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Michael Gilfix

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Avvo Rating8.8
  • Palo Alto, CA
  • Licensed for 47 years
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About Michael

Practice areas

ProbateTrustsElder lawEstate planning
  1. Estate planning: 45%

    Estate Planning focuses on development of a comprehensive, multi-generational plan to manage, protect, and preserve family assets. It includes trusts, powers of attorney, tax planning, special needs planning.

    35 years, 2,000 cases

  2. Elder law: 30%

    Elder Law addresses all legal planning needs of older clients and their families. It often focuses on addressing of long term care -- qualifying for Medicaid/Medi-Cal, asset preservation, and ensuring quality of care. Special Needs planning for the benefit of disabled family members is often related. It includes surrogate decision making, relying on personalized Durable Powers of Attorney, revocable and irrevocable trusts, and steps to avoid court involvement unless it is unavoidable.

    45 years, 2,000 cases

  3. Trusts: 20%

    Trusts are at the heart of estate planning, elder law, and special needs planning. Revocable living trusts are appropriate for the vast majority, while a number of irrevocable trusts are utilized for tax, asset protection, and special puroposes. Dynasty trusts are typically established for the benefit of children to maximize protection of inherited assets from divorce, litigation, and estate tax exposure for future generations.

    35 years, 1,800 cases

  4. Probate: 5%

    Probate is the court supervised process by which an individual's estate is passed along to heirs. While we routinely and successfully handle probate matters, we emphasize that probate is to avoided by more sophisticated trust planning. Probate can include dispute resolution, easily managed by our Litigation Department.

    35 years, 200 cases

Contact

2300 Geng Rd #200
address map

2300 Geng Rd #200
Palo Alto, CA, 94303

Resume

License
StateStatusAcquiredUpdated
CAActive197310/27/2020
We have not found any instances of professional misconduct for this lawyer.
Avvo Contributions
Legal answers0
Legal guides0
Awards
Award nameGrantorDate granted
Super LawyerSuper Lawyers2011
Fellow of the AcademyNational Academy of Elder Law Attorneys1989
Phi Beta KappaStanford University1969
Work Experience
TitleCompany nameDuration
Founding and Senior PartnerGilfix & La Poll Associates1983 - Present
DirectorSenior Adults Legal Assistance1973 - 1983
Associations
Association namePosition nameDuration
Academy of Special Needs PlannersMember, Advisory Board2009 - Present
Older Adults Care ManagementPresident, Advisory Board of Directors1995 - Present
National Academy of Elder Law AttorneysBoard of Directors1988 - 1992
Publications
Publication nameTitleDate
Trusts and Estates MagazineThe High Cost of Aging2012
Matthew Bender/Lexis Nexis -- 2 Volume Book with co-authors, updated 2/yearTax, Estate, and Financial Planning for the Elderly: Forms and Practice1991
Education
School nameDegreeGraduated
Stanford UnivundergraduateN/A
Stanford Univ Law SchoollawN/A
Speaking Engagements
Conference nameTitleDate
Law & Policy of the Developing Brain: Neuroscience from Womb to DeathLegal Planning Implications2012

Reviews

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Review Michael Gilfix

Excellent Living Trust Services

Posted by

We have been clients of Gilfix & La Poll since 2007. Our living trust (created in 1989) needed to be updated since our family dynamic had changed considerably. Our fist meeting with Michael Gilfix was most pleasant. Our questions and concerns were addressed in a professional, competent, and "easy to understand English" manner. We left the office convinced that our affairs are in very good hands. All the people in the office are friendly, polite, and very professional. We highly recommend to consult the Gilfix & La Poll Law Firm for all your living trusts needs

Attorney endorsements

(5)
Are you an attorney? Endorse this lawyer

James Schuster, Elder law Attorney on Nov 15, 2011
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

Michael Gilfix is a legend in the field of elder law. He was a co-author of one the earliest works in the field. I have attended CE programs taught by him and his depth of knowledge and quickness of mind is second to none, anywhere in the country. Michael is simply one of the best elder law attorneys in the United States.

Valerie Logsdon, Elder law Attorney on Nov 15, 2011
Relationship: Worked for lawyer

I endorse this lawyer. Mike has a great sense of empathy and can explain complex issues so that a client can understand them. A great person and a great lawyer. Valerie Logsdon

Vincent Russo, Elder law Attorney on Jun 27, 2011
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

I endorse this lawyer.Michael Gilfix is a national leader in the field of elder law and special needs planning. Michael is a visionary who inspired us to create a new field of law – “elder law” and to form the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys. Through the years, I and my law firm have had several client matters and Michael and his law firm have always been attentive, professional and caring. Michael also has an expertise in Estate Planning as well as Trust & Probate Law. He is a member of ACTEC. I can highly recommend Michael to anyone who is in need of elder law, special needs and estate planning in the Palo Alto, California area.

Tim Nay, Elder law Attorney on Dec 6, 2010
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

I have known Michael Gilfix for over 25 years both as a leader in the fields of Elder Law, Special Needs Planning and Estate Planning and as a compassionate and effective advocate for his clients. His experience in these fields is invaluable and second to none in the Palo Alto area. In addition the legal team at Gilfix & La Poll Associates is equally caring and client friendly. I strongly recommend Michael and the law offices of Gilfix & La Poll Associates if you are looking for the best in your area.

Harry Margolis, Elder law Attorney on Nov 9, 2010
Relationship: Friend

Mike could be said to have founded the field of elder law. One of the first four fellows of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, he has been a model for the rest of us following in his footsteps. We all want "to be like Mike."