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Kenneth A. Ziskin
About Kenneth
Biography
Over more than four decades, Estate Planning Lawyer and Living Trust Lawyer Kenneth Ziskin has been the "Family Wealth Strategist"(sm). My BIO is on my website, but my greatest honors come from the reviews I get or the hugs clients give my wife (Hinda, who works with me to provide the perspective of a wife, mother and grandmoter) and I after we complete a project.
Recently, one of my favorite strategies is one that allows clients to get a step-up in income tax basis without dying! The income tax savings can be dramatic.
I work with individuals and families to design and implement both Living Trusts and advanced estate planning strategies. Ihelp clients understand and put in place strategies to pass family wealth and his clients' deeply held values to their desired beneficiaries. I always focus on the integration of clients' essential non-tax desires for their heirs with estate tax planning, income tax planning and appropriate asset protection planning to facilitate preservation and passing of wealth to benefit future generations.
My Estate Planning and Living Trust strategies have saved clients millions of dollars of taxes. While typical savings range from a few hundred thousand to a few million dollars, in one case alone, my strategy saved nearly $200,000,000 in taxes (mostly estate taxes, but also income taxes) for the beneficiaries of a deceased parent!
I also offer caring, personalized probate and trust administration services for those who have lost a loved one.
Practice Areas
4
Practice Areas
Estate Planning
35%
32 years | 400 cases
Tax
25%
54 years | 500 cases
Trusts
25%
32 years | 400 cases
Probate
15%
26 years | 40 cases
Fees and Rates
Cost
Hourly Rates
$ 500-600 per hour
Payment Methods
- Cash
- Check
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Chat withLicenses
Licensed in California for 53 years
State: California
Acquired: 1972
No misconduct found
Location
The Ziskin Law Corp
4532 Murietta Ave Apt 101, Sherman Oaks, CA, 91423-5430
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Kenneth A. Ziskin's Reviews
Avvo Review Score
43 Client Reviews
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Practice Areas
What Clients Mention
Showing 26 - 30 of 43 reviews
Posted by Kent | December 22, 2015 | Hired Attorney | Estate Planning
Provided Excellent Estate Planning and Trust
My wife and I used Ken Ziskin to help update our estate planning and trust. We were very pleased with the significant time Ken spent to understand our current situation and concerns. He made sure we fully understood all the important technical aspects of what he recommended and that were comfortabl...
Posted by Sandy | December 21, 2015 | Hired Attorney | Adoption
A wonderful legal experience.
Ken updated our existing family trust and handled the adoption of my adult step-daughter, who I helped raise since she was 9. He guided us through important decisions, listening and making recommendations pertaining to our needs and the sizes of our estate and family. Ken has proven to be knowled...
Posted by Roma | December 21, 2015 | Hired Attorney | Estate Planning
We've all heard lawyer jokes ...
We've all heard lawyer jokes, and we've probably repeated them — but Ken Ziskin is exempt from lawyer jokes. Ken has guided my family through the murky miasma of wills and family trusts. He has rectified other lawyer's blunders with skill and dignity. And because of that, I pay his invoice with a ...
Posted by Albert | December 21, 2015 | Hired Attorney | Trusts
Living Trust A Must
I had very little knowledge of the importance of establishing a living trust. I was referred to Ken by a mutual friend. Ken was very knowledgable . He made the process easy to understand while pointing out The details. I'm comfortable now knowing that this important matter has been taken care of.
Posted by Isaac | December 21, 2015 | Hired Attorney | Estate Planning
Estate Planning for property owners
My wife and I are very fond of Ken's approach in our estate planning. He is patient to listening to our situations with our family and our finances. We feel that Ken is trustworthy and is exercising his utmost fiduciary duty to his clients.
Kenneth A. Ziskin's Lawyer Endorsements
"I was referred to Ken for his expertise regarding a complicated CA real estate/trust issue. He was very knowledgeable, courteous, and generous with his time. I recommend this lawyer."
"I highly endorse Ken whom I have known for many years as a member of WealthCounsel and who represents the epitome of the skill and expertise required of a Certified Specialist in Estate Planning, Trust and Probate Law."
Asal Shiraz
Limited liability company (LLC) lawyer | Apr 29
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"Kenneth is extremely well versed and experienced in LLC liability coverage, the practical consequences of operating an LLC as well as the advantages. He is patient, helpful and will really take the time to teach you everything you need to know and weather it is a good choice given your situation. He took the time (his very valuable time) to give me a complete run down on everything I need to know about LLCs and it was extremely helpful."
"It's a pleasure working with Ken. He offers his clients a unique combination of knowledge and experience with a personal touch."
"Ken Ziskin is one of the highest regarded and most well-respected attorneys in his field. He is intelligent, experienced and hard working. His top ratings, such as Avvo 10 out of 10 and Martindale AV Preeminent speak for themselves, yet he graciously finds time to share his expertise with fellow lawyers."
"Ken is a truly amazing and conscientious lawyer with a specialization in taxation. He freely gives his time to help other attorneys with difficult tax and estate planning matters."
"Ken Ziskin is blessed with a keen intellect and a unique ability to conceive of and to implement innovative estate and tax planning strategies for his clients. He is a very talented attorney."
"Mr. Ziskin is a tremendously talented attorney who has accomplished great results for his clients."
Michael Wittick
Estate planning lawyer
Robert Bergman
Estate planning lawyer
Jonathan Mintz
Estate planning lawyer
John Demas
Trusts lawyer
Bruce Givner
Estate planning lawyer
Armen Baghdasarian
Estate planning lawyer
John Stubbs
Estate planning lawyer
Donna Heller
Estate planning lawyer
Experience
Honors
2017
AV Preeminent 5.0 out of 5 Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
2015
AV Preeminent 5.0 out of 5 Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
2014
AV Preeminent 5.0 out of 5 Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
2013
AV Preeminent 5.0 out of 5 Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
2012
AV Preeminent 5.0 out of 5 Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
2011
AV Preeminent 5.0 out of 5 Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
2010
AV Preeminent 5.0 out of 5 Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
2009
AV Preeminent 5.0 out of 5 Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
2008
AV Peer Review Rating, Martindale-Hubbell
2007
AV Peer Review Rating, Martindale-Hubbell
2006
AV Peer Review Rating, Martindale-Hubbell
2005
AV Peer Review Rating, Martindale-Hubbell
2004
AV Peer Review Rating, Martindale-Hubbell
2003
AV Peer Review Rating, Martindale-Hubbell
2002
AV Peer Review Rating, Martindale-Hubbell
2002
AV Peer Review Rating, Martindale-Hubbell
2001
AV Peer Review Rating, Martindale-Hubbell
2000
AV Peer Review Rating, Martindale-Hubbell
1999
AV Peer Review Rating, Martindale-Hubbell
1998
AV Peer Review Rating, Martindale-Hubbell
1998
Fellow, Esperti Peterson Institute
1997
AV Peer Review Rating, Martindale-Hubbell
1982
Spirit of Life, City of Hope
Work Experience
2007 - Present
President, The Ziskin Law Corp
1991 - 1994
Adjunct Professor, University Of Southern California Law School
1990 - 2007
President, Kenneth A. Ziskin Law Corp
1989 - 1990
President, Wall Street Financial
1986 - 1989
Partner, Rosen, Wachtell & Gilbert
1976 - 1986
Managing Partner, Cohen & Ziskin
1974 - 1976
Partner, Kenner, Ziskin, Stein, Kahan & Porter
1972 - 1974
Attorney, Manatt Phelps & Rothenberg
Associations
2015 - Present
State Bar of California, Trusts and Estates SectionMember
2015 - Present
Calfiornia Trusts and Estates QuarterlyAssistant Editor
2004 - Present
WealthCounselMember
1972 - Present
California Sate BarMember
1996 - 2001
National Network of Estate Planning AttorneysMember
1992 - 1995
City of HopeBoard of Governors
1988 - 1991
Chaine des RotissuersMember
1984 - 1991
City of HopeBoard of Governors
1978 - 1979
Financial Institutions Committee, State Bar of CaliforniaAttorney Member
Sample of Legal Cases
Estate Planning for Income Taxes
Client got an additional $40,000 of depreciation deductions after his spouse passed away, and his children should get more depreciation after he passes away
Education
1972
University of Southern California Law School
JD - Juris Doctor
1972
University of Southern California
BSL
Speaking Engagements
2001
Family Office Forum
Using Private Placement Variable Life Insurance as an Income Tax Favored Investment Vehicle Creative Private Placement Funding Strategies
1998
Seminar
Charitable Planning Beyond the Living Trust - Using Charitable Giving Strategies to Preserve and Enhance Family Wealth
1998
Collegium
Beyond 'Till Death Do Us Part
1997
Seminar
Charitable Planning Beyond the Living Trust - Using Charitable Giving Strategies to Preserve and Enhance Family Wealth
1997
Seminar
Integrating Transfer and Income Tax Planning through International Insurance
1997
Monthly Meeting
Strategies for Wealth Accumulation and Preservation after the Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997
1997
Forum Meeting
Fundamental Principles for Estate Planning Attorneys
1997
Collegium
Planning for Retirement Plan Distributions in Community Property States
1988
Dialog 1988
Strategies for Bankers -- Appropriate Responses to Regulatory Pressures
1987
Seminar
The Interestate Banking Game
1986
Convention
Capital Formation for Banks & Protecting Directors & Officers From Liability
1986
Convention
Protecting Directors & Officers from Liability
1981
7th Annual Institute
Permissible Activities Under the Bank Holding Company Act
1979
Examiners Seminar
New Insider Lending Rules & Other Provisions of FIRREA
Publications
2003
Aspen Publishers
PLANING FOR THE AFFLUENT
2000
Trusts & Estates
The Home Security Trust - Better than a QPRT on Steroids
2000
Conspectus Current
Creative Use of IRC SEction 501(c)(15) Insurance Companies for Closely Held Businesses and Professional Corporations
1998
Conspectus Current
Sale to a Defective Trust - A Life Insurance Technique
1987
WEstern Independent Banker
Interstate Banking: Something Old, Something New, Something Blue
1974
Journal of Taxation
When Will Loans to Employer from Employee Trusts Not Be a Prohibited Transaction?
1974
California Bar Journal
California's Expanded Close-Corporation Exemption and the Lawyer's Role Thereunder
1973
Los Angeles Bar Bulletin
Loans to Employer Corporations from Section 401 Trusts
Languages
English
Activity
Legal Answers
Legal Guides
Legal Answers
Q&A
Do bank accounts designated as POD take precedence over a trust wherein the trust names all assets as part of that trust?
11 Apr 2014
Q&A
Successor trustee proof
03 Apr 2014
Q&A
Can a Successor Trustee gain title to a property through adverse possession if the trustor died 16 years ago?
31 Mar 2014