Death can take a tremendous toll on a family. In addition to the emotional turmoil, survivors must deal with a number of financial and tax issues, some of them mundane and some quite complex.
We provide care and guidance to ease your stress and confusion during probate and estate administration.
It's difficult to know what to do first
When someone dies, the family or named executor often does not know what to do first. We counsel you and your family on the steps you need to take immediately and on those that can wait until you’re more prepared to deal with them.
Despite people's best intentions, families often fight when someone dies. Probate and related proceedings often end up in disputes, including contests of wills and trusts, construction (interpretation) of wills and trusts, disputed ownership, claims for debts or services rendered, division of personal property, proceedings to retrieve assets from individuals who received them improperly, and other areas too numerous to list.
In those instances where family members don't all get along, we can act as a buffer. If a contest arises, we try to settle it to our clients’ satisfaction.
If you live outside the San Francisco Bay Area, we can arrange everything from securing your loved one’s possessions, to having bills paid or services stopped, meeting gardeners and contactors to make sure the house doesn't fall into disrepair, to selling the house… and more.
Tax-related services
- Estate Taxes & Gift Taxes
- Power of Attorney
- Negotiating IRS Payments & Settlements
- Tax Planning
Estate planning services
- Charitable Giving
- Living Trusts
- Charitable Trusts
- Living Wills
- Drafting Trusts and Wills
- Probate Estate Administration
- Business Succession Planning
- Revocable Trust & Irrevocable Trust
Learn more
Learn more about California probate attorney Janet Brewer >>
Getting assistance
If you need assistance, you can use a short form here at this website to get started now >>