Stephen Searle Rudd

Stephen Searle Rudd

also known as Steve Rudd

4.9
Rating: 9.7

Licensed for 53 years

Probate Lawyer at Cupertino, CA
Practice Areas: Probate, Trusts, Estate Planning, Wills & Living Wills

10455 Torre Ave, Cupertino, CA

About Stephen

Biography

Practice Areas

4

Practice Areas

Estate Planning 30%

"Estate" is the legal term for everything you own. This includes everything owned by you individually, but also anything jointly owned with a partner or spouse.

41 years

30%
Probate 30%

Wills, Codicils, Powers of Attorney, Health Care Directives, Funeral & Burial Instructions, Small Estate Affidavits, Spousal Property Petitions, Letters Testamentary & Probate Cases. Life Insurance & Retirement Account Death Benefit Collection.

41 years | 1,000 cases

30%
Trusts 30%

Revocable & Irrevocable Trust Preparation, Client Modification, Court Modification, Trust Funding, Trustee Substitution & Post-Death Trust Administration. Life Insurance & Retirement Account Death Beneficiary Designation Forms.

41 years | 2,000 cases

30%
Wills and Living Wills 10%

A Will transfers your assets to others at death. A Will is suitable as your primary estate document if you have a small estate and no real property.

41 years

10%

Fees and Rates

Cost

Hourly Rates

$ 400-400 per hour


Payment Methods

  • Cash
  • Check
  • Credit Card

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Licenses

Licensed in California for 53 years

State: California

Acquired: 1972

Inactive

No misconduct found

Location

Law Offices of Stephen Searle Rudd

10455 Torre Ave, Cupertino, CA, 95014

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Stephen Searle Rudd's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

4.9 /5.0

14 Client Reviews

Filter Avvo Reviews (14) Refine reviews to match your needs. Use the filters to quickly surface reviews that align with your case or priorities.

Showing 1 - 3 of 3 reviews | Staff & Support

Posted by Reed W | February 27, 2019 | Hired Attorney | Estate Planning

Fair, concise, and a good communicator

My wife and I have used Stephen Rudd for over 40 years. He's prepared our LW&T's and set up a modest family trust. His office isn't fancy, but he is approachable and does a wonderful job of explaining everything so that it was easy to understand, as was the language of the documents he composed.... Christine, his assistant, was very professional and also made sure we understood the documents before signing. The documents he prepares do not require him to participate in future outcomes, unlike others. With respect to fees and charges, he is very fair and reasonable, with no surprises.

Posted by Larry | October 20, 2017 | Hired Attorney | Estate Planning

Review of S. Rudd

I've been Mr. Rudd's client for over 14years. He prepared my initial trust and wills. These were very complex due to a divorce and other life factors. He addressed them all very well with up to date knowledge of the law. As years have passed he has kept the documents updated to reflect both my curren...t situation and changes in the law and evolving circumstances from the original version. I highly recommend his professional work and excellent staff.

Posted by anonymous | July 15, 2009 | Estate Planning

Decent guy, affordable work, competent office.

Steve set up a complex living trust for my wife and I. When I later studied estate planning myself, it was clear he had done an excellent job. And his office made sure we got all the deeds and documents signed and recorded. His personality (at least the professional aspect) is very neutral, even ...a bit on the flat side, but don't be put off by it.f

See All Client Reviews

Stephen Searle Rudd's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse Stephen
Phillip Gordon Svalya headshot
Phillip Svalya

Estate planning lawyer | Sep 18

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. Steve Rudd is one of the most legally competent and tech savvy lawyers that I know. Probate and Estate Planning can be very difficult and in the class of Estate Planner lawyers, he certainly far exceeds most in knowledge and competence. Ethically, I know of no other lawyer whose ethics surpass his. He is known among his peers for his legal scholarship. I would personally recommend Steve to anyone, particularly for difficult estates."

Richard Keith Abdalah headshot
Richard Abdalah

Unknown lawyer | Sep 14

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Steve is very knowledgeable, ethical and thorough. He provides excellent legal advice to his estate planning clients."

Ian R Greensides headshot
Ian Greensides

Trusts lawyer | Sep 14

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Steve is very direct, honest, and knowledgeable. I highly recommend that you consider Steve for estate planning and real estate needs."

Barbara Ann Fielden headshot
Barbara Fielden

Probate lawyer | Sep 13

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I whole-heartedly endorse Attorney Rudd. He is very experienced, knowledgeable, hard-working, and up-to-date in his practice areas."

James Julio Rodriguez headshot
James Rodriguez

Estate planning lawyer | Aug 29

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer without reservation. He is extremely knowledgeable and ethical"

View All Endorsements
Richard Keith Abdalah headshot
Richard Abdalah

Real estate lawyer

Phillip Gordon Svalya headshot
Phillip Svalya

Personal injury lawyer

Barbara Ann Fielden headshot
Barbara Fielden

Education lawyer

Experience

Rating:  9.7 (Superb)

Honors

2018

Vocational Service Award, Cupertino Rotary Club

2018

Distinguished, Martindale-Hubbell

2017

Distinguished, Martindale-Hubbell

2016

Paul Harris Two Diamond Award, Rotary International Foundation

2016

Reader's Choice Attorney-South Bay/Peninsula, The Jewish News Weekly of Northern California

2015

Distinguished, Martindale-Hubbell

2005

Paul Harris One Diamond Award, Rotary International Foundation

2004

Social Justice Award, St. Jude's Episcopal Church, Cupertino, CA

1984

President, Sunnyvale-Cupertino Bar Association

1980

President, Cupertino Rotary Club

Work Experience

1975 - Present

Managing Attorney, Stephen S. Rudd, Attorney at Law

1990 - 1995

Arbitrator, Santa Clara County Superior Court

1985 - 1990

Judge Pro Tem, Santa Clara County Superior Court

1980 - 1985

Judge Pro Tem, Santa Clara County Municipal Court

1972 - 1975

Associate Attorney, International Law Firm

1972 - 1972

Law Clerk, Civil Law Firm, San Mateo, CA

1971 - 1971

Law Clerk, Civil Law Firm in San Jose, CA

1968 - 1969

Law Student Clerk, California Law Revision Commission Staff

1968 - 1968

Law Student Intern, California Assembly Judiciary Committee

1965 - 1975

Captain, United States Army Reserve

Associations

2018 - Present

California Lawyers Association

Trusts & Estates Section Member

2000 - Present

Silicon Valley Bar Association

Trusts & Estates Attorney Member

1992 - Present

St. Jude's Episcopal Church

Member

1975 - Present

American Bar Association

Member

1972 - Present

State Bar of California

Member

Sunnyvale Cupertino Bar Association

Past President

Rotary Club of Cupertino, CA

Past President

Education

1970

Stanford Law School

JD - Juris Doctor

1967

Claremont McKenna College

BA summa cum laude

Speaking Engagements

2016

St. Judes Adult Forum

SCC Homeless Housing Bond Measure

2015

St. Judes Adult Forum

Estate Planning For Special Families

2013

St. Judes Adult Forum

Recent Developments In Estate Planning

2011

Cupertino Rotary Club

Trusts & Estates Developments - 2011

2010

St. Jude's Adult Forum

Estate Planning For Special Beneficiaries

2010

St. Jude's Adult Forum

Estate Planning For Young Children

2006

St. Jude's Adult Forum

Updating Your Estate Plan

2005

St. Jude's Adult Forum

Charitable Giving Techniques

2004

Retirement Planning Seminar

Living Trusts, Wills, Advance Directives

2003

St. Jude's Adult Forum

Durable Powers of Attorney

2002

Financial Planning Seminar

Estate Documents & Estate Administration

2000

Cupertino Rotary Club Luncheon

What's New In Estate Planning?

1998

Cupertino Chamber Luncheon

Estate Planning For Small Business

1996

Life Insurance Agent Training

Life Insurance & Estate Planning

1994

Life Insurance Agent Training

Tax & Estate Planning

Publications

2020

Law Office Client Newsletter Trust & Estates Updates

2004

Cupertino Courier Newspaper Trusts & Estates Column

1967

Claremont Journal of Political Economy First Amendment Free Speech

1967

Claremont Journal of Political Economy Political Science Book Review

Languages

English

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