Palo Alto Estate Planning Attorney
Flat fee estate plans for Palo Alto and the Peninsula.
Staff at This Location
Linette practiced litigation for several years before transitioning to estate planning, where she enjoys working directly with clients to help protect and provide for their families’ futures. She is fluent in Spanish and speaks conversational Romanian.
Our Office Near Palo Alto
Remote video appointments available statewide. In-person signing required for final documents.
Our Palo Alto office is on Page Mill Road. Peninsula families come to us with a familiar combination: a home worth several million, equity compensation that does not pass through a trust on its own, and young children who need guardians named. We handle all of it for a flat fee, and coordinate beneficiary designations so nothing passes by accident.
Why Palo Alto Families Choose Summerall Law
Flat Fee — No Surprises
$1,500/person or $3,000/couple — all inclusive, no hourly billing. With legal insurance (ARAG, MetLife, LegalEASE), your cost drops to $360 or $420.
Done in 2–3 Weeks
Most clients finish in 2–3 weeks and spend just 2–3 hours of their own time. One intake meeting, one signing appointment. We handle everything in between.
Locations Across California
Sign at the office nearest you — we have signing locations across the Bay Area, Sacramento, and Southern California. Remote intake available everywhere in the state.
Comprehensive Plans
Every plan includes your trust, pour-over wills, financial power of attorney, healthcare directive, and trust funding instructions. Built-in special needs provisions at no extra charge.
What's Included in Every Estate Plan
The foundation of your plan. Avoids probate and keeps your estate out of court.
Catches anything not titled in your trust and directs it into the trust at death.
Names someone to manage your finances if you become incapacitated.
Specifies your medical wishes and names a healthcare agent to speak for you.
Step-by-step guidance for transferring your home and accounts into your trust.
A clear explanation of your plan so your trustee knows exactly what to do.
What Probate Actually Costs in Santa Clara County
California probate fees are set by statute — and they're based on the gross value of your estate, not your equity. That means a $1.2M home with a $700K mortgage generates over $28,000 in mandatory attorney and executor fees. Add court costs, and the total often exceeds $35,000. The process takes 12–18 months.
A Summerall Law trust package costs a fraction of that — and eliminates probate entirely for most families.
Get a Flat Fee Estate PlanServing Palo Alto and Surrounding Areas
We work with clients throughout Santa Clara County. If you live in or near any of the following communities, we can help:
- Menlo Park
- Mountain View
- Los Altos
- Atherton
- East Palo Alto
- Stanford
- Portola Valley
- Redwood City
- Woodside
Frequently Asked Questions — Palo Alto Estate Planning
Where is your Palo Alto office?
Our Palo Alto office is at 425 Page Mill Road, Suite 200. It is open 8am to 6pm for signing appointments, and intake appointments run 7am to 7pm by phone or video.
How much does an estate plan cost in Palo Alto?
Our flat fee is $1,500 per person or $3,000 for a couple — all-inclusive. Most law firms charge $3,000–$5,000 per trust; we keep costs lower through the technology we have built around our process. With legal insurance (ARAG, MetLife Legal Plans, LegalEASE), your cost drops to $360 or $420.
What is included in the plan?
Every Summerall Law estate plan includes a revocable living trust, a pour-over will for each person, a durable financial power of attorney, and an advance health care directive. Special needs trusts are included at no extra cost. We also include trust funding instructions and a plain-English summary of everything you chose.
Is California probate really worth avoiding?
Yes. California probate is among the most expensive in the country. Attorney and executor fees are set by statute as a percentage of gross estate value, so a $1.2M home generates over $28,000 in mandatory fees before court costs. A trust costs a fraction of that and avoids probate entirely.
Do I have to come in to sign?
California law requires in-person notarization for trust documents. Our Palo Alto office is at 425 Page Mill Road, Suite 200, open 8am to 6pm for signing appointments. The intake meeting can be done by phone or video.
How long does it take?
Most clients finish in two to three weeks. The intake meeting can be done by phone or video; only the signing has to happen in person, and that takes about 30 minutes.
Ready to Protect Your Family?
Book a free consultation. We'll walk you through the process, answer your questions, and give you a clear path forward — no pressure, no commitment.