Client Success Stories: Tailored Estate Planning Solutions
At my firm, I believe that estate planning is not just about protecting assets—it’s about safeguarding legacies, ensuring family harmony, and preparing for the future with confidence. I’ve had the privilege of working with individuals and families from all walks of life, each with their own unique circumstances and goals. From blended families and business owners to charitable givers and those with complex assets, I’ve helped create tailored estate plans that address their specific needs while providing peace of mind. Below are just a few of the success stories that highlight the transformative impact of thoughtful estate planning.
Please note: The following is a collection of client situations and estate plans I’ve worked on over the years. Each synopsis provides a quick snapshot of the unique challenges my clients faced and the strategies we used to address them. While these examples highlight past solutions, some of the approaches may be specific to the circumstances at the time and might not reflect the most current estate planning practices or strategies today.
Blended Family Estate Plan with Multiple Properties – K.T., Financial Advisor – San Francisco, CA
I recently assisted a financial advisor and his spouse, a couple with a blended family, in developing a comprehensive estate plan. They had a unique challenge managing multiple properties across state lines and ensuring their respective children from previous marriages would inherit their fair share. Their primary concern was avoiding future disputes among the children over asset distribution, especially when the time came to pass down a lake house that had sentimental value.
To address these concerns, we established a family trust that placed their primary residence and vacation home under a unified plan. This trust provided clear instructions for the division of assets, ensuring that each child received an equitable portion while accounting for the different values of their properties. We also included provisions for their shared assets as a couple, outlining care plans in the event of incapacitation and avoiding probate entirely. This estate plan offered them peace of mind, knowing their legacy would be preserved and their children would have clarity on how everything would be distributed.
Business Succession and Special Needs Trust – R.B., Restaurant Owner – North Hollywood, CA
Another success story involves a family-owned restaurant owner and his spouse, who needed a dual approach for their estate planning. The couple had three children: one child was slated to take over the family business, and another had special needs, requiring lifelong financial care.
I worked closely with the family to set up a business succession plan that ensured the smooth transition of the company to their oldest child while allowing them to maintain operational control until retirement. At the same time, we created a special needs trust for their youngest child, which provided financial stability without affecting government benefits. By structuring their estate in this way, the family avoided unnecessary taxes, ensured the future of their business, and protected their child’s future without compromising the family’s overall financial goals.
Charitable Giving and Blended Retirement Assets – S.H., Software Engineer – Mountain View, CA
One case that stands out involved a software engineer who wanted to balance leaving a legacy for family members while also supporting several charitable causes she was passionate about. S.H. had a complex mix of assets, including traditional retirement accounts, a Roth IRA, and a significant stock portfolio. She wanted to minimize taxes while making sure a portion of her wealth was allocated to specific charities.
To create the ideal plan, I helped S.H. establish a charitable remainder trust (CRT), which allowed her to designate a percentage of her assets to charity while receiving income from those assets during her lifetime. For the remaining family members, we incorporated beneficiary designations for the retirement accounts and ensured tax-efficient distribution of stock. This approach maximized her philanthropic goals while ensuring her loved ones were taken care of after she passed.
Doctor with International Assets – Dr. M., Cardiologist – San Francisco, CA
I had the pleasure of working with a cardiologist who had property and investments in both the U.S. and overseas. Dr. M. was concerned about how international laws would impact her estate and how her family would handle multiple probate processes across countries. To simplify the estate’s distribution and avoid complex legal hurdles, we established an international trust, incorporating her properties in Europe and investment accounts in the U.S. This trust provided a seamless way for her beneficiaries to inherit assets without getting entangled in foreign probate courts. By consolidating everything under one estate plan, Dr. M.’s family could bypass potential delays and reduce tax implications across jurisdictions.
Tech Executive Managing High-Value Stock Options – J.B., Chief Technology Officer – Palo Alto, CA
J.B., a CTO in the tech industry, came to me with a significant challenge—his wealth was tied up in company stock options that had yet to vest. He wanted a plan that accounted for these future assets without placing an undue tax burden on his heirs. We designed a flexible estate plan that incorporated a generation-skipping trust, allowing his children and grandchildren to benefit from the assets while deferring some of the tax burdens. The plan was also designed to accommodate future stock vesting, ensuring that these options would be managed correctly and passed down according to his wishes. This forward-thinking approach gave J.B. confidence that his hard-earned wealth would stay in the family for generations.
Small Business Owners with Retirement Goals – S.B. and C.B., Owners of a Family-Owned Restaurant – Oakland, CA
S.B. and C.B. owned a successful black-owned family restaurant and were nearing retirement. Their main concern was transitioning the business to their children while ensuring a steady stream of retirement income. We worked together to craft a buy-sell agreement that allowed their children to gradually take over the business, with S.B. and C.B. receiving payments as part of their retirement plan. Additionally, we set up a family trust that distributed other assets, including real estate, to their children, ensuring the continuation of the family legacy. The estate plan allowed them to enjoy retirement while their children maintained control of the business.
Single Mother with Blended Retirement Assets – R.L., Marketing Manager – Oakland, CA
R.L. was a single mother of two who had worked for several companies, leading to a complicated mix of 401(k) accounts and a pension. She wanted to ensure her children would be taken care of but was unsure how to integrate all her retirement plans into a cohesive strategy. After careful planning, we set up a revocable living trust and helped consolidate her retirement accounts under a clear beneficiary designation plan. This minimized taxes and ensured that her children would receive their inheritance without complications. R.L. now feels secure knowing her retirement assets will be distributed according to her wishes.
Real Estate Investor with Multiple Rental Properties – P.D., Real Estate Developer – Sacramento, CA
P.D. owned multiple rental properties across Northern California and was concerned about the tax implications for his heirs. We created a dynasty trust that allowed him to transfer his rental properties into the trust, ensuring asset protection and long-term wealth preservation for his children and grandchildren. The trust also had provisions to defer property taxes, helping the family retain the valuable properties without being hit with a significant tax burden. By implementing this plan, P.D. ensured that his real estate empire would continue growing while being passed down efficiently to future generations.
Artist with Intellectual Property – K.K., Visual Artist and Illustrator – San Francisco, CA
K.K., a successful visual artist, was concerned about how her intellectual property—her artwork and copyrights—would be managed after her death. She wanted to ensure that her estate would not only benefit her heirs but also continue to promote her legacy through exhibitions and sales. We established an irrevocable trust that managed the copyrights and provided an income stream for her beneficiaries while allowing the artwork to be handled by a designated trustee. This estate plan safeguarded K.K.’s creative works, allowing her family to benefit while ensuring her artistic contributions would remain intact and visible for years to come.
Teacher with Charitable Giving Goals – A.L., High School Teacher – Oakland, CA
A.L., a high school teacher passionate about supporting education, wanted to leave a portion of her estate to charity while ensuring her children were well taken care of. We created a charitable lead trust (CLT) that allowed A.L. to donate to her favorite local education nonprofit while ensuring her children received the remainder of her estate. The plan also included life insurance to provide immediate support for her children while maintaining her philanthropic goals. A.L.’s legacy now supports the causes she believed in while protecting her family’s financial future.
Pilot with Multi-State Residences – M.T., Airline Pilot – Oroville, CA
M.T., an airline pilot (and YouTuber), had properties in three different states and needed an estate plan that minimized the complexities of multi-state probate. We created a revocable living trust that streamlined asset management and distribution across state lines. The trust helped M.T. avoid probate in multiple states, ensuring his heirs could inherit his properties without dealing with legal complexities. The plan also included specific health care directives and durable powers of attorney to ensure his wishes would be carried out in case of incapacitation, providing peace of mind for both M.T. and his family.
Military Veteran with Disability Benefits – T.J., Retired Warrant Army Officer – Oakland, CA
T.J., a retired Army officer receiving VA disability benefits, needed an estate plan that protected his family while maintaining his benefits. We set up a special needs trust that allowed T.J. to leave assets to his disabled son without jeopardizing the son’s ability to receive government assistance. The trust ensured that T.J.’s military benefits would continue to support his family while safeguarding his son’s future. By implementing this plan, T.J. could rest assured that his military service and benefits would provide long-term care for his loved ones.
Entrepreneur Protecting Business Interests – L.W., Startup Founder – San Francisco, CA
L.W., a startup co-founder and para-sailor in wanted to ensure that his business interests would be handled properly if something happened to him unexpectedly. We developed a comprehensive estate plan that included a business succession plan, outlining how his company would be managed and eventually passed on to his business partners. Additionally, we structured his stock options and equity holdings into a trust that minimized tax liabilities for his heirs. The plan also covered personal assets, providing clear instructions on how they should be distributed among his family members. L.W. now has a plan in place that will protect both his family and his business legacy.
Physician with a Blended Family and Complex Medical Practice – D.R., Orthopedic Surgeon – San Francisco, CA
D.R., an orthopedic surgeon with a blended family and a medical practice, faced the unique challenge of dividing personal assets and business holdings. The key concern was ensuring that both his spouse and children from a previous marriage were cared for without complications. We structured a family trust that separated personal and business assets, allowing the medical practice to be transferred to a designated colleague while ensuring that his family received financial security from other investments. This plan ensured a seamless transition for his medical practice and guaranteed that his family would be provided for in the event of his passing.
Electrician with a Family-Owned Business – J.F., Master Electrician – San Jose, CA
J.F. came to me as the owner of a successful electrical contracting company. His primary concern was ensuring that his business would continue to thrive under his son’s management after he retired. However, he also wanted to protect his spouse and other children, who were not involved in the business. We established a family trust that allowed J.F. to pass the business on to his son while distributing other assets, like real estate and retirement accounts, to his spouse and other children. The plan ensured that his family would avoid probate, and the business would continue under his son’s leadership without any family disputes over ownership.
Plumber with a Modest Estate – R.W., Journeyman Plumber – Long Beach, CA
R.W., a journeyman plumber, had a modest estate but wanted to ensure his wife and children would be financially secure after his passing. His main assets included his home, a 401(k), and a small savings account. We created a simple revocable living trust that placed his home and financial assets under one plan, allowing his family to avoid probate and manage the assets without complications. The estate plan also included health care directives and powers of attorney, providing peace of mind to R.W. that his family’s future was protected in case of illness or incapacity.
Carpenter with Young Children – M.P., Carpenter – Stockton, CA
M.P., a skilled carpenter and father of two young children, came to me looking for an estate plan that would ensure his children were taken care of if anything happened to him. His primary concern was making sure his children would have guardianship and financial security. We set up a will that designated his brother as the children’s guardian and created a trust that would manage the modest savings and life insurance payout for the children’s education and future needs. By planning early, M.P. now has peace of mind knowing that his kids are protected.
Police Officer with Multiple Pensions – D.C., Police Sergeant – Oakland, CA
D.C., a police sergeant, needed help with an estate plan that integrated his various pensions, including those from his service in the military and his career in law enforcement. He wanted to make sure his family would be able to access his benefits without dealing with complex legal hurdles or taxes. We created a comprehensive plan that included a living trust and beneficiary designations for his pensions and retirement accounts. The plan also provided instructions for managing his home and other assets, ensuring his spouse and children would be well taken care of without facing unnecessary legal or financial complications.
Construction Worker with Blended Family – H.B., Heavy Equipment Operator – Greater Sacramento Area, CA
H.B., a heavy equipment operator, was part of a blended family and needed a plan to ensure that both his children from a previous marriage and his current spouse were fairly provided for. We created a trust that allocated assets between his spouse and his children, ensuring everyone was taken care of without potential conflict. The trust also included provisions for managing his life insurance and pension, simplifying the inheritance process. With this plan in place, H.B. could be sure that his family would be financially secure without disputes after his passing.
Waste Management Employee Seeking Asset Protection – T.S., Waste Management Supervisor – Berkeley, CA
T.S. had worked his way up to a supervisor role in waste management and had accumulated a modest portfolio of real estate and retirement accounts. His primary concern was protecting these assets from potential creditors and ensuring his family wouldn’t face legal challenges or financial stress. We established a trust that protected his home and other properties while simplifying the distribution of assets to his children. By doing so, we helped T.S. secure his financial legacy and protect his assets from any future liabilities, giving him and his family peace of mind.
Factory Worker Approaching Retirement – V.S., Assembly Line Worker – Millbrae, CA
V.S., an assembly line worker nearing retirement, had simple but important goals—he wanted to ensure his wife could easily manage their assets if something happened to him, and that their grandchildren would be able to benefit from his modest savings. We created a basic estate plan that included a will and a revocable living trust to avoid probate. His retirement accounts and savings were placed in the trust, and clear instructions were provided for the future education of his grandchildren. The plan gave V.S. the security of knowing his hard-earned savings would directly benefit his loved ones.