Business Details
50+ Years
experience
Trusted Estate Planning & Business Planning Lawyers in Saratoga, CA
Hales & George is a family-owned law practice serving clients since 1972. Our attorneys specialize in estate planning, trust administration, probate, estate & gift tax, and business planning. We prioritize compassionate client relationships while minimizing estate taxes, controlling asset distribution, and avoiding court involvement. Our team includes Certified Specialists in Estate Planning, Trust and Probate Law through the State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization. We maintain an AV rating from Martindale Hubbell, the highest distinction for skill and ethics.With Super Lawyers recognition annually since 2010, we combine over five decades of experience with innovative solutions for asset protection and family harmony. Our Saratoga-based practice serves the San Francisco Bay Area, offering tailored legal strategies that address complex estate and business transitions. Our community involvement and professional affiliations with organizations like the Santa Clara County Estate Planning Council underscore our commitment to excellence.
Services
Estate Planning
Trust Administration
Probate
Business Planning
Estate Tax Solutions
Details
- Year established: 1972
Highlights and features
- Over 50 years of experience in estate and business planning
- Certified Specialists in Estate Planning, Trust and Probate Law
- Maintain the highest AV rating from Martindale Hubbell
- Recognized in Super Lawyers annually since 2010
- Community-focused practice serving the San Francisco Bay Area
Associations and certifications
- State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization
- Super Lawyers Magazine
- Martindale Hubbell Law Directory (AV Rating)
What people say
Excellent service
Very friendly and helpful
Professionalism exhibited
Certified specialist
Avoid probate
Services
Estate Planning
Our estate planning services create customized strategies to avoid probate, minimize taxes, and ensure proper asset distribution. We draft revocable living trusts, wills, and advanced directives while providing guidance on beneficiary designations and property titling. With over five decades of experience, we help clients protect their legacies through comprehensive plans that address unique family dynamics and financial situations.
Trust Administration
We guide trustees through complex trust administration processes, including asset valuation, document filing, and beneficiary communication. Our team simplifies post-death trust management by handling legal requirements while protecting trustees during difficult transitions. Specialized expertise in California trust law ensures compliance with state regulations and efficient resolution of estate matters for grieving families.
Probate
Our probate services assist executors with court-supervised estate administration, including debt settlement and asset distribution. We streamline the process to reduce costs and timelines while maintaining compliance with California probate codes. Attorneys represent personal representatives in all stages of probate proceedings, ensuring proper execution of decedents' wishes and legal requirements.
Business Planning
We develop business succession plans that address ownership transfer, liability protection, and tax implications. Our family-owned firm understands intergenerational business transitions, creating strategies for smooth management changes during disability, retirement, or death. Services include entity formation, asset protection structures, and customized succession frameworks tailored to business owners' unique needs.
Estate & Gift Tax
Our tax planning services utilize gifting strategies, irrevocable trusts, and exemption planning to reduce federal estate tax burdens. Attorneys implement annual gift tax exemptions and lifetime exclusions while ensuring compliance with evolving tax regulations. We help clients preserve wealth for beneficiaries through legally sound techniques that maximize tax savings and asset preservation.
People
Jan Marie Hales
Partner
Certified Specialist in Estate Planning, Trust and Probate Law by the State Bar of California. Over 30 years of experience in estate planning and trust administration.
William P. George
Partner
Former U.S. Secretary of the Interior award recipient with political consulting experience in Washington, D.C. Specializes in estate planning and business transitions.
Amber Booker
Associate Attorney
Super Lawyers Rising Star recipient in 2024. Focuses on estate planning, probate court representation, and trust administration since joining in 2014.
Amber East D'Anna
Associate Attorney
Specializes in revocable trusts, wills, and advance health care directives. Provides comprehensive estate planning solutions for individual and family clients.
Christine Renfree
Office Manager/Paralegal
BS in Business Administration with over a decade of legal administrative experience. Manages office operations and supports attorneys in estate planning matters.
Questions
What estate planning documents do I need?
A comprehensive plan typically includes a revocable living trust, will, durable power of attorney, and advance health care directive tailored to your specific needs.
How does trust administration work?
Our attorneys guide trustees through asset valuation, document filing, beneficiary communication, and legal compliance to ensure proper estate distribution according to trust terms.
What are the costs for probate services?
Probate fees vary based on estate complexity. We provide transparent pricing consultations to help clients understand potential costs and timelines.
Do you serve areas outside Saratoga?
Yes, we serve the entire San Francisco Bay Area while maintaining our Saratoga-based practice for local community needs.
Can you help with business succession planning?
Our family-owned firm specializes in creating customized business transition strategies that address ownership transfer, liability protection, and tax implications.
Are emergency legal services available?
While we don't offer 24/7 emergency services, we prioritize urgent matters during regular business hours and provide clear communication channels for time-sensitive issues.
