Legal Solutions for You,
Your Family & Your Business
Find a Lawyer >
Wills, Trusts & Estates lawyers serving Sacramento County, CA >
Peter Cianchetta
Back to Search Results
Peter Cianchetta
The Law Office of Peter Cianchetta
8830 Elk Grove Blvd.
Elk Grove, CA 95624
Phone: (916) 685-7878 | Fax: (916) 685-3662
http://www.cianchetta.com
http://www.elkgrovelawyer.com
Protecting Your Family's Future
Legal Topic
Wills, Trusts & Estates
Preferred New Clients
Almost everyone has a need for estate planning. Young married couples need a will at a minimum to direct the care of their children. Anyone with assets needs an estate plan unless they want the state to decide how to distribute it. When you lose a loved one you need to seek advice concerning their estate. I am here to help in those times.
Sub-Categories
Wills, Trusts & Estates
- Nolo Document Review
- Bad Faith
- Life Insurance
- Audit Defense
- Estate Taxes & Gift Taxes
- Income Taxes
- IRS Disputes
- IRS Filing & Compliance
- Negotiating IRS Payments & Settlements
- 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
- Guardianship
- Power of Attorney
- Business Succession Planning
- Special Needs Trust
- Supplemental Needs Trust
- Revocable Trust & Irrevocable Trust
Bar Admissions
CA, Dec 2002
Bar Number: 220971
Other Court Admissions
Supreme Court of California and Eastern District of California Federal Court.
Association Memberships
California State Bar, Sacramento County Bar, and Sacramento Valley Bankruptcy Forum.
Continuing Education
I attend continuing education seminars on the topics of bankruptcy, family law, estate planning, probate, and taxation. I attend the Sacramento County Bar family law and probate section meetings. I read many monthly publications containing continuing education questions following the articles and I typically earn three times the required amount of continuing education.
Example Cases
In a recent trust case, the trustee was delaying distribution and not maintaining the trust property that was to be distributed to my client. We filed a case and aggressively pursued the case, resulting in the restoration of the entire gift, reimbursement of maintenance costs advanced by my client, and payment of a portion of attorney fees.
In another recent case, my client's mother established a revocable trust (also known as a living trust and an inter vivos trust) and properly funded the trust. When mother moved, sold and purchased another home, mother did not properly put the new home in the trust. I filed a case and got an order from the Court placing the home in trust, avoiding the time and expenses of probate.
Education
Degree:
Juris Doctorate
School:
Lincoln Law School
City:
Sacramento
State:
CA
Year:
2002
Degree:
Bachelor of Science
School:
Golden Gate University
City:
Sacramento
State:
CA
Year:
1997
Honors:
Cum Laude
Focus and Accomplishments:
Accounting.
Number of Attorneys
1
State Licensed In
California
Firm Focus and History
We focus on all aspects of individual finances, from beginning to end. We help in good times as well as bad, doing the best to protect your assets in personal, small businesses, sole proprietorships, corporations, partnerships, limited liability companies, family law, estate planning, and probate.
When litigation is necessary, we provide aggressive representation in probate and civil cases, will contests, trust contests, removal of improperly acting fiduciaries, and suits to recover property and money.
We were established in 2002 in Elk Grove, California, with the main idea that legal services are valuable and should balance the cost with the benefit. Our goal is to provide the best legal services at an affordable price.
Previous Employment Summary
Prior to becoming an attorney, I worked as an accountant. I worked with pension plans and budgeting as well as new legislation. I have worked in State and Federal government. I served almost ten years in the Air Force and am a member of the Disabled American Veterans.
What is your opinion regarding clients educating themselves on legal issues?
Many times clients are able to educate themselves on legal issues, however, they must be certain that they are not looking at other state's laws and confusing them with California law. I have often probated estates where the decedent did not properly prepare their estate planning documents or failed to fund their trust. I believe that even if an individual is represented by an attorney, it pays great dividends to know and understand the law. Many of my clients purchase Nolo books and read them to help them understand the law during their litigation.
Are you willing to review documents prepared by clients?
We will review client prepared documents, which in certain circumstances, is providing the best value to the client. In other instances, legal documents that are very complex, such as trusts, may cost more to review than to prepare. In any case, having an attorney review your documents is the best idea.
Are you willing to coach clients who want to represent themselves?
Our office is willing to ghost write for clients desiring to represent themselves. This includes preparing pleadings, explaining the law, and procedure. There is a risk to the client that we make clear and that is the fact that there is no substitute for legal experience in the courtroom. However, if the budget does not allow for courtroom representation, having attorney prepared documents is extremely helpful. In cases where both parties are not represented, having an attorney as a coach may give you the winning edge.
Why did you decide to be a lawyer?
When I was a child, there were three occupations I was interested in. I wanted to be an accountant, an attorney, and an architect. I first became an accountant, and although fulfilling, I could not help people in the ways I wanted to. I felt it was natural to go to law school and become an attorney, which I did. After passing the Bar Exam on the first try, I designed the house I now live in. I have fulfilled all three of my childhood desires. Of them all, being an attorney and helping people is the most enjoyable and therefore my primary focus.
What work experience and education helps you be a better lawyer?
Prior to becoming a lawyer, I worked as an accountant for seven years. Before that, I worked for the federal government for six years and the military for nine years. In all of those positions, I gained life experience including what life is like in many countries. I believe that experiencing many different cultures provides me with the ability to understand where people are coming from. Additionally, having worked with multimillion dollar budgets has given me much financial experience.
Why did you decide on your primary area of practice?
I became an attorney to help people. With my financial background, it was natural that I focus on helping people keep and grow their assets and pass them on to their heirs.
What do you like best about your career?
Helping people is what it is all about.
Tell us about your law firm:
I am a solo practitioner, so all of my clients deal directly with me. I have a wonderful paralegal who is attentive to all of my clients' immediate needs.
What are your strengths and style?
I analyze the cost-benefit prior to recommending any course of action. If it does not make sense to pursue something, then I will not hesitate to tell you. I believe that choosing the best course of action is not always what it appears to be. I have a very strong analytical background and a deep financial background along with much life experience.
Personal Interests:
I love spending time with my family. I have two natural children and three adopted children. I am active in my church and enjoy outdoor activities including, fishing, hunting, and camping. I also enjoy sunsets on the beach.
Office Manager/Assistant
Kathy Goodman
Fax
(916) 685-3662
Office Hours
Monday through Thursday
8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Friday
8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Evening appointments available.
Emergency After Hours
Yes
Foreign Languages
American Sign Language
Fixed-Price Services and Fees
• Probate fees are pursuant to the statutory fee schedule.
• Litigation fees are $250-$275 per hour.
• Some litigation cases are taken on a contingency fee basis, typically 40% of the recovery from litigation.
• Trusts start at $800.
• Wills start at $200, $300 for husband and wife when the wills are substantially the same.
• Powers of Attorney $150.
Hourly Rates
$250 to $325, dependent on the type of representation.
Free Initial Consultation?
We offer a half hour consultation to discuss your case and determine if we can help you. At this conference we also discuss fees.
Typical Retainer
In a litigation case, a typical retainer is $3,000. All estate planning work is paid for upon completion.
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.
