Brian J. Sheppard

Brian J. Sheppard

also known as Sheppard, Brian J.

4.8
Rating: 9.1

Licensed for 31 years

Probate Lawyer at Encino, CA
Practice Areas: Probate, Elder Law, Trusts ... +4 more

18075 Ventura Blvd #109, Encino, CA

About Brian

Biography

Practice Areas

7

Practice Areas

Probate 35%

I probate estates whether or not there is a will. If there is a trust, there should not be a need for a probate.

31 years

35%
Elder Law 30%

I represent clients filing for conservatorship and also serve as a court appointed attorney for clients who may be conserved.

31 years

30%
Trusts 15%

I draft trusts for clients in order to plan for incapacity and avoid probate upon death.

31 years

15%
Estate Planning 11%

I draft complete estate plans for individuals and couples with less than the current exemption equivalent (currently $5.34 million and $$10.68 million, respectively).

31 years

11%
Wills and Living Wills 5%

I draft Wills for clients who do not need, or decide they do not want, a trust or other more complete estate plannng document.

31 years

5%
Mediation 2%

I assist the parties to reach an agreement that they create. This allows them to control the terms of the outcome, avoid the costs and stress of litigation, and get the matter resolved more quickly.

25 years

2%
Social Security & Disability 2%

I help clients obtain their social security disability benefits.

31 years

2%

Fees and Rates

Cost

Hourly Rates

$ 300-300 per hour

Retainer

Always


Payment Methods

  • Cash
  • Check

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Licenses

Licensed in California for 31 years

State: California

Acquired: 1994

Active

No misconduct found

Location

Law Office of Brian J Sheppard

18075 Ventura Blvd #109, Encino, CA, 91316

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Brian J. Sheppard's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

4.8 /5.0

18 Client Reviews

5 star (17)
4 star (0)
3 star (0)
2 star (0)
1 star (1)

Posted by Terry | September 14, 2021 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

Going the Extra Mile

A few years ago, my sister and I found our selves in a most difficult circumstance that centered around a legal issue that my father, who was dying in the hospital, had failed to resolve. Suffice to say, we were emotionally wrought and desperate for help. I had reached out to a few other lawyers, mos...t of whom never bothered to return my call and if they did, were more interested in their up-front fees, than offering helpful counsel. Fortunately, we found Brian and he immediately understood the gravity of the situation and was able to map out a plan of action. His calm demeanor, and solid knowledge of the law, kept an already difficult situation from becoming worse. Talk about going the extra mile, he even came to the hospital to meet my father – not a place most lawyers go -- and make sure that the matter was resolved properly. After our father passed, Brian was instrumental in taking care of some of difficult and confusing paperwork including title-transfers and other filings that we had no idea were legally required. He also counseled us on the importance of having a will, or a trust, the value of advance health-care-directives, and other important pre-need paperwork. Brian Sheppard is first and foremost a man of integrity and principle, well-versed in the nuances of the law, and fundamentally a man with the courage to do what is right. Over the years, I have had occasion to call him with a simple a question and he has gentlemanly and generously resolved the matter without an outrageous bill. Our only regret is that we weren’t able to avail ourselves of Brian’s services earlier.

Posted by anonymous | August 22, 2019 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

Brian is terrible

Brian was the absolute worse attorney I have ever had. He is very lazy and doesn’t take the time to actually review each case. Oh and after all the money you spend, he will loose the case anyways. He is horrible! Do not use brain Sheppard.

Posted by Steve | February 3, 2015

EXCELLENT RESOURCE FOR ESTATE PLANNING.

Brian was easy to work with and most helpful in explaining the arcane language of estate planning. HIs fees are very reasonable and he is quick to reply to follow-up questions.

Posted by N/A | August 21, 2014

Review for Brian J. Sheppard

Brian Sheppard redid our wills and our living trust. We found Mr. Sheppard to be very honest,very ethical,very knowledgeable .Mr. Sheppard made it easy for laymen to understand what was being done. His fees were fair. We highly recommend Mr. Sheppard and we will use his services again,when the situa...tion presents itself.

Posted by Rory | August 20, 2014

Compassionate and Learned

Brian prepared a new estate plan for my wife and me. He listened to our issues, answered our questions in clear, non-legalese, and produced the exact plan my wife and I had desired.

See All Client Reviews

Brian J. Sheppard's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse Brian
Benjamin Soffer headshot
Benjamin Soffer

Estate planning lawyer | Aug 15

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. Brian Sheppard is a well-respected attorney in the community. He is knowledgeable and cares about his clients. He is not only his clients' lawyer; he is also their trusted counselor."

Paul J Molinaro headshot
Paul Molinaro

Probate lawyer | Sep 14

Relationship: Other

"I endorse this lawyer."

Harold Kent Prukop Jr headshot
Harold Prukop

Estate planning lawyer | Sep 07

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this top-notch lawyer. Well respected and very good reputation in the community."

Dominic Kamyar Afzali headshot
Dominic Afzali

Wills and living wills lawyer | Jul 31

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. Brian Sheppard is extremely knowledgeable, thorough and ethical in his area of practice, Wills, Living Trust, and Probate. I trust him completely."

Philip Raymond Sheldon headshot
Philip Sheldon

Elder law lawyer | Jul 31

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"Brian is extremely knowledgeable, ethical, diligent and detail oriented when working on behalf of a client. He is thorough and very, very competent and is more than reasonable with his fees. I refer all of my relevant practice area cases to him."

James Geoffrey Beirne headshot
James Beirne

Estate planning lawyer | Jul 30

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"I endorse this lawyer. Brian is my office's go to guy for any question relating to estate planning, probate or elder law. He has an encyclopedic knowledge of the probate code and real world experience."

View All Endorsements
Benjamin Soffer headshot
Benjamin Soffer

Defective and dangerous products lawyer

Sibylle Grebe headshot
Sibylle Grebe

Estate planning lawyer

James Geoffrey Beirne headshot
James Beirne

Chapter 13 bankruptcy lawyer

Experience

Rating:  9.1 (Superb)

Honors

2006

Cert. of Recognition - Mediation of Highest Dollar Value Case, U.S. Bankrutpcy Court

2005

Certificate of Recognition - Most Mediations Settled, United State Bankruptcy Court

2004

Senior Volunteer of the Year, Wilkinson Senior Center

Work Experience

2011 - Present

Volunteer Mediatior, Los Angeles County Superior Court

2000 - Present

Consultation attorney, Wilkinson Senior Center

1998 - Present

Attorney, Law Office of Brian J. Sheppard

2003 - 2007

Consultation Attorney, Providence Health System "Beyond 50" program

1995 - 1996

Pro bono Attorney, Harriett Buhai Center For Family Law

Associations

2000 - Present

Los Angeles County Bar Association

2000 - Present

Southern California Council of Elder Law Attorneys

1994 - Present

San Fernando Valley Estate Planning Council

1994 - Present

San Fernando Valley Bar Association

1993 - Present

National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys

2004 - 2006

Southern California Council of Elder Law Attorneys

Treasurer

Sample of Legal Cases

Beneficiary v. Beneficiary

Client prevailed

UCLA v. Student

Finding for student

Client v. Landlord - Farmer's Insurance

Plaintiff prevailed in settlement

See More Legal Cases

Education

2010

H & R Block

Certificate of Completion

1996

University of California at Los Angeles

Professional Designation in Personal Financial Planning

1994

Univ of LaVerne COL

Law

1983

University of Massachusetts, Amherst

M.S.

1979

Univ of California Berkeley

Undergraduate

Speaking Engagements

2015

California CPA/CPE meeting

California Conservatorships - A General Overview

2014

Filipino Support Group

Public Benefits and Developmentally Disabled Adults

2006

L.A. Caregiver Resource Center

Financial/Asset Management

2006

Antelope Valley Senior Center

General Remarks RE: Medi-Cal and the DRA

2004

Wilkinson Senior Center

Living Trusts as a Means of Avoiding Probate

2004

L.A. Caregiver Resource Association

Fianncial Man. & Health Care Decisions

2003

Wilkinson Senior Center

Living Trusts

2003

L.A. Caregiver Resource Association

Power of Attorney Documents

2002

Providence Hospital Beyond 50 Program

Living Trusts as a Means of Avoiding Probate

2002

Optimists Club

Basics of Medi-Cal

N/A

Various engagements since 1995

Living Trusts, Estate Planning, Conservatorships

Publications

2014

Published weekly at "BrianSheppardLaw.com". Go to my website link above or LinkedIn or Facebook for current edition. Elderupdates.com

2014

Valley Lawyer Magazine (SFVBA) On the Future of Lawyers and Lawyering

2013

Los Angeles Daily Journal Minimum Wage Raise Overdue

2013

Los Angeles Daily Journal Where Are Unions Going?

2013

Los Angeles Daily Journal Budget Cuts Hit Probate Department Especially Hard

2013

Los Angeles Daily Journal Is Medicare Fair? A Few Modest Proposals For Change

2013

Los Angeles Daily Journal Reducing Cost of Medicare While Increasing Revenues

2013

Los Angeles Daily Journal Mayoral Candidates Must Tackle Pension Reform

2013

Los Angeles Daily Journal LA Mayor Must Tackle Pension Reform

2013

Los Angeles Daily Journal Disabled Adults Need to Be Heard in Sacramento, Too

2013

Los Angeles Daily Journal Instead of LIcensing Non-Lawyers...

1990

Self-published Professional Responsibility for California Lawyers

Languages

Spanish

English

Activity

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