Business Details
45 Years
experience
Trusted Trusts & Estates Legal Services in Los Angeles
Founded in 1981, Hoffman Sabban & Watenmaker has established itself as a leading law firm specializing in trusts and estates law. Our practice encompasses estate and tax planning, dispute resolution, probate, and post-death trust administration. We serve a diverse clientele, including high-net-worth individuals and families in the entertainment industry, with estates ranging from millions to over $1 billion. Our attorneys bring decades of collective experience, supported by recognition in U.S. News & World Report as a Tier 1 firm in Trusts & Estates Law, Litigation, and Tax Law. Four of our attorneys are Fellows of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel, and six are listed in The Best Lawyers in America.Paul Gordon Hoffman and Alan Watenmaker have twice been named among the Top 100 Southern California Super Lawyers. We prioritize personalized service, combining technical expertise with sensitivity to clients' emotional needs. Our commitment to excellence is reflected in our track record of navigating complex legal challenges while maintaining efficiency and cost-effectiveness. We have joined Withers Bergman LLP, expanding our global reach while retaining our focus on trusts, estates, and tax law. Our team continues to provide tailored solutions, leveraging international expertise to meet the evolving needs of our clients.
Services
Estate Planning
Dispute Resolution
Probate
Tax Law
Trust Administration
Details
- Year established: 1981
Highlights and features
- We offer over 40 years of specialized expertise in trusts and estates law.
- Our attorneys are recognized as Fellows of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel.
- We provide personalized service tailored to high-net-worth and international clients.
- Our team includes multiple Southern California Super Lawyers and Best Lawyers in America honorees.
- We combine technical excellence with sensitivity to clients' emotional and practical needs.
Associations and certifications
- American College of Trust and Estate Counsel
- Southern California Super Lawyers
- The Best Lawyers in America
What people say
Excellent legal service
Personalized approach
Recognized expertise
Efficient solutions
Deep industry knowledge
Services
Estate Planning
Our estate planning services focus on creating tailored strategies to protect assets, minimize tax liabilities, and ensure clients' wishes are honored. We work with individuals and families to draft wills, trusts, and advanced directives, considering cross-border complexities and unique family dynamics. Our approach combines technical precision with a deep understanding of clients' long-term goals, ensuring seamless wealth transfer across generations.
Dispute Resolution
We specialize in resolving trusts and estates disputes through negotiation, mediation, or litigation when necessary. Our team addresses conflicts involving executors, trustees, beneficiaries, and heirs, prioritizing amicable solutions to preserve relationships and reduce costs. With extensive courtroom experience, we advocate vigorously for clients' interests in contested probate matters and fiduciary disputes.
Probate
Our probate services guide executors and administrators through the legal process of settling estates, including asset inventory, debt settlement, tax filings, and distribution. We streamline probate proceedings to ensure compliance with state laws while minimizing delays and disputes. Our expertise extends to handling complex, high-value estates with international assets and tax considerations.
Tax Law
We provide strategic tax planning to mitigate estate, gift, and income tax burdens for individuals and businesses. Our services include structuring charitable gifts, optimizing trust arrangements, and advising on cross-border tax implications. We also represent clients in IRS audits and controversies related to estate and gift taxes.
Trust Administration
Our trust administration services assist trustees in fulfilling fiduciary duties, including asset management, beneficiary communications, and tax compliance. We handle both revocable and irrevocable trusts, ensuring adherence to legal standards while aligning with grantors' intentions. Our team also advises on trust modifications and dispute resolution.
People
Paul Gordon Hoffman
Partner
Paul Gordon Hoffman is a renowned trusts and estates attorney with decades of experience in tax planning and dispute resolution. Recognized as a Top Tax Lawyer by Best Lawyers, he advises high-net-worth clients on complex estate structures and has been named a Southern California Super Lawyer multiple times.
Alan S. Watenmaker
Partner
Alan S. Watenmaker specializes in estate planning and probate, with a focus on serving clients in the entertainment industry. A Fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel, he has been honored as a Top 100 Southern California Super Lawyer for his expertise in trusts and estates law.
Garen L. Kirakosian
Partner
Garen L. Kirakosian brings extensive experience in estate administration and tax compliance. His practice emphasizes cross-border estate planning and resolving complex probate matters, ensuring clients' international assets are managed effectively under U.S. and foreign laws.
Mary K. Ramsden
Partner
Mary K. Ramsden focuses on wealth preservation strategies, including charitable planning and family office services. She has represented prominent families in structuring trusts and foundations to align with their philanthropic and financial objectives.
Eric M. Tokuyama
Partner
Eric M. Tokuyama specializes in trust litigation and fiduciary disputes, advocating for clients in contested estate matters. His expertise includes representing trustees and beneficiaries in probate courts across California.
Questions
What areas of law does Hoffman, Sabban & Watenmaker specialize in?
We focus exclusively on trusts and estates law, including estate planning, probate, tax planning, dispute resolution, and trust administration.
Do you serve international clients?
Yes, we represent clients globally, addressing cross-border estate and tax issues for high-net-worth individuals and families.
How do you handle complex estate disputes?
We prioritize mediation and negotiation to resolve conflicts efficiently, but we are prepared to litigate when necessary to protect clients' interests.
What recognition has the firm received?
We are ranked Tier 1 by U.S. News & World Report and have attorneys recognized in Best Lawyers in America and Southern California Super Lawyers.
How has joining Withers Bergman LLP impacted your services?
Our merger with Withers provides expanded global resources while maintaining our specialized focus on trusts, estates, and tax law.
What types of clients do you typically work with?
We serve high-net-worth individuals, families, and businesses, including many in the entertainment industry, with estates ranging from millions to billions.
