in the law firm of Senneff Kelly in Santa Rosa, California practicing in the areas of estate planning as well as corporate and real estate.
Activities and Awards
I often participate in forums for estate planning for local groups and coordinate with financial planners and advisors to speak to groups as well.
What is your opinion regarding clients educating themselves on legal issues?
Clients who take the initiative in educating themselves about the issues generally do better throughout the process. It's important, however, to know when you need professional help and when you can do it on your own.
Are you willing to review documents prepared by clients?
I am happy to review documents prepared by the clients, or by others on behalf of the clients and then discuss those documents in the context of the particular situation at hand.
Are you willing to coach clients who want to represent themselves?
Depending on the intricacies of the particular circumstances, I may be able to advise a client who may be dealing with a legal situation on their own.
Why did you decide to be a lawyer?
Helping individuals and families to plan for their futures is very rewarding. I receive a great deal of satisfaction knowing that I can assist people in times of difficulty to make the process as smooth as possible.
What work experience and education helps you be a better lawyer?
I try to relate to the clients in the least threatening way possible while helping them to deal with their circumstances. I try to be very approachable but professional and want my clients to feel there is no reason to feel intimidated about meeting with a lawyer.
Why did you decide on your primary area of practice?
Estate Planning is a very rewarding area of law. I get to deal with clients directly about the most important parts of their lives - their families. Whether the client has significant assets or only a few assets, the goal of protecting those assets for their families within the context of the client's wishes is very satisfying.
What do you like best about your career?
I really like being part of a solution for my clients. Dealing with death is very difficult under any circumstances and I try very hard to make the process go as smoothly as possible. Judging from the feedback I receive from my clients, both by their direct feedback as well as their many referrals, I believe they are very pleased with the results.
Tell us about your law firm:
I am a solo practitioner so all my clients deal directly with me.
What are your strengths and style?
I am honest, professional and am very approachable. Many times, clients have never had to meet with an attorney and they are very intimidated about the process. I try to put their fears at ease and help them understand that we can accomplish their goals while, stressing that you make the best decisions with the information you have at hand. If the situation changes, we can make adjustments to their plan. I always try to build as much flexibility as possible into their plans to try to accommodate as many scenarios as possible given the facts at hand..
Personal Interests:
When I am not shuttling my own children to swim team and soccer practice, I love to cycle, swim, read, garden and cook. My husband and I are also small wine producers so that keeps me busy as well.
Fax
(707) 395-0078
Office Hours
Monday through Friday 9:00 to 5:00 generally, plus weekends as necessary. I often meet my clients at their homes during the day or evening to begin the planning process.
Emergency After Hours
Yes
Fixed-Price Services and Fees
For most clients, a flat fee arrangement is acceptable. For will packages including wills, powers of attorney for property and advanced health care directives, the flat fee is $600 - $800 for a single person and $800 - $1,000 for a married couple. Trust packages include the above documents plus a revocable trust and corresponding trust funding documents. The flat fee for a single person is $1,200 - $1,400 and for a married couple is $1,500 - $1,800. The fee is set at the time the engagement is made.
Hourly Rates
$225.
Free Initial Consultation?
Yes, a complimentary consultation is offered.
Typical Retainer
No.
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.
