Business Details
12 Years
experience
Your Trusted Partner for California Estate Planning
Vanguard Legal Group is a California-based law firm specializing in estate planning, trust administration, and probate services. With over 30 years of combined experience and 27,000+ households served, we provide customized legal solutions tailored to clients' unique needs. Our services include revocable and irrevocable trusts, special needs trusts, power of attorney, and probate guidance, all delivered with transparent flat-fee pricing. We prioritize client education through free workshops and consultations, ensuring families understand their options for protecting assets and honoring their wishes.Our team of attorneys and support staff offers lifetime client support, including complimentary trust reviews and ongoing access to legal expertise. By focusing exclusively on California estate law, we deliver precise, reliable planning that avoids probate and simplifies post-death administration for beneficiaries.
Services
Revocable Living Trusts
Trust Administration
Probate Services
Power of Attorney
Special Needs Trusts
Irrevocable Trusts
Heggstad Petitions
Property Deed Services
Trust Reviews
Estate Planning Workshops
Details
- Year established: 2014
Highlights and features
- 30+ years of California-specific estate planning experience
- Flat-fee pricing with no hidden costs
- Lifetime support and complimentary trust reviews for clients
- Zero properly funded Vanguard trusts have gone through probate
- Dedicated client services team available for ongoing support
What people say
Excellent staff and attorney
Process extremely clear
Helpful and professional
Clear communication
Made the process very easy
Services
Revocable Living Trusts
Customizable California Revocable Living Trusts provide control over asset distribution during life and after death. Our packages include essential documents like pour-over wills and healthcare directives. Properly funded trusts avoid probate, maintain privacy, and ensure smooth asset transfer to beneficiaries while offering flexibility for future modifications.
Trust Administration
Professional trust administration services guide successor trustees through post-death responsibilities. We assist with asset inventory, beneficiary notifications, tax filings, and legal compliance. Our support ensures proper execution of trust terms while minimizing administrative burdens and potential disputes during the transition period.
Probate Services
Expert probate navigation for estates exceeding California's $184,500 threshold. We streamline court processes, manage documentation, and facilitate asset distribution. Our services reduce administrative complexity while ensuring compliance with state requirements for estates not protected by living trusts.
Special Needs Trusts
Specialized trusts for individuals with disabilities preserve government benefit eligibility while providing financial support. We create compliant structures that protect assets for beneficiaries' long-term care needs while maintaining eligibility for programs like SSI and Medi-Cal.
Estate Planning Workshops
Free monthly workshops across California educate families about estate planning benefits. Sessions cover trust advantages, probate avoidance strategies, and asset protection techniques. These informative meetings provide foundational knowledge without sales pressure, helping attendees make informed planning decisions.
People
Kayvon Sarraf
Managing Partner
Kayvon Sarraf, Esq., Managing Partner, brings decades of California estate law experience. He specializes in customized trust solutions and leads Vanguard's legal team with a focus on client-centered service and probate avoidance strategies.
Suzan Colgan
Attorney at Law
Suzan Colgan, Esq., focuses on comprehensive estate planning and trust administration. With extensive California legal expertise, she helps families create tailored plans that protect assets and honor long-term wishes through precise legal documentation.
Madison Gunn
Attorney at Law
Madison Gunn, Esq., specializes in trust creation and probate guidance. Her practice emphasizes clear client communication and developing strategic estate solutions that address both immediate needs and future contingencies.
Paul Hentschl
Chief Operating Officer
Paul Hentschl oversees Vanguard's operations with 15+ years of legal services management experience. He ensures efficient delivery of estate planning solutions while maintaining the firm's commitment to exceptional client service standards.
Taryn Barrett
Vice President, Operations
Taryn Barrett manages operational strategy with a focus on client experience optimization. Her leadership ensures smooth implementation of Vanguard's estate planning services across California's diverse communities.
Questions
What is included in Vanguard's Complete Trust Package?
The Complete Trust Package includes a Revocable Living Trust, Pour-Over Will, Durable Power of Attorney, Advance Healthcare Directive, Grant Deed, Comprehensive Transfer Agreement, and lifetime client support.
How does a Revocable Living Trust help avoid probate?
A properly funded Revocable Living Trust allows assets to transfer directly to beneficiaries without court involvement, avoiding California's lengthy and costly probate process for estates over $184,500.
Can Vanguard review existing estate plans created by other firms?
Yes, we offer trust review services to ensure pre-existing plans remain current, properly funded, and aligned with your current wishes and California legal requirements.
What support does Vanguard provide for successor trustees?
We offer trustee preparation guidance, including legal instructions for asset distribution, beneficiary notifications, and compliance with California trust administration requirements.
Are Vanguard's services available outside California?
Our services focus exclusively on California estate law, though we serve clients through virtual consultations across the state.
