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Susan A. Katzen

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Avvo Rating8.9
  • Newport Beach, CA
  • Licensed for 42 years
Susan A. Katzen
Susan A. Katzen
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About Susan

Susan A. Katzen is dedicated to providing comprehensive, highly personalized estate planning counsel to couples, families, individuals and businesses. Susan serves her clients by first listening closely to their goals, dreams and fears; she then uses her knowledge and experience to develop superior plans that address these wishes and concerns. Susan is committed to helping her clients understand that an effective estate plan doesn’t just save tax dollars, but also provides the peace of mind that comes from knowing their needs and those of their loved ones are protected. With a husband and three children of her own, Susan has experienced the value of this peace of mind first-hand.

 

Several of Susan's close family friends experienced much heart ache trying to navigate the complex nature of government benefits and ensuring that their child or loved was provided with the resources to allow them to thrive and become independently functioning individuals.  Through this experience Susan has developed a heart for assisting special needs families and a large portion of her practice is now exclusively dedicated to ensuring prudent planning for special needs individuals.  In addition, Susan works closely with personal injury attorneys that assist special needs families in receiving a settlement as a result of negligence causing a disability.  Such settlements need to be carefully placed inside a special needs trust in order to protect the special needs individual's government benefits.

 

Susan and her staff are actively involved in volunteering with many associations such as the Down Syndrome Association of Orange County, Academy of Special Needs Planners, Special Olympics Southern California, Special Needs Coalition and is a well-sought out speaker on topics involving special needs planning.

Practice areas

ProbateEstate planningTrusts
  1. Trusts: 34%

    In addition to highly customized planning, this office is experienced in coming alongside a trustee to properly administer a trust after the passing of a loved one. Although superior to probate proceedings, there are still in many cases complicated matters to consider as you transfer and appropriate assets.

    43 years

  2. Estate planning: 33%

    Helping families and individuals plan for their future through the protection of assets and preservation of values in order to ensure security for themselves and their loved ones. Specializing in customized planning for Living Trusts that accounts for the unique needs of every family. Also highly experienced in Special Needs Planning for family members with disabilities in order to ensure qualification for benefits and other important services necessary for a high standard of living.

    43 years

  3. Probate: 33%

    In the event that a loved one passes without the appropriate planning, Susan and her caring staff are highly qualified in assisting with lengthy and time consuming probate proceedings. Experience is especially important in this type of matter as the court is highly involved with every detail and all actions are documented and highly scrutinized.

    43 years

Languages spoken

English, Spanish

Photos and videos

156343 1493684454

Contact

4440 Von Karman Ave
address map

Katzen Law

4440 Von Karman Ave
Suite 350
Newport Beach, CA, 92660

Fax (949) 732-3524
Website
http://www.skatzenlaw.com

Resume

License
StateStatusAcquiredUpdated
CAActive197810/27/2020
We have not found any instances of professional misconduct for this lawyer.
Avvo Contributions
Legal answers1
Legal guides0
Work Experience
TitleCompany nameDuration
Attorney and Counselor at LawLaw Office of Susan A. Katzen1978 - Present
Associations
Association namePosition nameDuration
Orange County Bar AssociationMemberN/A
Orange County Trial Lawyers AssociationMemberN/A
Academy of Special Needs PlannersMemberN/A
American Bar AssociationMemberN/A
Huntington Beach Chamber of CommerceMemberN/A
National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, Special Needs Law SectionMemberN/A
Special Needs Settlement Planning CommitteeMemberN/A
National Alliance of Mental IllnessMemberN/A
Special Needs CoalitionMemberN/A
State Bar of CaliforniaMemberN/A
Publications
Publication nameTitleDate
Academy of Special Needs Planners"All The Bunnies" -Contributing AuthorN/A
California Continuing Education of the Bar (CEB)California Durable Powers of Attorney - Contributing AuthorN/A
Education
School nameDegreeGraduated
Western State University College of LawJD - Juris Doctor1978
University of Wisconsin, LaCrosseBS - Bachelor of Science1975
Speaking Engagements
Conference nameTitleDate
Orange County Bar Association, Elder Law Section (June Meeting - MCLE credit)Special Needs Subtrust vs. Standalone Special Needs Trust2017
Annual Education ConferenceAdministering the Special Needs Trust2012
Williams Syndrome National Conference"Planning for a Loved One with Special Needs"2008
California Forum"California Developments in Probate Code"2006
Continuing Education Event for AttorneysSpecial Needs Trusts - A Case StudyN/A

Reviews

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Review Susan Katzen

Attorney Susan A Katzen

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After passing my husband, Suzan A Katzen helped me with our trust, and with all paperwork.
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Hired attorney

Attorney endorsements

(8)
Are you an attorney? Endorse this lawyer

Chantesia Hodges, Estate planning Attorney on Oct 30, 2020
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

Susan shows a desire to skillfully serve her clients with compassion and is a credit to the profession. I am happy to recommend her.

Babak Farzad, Estate planning Attorney on Sep 13, 2018
Relationship: Worked together on matter

There are certain attorneys who are just a pleasure to talk to and constantly impress you with their knowledge, communication skills and temperament. There are not many like that but Susan fits the bill and then some. Our family law firm has had the pleasure of consulting with her and she has never disappointed. I give this glowing endorsement because Susan earned it.

Shaun Phillips, Trusts Attorney on Jun 10, 2016
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

Susan is a highly skilled, experienced attorney with a genuine compassion for her clients. Susan's clients are consistently pleased with not only her work product, but also with the overall experience of working with her.

Christian Amendt, Trusts Attorney on Mar 18, 2016
Relationship: Worked together on matter

Extremely knowledgeable, follows up, detail oriented, and cares about her clients. I strongly endorse this lawyer.

Michael Jeandron, Trusts Attorney on Jul 10, 2014
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

Susan is a fantastic lawyer that always puts her client first. She can easily understand various needs and interests and drafts effective and efficient trust documents. She is friendly, kind and sensitive to her clients. If you are in need of a trust, there are few lawyers with the knowledge and skill set of Susan Katzen.

Catherine Lerer, Estate planning Attorney on Feb 4, 2014
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

I can highly recommend Susan. I have referred many of my personal injury clients to her and she they have all been very happy and appreciative. She does a terrific job, really knows her area of law, and has great communication skills.

Andrea Loveless, Estate planning Attorney on Mar 29, 2011
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

I endorse this lawyer. Susan is a brilliant and compassionate attorney who consistently goes above and beyond for her clients.

James Ulwelling, Estate planning Attorney on Feb 10, 2011
Relationship: Worked together on matter

I highly endorse Susan Katzen. Susan and I worked together on a "cross-over" matter involving both estate planning and real property issues. I found Susan to be a pleasure to work with: She is very skilled, knowledgeable, energetic and effective. I also found Susan's entire office staff to be responsive, courteous and professional. What stands out in my mind above all about Susan is that she truly cares for her clients. She listens thoughtfully and develops a clear understanding of their goals and objectives. Susan has an exceptional combination of legal acumen, warmth, compassion and experience. I have referred a number of matters to Susan and will continue to do with great confidence.