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$0 first 60 minutes
PRO
also known as Rich Dayton, Richard Dayton
Free Consultation
Our firm believes “We are here to make people’s lives easier in times of crisis.”
We also believe that “Your most important estate is your family and loved ones!”
I'm the Founder of our law firm and have been practicing for 17 years in estate planning, trust and probate law since 1998. I teach estate planning for the University of California Santa Cruz extension program and the California Continuing Education of the Bar programs. I'm a retired lieutenant colonel (non-legal) from the United States Army Reserve (32 years) and worked for IBM in a non-legal capacity for 37 years as programmer and in senior level management positions managing programmers, engineers, and project managers.
My firm has a staff of 7, including 2 other attorneys.
5
Practice Areas
27 years | 1,200 cases
27 years | 1,200 cases
27 years | 105 cases
27 years | 1,200 cases
Free Consultation
$0 first 60 minutes
$ 325-450 per hour
State: California
Acquired: 1998
No misconduct found
1754 Technology Dr Suite 230, San Jose, CA, 95110-1319
thedaytonlawfirm.com/
Other places you can find Richard online.
13 Client Reviews
Showing 1 - 5 of 11 reviews | Estate Planning
Posted by Brett | December 30, 2015 | Hired Attorney | Estate Planning
Expertise & Service did the job!
I met Rich when looking for a good estate planning attorney to refer my real estate clients to. After talking with several attorneys Rich professionalism and expertise made him stand out as our best option. I used him personally for my own estate affairs and found his team to be exceptional in manag...
Posted by Bonnie | November 30, 2015 | Hired Attorney | Estate Planning
Development of new Trust
I found Richard Dayton an excellent attorney. I went to him to review my previous trusts and make recommendations that would accommodate my new needs. Due to changes in family relationships he developed a Trust document which dealt with all of my concerns including a special needs trust for one of my...
Posted by Carol H. | July 01, 2012 | Estate Planning
A Will Emergency
I found myself in a situation where my father was in the hospital and terminally ill. While he had a will, it was very outdated. I needed an attorney that my father could trust as well as be able to handle the situation quickly and efficiently. Rich Dayton fit that bill perfectly. As it turned out, t...
Posted by George & Carol Walker | December 14, 2011 | Estate Planning
Conservator Administration with Integrity & Open Communication
My wife and I are conservators for my daughter and her estate. Part of that responsibility requires working with an attorney to submit monthly reports to an assessment agency and court for her care. We moved our business to The Dayton Law Firm because we wanted better service and open communication. ...
Posted by R York | January 20, 2011 | Estate Planning
Creating a Unique Estate Plan & Providing Trust Administration
After my mother died, we were referred to The Dayton Law Firm. My sister and I hold real estate in common, so we needed to create a special trust and Rich Dayton came highly recommended. In our initial meeting, we gave a thumbnail sketch to what we thought we needed and asked a lot of questions. Ever...
"I strongly and sincerely endorse Richard Dayton for his expertise in estate planning and other matters related to trusts & estates. Richard is a highly skilled and compassionate attorney in this community. I have known Richard for more than 25 years and for more than 15 years have met regularly with him as part of an elite group of estate planning and trusts & estates attorneys to discuss complex case issues. Richard's contributions to those discussions have demonstrated to me his exceptional level of knowledge and understanding of the many and complex issues related to estate planning, trusts & estates, as well as his willingness and ability to work well with others. I feel sure that he brings that same level of professionalism, knowledge, skill, and caring to working with his clients."
"Rich is probably the most detail oriented estate planning attorney I know. He really gets how important it is that the client's plan is right, not just good enough. Rich also keeps up with the latest techniques in estate planning and works with his peers to find the best solutions for his clients. I highly recommend Rich for estate planning."
"Rich holds a wealth of knowledge about the field of estate planning. He is a consummate technician and works to ensure his estate plans are thorough and will accomplish his client’s goals. Rich spends time with his clients to ensure their estate plan fits their current needs and the needs of the next generation."
"Rich is an extremely disciplined and knowledgeable attorney> He is active at the national level, sharing his advanced understanding of estate planning. I endorse this lawyer wholeheartedly and without any hesitation."
"I endorse this lawyer. I met Rich several years ago and over the years I have been happy to refer cases to him. I trust that he will always do a great job for my clients and offer his special expertise. I trust that Rich is an expert in any issues related to estate planning and would not hesitate to continue to refer clients to him."
"I can rely on Rich for my client's complex estate planning matters, knowing he will get the job done in a well thought out manner. He is a pleasure to work with."
Family lawyer
2020
Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
2009
Accredited Attorney, Department of Veterans Affairs
2004
Certified Specialist in Estate Planning, Trust and Probate, California State Bar Board of Legal Specialization
1998 - Present
Owner, The Dayton Law Firm
2016 - 2020
Professor, University Of California Santa Cruz Extension
2008 - Present
ElderCounselFounder (early member)
2007 - Present
California Continuing Education of the BarEstate Planning Advisors Sub-committee
2005 - Present
Wealth CounselFounding Member
2005 - Present
NAELA - National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, Inc.Member
2005 - Present
University of California Santa Cruz ExtensionEstate Planning Instructor for the CFP(r) Education Program
1999 - Present
Santa Clara County Bar AssociationMember
Member
1998
JD - Juris Doctor
N/A
undergraduate
2009
Special Estate Planning for Roth IRAs
2009
Wealth Transfer/Estate Planning/Gifting to Children and Grandchildren
2009
Estate Planning, Medi-cal and Veterans Benefits
2009
English