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Matthew Mir Shafae
also known as Matt Shafae
About Matthew
Biography
Certified Legal Specialist in Estate Planning, Trusts and Probate Law, The State Bar of California
Since 2008, Matt has focused his practice on estate planning and trust and estate administration. Matt launched Shafae Law with the intention of providing comprehensive, personalized legal services with class and integrity for reasonable flat-rate fees. Matt takes great pride in his personable, practical approach to solving legal problems, no matter the size of the estate or complexity of the family dynamics.
Matt previously worked in the chambers of one of his heroes, Hon. Martin J. Jenkins, now a justice of the California Supreme Court. While serving in that capacity, Matt wrote and edited for his law school's law review.
In 2012, Matt received the Wiley M. Manuel Certificate for Pro Bono Legal Services from the State Bar of California. From 2013 - 2018, Matt has received the "Rising Star" designation from Super Lawyers. In 2024, Matthew was selected as a Super Lawyer.
Matt grew up in Belmont, where he has a large network of friends and family. When he's not practicing law, Matt loves staying active, and spending time with his wife, Mercedes, and their kitty, Isabela. Matt also has a love of music and plays bass in several amateur groups. Volunteering and youth education are very important to Matt, who has served as an academic tutor to at-risk youth in East Palo Alto through the Boys & Girls Club of the Peninsula, and was a former high school teacher in the Sequoia Union High School District.
Practice Areas
3
Practice Areas
Fees and Rates
Cost
Payment Methods
- Cash
- Check
- Credit Card
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Chat withLicenses
Licensed in California for 17 years
State: California
Acquired: 2008
No misconduct found
Location
Shafae Law
1156 El Camino Real, San Carlos, CA, 94070
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Matthew Mir Shafae's Reviews
Showing 1 - 5 of 6 client reviews from Avvo
Posted by Karen | December 3, 2025 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Knowledgeable and easy to work with.
Matt did our original family trust, and then did an update when that was needed. He was very knowledgeable and easy to work with. We have recommended him to several friends and family, and will use him again if we need estate planning help.
Posted by Tamar | January 9, 2023 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Excellent experience, highly recommended
Matthew Shafae is extremely knowledgeable and professional! Working with Matt on our living trust was a great experience. We met with Matt a number of times via video call and eventually met him in person as well. In all these meetings Matt was very informative and generous with his time, patiently a...
Posted by Jesus C | July 7, 2022 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Highly recommended. Estate Planning. Trust
So glad we found Matt to help my parents with their trust and other matters. He is super helpful and professional at all times. We had a couple free video meetings where he was super helpful at guiding us to best make the decisions that needed to be made before we even signed a contract or compensate...
Posted by Danielle | April 16, 2022 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Estates, wills, trusts and related documents
Responsive, professional and personable! I contacted Matt about a future need and he uncovered an issue with our present trust that would have cost me a large amount of $ and financial and personal security. He cleared his commitments to expedite the changes. He not only met his commitment, he was ab...
Posted by Shawn B | August 2, 2017 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Easy Estate Planning
Step by step with clear explanations of process. Thank you Matt and Justin for your expertise in executing our trust. We have great confidence our estate will be carried out as we wish.
Matthew Mir Shafae's Lawyer Endorsements
"Matthew M. Shafae is a tremendous asset to my law practice. He is an expert estate planner, and is intelligent, professional and personable. Matt’s years of experience in estate planning, together with his education, a post-doctorate Law degree in taxation and his background in teaching, are evident through Matt’s ability to explain complex legal issues to clients, at our seminars, and to our readership."
"I endorse this lawyer with no reservation. An extremely talented and well respected attorney in the legal community. Very hardworking and diligent. Consistently achieves superior results. Advice is always practical and on point. I recommend to anyone looking for an attorney who knows the law and truly cares about protecting the rights of clients and achieving the most favorable result possible.I endorse this lawyer.I endorse this lawyer."
"I have reached out to Matt on a number of legal issues. Each time I have been overwhelmingly impressed with his grasp of the law and his down-to-earth approach. Besides his acumen, Matt has the highest reputation for integrity and providing practical legal solutions for his clients. Anyone who has Matt as an attorney is in good hands."
"Top-notch attorney. Highly respected in the legal community."
"I highly recommend Matt Shafae for your estate planning needs. I rarely handle estate plans for my clients (mostly simple matters), but when I do, I know I can call on Matt Shafae for advice on how best structure the estate plans. And so should you! He is highly knowledgeable and sought after in his field. Many Bay Area estate planning law firms are soulless mills where you are treated like a number rather than a human. With Matt Shafae, you can rest assured your needs will get his personal attention and that you'll get the best advice available. He has my highest endorsement!"
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Lori Withrow
Contracts and agreements lawyer
Experience
Honors
2024
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2018
Rising Star, Super Lawyers
2017
Rising Star, Super Lawyers
2016
Rising Star, Super Lawyers
2015
Rising Star, Super Lawyers
2014
Rising Star, Super Lawyers
2013
Rising Star, Super Lawyers
2012
Wiley W. Manuel Certificate for Pro Bono Services, The State Bar of California
2006
Witkin Award for Academic Excellence - Appellate Advocacy, Witkin Legal Institute
2006
Witkin Award for Academic Excellence - Evidence, Witkin Legal Institute
2005
Witkin Award for Academic Excellence - Civil Procedure, Witkin Legal Institute
2005
Witkin Award for Academic Excellence - Property, Witkin Legal Institute
Work Experience
2008 - Present
Attorney, Shafae Law
Associations
2009 - Present
San Mateo County Bar AssociationMember
Sample of Legal Cases
Abolghasemi v. Abdollahzadeh
Judgment in favor of my client, judgment affirmed on appeal
Education
2012
Golden Gate University School of Law
LL.M - Master of Laws
2007
Golden Gate University School of Law
JD - Juris Doctor
2003
Univ of California at Los Angeles
BA - Bachelor of Arts
Speaking Engagements
2020
The reSolve Group Webinar series
Estate Planning During COVID-19
2020
The reSolve Group Speaker Series
Estate Planning Seminar
2019
Title, Trusts, and Estate Taxes
Title, Trusts, and Estate Taxes
2019
Tax Planning Workshop - Recent Tax Code Changes and How They Affect Us & Our Clients
Estate, Gift, Income Tax
2019
Lunch & Learn: Title, Trusts, and Estate Taxes
Title, Trusts, Estate Taxes
2017
Paseo de Palomas
Living Trusts/Estate Planning
2017
Living Trust Seminar
Living Trusts
2016
Living Trust Seminar
Living Trust/Estate Planning
2016
Client Appreciation Seminar
Big Changes in the Medi-Cal Law
Publications
2017
Law Office Blog
Litherland Law Office 2017 Government Policy Forecast
2017
Law Office Blog
Special Needs Trusts: Two Words to Say Fairness
2017
Elder Law Today
Limits to Medi-Cal Recovery
2016
Law Offices of Roy W. Litherland Website
Sorting Through the Taxes that May Impact Your Estate Plan
2016
Law Office Blog
Are All Trusts Asset-Protecting Trusts?
2016
Law Office Blog
Portability and Second Marriages
Languages
English
Persian
Activity
Legal Answers
Legal Guides
Legal Answers
Q&A
Hi both of my grandparents have passed away and so has my mom. How do me and my siblings knw if we are aprt of my grandparents.
21 Apr 2017
Q&A
Landlord is threatening to evict an elderly tenant if ex-tenant visits
12 Sep 2013
Q&A
In California on a MTM lease, MUST I prorate rent when a tenant leaves before the 30 day notice period is over?
31 Aug 2013