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Sheila-Marie Finkelstein
About Sheila-Marie
Biography
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
5
Practice Areas
Fees and Rates
Cost
Hourly Rates
$ 300-350 per hour
Retainer
Always
Payment Methods
- Cash
- Check
- Credit Card
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Chat withLicenses
Licensed in California for 14 years
State: California
Acquired: 2011
No misconduct found
Location
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
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Sheila-Marie Finkelstein's Reviews
Avvo Review Score
1 Client Review
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Practice Areas
What Clients Mention
Showing 1 - 1 of 1 review | Practice Area Knowledge
Posted by anonymous | September 16, 2016 | Hired Attorney | Estate Planning
She saved my grandma's estate.
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...
Sheila-Marie Finkelstein's Lawyer Endorsements
"Sheila-Marie is a wonderful attorney, knowledgeable, caring and charismatic. She is an absolute pleasure to work with and I fully recommend her for your Trusts, Estate Planning and Probate needs."
"Sheila-Marie is a brilliant attorney that always goes above and beyond. She is caring and is such an innovator in estate planning. She is a pleasure to work with and I highly recommend her to anyone needing to get their estate planning done."
"I endorse this lawyer. She is a top-notch attorney who is highly respected among the legal community."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"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."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"Ms. Finkelstein is a knowledgeable and compassionate advocate. I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"Sheila-Marie is extremely smart and enthusiastic. I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"A thorough and knowledgeable estate planning attorney."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"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."
"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."
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Experience
Honors
2018
Rising Star, Super Lawyers
2017
Volunteer Recognition, Orange County Bar Association
2016
Recognition for Providing Pro Bono Services to Veterans, California State Senate - Sen. Janet Nguyen
2016
Recognition for Work With Veterans Legal Institute, U.S. House of Representatives - Rep. Mimi Walters
2016
Recognition for Work With Veterans Legal Institute, U.S. House of Representatives - Rep. Loretta Sanchez
2016
Volunteer Recognition, Orange County Bar Association
2015
Proclamation Recognition, City of Corona
2015
Volunteer Recognition, Orange County Bar Association
2014
Volunteer Recognition, Orange County Bar Association
2011
Third Year Service Award, Washington & Lee University School of Law
2011
Honor Advocate, Washington & Lee University
Work Experience
2015 - Present
Associate, Holstrom, Block & Parke, APLC
2011 - Present
Attorney, Estate Planning, Probate & Conservatorship
Associations
2015 - Present
Orange County Jewish Bar AssociationSecretary
2015 - Present
Orange County Women Lawyers AssociationDirector
2015 - Present
Orange County Young Trusts & Estates Attorneys - Lunch & Learn FounderDirector
2015 - Present
SoCal BNI - Platinum ClubVice President
2015 - Present
Orange County Bar Association, Veterans & Military CommitteeVice Chair
2014 - Present
Orange County Bar Association, Trusts and Estates SectionMember
2014 - Present
Orange County Bar Association, Solo Practitioner/Small Firm SectionMember
2012 - Present
Orange County Bar Association, Young Lawyers DivisionMember
2014 - 2015
Orange County Bar AssociationMilitary & Veteran Task Force
2013 - 2014
Orange County Bar Association, Young Lawyers Division (Education Chair 2014)Chair
2013 - 2015
Orange County Jewish Bar AssociationExecutive Committee
2012 - 2015
Orange County Women Lawyers AssociationMember
2011 - 2013
Orange County Jewish Bar AssociationMember
Education
2011
Washington and Lee University School of Law
JD - Juris Doctor
2010
University of Copenhagen Faculty of Law
International Law Student
2008
University of Nevada-Las Vegas
M.Ed.
2006
American University
BA - Bachelor of Arts
N/A
Chapman University School of Law
LL.M - Master of Laws
Speaking Engagements
2017
Keynote Speaker
Estate Planning for Individuals
2016
OCBA Veterans & Military Committee Seminar
How to become a VA Accredited Attorney
2016
OCBA Veterans Military Committee Open House & View from the Bench
Military Specific Laws & Protections
2016
Nuts & Bolts of Living Trusts
Revocable Living Trusts
2016
How & Why to Avoid Conservatorship
Conservatorships
2015
So you think you don't need an Advance Health Care Directive? Think Again!
Advance Health Care Directives & Estate Planning
2015
Estate Planning in 10 Minutes
General Estate Planning
2014
The Status of Diversity in the Legal Community
Diversity in the Legal Field
2012
Why you need an Estate Plan: Avoid Probate
Avoid Probate
Publications
2016
American Bar Association GPSolo Magazine
Powers of Attorney
2015
American Bar Association GPSolo Magazine
Estate Planning for Old Age and Incapacity
Languages
English