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Estate Planning and Probate/Expert Profile
Janet Brewer Law Offices
returns 06/11/2012
Expertise
BE CAREFUL about taking legal advice from non-lawyers.
I am a licensed attorney in California. I am available to answer questions about probating estates, preparing wills and trusts, administering estates and trusts, forming family limited partnerships and limited liability companies, and establishing a wide variety of estate and gift tax-sensitive trusts (charitable trusts, children's trusts, irrevocable life insurance trusts, etc.).
I can also answer questions regarding the preparation of estate tax returns (Form 706) in taxable estates. Please note that I do not prepare trust income tax returns and cannot provide you with any information about that type of return.
Please note: I am only able to practice law in the State of California. I cannot answer specific questions about other states' laws; I can only provide some "general" information that may or may not apply to your situation.
Experience in the area
I have practiced California estate, gift-planning, and probate law exclusively since 1991. I am certified as a specialist in estate planning and probate law by the California State Bar Board of Legal Specialization (there are less than 125 such specialists practicing in Santa Clara County and fewer than 7,000 practicing in California - out of over 170,000 lawyers statewide). I have served as an Instructor in the CFP (certificate in financial planning) program at University of California – Santa Cruz, teaching the estate planning segment.
Organizations
Silicon Valley Bar Association
Wealth Counsel
Wealth Advisors' Forum
Executive Committee Member, Solo and Small Firm Section of the California State Bar (appointed to a 3 year term by the California State Bar Board of Governors)
Education/Credentials
I received my law degree (J.D.) from University of Denver Law School in 1975. I was admitted to the Colorado Bar in 1975 and to the California Bar in 1977 (NOTE: although I am a member of the Colorado Bar, I am on INACTIVE status there). I earned an M.B.A. in 1982, and I am currently studying for a Masters Degree in Taxation Law (LLM) at Golden Gate University Law School.
More at:
http://www.calprobate.com
Awards and Honors
2007, 2008, & 2009 - chosen as a "SuperLawyer" - one of the top 5% of Northern California lawyers practicing in the estate planning and probate area (www.superlawyers.com)
Average Ratings
Recent Reviews from Users
K = Knowledgeability C = Clarity of Response P = Politeness| User | Date | K | C | P | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Barbara | 03/30/12 | 10 | 10 | 10 | |
| Patricia | 12/13/11 | 10 | 10 | 10 | Ms. Brewer, Thanks for all your help ..... |
| Todd | 12/04/11 | 10 | 10 | 10 | Janet, thanks for the info about the ..... |
| Richard | 11/21/11 | 10 | 10 | 10 | Thanks, that helps. ds,,, |
| Todd | 11/17/11 | 10 | 10 | 10 | Super knowledgeable and answers promptly. Even knows ..... |
Recent Answers from Janet Brewer Law Offices
2012-03-29 Probate in San Francisco:
Thank you for letting me know this is a California estate. Yes; they need to petition the court for a partial distribution - it requires a court order. If the estate has been open for more than a year
2011-11-20 trust vs will:
Thanks for your question. I can give you a "short" answer to your question, but for a longer answer, I suggest you google "trust vs. will". One of the advantages of a living trust (aka a "revocable"
2011-08-22 My Mothers Estate Planning:
I'm sorry about your mother's situation. I am not licensed to practice law in Texas, but it appears to me that you should contact Adult Protective Services (Dept. of Family Protective Services) in Abilene
2011-06-21 Cost basis of inherited home:
As I said to you in my previous response, part of the answer to your question depends on what kind of election is made in your father's estate. But as a general rule, the IRS takes the position that 100%
2011-06-20 Estate question:
I'm sorry about your father's death. There are several different meaning of the word "estate". There is a "probate estate", which is the property that has to be probated in court to determine who is
Answers by Expert:
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