Wills, Trusts & Estates

Clients who are looking for an attorney to draft wills and trusts, update their existing estate plans, review their self-prepared estate documents, or clients looking to provide their loved ones with the greatest gift they can give them.

Wills, Trusts & Estates

• Nolo Document Review
• Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transsexual, Transgender (LGBT) Rights

Banking & Loans

• Credit Unions
• Savings & Thrifts

Insurance

• Life Insurance

Taxes

• Audit Defense
• Estate Taxes & Gift Taxes
• Income Taxes
• IRS Disputes
• IRS Filing & Compliance
• Negotiating IRS Payments & Settlements
• Payroll Taxes
• Power of Attorney
• Property Taxes

Estate Planning

• Charitable Giving
• Charitable Trusts
• Drafting Trusts
• Drafting Wills
• Estate Administration
• Estate Planning
• Living Trusts
• Living Wills
• Probate
• Asset Protection
• Guardianship
• Power of Attorney
• Special Needs Trust
• Supplemental Needs Trust
• Revocable Trust & Irrevocable Trust

CA, Dec 2002
Bar Number: 223291

California Superior Courts, United States District Court Southern District of California (Federal Court).

National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys (NACBA), California Trusts and Estates Section.

I attend continuing legal education seminars and usually exceed my hourly requirements by 20 hours. The topics that I attend are focused on Estate Planning and Bankruptcy. The seminar focuses on complicated cases and usually problems that are not common but are important to know how to address.

One of the most memorable cases I had was a family with a substantial amount of wealth. The husband and wife came in looking to have their estate plan done. After reviewing their assets and talking with them, I knew that this case was going to be more of a challenge than normal. Combined, they were worth $10 million dollars, but the money was not the challenge. The challenge came when I found out how they wanted their assets to be controlled after they had passed. They both had substantial separate property and they wanted to insure that if they should pass that the surviving spouse had use of the separate property money.

The problem was that neither of them wanted the surviving spouse to have the ability to give it to anyone other than the couple’s child, which was completely understandable. I set up the estate in a way that would maximize the tax benefits and still accomplish their goals. After speaking with the couple about their options, and explaining to them the advantages and disadvantages of each of these options, I was able to create an estate plan that they felt would accomplish their goals within the framework allowed by the law and the IRS. The clients walked out of my office understanding their estate plan, and confidant that their goals were going to be met. Since I first met the couple, they have referred many of their friends and family to me.

1

California

I am committed to helping you protect both your family and assets from the greedy hands of IRS, Creditors, Probate Court, and other family members. Protecting your loved one's future is the greatest gift that you can give them, and I am committed to helping you achieve that goal. I want my clients to walk out of my office understanding what their documents will provide them, how they work, and feel confident that their goals of protecting their family and assets will be met. I will achieve this by explaining the process in plain English and providing competent legal advice. My clients will receive my cell phone numbers so they can contact me anytime.

I decided to pursue this area of law after some personal loss showed me just how important it is to have an estate plan. After my brother’s death, who died without a will, I found out firsthand what a nightmare the probate court can be and how expensive it is both monetarily and emotionally. When you have experienced a loss, the last thing you want to do is fight the court to get your brothers stuff. After insuring that all my family and friends had estate plans, I decided to open my own practice. It is my privilege to help families every day. Now that I am a parent, I enjoy helping other parents provide for their children’s future. I am not a big firm that is focused on getting as many clients in the door as possible to support the partner's salaries. I am keeping my firm small so that I can spend more time with my clients and insure that I give what they want and draft the document to meet that goals.

Tax Attorney/Manager at Strategic Tax Resolution
I was entrusted by the managing partner to develop the tax resolution department. I was the Senior Tax Attorney responsible for the negotiations with the IRS for 3,000 active clients with a team of one attorney, six account managers, and three support staff. Increased satisfaction of clients by increasing efficiency through education, and standardizing procedures and documents. I was responsible for evaluating clients with complex finances and construct a viable strategy to provide the client with the best possible outcome. Was entrusted with interpretation of complex tax laws, rules, and regulations in simple terms for our staff, clients, and management. I used my problem solving and negotiation skills to develop new effective tactics and procedures for dealing with the IRS. Unfortunately, the partners made some costly business decisions and are closing the company.

Corporate Attorney/Asset Manager/Board Member at Union Development
Appointed to Board of Directors. I was selected by the President and the board to be a lead negotiator of the multi-million dollar sale of Union Development, Inc. Conducted high profile and high dollar lease negotiations with high power national tenants. Provided sound legal counsel and legal briefs to the President and Board of Directors on issues regarding environmental compliance, labor law, real estate law and corporate structure. Conducted complex retail lease negotiations with national tenants, and either drafted the lease or tailored the tenets boiler plate lease. Participated and lead in entitlement process on all company development and re-development projects including a seven million dollar, multilevel mini storage. Implemented new leasing procedures for property management department with improved efficacy and accuracy. Performed due diligence for potential acquisitions and advised President and Board regarding research. Negotiated the sale of the company.

Associate Attorney at Law offices of John F. Anderson
Assumed difficult clients and cases for managing partner. Litigated case from initial interviewing to judgment. Obtained senior associate position. Prepared clients for mediation and trial. Conducted discovery and responded to discovery. Participated in depositions. Assist managing partner with complex cases.

Monday through Friday
9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Evenings and weekend by appointment. I meet with clients at their homes, or wherever they feel comfortable.

Yes

Yes, for a complete estate plan, will, trust, durable power of attorney, and advanced medical directive, I charge $1,500 for most estates under $1,500,000. I can draft individual documents as well. The price does vary depending on the complexity of the document. A will without a trust can range from $400 to $800. Trusts start at $600 and go up from there. Clients that come from Nolo will receive a 10% discount.

$130 per hour, billing in ten minute increments.

Yes. The initial consultation is for up to an hour. If a client is unable to come to my office, I am willing travel to their house or other location.

Yes, I request a retainer of half the quated service.