About Dennis

Biography

Dennis M. Sandoval is a dedicated attorney with a unique and powerful background that has shaped his remarkable legal career. In 1992, Dennis suffered life-changing injuries after a car accident, breaking his neck and back, which left him paralyzed. However, this traumatic experience became the foundation for his unwavering commitment to serving the disabled and senior communities in Riverside County and San Bernardino County.

Dennis's personal journey has given him unparalleled insight into the physical and emotional challenges of living with a disability, as well as a profound understanding of the intricacies of the care system. This firsthand knowledge fuels his passion to advocate for those in need and ensures he can empathize with his clients on a level that few attorneys can match.

In addition to his life-altering experience, Dennis boasts a remarkable set of credentials that set him apart in his profession. He is the only attorney in California to hold certifications in three crucial areas: estate planning, elder law, and taxation. His accolades include the esteemed Certified Estate Planning, Trust, and Probate Law Specialist designation from the California Bar Board of Legal Specialization in 1998, as well as the Certified Taxation Law Specialist designation from the same organization in 2000. Furthermore, he proudly earned the Certified Elder Law Attorney (CELA) designation in 2004, meeting stringent requirements set forth by the National Elder Law Foundation (NELF) and the American Bar Association. To top it off, Dennis holds the distinguished title of an Accredited Estate Planner® (AEP) from the National Association of Estate Planners and Councils.

Education-wise, Dennis's accomplishments are equally impressive. He holds a Master of Tax Law Degree (LL.M.), a Juris Doctorate (J.D.) degree, and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration/Finance.

Before becoming an attorney, Dennis owned a successful tax planning, preparation, and financial planning firm in Orange, California. During this time, he earned designations as an Enrolled Agent with the Internal Revenue Service, as well as a Certified Financial Planner® (CFP) and Registered Financial Consultant® (RFC). Though he no longer practices as a financial planner, the invaluable knowledge he gained serves him well in assisting his estate planning, elder law, and tax controversy clients, as well as collaborating with their financial advisors.

Dennis's impressive career spans beyond his legal practice; he has also played a significant role in educating and guiding other attorneys in his field. For seventeen years, he served as the Director of Education for the American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys (AAEPA), a nationwide membership organization dedicated to estate planning. Furthermore, he has actively contributed to various organizations' boards and committees, including the National Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys (NAELA) and the National Elder Law Foundation, further solidifying his reputation as a leading expert in his field.

Dennis's commitment to the community goes beyond his legal expertise. He actively engages with various special needs and disability organizations, such as ARC, NAMI, TACA, the Autism Society, and the Special Olympics. He is also a proud member of The Academy of Special Needs Planners, an organization devoted to assisting individuals with disabilities.

As a testament to his passion for holistic care, Dennis's law firm is a charter member of the Life Care Planning Law Firms Association (LCPLFA). This nationwide organization focuses on providing the highest quality of care to frail elders and disabled persons by employing social workers and geriatric care managers as part of a comprehensive team of professionals.

Beyond his legal pursuits, Dennis cherishes his roots in Riverside, where he attended Our Lady of Perpetual Help grade school and Notre Dame High School. In his younger years, he excelled in various sports, earning letters in football and wrestling. Today, he finds joy in building and maintaining marine aquariums and pursuing his passion for photography.

Residing in Norco, California, Dennis shares his life with his wife, three daughters, and a variety of beloved pets. He delights in spending quality time with his two grandsons and granddaughter, cherishing each moment with his growing family.

Sandoval Legacy Group is a division of Holstrom, Block & Parke, a professional law corporation - Providing Comprehensive Probate & Estate Planning Services.

Practice Areas

Estate Planning 40%

Estate Planning, Estate Tax Reduction Strategies / Business Succession Planning / Special Needs Planning / Trust Administration / Probate / Will and Trust Contests

40%

Elder Law 10%

Life Care Planning / Nursing Home Medi-Cal Planning / Veterans Aid and Attendance Planning / Revocable Living Trusts / Irrevocable Living Trusts / Power of Attorney for Property / Advance Health Care Directives / Conservatorships / Care Coordination and Advocacy / Elder Financial Abuse

10%

Guardianship 10%

Limited and Probate Conservatorships of the Person and Estate in California; Guardianships for minors

10%

Probate 10%

10%

Tax 10%

Income and Estate Tax Planning; Business Formation and uccession Tax Issues; Charitable Planning; Tax Controversy

10%

Trusts 10%

10%

Wills and Living Wills 10%

10%

Fees and Rates

Cost

Free Consultation

$0 first 15 minutes

Payment Methods

Cash
Check
Credit Card

Awards

Licenses

Licensed in California for 29 years

State: California

Acquired: 1996

Active

No misconduct found

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Location

Sandoval Legacy Group, a Division of Holstrom, Block, & Parke, APLC

4300 Latham Street, Riverside, CA, 92501

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Riverside

3780 12th Street, Riverside, CA, 92501

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Corona

1897 California Ave., Ste. 102, Corona, CA, 92881

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Temecula Valley

40810 County Center Drive, Ste. 150, Temecula, CA, 92591

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Newport Beach

4940 Campus Dr., Ste. A, Newport Beach, CA, 92660

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San Diego

3111 Camino Del Rio N., Ste. 950, San Diego, CA, 92108

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Vista

380 S. Melrose Dr. Ste. 347, Vista, CA, 92083

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Gallery

Online Presence

Other places you can find Dennis online.

Dennis Michael Sandoval's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

5.0 /5.0

7 Client Reviews

5 star (7)

4 star (0)

3 star (0)

2 star (0)

1 star (0)

Showing 1 - 5 of 7 client reviews from Avvo

Posted by Patricia | May 3, 2020 | Hired Attorney

Experience and Patience - A Great Combination

Dennis Sandoval is experienced, offers helpful advice, and has the patience of a saint. He always took the time to answer our questions and gave real-life examples to clarify confusing concepts. We are confident that our new Trust will simplify the final distribution of our estate to beneficiaries,... as well as the management of our assets during times of incapacity.

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Posted by Karen | April 23, 2020 | Hired Attorney

satisfied client

I was fortunate to be recommended to Dennis thru the firm which I have previously used, I consulted with Dennis and hired him to assist me with my Trust, everything from start to finish was first class, will definitely recommend and use again

Posted by Lynne | May 14, 2019 | Hired Attorney

Glad I found this law firm

Glad I found this law firm. They got the job done. Kept me informed on what the court wanted, what they were doing, and what I needed to do and when. Also, very personable and professional staff. Great experience.

Posted by anonymous | July 7, 2011

Peace of mind

Dennis Sandoval helped my father-in-law qualify for Medi-Cal after his stroke because he didn't have medical insurance and guided us along the way to obtain the best treatment and care for him. He explained the law and relevant issues in such a way that we could make the best decisions for him. He ...later assisted our other family members with their Estate Plans, Trust Administrations and even the creation of a memorial foundation. Mr. Sandoval is a unique attorney with extraordinary skills and I would highly recommend him.

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Posted by Joy | June 7, 2011

Amazing!!!

What an amazing Attorney! My cousin and I have been trying to handle her mother's affairs for over a year, we finally hit a brick wall and could no longer navigate through red tape. We made an appt with Dennis; arriving with our letters, notes, and paperwork; and not a clue what to do next. He not on...ly answered all of our questions patiently, he laid out different options, and advised us as to pros and cons of each. He was honest, kind and knowlegable, he let us decide which way we wanted to handle this issue once we had the needed facts. No pressure at all. I worked in a law office many years ago, so I have had to deal with numerous attys and their staff, and let me tell you, Dennis and his staff are definately OUTSTANDING!!! I am looking forward to working with him again in the future.

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Dennis Michael Sandoval's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse Dennis

Dev Patel

Estate planning lawyer | Feb 11

Relationship: Worked for lawyer

"I have the privilege of working with Dennis Sandoval on a daily basis. He has been a wonderful mentor to me as an estate planning attorney. He is professional, courteous, and knowledgeable in his multiple practice areas, and is willing to give everything he has for his clients. Time after time, I have seen Dennis go the distance to help people who would have no other hope without him. I can endorse Dennis without any hesitation and I would recommend anyone who needs estate planning go see him. To me there is no higher compliment I can pay then to trust an attorney with the well-being of my own clients, friends, and family. I trust Dennis to take care of them 100%."

Ryan Fender

Unknown lawyer | Oct 23

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Dennis is an excellent attorney who possesses a wealth of knowledge and experience in his practice areas. He is a frequent speaker at seminars which are aimed at educating other attorneys. You would be hard pressed to find another attorney in the area who can match Dennis' knowledge on his practice areas."

Jennifer Daniel

Elder law lawyer | Mar 25

Relationship: Worked for lawyer

"Dennis is one of the most knowledgeable and thorough attorneys I have had the good fortune to work for and with. Dennis's insight and practical, measured approach to his cases is a model for the attorneys in the community. I endorse Dennis."

David Hamilton

Probate lawyer | Jun 15

Relationship: Worked for lawyer

"I endorse this lawyer."

Brandie Luis

Elder law lawyer | Mar 25

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I have known Dennis for about 11 years as the head of education for the American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys. Dennis has taught me a lot over the years! He is always on top of new changes in the law and has the ability to clearly explain complicated legal issues. He is a very intelligent, hardworking, dedicated and caring attorney. I would confidently refer anyone to Dennis for their estate planning or elder law issues."

Lance McKinney

Estate planning lawyer | Apr 16

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer."

Howard Roitman

Probate lawyer | Feb 13

Relationship: Other

"I endorse this lawyer."

Miles Hurley

Elder law lawyer | Jan 07

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. Dennis has outstanding experience and expertise in the areas of elder and special needs law. I have known Dennis for a number of years and have referred clients to him in that time. If my parents needed help and lived in Dennis' geographic area, I would refer them to him."

William Browning

Elder law lawyer | Jan 02

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. I have known Dennis for approximately 10 years through the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys. Through his published works and presentations, he has established a national reputation. He also happens to be a really good person."

Herbert Chavers

Estate planning lawyer | Dec 31

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Although I am certified as a specialist in estate planning and probate, I frequently consult with Dennis on complex estate planning and trust administration matters. Because of his timely and knowledgeable counsel, I have been been able to provide my own clients with more comprehensive solutions to help them achieve peace of mind."

Bradley Anderson

Estate planning lawyer | Dec 31

Relationship: Other

"Dennis is the expert, bar none, in estate planning, estate taxation, elder law and all their related areas of law. I can recommend him without reservation."

Timothy Crawford

Elder law lawyer | Dec 29

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. There is no one who is smarter than dennis when it comes to tax law. he is very involved in helping people in the special needs community. if you were to hire him to be your lawyer, you could not go wrong. He is the best."

Thomas Begley

Elder law lawyer | Nov 12

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Dennis is one of the brightest and most passionate lawyers in the area of elder law. He has thorough knowledge of in the areas of asset protection, special needs planning and tax planning. He is a zealous advocate for his clients and a generous member of the legal community in which he constantly participates in continuing education."

Todd Whatley

Elder law lawyer | Apr 24

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. I serve on a board with Dennis and have worked on a few projects with Dennis. He is a national leader in the world of Elder Law."

Stephen Spano

Elder law lawyer | Jun 21

Relationship: Other

"I endorse this lawyer."

David McGuffey

Elder law lawyer | Feb 08

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"If only words could describe Dennis. He is a leader of the elder law bar on a national basis. When other elder law attorneys have a tax question or a trust question (or just about any other question), Dennis is on the short list of persons they call for advice."

Robert Fleming

Estate planning lawyer | Jan 20

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"Dennis is just flat-out exceptional. He is extremely bright, very hard-working and a pleasure to work with in every regard. His clients are lucky (and good shoppers)."

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