YOUR ESTATE, YOUR PLAN, OUR FIRM
Hales & George Law Firm has been serving clients since 1972, with a legacy of delivering exceptional legal services. As a family-owned law practice, we understand the importance of personalized representation and financial advisors to ensure our clients receive tailored solutions. With a team of certified specialists and experts, we specialize in estate planning, trust administration, probate, estate & gift tax, and business planning. Our firm is dedicated to providing first-rate representation and tailored solutions for our clients.
Our Team
Our team is composed of highly trained and experienced professionals who strive to deliver top-notch service to our clients. We believe that the success of our firm depends on the dedication and expertise of our people. With years of expertise, our attorneys are well-equipped to handle complex legal matters and provide guidance to our clients.
Our Practice
At Hales & George Law Firm, we understand the importance of sound estate planning and business planning. A comprehensive estate plan typically includes a Revocable Living Trust, Pour-Over Will, Certificate of Trust, Durable Power of Attorney, Advance Health Care Directive, Agreement as to the Status of Property, and Nomination of Guardian (if minor children). We also help clients transfer assets into their Trust, designate proper beneficiary designations on life insurance and qualified plans, obtain new basis on assets at the time of death, and avoid property tax reassessment.
Trust Administration
Hales & George attorneys have assisted thousands of named Trustees to simplify the trust administration process and represent and protect the Trustees during a difficult time. We provide guidance on reducing the complexities of the trust administration process while avoiding probate, limiting or eliminating taxes, and ensuring the proper titling for assets distributed to the intended beneficiaries.
Estate Planning
Estate planning focuses on avoiding expensive legal procedures like probate and conservatorships while ensuring that your estate passes to the intended beneficiaries. We help clients create a comprehensive estate plan that includes a Revocable Living Trust, Pour-Over Will, and other essential documents.
Probate
Probate is an expensive and time-consuming legal process required in California when an individual dies with a Will or with no estate plan (intestate). In Probate, the court supervises a process to ensure that all debts, taxes, and expenses are paid before the deceased's remaining assets are distributed to the proper beneficiaries.
Estate & Gift Tax
To preserve an estate for children and beneficiaries, estate planning solutions exist which utilize a strategy of making lifetime gifts to reduce or eliminate federal estate tax. Our attorneys provide strategies and techniques using annual gift tax exemptions, lifetime estate and gift tax exclusions, discounting, and irrevocable trusts to reduce an estate for purposes of federal estate tax.
Business Planning
Clients who have business interests have natural concerns as to who will own and manage their business in the event of disability, death, or retirement. We provide strategies to ensure businesses are sheltered, managed, and ultimately distributed in accordance with clients' wishes.
Professional and Attentive Estate Planning Services
The reviews of Hales & George, a law firm, reveal a mix of positive and negative experiences from clients. On the positive side, several clients appreciated the professionalism, expertise, and attentiveness of their attorneys, particularly Jan Hales. They praised her ability to explain complex estate planning issues clearly and in a straightforward manner. Clients felt reassured working with someone who understood their unique situations and was focused on ensuring their children's future security.
Concerns and Disappointments
However, one client had a more negative experience. Conni Brennan was initially satisfied with the services, but after her father's passing and subsequent probate issues, she lost confidence in the firm. She felt that her grandmother's trust was botched, and her messages were not being responded to, leading her to reevaluate the firm's reputation.
Highly Regarded Estate Planning and Trust Administration
Most reviewers, on the other hand, had excellent experiences. Jan Hales was instrumental in helping clients create estate plans, manage inheritance, and avoid probate. She was described as patient, understanding, and professional, making complex issues easy to comprehend. The attorneys at Hales & George were commended for their many years of experience, knowledge, and courteous service.
Be the first to review Hales & George Law Office.
Write a Review
