Certified Specialist in Estate Planning, Trusts and Probate

John L. Wong is a Certified Specialist in Estate Planning, Trust and Probate Law by the State Bar of California Board of Specialization. Any licensed attorney can practice in estate planning, but only a small percentage of attorneys are certified as specialists by the State Bar of California. In fact, less than 1% of all lawyers in California have been certified as a specialist in estate planning, trust and probate law.

What does it mean when an attorney is a Certified Specialist in Estate Planning, Trusts & Probate?

A Certified Specialist is more than just an attorney who specializes in a particular area of law. A California attorney who is certified by the State Bar as an Estate Planning, Trust & Probate Law Specialist must have:

1. Taken and passed a comprehensive, highly competitive, full-day written examination in estate planning, trust, and probate law administered by the State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization;
2. Demonstrated a high level of expertise and requisite number of years of experience in estate planning, trust, and probate law;
3. Fulfilled mandated ongoing education requirements in estate planning, trust, and probate law; and
4. Been favorably evaluated by other attorneys and judges familiar with his estate planning, trust, and probate work.

Why does the State Bar certify legal specialists?

1. To help the public identify attorneys who have demonstrated proficiency in specialized fields of law; and
2. To encourage the maintenance and improvement of attorney competence in specialized fields of law.

What can a certified Estate Planning, Trust & Probate Specialist do for you?

1. Create and implement your estate plan by preparing wills and trusts;
2. Minimize death, gift, and income taxes in connection with your estate plan;
3. Plan, organize and implement Family Business Succession;
4. Design, organize and implement Asset Protection plans; and
5. Assist with probate, trust, conservatorship, Medi-Cal planning and guardianship proceedings and disputes.

Every individual attorney sets his own fees based upon the complexity of each particular case — a Certified Specialist designation does not at all mean it will cost you more money. (Our estate planning fee schedule.) It does mean that you will be working with an attorney that devotes a large portion of their practice to this specialized area of law. John L. Wong devotes 100% of his practice to estate planning, trust and probate law.

Whether your situation is simple or complex, consider hiring an attorney who is a “Certified Specialist in Estate Planing, Trust & Probate Law” by the State Bar Board of Legal Specialization – an attorney who is committed through certification to maintaining proficiency in estate planning, trust, and probate law through continual practice and continuing education.

If you are interested in preparing an estate plan for yourself or a loved one, contact our offices at Modern Wealth Law.