About John M. Goralka

Professional Specialties

Income Tax and Estate Tax Planning

Tax Litigation Controversy

Trusts

Asset Protection Planning and Implementation

Business and Corporate Law

Shareholder and Business Buy/Sell Agreements for Estate Planning & Business Continuation Purposes

Estate Planning

Probate and Trust Administration

Sales of Businesses and Real Property

Qualifications

Certified Specialist in Estate Planning, Trusts and Probate Law by the State Bar of California, Board of Legal Specialization

Certified Specialist in Taxation Law by the State Bar of California, Board of Legal Specialization

Former Hearing Officer and Income Tax Auditor, Franchise Tax Board, California

Passed the California Certified Public Accountants' (CPA’s) Exam

Approved Educator - California Department of Insurance

Approved Educator - California Certificated Financial Planning Board

Blue Star Wealth Professional

Awards

Distinguished Client Service Award - Martindale-Hubbell 2014-2022

2016-2022 Northern California Super Lawyer for Estate Planning & Probate, Tax, and Business Law

2016-2022 Sacramento Magazine Top Lawyer for Business & Corporate Law

Rated AV preeminent by Martindale-Hubbell

10.0 Rating with Avvo.com

Recognized as a top attorney in the United States by US News & World Reports for Taxation and Estate Planning

Recognized as a top taxation attorney in the United States by Premier Tax Planners

Author

California Tax Lawyer, August, 1992 – "Can the Service Partner Finally Go Back To Work?"

Nationally recognized author with articles regularly appearing in Kiplinger, NASDAQ.com, On Wall Street, The American Journal of Managed Care, Penton: Wealth Management, Yahoo Finance, Leimburg, ThinkAdvisor and Hospital Impact

Co-Author

Family Limited Partnerships in Estate Planning and Asset Protection, "Maximize the Use of Family Limited Partnerships in Estate Planning" and "Sort Through the Complex Rules Regarding the taxation of Family Limited Partnerships," August 2008

Estate Planning Basics, "Estate and Gift Taxes" and "Charitable Planning," August 2008

Fundamental Probate Procedures and Practices, "Inventory & Appraisal," May 2008

Estate and Gift Taxes, "Estate, Gift and GST Taxes," January 2008

Estate Planning Basics, "Basic Taxes You Need to be Aware Of," January 2008

The Probate Process for California Paralegals: From Start to Finish, 2003 and 2004

A Practical Guide to Estate Administration in California, 1992 and 1993

Education

California State University of Sacramento, B.S. Accounting

McGeorge School of Law, J.D. with distinction, Class Rank – 4th

McGeorge School of Law, L.L.M. Taxation

Academic Achievements

American Jurisprudence Awards in Torts and Business Planning

Corpus Juris Secundum Award For Making the Most Outstanding Contribution to Legal Scholarship (1985 and 1988)

Order of the Coif

Prentice-Hall Outstanding Tax Student Award

Traynor Society Award for Academic Achievement

Member

Former member of Board of Directors, Sacramento Estate Planning Council

Former Education Chair, Sacramento Estate Planning Council Sacramento County and California Bar Associations

National Association of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA)

Wealth Counsel

California Advocates for Nursing Home Reform (CANHR)

 

Awards

Reviews for John M.

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Overall Rating
Showing 1-10 of 36 client reviews from Lawyers.com
Lawyers.com Rating Snapshot
5 stars
86%
4 stars
11%
3 stars
0%
2 stars
0%
1 star
3%
What do people say on Lawyers.com?
Communication
4.9
Quality of Service
4.9
Responsiveness
4.9
Value for Money
4.8
Trusts and Estates
Posted by Joe
March 13, 2023
Hired Attorney

This is the secondtime working with Mr.Goralka,and I liked the way he explains the process.i feel good that every thing is done properly.

Trusts and Estates
Posted by Maggie
June 30, 2021
Hired Attorney

My husband and I had a unique Trust and Tax situation: almost 80, kids, just over 50 and grandkids ages 3 & 5. California just passed Prop.. 19 and time was of the essence to do Parent/Child Transfers by mid-Feb. 2021. John Goralka and staff stayed focussed and had unbelievable patience. They worked day, night and weekends. Over future years, not only will our children benefit from the Irrevocable Gift Trusts and Personal Asset Trusts John created, but also our grandchildren.

 
Trusts and Estates
Posted by anonymous
August 29, 2019
Hired Attorney

We are extremely happy with our trust, and feel confident that we made the right choice in selecting the Goralka Law Firm. The trust was more expensive than the average living trust, but we are happy we spent the extra money to get the best product available. Saving money on your living trust can cost much more than the money saved if your trust is not constructed in the comprehensive manner John’s trust is. We highly recommend John Goralka and the entire staff of the Goralka Law Firm.

 
Trusts and Estates
Posted by anonymous
May 03, 2019
Hired Attorney

The team at Goralka Law Firm is knowledgable, kind and professional. They made a tough process easy and understandable.

Trusts and Estates
Posted by anonymous
March 17, 2018
Hired Attorney

We were so impressed by John Goralka and his entire staff throughout the process of reviewing and restating of our trust. Very clear explanations of all aspects we needed to understand, while being personable, efficient, and accommodating. I'm confident that our trust will allow us to take care of our future as we intend.

Trusts and Estates
Posted by anonymous
February 17, 2017
Hired Attorney

I have known John Goralka for almost 10 years, when he helped me with a tricky international sale of business assets involving intellectual property. A few years ago, my wife and I remembered he also did trust work, and contacted him again. It turned out that he's known as one of the experts and innovators in the trust field, and helped create a very flexible family trust for us. He and his staff are very professional and do high quality work, and have our complete confidence.

 
Trusts and Estates
Posted by anonymous
December 31, 2015
Hired Attorney

Initially we chose John to create our Trusts based on his expertise as a certified specialist in estate planning & taxation, prestigious awards & stellar testimonials. Almost immediately we realized his dedication to patiently listening to our needs, his compassion towards us & his profession. John protected our daughter from losing her government benefits while still receiving her inheritance. He & his team worked extremely well together. Each member took ownership for their areas of expertise.

 
Trusts and Estates
Posted by anonymous
December 11, 2015
Hired Attorney

My wife and I recently attended a seminar that John Goralka presented on Living Trusts. We really liked the strategy he suggested for our family in regards to protecting our assets. The team at the office is very professional and answered all of our questions about the legal language in the trust. John is the kind of legal professional we need in our side as we continue to grow our assets, so they are protected for our children.
We strongly recommend setting up an appointment and allowing the G

 
Taxation
Posted by anonymous
July 30, 2015
Hired Attorney

John has been my attorney for nearly 10 years and has always given me the first class assistance one would expect from an attorney. With John handling my legal problems I have had the best of advice possible. I will continue to be a client of his for any and all my legal requirements

Taxation
Posted by anonymous
July 30, 2015
Hired Attorney

John has been my attorney for nearly 10 years and has always given me the first class assistance one would expect from an attorney. With John handling my legal problems I have had the best of advice possible. I will continue to be a client of his for any and all my legal requirements

Services

Areas of Law

  • Other 9
    • Asset Protection Planning and Implementation
    • Business and Corporate Law
    • Elder Law, Medi-Cal Eligibility Planning
    • Estate Planning and Administration
    • Probate, Conservatorship and Guardianships
    • Sales of Businesses and Real Property
    • Shareholder and Business Buy/Sell Agreements for Estate Planning and Business Continuation Purposes
    • Tax Planning and Tax Litigation Controversy
    • Trusts

Experience

  • Bar Admission & Memberships
    Admissions
    1988, California
    1988, U.S. District Court, Eastern District of California
    U.S. Tax Court
    Memberships
    Sacramento County Bar Association (Member, Business Law, Probate and Estate Planning Sections)
    State Bar of California (Member, Trusts and Estates, Business Law, and Taxation Sections)
    Sacramento Estate Planning Council (Member, Board of Directors)
    National Association of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA).
  • Education & Certifications
    Law School
    McGeorge School of Law, University of the Pacific
    Class of 1989
    LL.M.
    Taxation

    McGeorge School of Law, University of the Pacific
    Class of 1988
    J.D.
    With distinction, Class Rank – 4th
    Other Education
    California State University
    Class of 1986
    B.S. Accounting
    Legal Certifications
    Certified Specialist in Estate Planning, Trusts and Probate Law and Taxation Law, State Bar of California, Board of Legal Specialization

Contact John M. Goralka

Principal at The Goralka Law Firm, P.C.
4.9
127 reviews

4470 Duckhorn DriveSacramento, CA 95834U.S.A.

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Fax: (916) 440-8038
Office Hours:
  • Monday 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
  • Tuesday 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
  • Wednesday 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
  • Thursday 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
  • Friday 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM

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Attorneys FAQs

  • Is this attorney admitted to practice in any U.S. Federal Courts?
    John M. Goralka is admitted to practice before the United States District Court for the Eastern District of California and United States Tax Court.
  • Is this attorney Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review rated?
    Yes, John M. Goralka has a 4.9 Peer Rating from Martindale-Hubbell.
  • Is this attorney Martindale-Hubbell Client Review rated?
    Yes, John M. Goralka has a 4.8 Client Rating from Martindale-Hubbell.
  • Does this attorney accept major credit cards?
    Yes, John M. Goralka will accept American Express, MasterCard, Discover and Visa.
  • What law school did this attorney attend?
    John M. Goralka attended McGeorge School of Law, University of the Pacific and McGeorge School of Law, University of the Pacific.