Business Details
33 Years
experience
Estate Planning Lawyer in Palo Alto, CA
For over three decades, the Law Office Of Janet Brewer has provided specialized legal expertise in estate planning, trust administration, and probate matters across California and internationally. As a certified specialist by the California State Bar Board of Legal Specialization, Janet Brewer brings unmatched experience to complex estate planning scenarios, including high-net-worth individuals and non-residents with U.S.-based assets. Our practice integrates advanced tax strategies to minimize liabilities while ensuring seamless asset transfer.A nationally recognized leader, Janet has served on the California State Bar Board of Trustees and maintains a consistent track record as a Northern California SuperLawyer since 2007. Our team delivers personalized solutions grounded in technical precision and ethical standards, evidenced by our 10/10 Avvo rating and Martindale-Hubbell AV Distinguished status. We cultivate long-term client relationships by combining legal excellence with transparent communication, ensuring clients achieve comprehensive protection for their legacies.
Services
Estate Planning
Probate Administration
Trust Administration
International Estate Planning
Charitable Planning
Estate Tax Strategies
Wills and Trusts
Guardianship Designation
Business Succession Planning
Advance Healthcare Directives
Details
- Year established: 1993
Highlights and features
- Certified specialists with 30+ years in estate planning and probate law
- Expertise in international estate tax planning for non-residents
- Proven track record minimizing complex tax liabilities
- Active leadership in California legal professional organizations
- Transparent, client-focused approach with 24/7 accessibility
Associations and certifications
- California State Bar Board of Legal Specialization
- Martindale-Hubbell AV Distinguished
- SuperLawyer
- AVVO 10/10
What people say
Made complex process feel easy
Brilliant and efficient service
Highly recommended expertise
Respected legal authority
Exceptional compassionate support
Services
Estate Planning
Our estate planning services create comprehensive legal frameworks to protect assets and dictate their distribution. We specialize in wills, revocable trusts, and tax-sensitive documents for individuals and families. Clients benefit from strategies that minimize tax burdens while ensuring their intentions are honored.
Trust Administration
Trust administration services guide successor trustees through fiduciary responsibilities. We handle asset inventory, tax compliance, and distribution according to trust terms. Our expertise ensures adherence to California's legal requirements while protecting beneficiaries' interests.
International Estate Planning
This service addresses U.S. estate tax complexities for non-residents and citizens with international assets. We develop strategies to minimize double taxation and navigate cross-border legal frameworks. Our team's membership in STEP ensures global compliance expertise.
Probate Administration
We streamline probate processes for executors, focusing on debt resolution, asset distribution, and tax compliance. Our approach minimizes delays and conflicts while ensuring adherence to California's probate code for efficient estate closure.
Charitable Planning
Our charitable planning creates tax-efficient giving strategies through trusts and foundations. Services include establishing donor-advised funds and structuring lifetime gifts that maximize tax deductions while supporting clients' philanthropic goals.
People
Janet L. Brewer
Principal Attorney
Certified estate planning specialist with 30+ years experience. Recognized as Northern California SuperLawyer annually since 2007. Served on California State Bar Board of Trustees. Holds Martindale-Hubbell AV Distinguished and Avvo 10/10 ratings.
Rod Cardinale Jr.
Senior Paralegal
Trust administration expert with 10+ years at the firm. Paralegal certificate from Evergreen Valley College. Past president of Santa Clara County Legal Professionals Association. Manages complex document processes and client communication.
Andrea Edmunds
Administrative Assistant
Client liaison with business degree from University of Pittsburgh. Coordinates case management and client appointments. Focuses on ensuring smooth communication between legal team and clients during estate planning processes.
Questions
What documents are essential for estate planning?
A comprehensive estate plan typically includes wills, revocable trusts, durable powers of attorney, and healthcare directives to ensure all assets and medical wishes are legally protected.
How does international estate planning differ?
Non-residents face unique tax rules requiring specialized strategies to minimize U.S. estate tax liabilities while complying with both domestic and foreign legal requirements for asset transfer.
Can trust administration avoid probate?
Properly funded trusts bypass probate court, allowing faster asset distribution while maintaining privacy and reducing administrative costs compared to traditional probate processes.
How do charitable trusts reduce taxes?
Charitable remainder trusts provide immediate tax deductions while allowing income generation, combining philanthropy with strategic tax savings through structured asset donations.
What happens during probate administration?
The probate process validates wills, settles debts, and distributes assets under court supervision. Our services streamline this through expert guidance on deadlines, tax compliance, and conflict resolution.
