Overall Rating
This is an aggregated review score of Avvo and Lawyers.com reviews.
This is an aggregated review score of Avvo and Lawyers.com reviews.
4.9 /5.0
24 Client Reviews
$ 400-500 per hour
PRO
Robert Paul Bergman
also known as Bob Bergman
Virtual Consultation Available
About Robert
Biography
Author of the "California Consumer Guide to Wills, Living Trusts and Estate Planning," estate planning attorney Bob Bergman has been helping families in the Silicon Valley (and beyond) with their estate planning needs since 1980. Bob is a Certified Specialist in Estate Planning, Trust and Probate Law (State Bar Board of Legal Specialization), and especially focuses on helping families that have young children. He also assist families with special planning for retirement plan assets and special needs family members. Check out his website for more information.
You can also visit Bob's Youtube channel "Law Offices of Robert P. Bergman " for more informative videos on various estate planning topics. The link is in the profile.
Bob also offers free "on demand" webinars were families with minor children, married couples with or without children, and unmarried individuals and married persons who have separate property they wish to plan for. They can be accessed through his website at www.lawbob.com.
For those in the San Francisco Bay Area, Bob often offers offer public and private workshops on estate planning.
Bob is also the radio talk show host of "Plan Your Estate Radio" on 1220 AM, KDOW, which broadcasts from 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm on Monday afternoons in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Planning for your most important asset....Your Family!
Good estate planning for your family doesn't come cheap, but I'm worth every penny.
Living trusts are not a product like cereal or tires. A specialist attorney is what you need.
Practice Areas
2
Practice Areas
Estate Planning
50%
44 years | 700 cases
Trusts
50%
44 years | 700 cases
Fees and Rates
Cost
Hourly Rates
Payment Methods
- Cash
- Check
- Credit Card
Awards
2021 2012
2013 2012
Licenses
Licensed in California for 45 years
State: California
Acquired: 1980
No misconduct found
Location
Law Offices of Robert P. Bergman
(408) 416-4591
Fax
3535 Ross Avenue, Suite 200, San Jose, CA, 95124
lawbob.com/Gallery
Online Presence
Other places you can find Robert online.
Robert Paul Bergman's Reviews
Showing 1 - 5 of 23 client reviews from Avvo
Posted by Thomas | April 29, 2025 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Heggstead Proceedure
I had a great experience with Robert Bergman aka “Law Bob” this issue I had was with several parcels of land that my mother owned. It was her intention to pass these parcels on to my sister and I, however at the time of her passing they were still in her name not the trust. So a heggstad procedure ...
Posted by Heidi | October 24, 2024 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Estate planning/trust lawyer review
I needed a heggstad immediately to remediate my father’s trust and add his accounts accordingly. I was referred to Robert Bergman to start the heggstad paperwork from another lawyer, as I needed the paperwork done swiftly, they were backlogged and referred me to Mr. Bergman. Bob accomplished the hegg...
Posted by Nick | May 16, 2022 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Heggstad Petition
I hired Mr. Bergman to file a Heggstad Petition after my dad passed away unexpectedly without transferring his assets into his trust. Mr. Bergman was extremely helpful, professional, and most importantly successful in getting the assets transferred as my dad had intended. Mr. Bergman communicated wit...
Posted by Avtar | October 11, 2021 | Consulted Attorney
This review is from a potential client who consulted with this attorney.
Revocable Trust/a Wonderful soul
I talked to Robert for more than half hour without paying him a penny to get answer to revoke the trust. He walked me through stage by stage and I was satisfied to hire him to revoke the trust.
Posted by Rutger | May 6, 2021 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Estate Plan from Bob
I came to Law Offices of Robert P Bergman because my wife and I needed an estate plan. Literally had zero, not even some notes scrawled on a post-it. I decided Law Offices of Robert P Bergman was the right firm for me because we heard Bob speak on estate planning at a seminar after a friend recommend...
Robert Paul Bergman's Lawyer Endorsements
"I enthusiastically endorse this lawyer. Bob is a longtime friend and mentor, a highly trained, highly experienced fellow member of the WealthCounsel community of attorneys that focus on comprehensive estate planning. While most of us focus on planning, and Bob certainly does, he also has expertise in probate matters and has been a leader in the area of Heggstad motions, which are often very important and necessary, sort of an emergency reload for trusts. I highly recommend Bob Bergman for any estate planning or estate administration matter."
"I endorse this lawyer. Mr. Bergman provides great advice to those in need. He takes time out of his day to answer questions on AVVO and point people in the right direction."
"I highly recommend Bob Bergman. I have sat in on one of his seminars, and know that he presents difficult material in a way that is easy to understand. He is an excellent attorney, very approachable, and always works for his clients' best interests."
"I had long wanted to work with Bob Bergman due to his sage comments on the Wealth Counsel listserve and his reputation as a great educator. We have now begun to work together. I am even more impressed by his expertise and his dedication to helping clients achieve THEIR goals than I could ever have expected. So, I wholeheartedly endorse Bob."
"Bob Bergman's enthusiasm and care are evident in everything that he does. I've been honored to work with him in educating the public and serving our local communities. Bob's radio service to the community is relevant, helpful, and does a great job accurately reflecting him as an approachable, practical and solutions oriented attorney. For value in tax planning and actually developing real solutions to wills, trusts and a host of other tax and family solutions, Bob is a fantastic resource. I recommend him highly."
"Bob Bergman and I have had numerous interactions over the years; he consistently “sharpens the saw” to stay current on the cutting-edge techniques employed by the best and brightest minds in our field of law. He is caring and skilled, able to handle the simple through the most complex issues with ease. I highly recommend him."
"Bob is an estate ans trust planner of the highest caliber and has a topnotch national reputation to boot."
"I just reviewed a lengthy answer of Mr. Bergman and was really impressed. It was extensive in its detailed explanation of the background necessary to give an answer and then cusomized that answer to the specific needs of the Avvo asker. He then commented on some potential strategy. He is a credit to Avvo and must be on any client's short list of lawyers to interview."
"I endorse this lawyer. I have had the privilege of reviewing many of Attorney Bergman's responses, since we practice in some of the same areas of law. His answers demonstrate a firm grasp of the law and provide good practical advice, as well. When I find that I learn something new from a lawyer's answers, I feel the need to endorse him. Attorney Bergman has earned that endorsement on numerous occasions. James Frederick"
"I endorse this lawyer."
Benjamin Sowards
Estate planning lawyer
John Demas
Estate planning lawyer
Janet Brewer
Estate planning lawyer
Robert Temmerman
Estate planning lawyer
Brian Wyatt
Estate planning lawyer
Peter Myers
Estate planning lawyer
Experience
Honors
2019
Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
2011
Certified Specialist, Estate Planning, Trust & Probate Law, State Bar of California, Board of Legal Specialization
Work Experience
2006 - Present
Attorney, Law Offices of Robert P. Bergman
2006 - 2006
Attorney, Gilfix & LaPoll Associates
2005 - 2006
Attorney, Law Offices of Roy W. Litherland
2003 - 2004
Attorney, Law Offices of Robert P. Bergman
2000 - 2003
Vice President and Business Development Officer, Comerica Bank Institutional Trust Department
2000 - 2000
Senior Trust and Investments Officer, Fremont Bank
1984 - 2000
Attorney, Law Offices of Robert P. Bergman
1983 - 1984
Attorney, Eagle & Courtney
1981 - 1983
Attorney, Law Firm of Harold A. Galloway
Associations
2006 - Present
WealthCounsel (www.wealthcounsel.com)Member
2006 - Present
Estate Planning, Trusts and Probate Section, State Bar of CaliforniaMember
1980 - Present
State Bar of CaliforniaMember
2012 - 2012
ElderCounsel (www.eldercounsel.com)Member
2012 - 2012
Advisors Forum (www.advisorsforum.com)Member
2009 - 2009
Financial Knowledge Institute (www.financialknowledgeinstitute.org)Speaker
2008 - 2009
Academy of Special Needs Planners (http://specialneedsplanners.com)Member
2007 - 2008
Family Wealth Planning InstitutePersonal Family Lawyer
2007 - 2009
Foundation for Personal Financial Education (www.fpfenonprofit.org)Speaker
2006 - 2007
Advisors Forum (www.advisorsforum.com)Member
2005 - 2006
NAELA (National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys)Member
2005 - 2006
CANHR (California Advocates for Nursing Home Reform)Member
Sample of Legal Cases
Probate Court Petitions to Confirm Assets into Trust Ownership (Probate Code 850) and for Modification of Irrevocable Trusts
Success in getting loose assets, including real property and large brokerage accounts, into trust ownership. Success in modifying existing irrevocable trusts to enhance their features.
Education
1980
Santa Clara University School of Law
JD - Juris Doctor
1977
San Jose State University
BA - Bachelor of Arts
1975
De Anza Junior College
A.A.
Speaking Engagements
2009
Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Wills and Trusts, but Were Afraid to Ask
Estate Planning, Wills and Trusts
2008
Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Wills and Trusts, but Were Afraid to Ask
Estate Planning, Wills and Trusts
2008
Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Wills and Trusts, but Were Afraid to Ask
Estate Planning, Wills and Trusts
2008
Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Wills and Trusts, but Were Afraid to Ask
Estate Planning, Wills and Trusts
2008
Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Wills and Trusts, but Were Afraid to Ask
Estate Planning, Wills and Trusts
2008
Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Wills and Trusts, but Were Afraid to Ask
Estate Planning, Wills and Trusts
2008
Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Wills and Trusts, but Were Afraid to Ask
Estate Planning, Wills and Trusts
Publications
2024
California Consumer Guide to Wills, Living Trusts & Estate Planning
2024 California Consumer Guide to Wills, Living Trusts & Estate Planning
Languages
English
Activity
Legal Answers
Top Contributor
Robert earned significant contribution points in 2013.
Legal Answers
Q&A
Types of Living Trusts
29 May 2023
Q&A
We own rental house in California as community property that will be transferred to living trust. Then can we avoid assessment?
11 May 2023
Q&A
Are initials used on living trust documents?
16 Apr 2023