Advanced Estate Planning for Silicon Valley Families
Comprehensive Estate Planning Services
Specialized legal services tailored to protect your assets, your family, and your legacy.
Advanced Estate Planning
Comprehensive planning strategies to protect your assets and ensure your wishes are honored, including revocable and irrevocable trust structures.
We work closely with clients to design comprehensive plans tailored to their financial and family circumstances.
- Revocable Living Trusts
- Irrevocable Trusts
- Estate Tax Planning
- Special Needs Trusts
- Charitable Giving
- Inheritance Protection
International Estate Planning
Specialized guidance for clients with cross-border assets, international family structures, and complex multi-jurisdictional requirements.
We help clients coordinate estate planning across U.S. and foreign jurisdictions, addressing treaty considerations, cross-border tax exposure, and compliance requirements to ensure a seamless and tax-efficient transfer of wealth
- Non-Resident Aliens
- Cross-Border Tax
- QDOT Trusts
- Visa Holder Planning
- Multi-Jurisdictional
- U.S. Tax Minimization
Probate & Estate Administration
Full court representation and estate administration services, guiding families through the probate process with clarity and compassion.
Our firm helps families navigate the court system efficiently, providing clarity and support during a difficult time while working to reduce delays and unnecessary costs.
- Court Representation
- Estate Inventory
- Creditor Claims
- Estate Tax Returns
- Court Accounting
- Will Contests
- Small Estate Proceedings
Trust Administration
Expert guidance for successor trustees navigating trust funding, estate and gift tax considerations, and beneficiary distributions.
We guide trustees through each step of the process, helping ensure compliance with California law while minimizing risk and avoiding disputes.
- Successor Trustee Guidance
- Trust Funding
- Estate and Gift Tax Advice
- Distribution Planning
- Trust Modifications
- Dispute Resolution
Estate Planning for Non-Residents
Strategic estate planning for non-U.S. residents with U.S. based assets, ensuring compliance, tax efficiency, and seamless wealth transfer across jurisdictions.
At the Law Office of Janet L. Brewer, we work with clients across the United States and internationally to implement sophisticated estate planning strategies that align with applicable federal and state laws while protecting complex, high-value estates.
- Non-Resident Aliens
- U.S. Situs Assets
- Cross-Border Trusts
- U.S. Estate Tax Exposure
- International Beneficiaries
Estate Tax Planning
Advanced strategies designed to minimize estate, gift, and generation-skipping transfer taxes while preserving wealth for future generations.
We tailor these strategies for high-net-worth individuals and families, including those with closely held businesses, real estate portfolios, and multi-generational wealth structures.
- Gift Tax Strategies
- Generation-Skipping Planning
- Lifetime Exemptions
- Valuation Discounts
- Trust Structuring
- Tax-Efficient Transfers
- Wealth Preservation
- IRS Compliance
- International Beneficiaries
Charitable Planning
Thoughtful charitable planning strategies that align your philanthropic goals with tax-efficient estate structures to create a lasting legacy.
At the Law Office of Janet L. Brewer, we work with individuals and families throughout Silicon Valley and Northern California to structure charitable giving in a way that maximizes tax benefits while supporting long-term philanthropic objectives across generations.
- Charitable Trusts
- Donor-Advised Funds
- Private Foundations
- Tax-Advantaged Giving
- Legacy Planning
- Philanthropic Strategy
- Endowment Structuring
- Gift Planning
Who We Are
The Law Office of Janet L. Brewer works with individuals and families who require thoughtful, strategic estate planning and probate guidance.
Our clients often include:
- Silicon Valley tech professionals and executives
- High-net-worth individuals and families
- Business owners and entrepreneurs
- International families with cross-border assets
- Trustees and beneficiaries managing complex estates
We understand the legal, financial, and personal considerations that come with significant or multi-jurisdictional assets, and we tailor our approach accordingly.
Get to Know Janet
Attorney Janet Brewer is certified by the California State Bar Board of Legal Specialization as an estate planning and probate specialist — one of fewer than 100 practicing in Santa Clara County. With more than 30 years of experience and an exclusive focus on estate planning and probate, Janet provides peace of mind, closure, and a clean, pain-free path through the distribution of assets. For more than two decades, Janet has been recognized as a Northern California Super Lawyer, a distinction awarded to a small percentage of attorneys for excellence in their field.
She and her staff give no-nonsense advice without beating around the bush, then work on every detail until the client has total confidence in the strength of their estate plan. Through this process, clients often come to consider Janet and her staff as members of the family.
Serving Silicon Valley & Beyond
From our Los Altos office, we serve families across the Peninsula, South Bay, and international clients worldwide.
Los Gatos
Estate Planning to preserve wealth, real estate, and family legacies
The Brewer Difference
Decades of focused expertise, recognized by peers and clients alike.
Certified Specialist
One of fewer than 100 attorneys in Santa Clara County certified in Estate Planning, Trust, and Probate Law by the State Bar Board of Legal Specialization.
30+ Years Exclusive Focus
Thousands of families served with a practice dedicated exclusively to estate planning, probate, and trust administration since 1993.
SuperLawyer Since 2007
Consistently recognized as a Super Lawyer with a perfect 10/10 Avvo rating, reflecting peer and
International Expertise
Approximately 25% of our practice involves cross-border estate planning — serving non-resident aliens, non-citizen spouses, and multi-country families.
State Bar Board Leader
Served a 3-year term on the Board of Trustees of the California State Bar Board of Legal Specialization — shaping standards for the profession
No-Nonsense, Client-First
Straightforward advice without unnecessary complexity. Our clients and their families feel like family — because that’s exactly how we treat them.
What Our Clients Say
Trusted by families across Silicon Valley and around the world.
Common Questions
Get answers to the most common estate planning questions.
What is estate planning, and why do I need it?
Estate planning is the process of organizing your assets, naming beneficiaries, and creating legal documents—such as wills and trusts—to ensure your wishes are carried out during your lifetime and after your death.
The Law Office of Janet L. Brewer advises clients across Northern California, including Silicon Valley, on whether a will, trust, or combination of both is best suited to their financial and family circumstances.
What is the difference between a will and a trust?
A will is a legal document that outlines how your assets will be distributed after your death and typically goes through probate. A trust, on the other hand, allows assets to be managed and distributed without court involvement, often providing greater privacy and efficiency.
The Law Office of Janet L. Brewer helps clients determine whether a will, trust, or combination of both is best suited to their specific financial and family situation.
Do I need an estate plan if I'm not wealthy?
At the Law Office of Janet L. Brewer, we work with individuals and families throughout Santa Clara County and the greater Bay Area, helping them create practical, effective estate plans regardless of asset level.
What does a certified specialist offer vs. a general attorney?
Janet L. Brewer is a Board Certified Specialist in Estate Planning, Trust and Probate Law by the California State Bar Board of Legal Specialization and has been recognized as a Northern California Super Lawyer for 20+ consecutive years, reflecting a high level of professional achievement and peer recognition.
What happens if someone dies without an estate plan?
Does Janet handle international estate planning?
At the Law Office of Janet L. Brewer, we work with clients who have international assets, dual citizenship, or cross-border family structures to create estate plans that address these complexities and reduce potential legal conflicts.
