Estate planning attorney in Los Altos.

Yes. The Law Offices of Robert P. Bergman is based at 3535 Ross Avenue in the Cambrian Park neighborhood of San Jose, roughly a 30 minute drive south of Los Altos via Highway 280 to Highway 85. Bob has drafted estate plans, handled trust administration, and filed Heggstad and trust modification petitions for Los Altos families for decades, with particular experience in the high-net-worth real estate and executor counseling that defines Los Altos planning.

Trust petitions for Los Altos residents are filed in the Probate Division of the Santa Clara County Superior Court, located at the Downtown Superior Courthouse, 191 North First Street, San Jose, California 95113. Bob files Heggstad petitions and trust modification petitions at this courthouse on behalf of Los Altos families.

Los Altos has some of the highest median home values in California. A child who inherits a Los Altos home only keeps the parent’s low Prop 13 tax basis if the child uses the home as a primary residence within one year, and only the first $1 million of value above the parent’s assessed value is excluded. With Los Altos median values often well above $4 million, the gap between a Prop 13 carry-over and a full reassessment can run six figures a year in property taxes. Bob runs the Prop 19 numbers for every Los Altos client whose plan involves real property.

Los Altos plans regularly involve executive equity from Bay Area public companies, founder shares in private companies, and closely held family businesses. The trust often needs voting and transfer provisions for restricted shares, buy-sell coordination with operating agreements, and a thoughtful approach to liquidity at death. Bob coordinates with your CPA and corporate counsel rather than working in isolation.

Most Los Altos estate plans are signed within three to six weeks of the initial Plan Design Meeting. The schedule has four steps: the Plan Design Meeting itself, drafting and a draft review meeting, the signing appointment, and funding the trust by retitling assets. Many Los Altos clients do the design and review meetings by Zoom and reserve a single in-person visit for the signing appointment.

A typical Los Altos estate plan from the Law Offices of Robert P. Bergman includes a revocable living trust, a pour-over will, durable powers of attorney, and an advance health care directive. Final fees depend on complexity: high-value real estate, private-company holdings, multi-generational planning, and any related tax planning each add work. Bob gives you a written fee estimate at the initial Plan Design Meeting, which is always complimentary.

Yes. Many Los Altos clients meet with Bob by Zoom for the Plan Design Meeting and the draft review, then come south to the Ross Avenue office for the signing appointment because California law requires witnesses or notarization. Mobile notary services are available for clients with mobility constraints or frequent travel schedules.