Areas served: Palo Alto, CA and surrounding Santa Clara County
Palo Alto's estate planning landscape reflects the region's unique concentration of high-net-worth technology professionals and entrepreneurs requiring sophisticated wealth transfer strategies. Local attorneys regularly handle complex estates involving stock options, restricted stock units, international holdings, and multi-generational wealth preservation. This directory catalogs qualified estate planning attorneys serving Palo Alto and the greater Santa Clara County area, evaluated on their technical expertise, fee transparency, and experience with both traditional and technology-sector estate planning needs.
Keyes Law Group, PC is a California estate planning law firm led by attorney Elijah Keyes, serving Milpitas, San Jose, and the greater Bay Area. The firm specializes in wills, trusts, probate, elder law, Medi-Cal planning, conservatorships, and special needs trusts, with particular expertise in estate plans for business owners. With a perfect 5.0-star rating from 307 Google reviews, clients praise the firm's compassionate, thorough approach and ability to explain complex legal matters in accessible terms.
“Keyes Law Group provided very important information to help me with my mother's trust situation. Mr. Keyes was full of info and after weighing all options honestly told me that he was not the right guy for me. But he pointed me in the direction of people who specialize in exactly what I need. I appreciate that kind of business When I am in need the most of honest people. I recommend Keyes Law Group for this reason. Shane Rasmussen”
— shane rasmussen, Google Review · 5 ★ avg from 306 reviewsBlacksburg Law is a San Francisco estate planning firm led by Michael Blacksburg, an attorney with a rare background as both an estate planning lawyer and former trust officer. This dual expertise allows him to create bulletproof plans that anticipate real-world administration challenges most attorneys miss. The firm specializes in complex estates, LGBTQ+ estate planning, blended families, and investment property holdings, with a holistic approach that goes beyond legal documents to help clients have difficult conversations and think intentionally about their legacy. Serving San Francisco's Noe Valley and surrounding Bay Area communities.
“I cannot recommend Michael Blackburg at Blacksburg Law enough. Estate planning can be a daunting process, but Michael made it incredibly approachable. From our first meeting, he was warm, friendly, and genuinely willing to spend as much time as we needed to understand the details. What impressed us most was his ability to think through scenarios we hadn’t even considered. He didn't just fill out forms; he really looked at our specific situation and helped us plan for 'what-ifs' that were completely off our radar. If you are looking for an attorney who is thorough, patient, and a pleasure to work with, look no further than Michael.”
— Ke Zhu, Google Review · 5 ★ avg from 130 reviewsLongevity Law is a boutique estate planning firm in Los Altos, CA, founded by attorney Lisa Levi, who specializes in helping tech professionals, entrepreneurs, and high-net-worth individuals protect their wealth and legacy. The firm focuses on estate plans, trusts, business succession planning, and tax-efficient wealth transfer strategies tailored to Silicon Valley clients. With a 5-star rating from 88+ Google reviews, Longevity Law is known for making complex estate planning clear, approachable, and aligned with clients' long-term goals.
“Michelle is wonderful. I needed help with estate planning for my parents. Communication with her was easy - on the phone, over zoom, and in person. She was able to speak fluent Mandarin with my parents as well which was extremely helpful. Michelle is very patient and thorough. She rapidly assessed my family's situation and needs and was able to finalize documents in a short time span. I feel lucky that we found Michelle and would not hesitate to use her again.”
— Chung Lee, Google Review · 5 ★ avg from 88 reviewsTrust Law Legacy Group is led by Dr. H. Rey Gervacio, a Board Certified Specialist in Estate Planning, Trust, and Probate Law in California — one of the few attorneys in the state to hold this distinction. Based in San Jose, the firm specializes in advanced estate planning, asset protection, trust administration, special needs planning, and probate guidance for families throughout Santa Clara County. With a 5-star rating from 87+ Google reviews, Dr. Gervacio and his team are known for their compassionate, client-focused approach to helping families protect generational wealth and avoid the costly probate process.
“Our financial advisor recommended we set up a trust before organizing our finances, so we reached out to Dr. Rey and his team at Trust Law Legacy Group. From day one, they were kind, thorough, and easy to work with. They helped us with estate planning, trust administration, and general consulting, making the process clear and stress-free. We now have a beautifully planned, 100% clear trust that gives us total peace of mind. Highly recommend Dr. Rey and his amazing team!”
— Travis Taylor, Google Review · 5 ★ avg from 87 reviewsThe Law Offices of Richard Wingerden is led by Richard Wingerden, a California-licensed attorney with decades of experience specializing in estate planning, probate, and trust administration. Based in downtown San Jose, the firm is known for personalized service helping individuals and families protect their assets through wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and navigating the probate process. With a perfect 5-star rating from 84+ Google reviews, clients consistently praise the firm's thoroughness, accessibility, and compassionate guidance during difficult times.
“Richard Wingerden and his team is awesome to work with! They were quick to address my husband and my concern, great with communication, prompt, honest, knowledgeable and very thorough. The price for everything was also very reasonable. I highly recommend them for estate planning!”
— Donna Vo, Google Review · 5 ★ avg from 84 reviewsThe Singh Law Firm is a premier estate planning practice in Fremont, CA, led by co-founders Kern Singh and Sharmila Singh with 38 years of combined legal experience. The firm specializes in comprehensive estate planning including revocable living trusts, advanced tax strategies, trust administration, and probate services. With a 4.9-star rating from over 900+ Google reviews and a track record of saving clients over $3 billion in estate taxes, they serve families across California who want to protect their legacy and minimize tax liability for future generations.
“Great experience working with the Singh law firm. The team was amazing to work with, easy to set up the appointment, explanation of the process of estate planning and will execution (Nikki Garcia and Gavin Brar). They were quick to respond & advise on next steps, fix last minute unplanned document errors in an expedited manner and got us through the entire estate planning process within an hour. Highly recommend the team & the firm.”
— Arvind Shanbhag, Google Review · 4.9 ★ avg from 925 reviewsRadiant Probate & Estate Law, Inc. is led by Andrea M. Lee, an experienced estate planning and probate attorney serving Palo Alto and the Bay Area. The firm specializes in trust administration, probate litigation, conservatorships, and comprehensive estate planning for families navigating complex inheritance matters. With a perfect 5-star rating from 55+ Google reviews, Andrea and her team provide personalized, empathetic legal guidance through some of life's most challenging transitions.
“When you don’t know what you don’t know, it’s crucial to have the right people around you. When my real estate counsel referred me to Gadi with Radiant Probate, I immediately felt peace of mind knowing I was in good hands—and they did not disappoint. Communication with the team was seamless, and they were quick to make time to address all my concerns. The cost was minimal compared to what it could have been especially without the right advice and guidance. Gadi took the time to thoroughly explain every step and make thoughtful recommendations. He wasn’t just out to take my money and move on; the time and care he invested were invaluable. It made it an easy decision to welcome Radiant Probate into our portfolio for ongoing counsel.”
— DeAnthony Payton (Jovan), Google Review · 5 ★ avg from 55 reviewsGolden State Trusts is a California estate planning law firm founded and led by attorney Jessica Kiely, with nearly two decades of experience in trusts, probate, special needs planning, and trust administration. The firm serves clients throughout California with offices in the San Francisco Bay Area, Orange County, and San Diego, offering a full spectrum of estate planning services from revocable living trusts to complex special needs trusts and probate administration. Known for their compassionate, transparent approach, Golden State Trusts has earned a perfect 5-star rating from 55+ clients who value their clarity and personalized care.
“5 Stars - Outstanding Experience with Golden State Trusts My wife and I finally took the leap to create a Living Trust and Will for our two kids after putting it off for too long. We discovered Golden State Trusts through Yelp and were impressed by their stellar reviews and local presence in our community. Jonathan, Casey, and Jessica were exceptional throughout the entire process. What stood out most was their professionalism, expertise, and remarkable ability to break down complex legal concepts into language we could easily understand. From our very first consultation with Jonathan, we felt confident we'd made the right choice. He genuinely took the time to get to know our family and made us feel at ease every step of the way. The team's approach was patient, educational, warm, and personable. They were incredibly thorough yet extremely accommodating with our busy schedule. What we expected to be a time-consuming, complex process turned out to be surprisingly easy and efficient - mostly just answering questions and completing a survey. If you're hesitating about estate planning, I can't recommend Golden State Trusts enough. We thought this would be complicated and drawn-out, but we were genuinely shocked at how straightforward they made everything. The peace of mind knowing our children and assets are protected is priceless. We're already planning to work with them again in a few years for updates. You're truly in great hands with this team!”
— Alfredo Becerra Jr., Google Review · 5 ★ avg from 55 reviewsLitherland, Kennedy & Associates, APC is a San Jose law firm led by experienced attorneys specializing in estate planning, probate, trust administration, and elder law. Founded in 1983, the firm serves Santa Clara County families with personalized legal guidance for wills, trusts, conservatorships, and Medi-Cal planning. Known for their compassionate approach and deep expertise in California estate law, they hold a 4.9-star rating from nearly 200 clients.
“Kenzie was an unrelenting beam of sunshine who ensured our living trust was understood down to the letter. AG also had some great stories and insight to share that gave us a good real world, practical view of how to frame our personal affairs and related decisions. We highly recommend LK&A for all your estate planning needs.”
— Jorden V, Google Review · 4.9 ★ avg from 191 reviewsBay Area Estate Attorneys, P.C. is a boutique estate planning law firm in Sunnyvale, CA, led by attorney Julie Ann Sowards. The firm specializes in estate planning, trust administration, and probate administration, using advanced tax strategies to minimize probate, protect beneficiaries, and reduce tax burdens. With a 4.9-star rating from 149+ Google reviews, they're known for concierge-style service including home and hospital visits, same-day response times, and transparent billing. Their team includes experienced paralegals with 15+ years in probate and trust administration.
“Julie has been an absolute rock star in helping us get our trust affairs in order. From start to finish, she’s been knowledgeable, attentive, and incredibly patient — making what can be an overwhelming process feel seamless and stress-free. Her professionalism and genuine care shine through in every interaction. We couldn’t have asked for a better partner to guide us through this important step. Highly recommend Julie and the entire team at Bay Area Estate Attorneys — they’re simply the best!”
— Eric Valencia, Google Review · 4.9 ★ avg from 149 reviewsLaw Offices of Michael J. Young, Inc. is a Walnut Creek elder law firm led by attorney Michael J. Young, specializing exclusively in estate planning, Medi-Cal planning, VA benefits, and Alzheimer's legal guidance. With a 4.9-star rating from 137+ Google reviews, the firm serves families navigating aging, long-term care, and asset protection in the East Bay. Michael J. Young offers both virtual and in-person consultations and hosts free educational workshops on advanced estate planning and Medi-Cal qualifications.
“After nearly 10 years, we just updated our trust with Michael J. Young and couldn't be happier with how it turned out. Michael truly understands what clients need - from his insightful webinars that make estate planning concepts accessible, to his thoughtful face-to-face guidance on important life planning decisions. He explains complex matters clearly and makes you feel confident about protecting your family's future. I highly recommend Michael for anyone in the Walnut Creek area needing estate planning help!”
— Deborah Zacharatos-Reeg, Google Review · 4.9 ★ avg from 137 reviewsInsight Legal, P.C. is a California law firm led by Managing Attorney Ranvir Sandhu, specializing in estate planning and business law. The firm provides customized legal services including living trusts, wills, powers of attorney, healthcare directives, LLC and corporation formation, contract review, and mergers and acquisitions. With offices in Fremont, Tracy, Pleasanton, San Ramon, and Los Angeles, Insight Legal serves clients across the Bay Area and beyond with hands-on, personalized legal strategies. The firm is an in-network provider for many Bay Area employee legal insurance plans and holds a 4.9-star rating from 136 Google reviews.
“Ranvir and his team were amazing to work with when creating our estate plan. Coming from individuals who are not familiar with this area, the process was quick and seamless. Ranvir answered all our questions efficiently and we were able to have our estate planning complete within 2 weeks! We are very happy with the outcome.”
— Andrea Kuan, Google Review · 4.9 ★ avg from 132 reviewsSummerall Law, P.C. is an Oakland estate planning law firm led by attorney James Summerall, who specializes in wills, trusts, probate, and estate administration. With a 4.9-star rating from 112+ Google reviews, the firm serves individuals and families throughout the Bay Area with personalized estate planning solutions designed to protect assets and ensure smooth wealth transfer. Known for clear communication and accessibility, James offers extended hours including early mornings and weekends to accommodate busy clients.
“We used Summerall for our estate planning because our insurance covered their services and we heard many great reviews through a mom's group. They did not disappoint. They were very clear on what the cost would be to us and their services are so straightforward, they made it very easy for us to complete our will and trust. They answered our questions and made it easy to rebook appointments when needed.”
— Alyson White, Google Review · 4.9 ★ avg from 111 reviewsCookman Law is a Palo Alto estate planning and elder law firm led by attorney Sheila Cookman, who specializes in wills, trusts, probate, conservatorships, and Medi-Cal planning. With a focus on protecting families and preserving assets for future generations, the firm serves clients throughout Santa Clara County with personalized legal strategies for estate planning, incapacity planning, and long-term care. Cookman Law combines deep expertise in California elder law with compassionate, accessible counsel for families navigating complex estate and care decisions.
“We were lost. We had an intense desire to establish the proper legal protections for our family (with a Special Needs only child) as soon as possible. It was frustrating locating a source online that gave us a complete and easily digestible explanation of various subjects that addressed our Estate Planning concerns. Then we found Ellen Cookman’s YouTube channel. After reviewing many of her videos, we contacted Cookman Law. We were met with a team of professionals with vast experience that helped us navigate the details of our challenging family requirements. They were reliable, responsive, communicated clearly and demonstrated a sincere effort to make sure we understood the process, which was comforting. Cookman Law delivered an Estate Plan for our family that exceeded our highest expectations. We are now relieved of the stress from being unprepared for the uncertainties of life. To the team of top-quality professionals at Cookman Law, Thank You! The Bray Family”
— D B, Google Review · 4.9 ★ avg from 92 reviewsThe Law Office of Janet L. Brewer is led by Janet Brewer, a California State Bar Board of Legal Specialization certified estate planning and probate attorney with over 30 years of experience serving Silicon Valley and the Bay Area. A Northern California SuperLawyer since 2007 and former California State Bar Board of Trustees member, Janet specializes in advanced estate planning for high-net-worth families, international estate planning for non-residents and mixed-citizenship couples, probate administration, and trust administration. With thousands of estate plans created and an exclusive focus on estate law for over 20 years, her practice is known for providing clear, thorough guidance on complex wealth transfer, tax minimization, and asset protection.
“In 2008 we had an estate plan, wills, PoAs, and other documents created by Janet and her friendly staff. She took lots of time to advise us on many considerations for the various options. Were very happy with the results. Then in 2012, we had to restate it due to several marriages and births. We were again pleased with the results. Janet sends a monthly newsletter full of estate planning tips that we find very useful. She sends a humorous Christmas letter in legalese jargon regarding Santa and the holidays. Now, the office is far from us, but we can easily use Zoom to communicate. In 2025 we restated our 2008 Trust to bring it up to date, a very important revision due to several changed situations.”
— Stan Hutchings, Google Review · 4.9 ★ avg from 87 reviewsThe Law Offices of Deborah Azar, P.C. is a Santa Clara estate planning law firm led by attorney Deborah L. Azar, specializing in revocable living trusts, irrevocable trusts, business succession planning, and trust administration. The firm offers comprehensive estate planning services including wills, powers of attorney, guardianship, and advanced tax planning strategies like intentionally defective grantor trusts and irrevocable life insurance trusts. Serving Silicon Valley families and business owners from their Santa Clara office, they provide 24/7 availability for consultations.
“Deborah was referred by two friends for estate planning services. Our experience was great from the beginning. She takes time to explain all the steps and answer questions. I highly recommend her!”
— Molly Carbajal, Google Review · 4.9 ★ avg from 85 reviewsLaw Office of Cheri E. Michaelis is an estate planning and probate law firm in San Jose, CA, led by attorney Cheri Michaelis with 20 years of legal experience. The practice specializes in estate planning, probate administration, special needs trusts, and tax-minimizing strategies for families throughout Santa Clara County and the Bay Area. Known for exceptional client service with a 4.9-star Google rating and A+ BBB rating, the firm provides accessible, compassionate guidance through complex estate and probate matters.
“Cheri is so pleasant to work with. Her professionalism and knowledge will meet all your needs for estate planning. Cheri and her team will get your job done effectively. Her fees are fair and transparent. Cheri should be your first attorney to consider!”
— GG Lyn (GG), Google Review · 4.9 ★ avg from 68 reviewsLaw Office of Kathleen Day-Seiter is run by Kathleen Day-Seiter, a California attorney with dual expertise as both a licensed attorney and former medical social worker with 20+ years of experience. She specializes in elder law, estate planning, trust administration, probate, long-term care planning, special needs trusts, and veterans benefits for seniors and disabled individuals in Alameda, CA. Her unique background in gerontology and medical social work allows her to understand the physical, mental, and emotional challenges of aging while providing thoughtful, practical legal solutions.
“Kathleen had been highly recommended by my financial advisor and she did not disappoint. I had been putting off the unpleasant reality of needing to 'get my ducks in a row' at age 66 but working with 'Cass' made it so much more pleasant than expected. By the time I met with her in person to sign the finalized documents, I felt I had found someone who understood my needs better than anyone. What I had not anticipated was that she asked the questions and provided the options that I had not previously considered. That's the difference experience and kindness make. I'm so relieved to have this Estate Plan checked off my 'to do' list, and done with minimal inconvenience, with efficiency, by a very personable and dedicated attorney and at a reasonable price.”
— Mary O'sullivan, Google Review · 4.9 ★ avg from 66 reviewsAbbas Law Group is a Menlo Park estate planning law firm specializing in wills, trusts, probate, and trust administration. Led by an experienced estate planning attorney, the firm provides personalized solutions for asset protection and legacy preservation, serving everyone from young families to retirees. With a 5-star rating from 31 Google reviews, they offer compassionate, client-focused guidance through complex estate planning matters while staying current with California estate law.
“Great experience throughout the entire process, from contacting Anca for the first time until our documents were finalized. She was patient, direct, realistic and empathetic. She answered our first-timer questions patiently, worked with our timeline, and provided us with all the necessary information while working to prepare our estate plan. She has a much direct take on the reality of the situation as an attorney but also a great understanding of unique family circumstances as a person. Strongly recommending her office!”
— Tara Hashemi, Google Review · 5 ★ avg from 31 reviewsBay Legal, PC is a full-service California law firm led by Managing Attorney Jayson Elliott and a team of 50+ legal professionals with 180+ years of combined attorney experience. They specialize in estate planning, probate, real estate law, construction law, family law/divorce, and business litigation, serving clients throughout California from their Palo Alto headquarters. The firm has represented over 5,000 clients and earned a 4.8-star rating from 379+ Google reviews, combining personalized service with technology-driven efficiency and transparent flat-fee pricing.
“It can be so difficult to find a law firm that you can trust. I saw Bay Legal had great reviews, and decided to see if they could take care of my legal matters. I was so impressed by how they genuinely cared about me and my matter. It often feels like service providers are simply there for the money. And every step of the way, they demonstrated expertise. I am very pleased with the results. 10/10”
— Clyde “C.J.”, Google Review · 4.8 ★ avg from 378 reviewsSowards Law Firm is a boutique Silicon Valley estate planning practice led by California attorney Benjamin J. Sowards, serving families for over 25 years. The firm specializes in living trusts, probate avoidance, asset protection, trust administration, will contests, and business law, with a focus on helping clients avoid the costly California probate process (which can cost $46,000+ in fees for a $1M estate). Based in Campbell, CA, they offer free phone consultations and make house calls throughout the San Jose area and Silicon Valley.
“I had a great experience working with Sowards Law Firm for my estate planning. I had been putting this off for a while because it felt like such a massive task, but they made the whole process surprisingly easy. The team is super professional but also very approachable. Highly recommended!”
— Noori Kim, Google Review · 4.8 ★ avg from 170 reviewsCross Estate Planning Law is a boutique estate planning practice in Cupertino, CA led by attorney David Cross. The firm specializes in creating custom estate plans, living trusts, probate and trust administration for Bay Area families, with particular expertise helping clients navigate California estate tax law and succession planning for families without children. Known for patient, personalized service, David Cross focuses on making the estate planning process clear and accessible for busy professionals in Silicon Valley and the greater San Francisco Peninsula.
“Updating our family Living Trust with David Cross was a very positive experience. Because of several family medical issues, we needed an entirely new trust, and Mr. Cross walked us through each step with clarity and care. The finished documents are well-organized, easy to understand, and fully addressed our needs. The billing was transparent, with no surprises. We highly recommend Cross Estate Planning Law.”
— Marilyn Sullivan, Google Review · 5 ★ avg from 25 reviewsKeyes Law Group, PC is the top-ranked estate planning firm in the region with a Lantern Score of 85.48/100 and a 5★ rating from 306 reviews. Led by attorney Elijah Keyes, the firm specializes in comprehensive estate planning for business owners, families with substantial assets, seniors planning long-term care, and parents of special needs children.
Several top-ranked firms serve this clientele: Blacksburg Law (Lantern Score 84.93/100) specializes in complex assets and high-net-worth families, while Longevity Law (84.49/100) and Trust Law Legacy Group (84.47/100) both offer comprehensive wealth transfer and trust administration for business owners. The Singh Law Firm (84.02/100) with 38 years of combined experience also provides tax optimization strategies for business owners and affluent families.
Keyes Law Group, PC (Lantern Score 85.48/100) and Trust Law Legacy Group (84.47/100) both specialize in planning for parents of special needs children. Additionally, Golden State Trusts (83.71/100) and The Law Offices of Deborah Azar, P.C. (82.79/100) specifically serve families with special needs members, helping create protective structures and long-term care arrangements.
Longevity Law (Lantern Score 84.49/100) and Golden State Trusts (83.71/100) both specialize in probate avoidance strategies. Radiant Probate & Estate Law, Inc. (83.71/100) is based directly in Palo Alto and focuses on trust administration and probate proceedings, while Litherland, Kennedy & Associates (83.53/100) offers comprehensive trust administration and probate services.
Yes, several firms offer these services: Longevity Law (Lantern Score 84.49/100) specializes in Medicaid planning, Law Offices of Michael J. Young, Inc. (83.29/100) focuses specifically on Medicaid planning for seniors, and Insight Legal, P.C. (83.26/100) provides elder law and Medicaid planning services for families and seniors protecting assets.
Bay Legal, PC (Lantern Score 82.10/100) has 378 reviews, and The Singh Law Firm (84.02/100) has 925 reviews, making them among the most reviewed firms. Keyes Law Group, PC (85.48/100) has 306 reviews and is the top-ranked option, providing strong credentials and extensive client feedback across all three firms.