Business Details
Your Trusted Estate Planning Attorney in San Diego
The Law Offices Of Irina Sherbak, APC has been dedicated to preserving and protecting estates through comprehensive legal solutions since its founding. Our practice focuses on estate planning, probate, living trusts, and related legal matters, serving clients in San Diego and throughout California. Irina Sherbak brings over a decade of experience in simplifying complex legal documents and processes, ensuring clients fully understand their options and the implications of their decisions. Our bilingual services cater to Russian-speaking clients, emphasizing accessibility and cultural understanding. We prioritize personalized attention, transparent pricing, and a commitment to helping families avoid the burdens of probate. Our track record includes successful trust administrations, estate plan reviews, and tailored solutions for special needs families, GLBT communities, and foreign nationals.Client testimonials consistently highlight our professionalism, thoroughness, and compassionate approach during emotionally challenging times. We maintain active involvement in professional organizations, including the San Diego County Bar Association, and have received recognition as San Diego Rising Stars from 2019-2022. Our fee structure balances affordability with quality, offering free 30-minute consultations and competitive rates for comprehensive estate planning services. By combining legal expertise with client-centered service, we aim to provide lasting peace of mind through meticulously crafted legal protections.
Services
Estate Planning
Probate
Living Trust
Power of Attorney
Trust Administration
Will Creation
Estate Plan Review
Incapacity Planning
GLBT Estate Planning
Special Needs Trust
Highlights and features
- Over 10 years of specialized experience in California estate planning law
- Bilingual services for Russian-speaking clients across California
- Transparent pricing with no hidden fees for estate planning services
- Recognized as San Diego Rising Stars by Super Lawyers (2019-2022)
- Comprehensive approach addressing both legal and emotional aspects of estate planning
Associations and certifications
- California State Bar
- United States Federal Court
What people say
Professional and knowledgeable
Patient explanations
Thorough and attentive
Reasonable costs
Highly recommend
Services
Estate Planning
Comprehensive estate planning creates legally binding documents to protect assets and specify distribution preferences. Our services include wills, trusts, and advanced directives tailored to individual family needs. We help clients avoid probate while ensuring their wishes are clearly documented and legally enforceable.
Living Trust
Living trusts establish legal ownership structures that bypass probate court proceedings. This service includes trust creation, asset re-titling guidance, and ongoing management strategies to maintain trust validity and effectiveness for estate preservation.
Probate
Our probate services guide executors through California's court-mandated estate settlement process. We handle asset inventory, debt resolution, tax filings, and distribution according to wills or state laws for estates exceeding $150,000 in value.
Power of Attorney
Financial power of attorney documents designate trusted representatives to manage assets during incapacity. We create customized documents specifying decision-making authority while maintaining legal compliance and client protection.
Trust Administration
Trust administration services assist trustees in managing and distributing trust assets according to grantor instructions. We provide step-by-step guidance for inventorying assets, resolving debts, and fulfilling distribution requirements while maintaining legal compliance.
People
Irina Sherbak
Principal and Founder
Estate planning attorney with over 10 years' experience creating customized legal solutions. Graduated from California Western School of Law, admitted to California State Bar and Federal Court. Specializes in making complex legal concepts accessible to clients.
Questions
What's the difference between a will and a living trust?
A will requires probate court validation, while a living trust avoids probate entirely. Trusts offer more control over asset distribution timing and conditions.
How much does estate planning typically cost?
Basic plans start at $1,500, with comprehensive packages including trusts and special provisions ranging up to $3,500 based on complexity.
Can I avoid probate in California?
Yes, through proper trust funding. Estates over $150,000 without trusts must go through probate, which can cost 4-8% of total estate value.
Do I need an attorney for trust creation?
While not legally required, professional guidance ensures proper asset titling and legal compliance, preventing costly future complications.
What happens if I don't have an estate plan?
California's intestacy laws will determine asset distribution, potentially causing family conflicts and unnecessary tax burdens.
How are attorney fees structured for probate?
California statutory fees range from 4% for estates under $100k to 0.5% for amounts over $15M, with potential for higher fees in complex cases.
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