At the Law Offices of Robert P. Bergman, it has been our mission to help individuals and families in San Jose and the surrounding areas with their estate planning needs since 1981. Bob and Jennifer focus on serving families with young children with the goal of making sure that the children are properly cared for and provided for if the unthinkable should happen. Our honest, conscientious commitment to our clients makes us a firm you can trust to plan for your family's future. We will put your needs and desires first and make sure that you have the information necessary to make important decisions about your estate.
Contact Us
We invite you to contact the Law Offices of Robert P. Bergman by phone, e-mail, or fax to schedule a free one-hour initial consultation.
Watch for our regular monthly public estate planning seminars on living trusts and special planning for retirement plan assets, generally held at the Addison-Penzak Jewish Community Center in Los Gatos on the third Saturday of each month.
CURRENT SEMINARS BEING OFFERED:
"EVERYTHING YOU ALWAYS WANTED TO KNOW ABOUT WILLS AND TRUSTS, BUT WERE AFRAID TO ASK"
"THE IRA INHERITANCE TRUST: ESTATE PLANNING FOR RETIREMENT PLAN ASSETS"
We are also available for private seminars that can also be presented for your PTA, "Mommy and Me" group, child's preschool, childcare center, or private school, church, your company’s employees, or even your circle of friends and family. Just contact our offices to make your request.
We look forward to continuing to serve you, and all of Santa Clara County and Silicon Valley, for many years to come.
Estate Planning Defined
Estate planning is the way to legally provide for your loved ones during any physical incapacity experienced by you while alive and after your death.
Whether you are single or married, young or old, having an experienced lawyer prepare the proper estate plan can help you and your family in a number of areas, including avoiding the time-consuming, expensive process of a Probate proceeding, the need for a Conservatorship if you are incapacitated, or the need for your children to be taken into foster care, even temporarily, while guardians can be located and travel to your children. A solid estate plan might also reduce or entirely eliminate the federal estate tax, otherwise known as "the Death Tax."
If you are reading this and are considering visiting our offices so we can help you prepare your own estate plan, you are already well ahead of the curve. Most families ignore the necessity of proper planning, and are not aware of the dire consequences of that oversight.
Why You Need Estate Planning
An estate plan is not something that is done once, put in a drawer, and forgotten about. Planning your estate is an ongoing process. Wills, trusts, and powers-of-attorney may often change over time as a result of changes in your family's personal circumstances and needs. Changes in your family situation, your wishes and desires, births, deaths, marriages, divorces, major losses or gains in wealth, inheritances, and the whims of our national lawmakers can all contribute to a need for regular "checkups" on your estate plan. As admirable as it is to already have an estate plan, the one you have today may not be suitable tomorrow.
In addition to passing on wealth, estate planning also involves the care and raising of minor children. So, even if it may seem like you are too young to be planning your estate, if you have minor children it is never to soon to start planning for their futures.