Skip to main content

Sheila-Marie Finkelstein

  Save
Avvo Rating10
See more Lakewood Estate Planning lawyersSearch
AboutContactReviewsCost

About Sheila-Marie

Sheila-Marie Finklestein is the Principal Attorney at AHAVA Law, P.C. She practices exclusively in Trusts, Estates, and Probate.

Prior to becoming an attorney, Sheila-Marie was an elementary school science teacher with Teach for America, a clerk for the U.S. Air Force Judge Advocate General’s Office, and served as an in-house counsel for a community hospital. These experiences taught her the importance of a well drafted and funded comprehensive estate plan. She helps clients with matters involving trusts, advance health care directive, trust administration, conservatorship, probate administration, etc.

Sheila-Marie serves on several community non profit boards, including the Orange County Women Lawyers Association, Orange County Jewish Bar Association, OCBA Veterans and Military Committee, and Veterans' Legal Institute. She also created and is the primary attorney for the VLI Estate Clinic, which provides pro bono estate services to service members and veterans. 

She has received numerous accolades in appreciation of her charitbale service, including, the Proclamation Recognition from the City of Corona, Volunteer Recognition from the Orange County Bar Association, and recognition from the State of California for her work with Veterans. 

 

Practice areas

OtherWills and living willsTrustsProbateEstate planning
  1. Estate planning: 25%

  2. Probate: 25%

  3. Trusts: 20%

  4. Wills and living wills: 15%

  1. Power of attorney: 15%

Languages spoken

English

Contact

5150 E. Candlewood St
address map

AHAVA Law, P.C.

5150 E. Candlewood St
Suite 10A
Lakewood, CA, 92660

AHAVA Law, PC

4299 MacArthur Blvd
Suite 211
Newport Beach, CA, 90712

Resume

License
StateStatusAcquiredUpdated
CAActive201101/20/2020
We have not found any instances of professional misconduct for this lawyer.
Avvo Contributions
Legal answers6
Legal guides0
Awards
Award nameGrantorDate granted
Rising StarSuper Lawyers2018
Volunteer RecognitionOrange County Bar Association2017
Recognition for Providing Pro Bono Services to VeteransCalifornia State Senate - Sen. Janet Nguyen2016
Recognition for Work With Veterans Legal InstituteU.S. House of Representatives - Rep. Mimi Walters2016
Recognition for Work With Veterans Legal InstituteU.S. House of Representatives - Rep. Loretta Sanchez2016
Volunteer RecognitionOrange County Bar Association2016
Proclamation RecognitionCity of Corona2015
Volunteer RecognitionOrange County Bar Association2015
Volunteer RecognitionOrange County Bar Association2014
Third Year Service AwardWashington & Lee University School of Law2011
Honor AdvocateWashington & Lee University2011
Work Experience
TitleCompany nameDuration
AssociateHolstrom, Block & Parke, APLC2015 - Present
AttorneyEstate Planning, Probate & Conservatorship2011 - Present
Associations
Association namePosition nameDuration
Orange County Jewish Bar AssociationSecretary2015 - Present
Orange County Women Lawyers AssociationDirector2015 - Present
Orange County Young Trusts & Estates Attorneys - Lunch & Learn FounderDirector2015 - Present
SoCal BNI - Platinum ClubVice President2015 - Present
Orange County Bar Association, Veterans & Military CommitteeVice Chair2015 - Present
Orange County Bar Association, Trusts and Estates SectionMember2014 - Present
Orange County Bar Association, Solo Practitioner/Small Firm SectionMember2014 - Present
Orange County Bar Association, Young Lawyers DivisionMember2012 - Present
Orange County Bar AssociationMilitary & Veteran Task Force2014 - 2015
Orange County Bar Association, Young Lawyers Division (Education Chair 2014)Chair2013 - 2014
Orange County Jewish Bar AssociationExecutive Committee2013 - 2015
Orange County Women Lawyers AssociationMember2012 - 2015
Orange County Jewish Bar AssociationMember2011 - 2013
Publications
Publication nameTitleDate
American Bar Association GPSolo MagazinePowers of Attorney2016
American Bar Association GPSolo MagazineEstate Planning for Old Age and Incapacity2015
Education
School nameDegreeGraduated
Washington and Lee University School of LawJD - Juris Doctor2011
University of Copenhagen Faculty of LawInternational Law Student2010
University of Nevada-Las VegasM.Ed.2008
American UniversityBA - Bachelor of Arts2006
Chapman University School of LawLL.M - Master of LawsN/A
Speaking Engagements
Conference nameTitleDate
Keynote SpeakerEstate Planning for Individuals2017
How & Why to Avoid ConservatorshipConservatorships2016
OCBA Veterans Military Committee Open House & View from the BenchMilitary Specific Laws & Protections2016
Nuts & Bolts of Living TrustsRevocable Living Trusts2016
OCBA Veterans & Military Committee SeminarHow to become a VA Accredited Attorney2016
So you think you don't need an Advance Health Care Directive? Think Again!Advance Health Care Directives & Estate Planning2015
Estate Planning in 10 MinutesGeneral Estate Planning2015
The Status of Diversity in the Legal CommunityDiversity in the Legal Field2014
Why you need an Estate Plan: Avoid ProbateAvoid Probate2012

Reviews

(1)
5 Star
100%
4 Star
0%
3 Star
0%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Review Sheila-Marie Finkelstein

She saved my grandma's estate.

Posted by

My Grandmother took ill very suddenly, and did not have her affairs in order. Sheila-Marie Finkelstein came very highly recommended, in my personal circle. She was willing to come all the way from Irvine to visit my grandmother. First time in her home in Rancho Palos Verdes and the second time in the hospital in Torrence. At the hospital she went over all the paperwork with my grandmother, and always with a big smile on her face. Sheila-Marie Finkelstein is not just a lawyer. Since my grandmother's passing the family has had no unexpected legal issues dealing with my grandma's Estate. The Trust, Will and other documents Finkelstein provided my grandmother to leave behind have been invaluable.
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Hired attorney

Attorney endorsements

(13)
Are you an attorney? Endorse this lawyer

Ross Russell, Arbitration Attorney on Apr 18, 2016
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

I endorse this lawyer. She is a top-notch attorney who is highly respected among the legal community.

Chandra Moss, Family Attorney on Jan 16, 2016
Relationship: Co-worker

I endorse this lawyer.

Michelle Reynolds, Employment and labor Attorney on Nov 28, 2015
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

I met Sheila-Marie Finkelstein thanks to the Orange County Bar Association, an organization to which she constantly gives back. Her compassion and passion for helping people is immediately apparent not by her words, but through her actions. As a human being who puts not just her clients, but in general persons about herself, Sheila-Marie radiates professionalism. Because of this, I endorse this lawyer.

Carrie Block, Divorce and separation Attorney on Nov 26, 2015
Relationship: Supervised lawyer

I endorse this lawyer.

Mary Melech, Government Attorney on Nov 20, 2015
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

Ms. Finkelstein is a knowledgeable and compassionate advocate. I endorse this lawyer.

Elisabeth Lord, Family Attorney on Nov 20, 2015
Relationship: Co-worker

I endorse this lawyer.

Ronald Funk, Appeals Attorney on Nov 20, 2015
Relationship: Co-worker

Sheila-Marie is extremely smart and enthusiastic. I endorse this lawyer.

Kevin Matz, Trusts Attorney on Nov 20, 2015
Relationship: Co-worker

I endorse this lawyer.

Marie Braun, Family Attorney on Nov 19, 2015
Relationship: Co-worker

I endorse this lawyer.

Kathleen Keeley, Divorce and separation Attorney on Nov 5, 2015
Relationship: Worked together on matter

A thorough and knowledgeable estate planning attorney.

Samantha McBride, Family Attorney on Nov 4, 2015
Relationship: Co-worker

I endorse this lawyer.

Sharon Anderson, Guardianship Attorney on Nov 4, 2015
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

Sheila-Marie Finkelstein is a compassionate, extremely knowledgeable attorney who genuinely cares about the well-being of her clients. I would whole-heartedly recommend her.

William Peacock, Estate planning Attorney on Jan 30, 2015
Relationship: Worked together on matter

I've known Sheila-Marie since the early days of law school, through bar review, and on through a few years of practice. She's caring, brilliant, and does her absolute best on every matter she handles. She's at the top of my referral list, not just because she's a dear friend, but because she's an excellent attorney as well.

Cost

RATES
  • Hourly Rates$300-$350/hour
  • Free Consultation Some lawyers offer a free consultation to help determine whether their services are right for your legal needs30 minutes
PAYMENT METHODS

Cash, Check, Credit Card