AV Preeminent Peer Rated Attorneys
Palo Alto Residents, consider several factors when selecting a lawyer including their experience, expertise, and reputation. AV Rated Attorneys represent a distinguished group of lawyers who have received top ratings from their peers for their exceptional ethical standards and an A grade (4.5 or higher).
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AV Preeminent Peer Rated Attorneys
Palo Alto Residents, consider several factors when selecting a lawyer ... Learn More
AV Preeminent Peer Rated Attorneys
Palo Alto Residents, consider several factors when selecting a lawyer including their experience, expertise, and reputation. AV Rated Attorneys represent a distinguished group of lawyers who have received top ratings from their peers for their exceptional ethical standards and an A grade (4.5 or higher).

Law Office of Peter S. Stern

5.0
4 Reviews

  • 350 Cambridge Ave., Suite 130, Palo Alto, CA 94306

  • Law Firm with 1 lawyer2 awards

  • Estate Planning & Admin., Elder Law, Conservatorships, Trusts, Incapacity & Medical Planning

  • Estate Planning LawyersEstate Planning and Administration, Elder Law, and 7 more

Peter S. Stern
Estate Planning Lawyer
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Intellectual Property Law Group LLP

4.8
29 Reviews

  • Serving Palo Alto, CA and Santa Clara County, California

  • Law Firm with 5 lawyers2 awards

  • International Legal Practice Focusing on Intellectual Property, Trademark, Patent, Copyright, Customs, Corporate & Business-Related Law.

  • Estate Planning LawyersInternational Law, Patents, and 10 more

Stephanie C. Blair
Estate Planning Lawyer
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Sweeney Mason LLP

4.8
7 Reviews

  • Serving Palo Alto, CA and Santa Clara County, California

  • Law Firm with 13 lawyers2 awards

  • Attorneys at law

  • Estate Planning LawyersBusiness, Corporate Law, and 61 more

Laura Ginn
Estate Planning Lawyer
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Zacks & Freedman, P.C.

4.9
26 Reviews

  • Serving Palo Alto, CA and Santa Clara County, California

  • Law Firm with 11 lawyers3 awards

  • Relentless advocacy for property owners, trusted guidance for Bay Area real estate matters.

  • Estate Planning LawyersCivil Litigation, Real Estate, and 5 more

Thomas O'Brien
Estate Planning Lawyer
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Litherland, Kennedy & Associates, APC

5.0
44 Reviews

  • Serving Palo Alto, CA and Santa Clara County, California

  • Law Firm with 2 lawyers2 awards

  • Our firm is dedicated to providing you with quality estate planning resources so you can become familiar with all of the existing options. When you visit or call Litherland,... Read More

  • Estate Planning LawyersAsset Protection, Elder Law and Medi-Cal Services, and 19 more

Justin Kennedy
Estate Planning Lawyer
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Intellectual Property Law Group LLP

4.8
29 Reviews

  • Serving Palo Alto, CA

  • Law Firm with 5 lawyers2 awards

  • International Legal Practice Focusing on Intellectual Property, Trademark, Patent, Copyright, Customs, Corporate & Business-Related Law.

  • Estate Planning LawyersInternational Law, Patents, and 10 more

Stephanie C. Blair
Estate Planning Lawyer
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Kramer Radin, LLP

4.9
37 Reviews

  • Serving Palo Alto, CA

  • Law Firm with 4 lawyers2 awards

  • Trusts attorneys in Santa Clara County are dedicated to the practice of estate planning as well as probate and trust estate administration and litigation.

  • Estate Planning LawyersWills, Financial Power of Attorney, and 21 more

Deborah G. Kramer Radin
Estate Planning Lawyer
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Aaron, Riechert, Carpol & Riffle, APC

4.7
33 Reviews

  • Serving Palo Alto, CA and Santa Clara County, California

  • Law Firm with 20 lawyers2 awards

  • We specialize in estate planning, probate and trust law, conservatorships, probate and civil litigation, real estate law, and business law. How can we help?

  • Estate Planning LawyersCivil Litigation, Trial Practice, and 62 more

Carlo Campobello
Estate Planning Lawyer
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Law Office of Michael G. Desmarais

5.0
1 Review

  • Serving Palo Alto, CA and Santa Clara County, California

  • Law Firm with 1 lawyer1 award

  • The Law Office of Michael G. Desmarais specializes in estate planning, estate administration and estate litigation.Mr. Desmarais is a California Board of Legal Specialization of... Read More

  • Estate Planning LawyersEstate Administration, Estate Litigation, and 1 more

Michael G. Desmarais
Estate Planning Lawyer
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Furukawa Castles LLP

5.0
15 Reviews

  • Serving Palo Alto, CA and Santa Clara County, California

  • Law Firm with 4 lawyers1 award

  • You need an attorney who will make sure your professional practice or business is protected. We advocate for clients both here and abroad.

  • Estate Planning LawyersDesign Professionals, Real Estate, and 3 more

Brent Basilico
Estate Planning Lawyer
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Loew Law Group

5.0
48 Reviews

  • Serving Palo Alto, CA and Santa Clara County, California

  • Law Firm with 3 lawyers1 award

  • Loew Law Group, PLC, conveniently located in San Mateo, provides comprehensive estate planning services to clients throughout Northern California and beyond. Well-versed in... Read More

  • Estate Planning LawyersBeneficiary Rights, Civil Litigation, and 7 more

Jeffrey Loew
Estate Planning Lawyer
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Noland, Hamerly, Etienne & Hoss A Professional Corporation

4.5
106 Reviews

  • Serving Palo Alto, CA and Santa Clara County, California

  • Law Firm with 20 lawyers2 awards

  • The largest law firm on the Central Coast with experienced attorneys specializing in a full array of professional legal services. Stability, Service and Commitment to our... Read More

  • Estate Planning LawyersBusiness Law, Commercial Litigation, and 81 more

Sierra Rhodes
Estate Planning Lawyer
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Kramer Radin, LLP

4.9
37 Reviews

  • Serving Palo Alto, CA and Santa Clara County, California

  • Law Firm with 4 lawyers2 awards

  • Trusts attorneys in Santa Clara County are dedicated to the practice of estate planning as well as probate and trust estate administration and litigation.

  • Estate Planning LawyersWills, Financial Power of Attorney, and 21 more

Deborah G. Kramer Radin
Estate Planning Lawyer
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White Law

5.0
1 Review

  • Serving Palo Alto, CA and Santa Clara County, California

  • Law Firm with 1 lawyer1 award

  • Bringing Trust to Light

  • Estate Planning LawyersTrust Administration, Probate Administration, and 26 more

Mary P. White
Estate Planning Lawyer
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Mitchell & Herzog

  • 550 Hamilton Ave., Palo Alto, CA 94301-2082

Crist, Biorn, Shepherd & Roskoph A Professional Corporation

  • 550 Hamilton Ave., Ste. 100, Palo Alto, CA 94301

Thoits, Love, Hershberger & McLean A Professional Law Corporation

  • 285 Hamilton Avenue, Suite 300, Palo Alto, CA 94301

Lawyers At This Firm

Miller Law Group, P.C.

  • 260 Sheridan Ave., Ste. 208, Palo Alto, CA 94306-2009

Herrick & Herrick Attorneys at Law

  • 888 Robb Rd., Palo Alto, CA 94306

Lawyers At This Firm

Law Offices of John M. Hackmann

  • P.O. box 68, Palo Alto, CA 94302

Lakin Spears, LLP

  • 2400 Geng Road, Suite 110, Palo Alto, CA 94303

Lawyers At This Firm

The Karson Law Firm

  • 4151 Middlefield Rd., Ste. 105, Palo Alto, CA 94303

Cooley LLP

  • 3175 Hanover St., Palo Alto, CA 94304-1130

Lawyers At This Firm

The Law Offices of William D. Ross

  • 400 Lambert St., Palo Alto, CA 94306

Grant & Gordon, LLP

  • 525 University Avenue, Suite 1325, Palo Alto, CA 94301

Hopkins & Carley A Law Corporation

  • 200 Page Mill Rd., Palo Alto, CA 94306

Lawyers At This Firm

Foley & Lardner LLP

  • 975 Page Mill Road, Palo Alto, CA 94304

Lawyers At This Firm

Cookman Law, PC

  • 2100 Geng Rd., Ste. 2100, Palo Alto, CA 94303

Campeau Goodsell Smith A Law Corporation

  • 2600 El Camino Real, Suite 603, Palo Alto, CA 94306

Philip C. Barney, Jr.

  • 2600 El Camino Real, Palo Alto, CA 94306

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Additional Resources

Looking for Estate Planning Lawyers in Palo Alto?

Estate planning attorneys help individuals prepare for the management and distribution of their assets after death or incapacitation. They create legal documents such as wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and healthcare directives. Their work ensures a client’s wishes are honored, minimizes potential taxes, and simplifies the process for their loved ones.

About our Estate Planning Lawyers Ratings

The average lawyer rating is created by peers based on legal expertise, ethical standards, quality of service, and relationship skills. Recommendations are made by real clients.

CLIENT RECOMMENDED
84 %

186 Client Reviews

PEER REVIEWS
4.7

2899 Peer Reviews

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Lawyer Resources

Commonly Asked Estate Planning Questions From Users Near You

This information is not legal advice and is not guaranteed to be correct, complete or up-to-date. It is provided for general informational purposes only. If you need legal advice you should consult a licensed attorney in your area.

Can or should the trustee of an irrevocabel life insurance trust be the spouse of the insured? Does this have adverse tax implications?

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Answered by attorney Ronald William Lyster (Unclaimed Profile)
Estate Planning lawyer at Lyster, Inc.
An insured's spouse should not serve as trustee of an irrevocable life insurance trust if the trustee has a discretionary power to distribute principal to the insured's spouse and minor children. An insured's spouse who lacks the experience or knowledge to manage significant life insurance proceeds may still be the trustee during the insured's lifetime, when the policy is the only trust asset and the trustee's duties are minimal. On the insured's death, the spouse can automatically be removed as trustee, and a professional trustee can be inserted.
An insured's spouse should not serve as trustee of an irrevocable life insurance trust if the trustee has a discretionary power to distribute principal to the insured's spouse and minor children. An insured's spouse who lacks the experience or knowledge to manage significant life insurance proceeds may still be the trustee during the insured's lifetime, when the policy is the only trust asset and the trustee's duties are minimal. On the insured's death, the spouse can automatically be removed as trustee, and a professional trustee can be inserted.
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How do we split property ownership without getting married?

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Answered by attorney Victor L. Waid (Unclaimed Profile)
Estate Planning lawyer at Law Office of Victor Waid
You can add anyone to your deed by executing and recording a new deed from yourself to yourself and the person as joint tenants, which has the legal element of right of survivorship, meaning that if you die before her, then she survives to your interest in the property, and the same is true in reverse, if she dies before you do, then you survive to her interest in the property. I do not understand as to why such a document would cost$1500. As to the tax matter, you may want to consult a CPA, as the transfer from you to her as to a one half interest in the property is the making of a gift; under the current federal tax law, and you fall within the federal gift tax exemption. But check with a tax account anyway.for your own comfort.
You can add anyone to your deed by executing and recording a new deed from yourself to yourself and the person as joint tenants, which has the legal element of right of survivorship, meaning that if you die before her, then she survives to your interest in the property, and the same is true in reverse, if she dies before you do, then you survive to her interest in the property. I do not understand as to why such a document would cost$1500. As to the tax matter, you may want to consult a CPA, as the transfer from you to her as to a one half interest in the property is the making of a gift; under the current federal tax law, and you fall within the federal gift tax exemption. But check with a tax account anyway.for your own comfort.
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Can my nephew get his father’s car from me even if his father instructed the apartment manager to give his car to me when he dies?

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Answered by attorney Richard Everett Damon (Unclaimed Profile)
Estate Planning lawyer at Richard E. Damon, P.C.
An "instruction" is not binding unless it is contained in a properly executed will or trust, or unless there has been a pre-death transfer from your brother. He should have either put this in his will or given the car to you in his lifetime.
An "instruction" is not binding unless it is contained in a properly executed will or trust, or unless there has been a pre-death transfer from your brother. He should have either put this in his will or given the car to you in his lifetime.
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