Business Details
Estate Planning & Probate Lawyers in Sacramento, CA
Shiells & Hammer is a dedicated legal practice specializing in estate planning, probate, and trust administration. Our attorneys prioritize compassionate, client-centered service, ensuring clients maintain control over their financial and medical futures. With offices in Roseville and Sacramento, we serve clients across California, offering tailored solutions to navigate complex legal processes. Our team combines extensive experience with a commitment to ethical representation, aiming to simplify estate planning and provide peace of mind. We assist families in avoiding probate, managing trust administrations, and addressing special needs planning with sensitivity and expertise. 
Services
Estate Planning
Probate Court Proceedings
Trust Administration
Special Needs Planning
Advance Health Care Directives
Highlights and features
- We offer over 20 years of combined experience in estate planning and probate law.
- Our team provides compassionate support for special needs planning.
- We serve clients in Roseville, Sacramento, and throughout California.
- Our attorneys are members of the California State Bar and American Bar Association.
- We offer free initial consultations with no obligation.
What people say
Unparalleled service
Knowledgeable attorneys
Compassionate support
Clear explanations
Free consultation
Services
Estate Planning
Estate planning ensures you maintain control over your financial and medical future. Our customized plans include living trusts, wills, and advance directives to protect assets and loved ones. We provide fixed-fee consultations to clarify costs and simplify the planning process.
Probate Court Proceedings
Probate court proceedings distribute assets when a will exists or intestacy occurs. Our attorneys navigate complex legal procedures, petition courts, and assist executors to ensure efficient resolution while avoiding common pitfalls in will validation and estate administration.
Trust Administration
Trust administration involves managing and distributing assets after a death. We guide trustees through legal obligations, minimize liability risks, and ensure compliance with California law, offering support for both individual and professional trustees during emotionally challenging times.
Special Needs Planning
Special needs planning secures futures for families with loved ones requiring ongoing care. We create tailored trusts to preserve government benefits, establish conservatorships, and implement d(4)(A) trusts posthumously, ensuring financial stability and independence for individuals with disabilities.
Advance Health Care Directives
Advance health care directives outline medical preferences during incapacity. We help clients document wishes to ensure compliance with legal standards, particularly critical during health crises, guaranteeing your decisions are respected even if you cannot communicate them.
People
Adam S. Shiells
Partner
Adam Shiells focuses on estate planning and probate law, offering tailored solutions to avoid probate conflicts. He combines courtroom experience with proactive planning strategies to protect client assets and minimize family disputes.
James R. Hammer
Partner
James Hammer specializes in estate planning and elder law, leveraging his legal expertise to guide families through complex trust and probate matters. He emphasizes compassionate support and ethical representation for clients' unique needs.
Robert Maybie
Paralegal
Robert Maybie assists clients with estate planning documentation and trust administration. His background in conflict management and community service enhances his ability to provide empathetic support during challenging legal processes.
Rayna Amundson
Paralegal
Rayna Amundson supports estate planning and probate cases, applying her political science background to streamline legal procedures. She focuses on delivering clear communication and meticulous attention to detail for client cases.
Jessica Daniels
Paralegal
Jessica Daniels brings 16 years of legal experience to estate planning, assisting clients with trust creation and probate filings. Her local knowledge and organizational skills ensure efficient case management and client support.
Questions
What estate planning documents do I need?
Essential documents include living trusts, wills, powers of attorney, and advance health care directives to protect assets and medical preferences.
How does probate court work in California?
Probate court oversees asset distribution when a will exists or intestacy occurs, requiring legal filings and court appearances to validate wills and appoint executors.
Can I avoid probate with a trust?
Yes, properly funded living trusts typically avoid probate, allowing faster asset distribution while maintaining privacy compared to court proceedings.
Do you offer free initial consultations?
Yes, we provide no-obligation planning meetings to discuss your estate planning needs and provide fixed-fee quotes for services.
How do you support special needs families?
We create specialized trusts preserving government benefits, establish conservatorships, and implement posthumous trust solutions to secure long-term care for individuals with disabilities.
