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Ernest Joon Kim

Probate Attorney at Tustin, CA

5.0   1 review
  • Licensed for 28 years
    State CA
    Acquired 1995
    Status
    Active No misconduct found

We have not found any instances of professional misconduct for this lawyer.

About Ernest

Learn Ernest’s areas of practice.

4
Practice areas
  1. Probate
    35%
    Certified by the State Bar of California - Board of Legal Specialization as a Specialist in Estate Planning, Trust, and Probate Law. We have completed many "problem" probates by coming up with creative solutions to deal with liquidity problems (not enough cash to cover probate fees and costs and assets which could not be sold), resolving family conflicts, and dealing with complex tax and asset issues, to successfully pass more assets to the next generation.

    26 years

  2. Trusts
    30%
    We set up trusts with custom drafting to meet our clients' goals. We have decades of expertise fixing botched trusts, incorrectly structured trust transfers, etc. to save taxes, fees, and costs for our clients and their intended beneficiaries.

  3. Estate planning
    25%
    When it comes to estate planning, one size does not fit all. We tailor our plans to meet the goals of our clients for family harmony and asset preservation for the next generation.

    26 years

  4. Litigation
    10%
    In setting up our estate plans and trusts, avoiding litigation is a major consideration. Litigation can often be avoided if the proper steps are taken at the planning stage. Certified by the State Bar of California - Board of Legal Specialization as a Specialist in Estate Planning, Trust, and Probate Law.

Contact Ernest

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Reviews

5.0 / 5.0
  1 customer review
5 Star
 
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Posted by Michael | April 5, 2014
The team for your family's trust crisis!
Did a family illness lead to a legal and financial nightmare--as though you had walked onto the stage of an absurdist play? And then, when you turned to a lot of professionals for help, they gave you the wrong advice or absurd decisions and then turned their backs on you? The Kim team to the rescue! In my case involving a family trust, they went to work immediately, with Mrs. Kim taking down my details by phone; they stayed in very close contact by both phone and email; they were able quickly to write the legal opinion I needed even better than I had imagined. Unlike another lawyer I had previously hired, the Kim team wasn't stumped by a trust with a provision somewhat different from the usual. They also have been clear on their fees. Only when you've felt utterly legally and financially helpless can you understand the value of what Mr. Ernest J Kim's team can do for you: the peace their competence, speed, attention to detail, and communication skills provide. They immediately understood my predicament and were thinking ahead; they were never hard to reach by phone or email. Only the word "excellent" suffices to describe my experience with Mr. Kim's team. [I have not been paid anything to write this review--it is MY pleasure to do so!]
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Cost

Rates
  • Hourly Rates $ 500-550 per hour
Payment methods
Cash, Check, Credit Card

Resume

AVVO RATING 10.0 (Superb)

Work Experience

  • Partner
  • LAW OFFICES OF ERNEST KIM
  • 1995 - Present
  • Assistant Research Attorney
  • Los Angeles Superior Court
  • 1995 - 1996

Education

  • Cornell Law School
  • JD - Juris Doctor
  • 1995
  • University of California - Berkeley
  • BA - Bachelor of Arts
  • 1992

Associations

  • State Bar of California
  • Certified Specialist in Estate Planning, Trust and Probate Law
  • 2011 - Present
  • WealthCounsel
  • Attorney Member
  • 2011 - Present
  • State Bar of California
  • Attorney Member
  • 1995 - Present
  • National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors
  • Attorney Member
  • 2011 - 2012
View all associations

Languages Spoken

  • Korean
  • English

Honors and Awards

  • Certified Specialist - Estate Planning, Trust & Probate Law
  • State Bar of California
  • 2016
  • Superlawyer
  • SuperLawyers
  • 2015
  • Certified Specialist - Estate Planning, Trust & Probate Law
  • State Bar of California
  • 2011

Publications

  • Nature and Classification of Trusts
  • West Publishing Company
  • 1998
  • Matthew Bender publication
  • Eminent Domain and Contamination: 'Just Compensation' for the Taking of Environmentally Contaminated Property
  • 1994

Speaking Engagements

  • Seminar Speaker
  • Trusts, Estate Taxes, and Probate
  • N/A

Attorney endorsements

Received (8)
Given (8)
Endorse Ernest
Estate planning Attorney | Apr 05
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"I endorse this lawyer."
Estate planning Attorney | Mar 30
Relationship: Worked together on matter
"Ernest is an incredibly intelligent attorney who looks at client matters from various angles. He always puts client's needs first and is always willing to listen to differing opinions on matters."
Unknown Attorney | Apr 11
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"Top-notch attorney. Highly respected in the legal community."
Estate planning Attorney | Mar 16
Relationship: Friend
"I attended Cornell Law School with Ernest and we've been friends for over 20 years. He is a super estate planning attorney. He knows everything about trusts and estates, obtains exceptional results for his clients and has been an expert on the subject in both print and broadcast media. He is also smart, reliable, trustworthy and hard-working. I highly recommend his services to anyone with trust and estate needs."
Estate planning Attorney | Aug 23
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"I have referred several satisfied customers to Ernest for estate planning purposes. Ernest is exceptionally knowledgeable, professional and caring. I endorse this lawyer."
Estate planning Attorney | May 02
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"Mr. Kim is a resourceful, compassionate and highly skilled attorney who provides extremely valuable services at a reasonable price."
Wills and living wills Attorney | Nov 14
Relationship: Worked together on matter
"Ernest is knowledgeable, competent, and a trustworthy lawyer. Moreover, he is a genuinely sincere, friendly and nice person - making it enjoyable to work with him."
Estate planning Attorney | Sep 18
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"I endorse Ernest Kim as an attorney. He is professional, intelligent and honest. I've known Ernest for the last few years now and refer people who need his services to him."
View more endorsements
Contracts and agreements
Estate planning
Estate planning
Litigation
Litigation
Real estate