For Estate Planning and Trust Administration- The Best!!
We were looking for an attorney to revise my mother-in law's trust, as she was growing more frail. She hated typical attorneys but had a large estate so we needed a difficult combination- total competence and someone who could be both gentle with frail clients and tough when problems arose, and found that combination in Jennifer. I am a financial planner myself and have some knowledge of estate planning and have advised clients on seeking attorneys, and Jennifer is the best I have found. I know famous attorneys who have written books on the subject but when it comes to the combination of knowledge AND client skills, Jennifer is the BEST!
I was referred to Jennifer Sawday by a good friend of mine after my father passed away and I had to deal with probate and some litigation matters. I had been frustrated by my previous counsel who was completely uncommunicative and blew through my retainer with great haste and few results. Jennifer was a breath of fresh air being very straight forward communicative and helpful in a confusing time when assistance was greatly needed.
I am an estate planning and probate attorney practicing law in Southern California. I handle many areas related to estate planning including drafting wills, trusts, durable powers of attorney, advance health care directives. I handle all matters involving trust administration, probate and otherwise assisting clients with matters involving the loss of a loved one.
I also handle routine and complex trust administrations when someone has died leaving a trust to be administered. I represent trustees and beneficiaries in various matters concerning trusts.
My firm can handle all sorts of probate including simple to complex.
I always offer a no charge consultation in person to see if I can assist you and to discuss the fees that would be charged. Fees vary from flat fees, hourly, or to a court mandated statutory fee as it may be.
Potential clients are welcome to email me directly to see how I can assist. My email is I look forward to hearing from you.
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
For Estate Planning and Trust Administration- The Best!!
We were looking for an attorney to revise my mother-in law's trust, as she was growing more frail. She hated typical attorneys but had a large estate so we needed a difficult combination- total competence and someone who could be both gentle with frail clients and tough when problems arose, and found that combination in Jennifer. I am a financial planner myself and have some knowledge of estate planning and have advised clients on seeking attorneys, and Jennifer is the best I have found. I know famous attorneys who have written books on the subject but when it comes to the combination of knowledge AND client skills, Jennifer is the BEST!
Read less
Posted by Terry | December 14, 2015
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Probate Help
I was referred to Jennifer Sawday by a good friend of mine after my father passed away and I had to deal with probate and some litigation matters. I had been frustrated by my previous counsel who was completely uncommunicative and blew through my retainer with great haste and few results. Jennifer was a breath of fresh air being very straight forward communicative and helpful in a confusing time when assistance was greatly needed.
Read less
Posted by Caroline | June 8, 2015
Incredibly Knowledgeable
Jennifer Sawday definitely knows her stuff. I am currently working with her to set up my own trust, after attending an event where she did a presentation on the importance of estate planning. (Some of her horror stories really woke me up. And I don't even have children or heirs to worry about!) She clearly knows how to set up a trust, how to protect her clients' assets, and it sounds like she is an absolute bulldog for her clients.
She will go to court to fight for you if she has to, but her best advice is to avoid that by correctly setting up your trust in the first place. She was able to answer every question I had in our initial consultation. "What if I forget to include an asset or acquire a new asset after setting up my trust?", "What if my successor trustee dies before me or is unable/unwilling to perform his/her duties?", etc.
If you are like me and want to make sure to get all the facts before doing something as important as setting up a trust, meet with Jennifer. It will be time well spent.
Read less
Posted by Johnny A. Dellinger | March 15, 2015
Superb Attorney
Jennifer is a great trust attorney. She updated my mothers trust and did an outstanding job. I highly recommend her and when I'm back in town will ask her to prepare a trust for me. She knows what she's doing, she's responsive,patient and a pleasure to work with.
Posted by Delia | December 11, 2013
Helped Me Understand My Options
With the death of my remaining parent I needed to update my estate planning documents, and Jennifer really took the time to explain to me my options so I felt I was making an informed choice. I thought I needed to revise my trust, but she pointed out we could restate the trust so that the previous trust would no longer be relevant.
She also explained the importance of properly documenting my assets for my trust, and offered to send me Schedules A and B in a Word document so that I could update them myself as needed.
I thought she was patient and understanding, and also efficient. She completed the documents quickly and efficiently, at a reasonable cost. I am very proud to say she's my attorney.
Read less
Posted by anonymous | July 8, 2009
Highly recommended
Finally getting around to my estate planning and this being my first experience with a lawyer, Jennifer Sawday was patient, thorough and answered all my questions in a way that I completely understood throughout the process. She was very knowledgeable in every aspect of my estate planning. I would highly recommend her!
Our Rating is calculated using information the lawyer has included on their profile in addition to the information we collect from state bar associations and other organizations that license legal professionals. Attorneys who claim their profiles and provide Avvo with more information tend to have a higher rating than those who do not.
What determines Avvo Rating?
Experience & background
Years licensed, work experience, education
Legal community recognition
Peer endorsements, associations, awards
Legal thought leadership
Publications, speaking engagements
Discipline
Disciplinary information may not be comprehensive, or updated. We recommend that you always check a lawyer's disciplinary status with their respective state bar association before hiring them.
Litigation Attorney | Apr 22
Relationship: Worked together on matter
"Jennifer is a class act! She is generous in the legal community with her knowledge and expertise in the area of trust, estates and related matters. I have had the absolute pleasure of working with Jennifer on a few cases and she has always impressed my clients."
Elder law Attorney | Apr 08
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"I've met Jennifer and know her through a lawyer discussion group. Jennifer is sharp, effective and a helluva lawyer who thinks out of the box. I strongly endorse this lawyer's work."
Estate planning Attorney | Apr 07
Relationship: Worked together on matter
"I endorse this lawyer's work. Several times I have needed advice regarding California law for a client that I am working with in Massachusetts but who owns property in California. Jennifer has been a great help in these cases, and very responsive."