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Trusts & Estates Law/Expert Profile
Expertise
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
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 T = Timeliness P = Politeness| User | Date | K | C | T | P | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wendy Mayfield | 11/15/09 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | Thank you so much!!! This info was ..... |
| John | 11/09/09 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | She was great: Timely and very clear ..... |
| Lisa | 11/02/09 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | THANKS FOR SUCH AN INCREDIBLY PROMPT AND ..... |
| Dede Raisanen | 10/31/09 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | |
| Dede | 10/31/09 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 |
Recent Answers from Janet Brewer
2009-11-22 Closing a Trust:
I'm sorry about your mother's death. An "executor" and a "trustee" are 2 entirely different things. If your mother had a trust and the assets were titled in the name of the trust, then the trustee has
2009-11-21 Trust and Will:
I'm sorry about your father's death. I can't know for certain what the trust says without reading it, but it would be highly unusual to provide "voting power". The trustee is in charge; his/her job is
2009-11-19 estate planning:
Yes, it is a reasonable concern. There is a very, very good chance that the present estate tax law will be extended - and Congress can wait until early next fall to pass the extension (if a person were
2009-11-18 Deceased Father's Car Repossed/Do I have to assume the debt?:
I'm 99.999% certain that the banks won't let you access your father's accounts without the death certificate. You can go down to the Dept. of vital records (and also to the county recorder's office in
2009-11-17 previous question:
Thanks for clarifying. I'd suggest that you sell it. Keep a careful record of how much you receive for it and who the buyer is. Don't spend the money until you're sure the bill collector won't want
Answers by Expert:
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