Skip to main content

Robert Paul Bergman

Open for Business
Virtual Consultation
also known as Bob Bergman
  Save
Avvo Rating9.2
  • San Jose, CA
  • Licensed for 40 years
  • Free consultation
View more
Robert Paul Bergman
Robert Paul Bergman
AboutContactReviewsCost

About Robert

Planning for your most important asset....Your Family!

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 planning for retirement plan assets and asset protection.  Check out his website at www.lawbob.com for more information.

Visit Bob's Youtube channel for a free living trust seminar and retirement plan trust seminar, as well as informative podcasts on various estate planning topics.   YOUTUBE CHANNEL FOR LAW OFFICES OF ROBERT P. BERGMAN

For those in the San Francisco Bay Area, Bob offers offer seminars on living trust planning, special planning for retirement plan assets, and asset protection planning.  Bob is also the radio host of "Plan Your Estate Radio" on 1220 AM, KDOW, broadcasting from 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Read More

Practice areas

Wills and living willsTrustsEstate planning
  1. Estate planning: 65%

    I work with families to plan their estates to maximize tax savings, provide for the orderly transfer of their assets to their heirs, and provide asset protection for their heirs' inheritance.

    40 years, 700 cases

  2. Trusts: 30%

    I prepare revocable living trusts, life insurance trusts, charitable trusts, supplement and special needs trusts, and special trusts for retirement plan assets.

    40 years, 700 cases

  3. Wills and living wills: 5%

    Many people believe that they just need a Will for their estate plan, but that is frequently not the case. If you own real property or have other substantial assets over $165,000 in total value, a living trust based estate plan is more appropriate.

    40 years, 20 cases

Languages spoken

English

Photos and videos

336748 1326236080

336748 1452970283

336748 1452970312

336748 1452970333

336748 1452970349

336748 1452970362

336748 1551448681

Contact

Law Offices of Robert P. Bergman

3535 Ross Avenue, Ste. 308
Building Two
San Jose, CA, 95124

Website
https://lawbob.com/ 

    Resume

    License
    StateStatusAcquiredUpdated
    CAActive198002/12/2021
    We have not found any instances of professional misconduct for this lawyer.
    Avvo Contributions
    Legal answers275
    Legal guides0
    Awards
    Award nameGrantorDate granted
    Peer Review RatedMartindale-Hubbell2019
    Certified Specialist, Estate Planning, Trust & Probate LawState Bar of California, Board of Legal Specialization2011
    Work Experience
    TitleCompany nameDuration
    AttorneyLaw Offices of Robert P. Bergman2006 - Present
    AttorneyGilfix & LaPoll Associates2006 - 2006
    AttorneyLaw Offices of Roy W. Litherland2005 - 2006
    AttorneyLaw Offices of Robert P. Bergman2003 - 2004
    Vice President and Business Development OfficerComerica Bank Institutional Trust Department2000 - 2003
    Senior Trust and Investments OfficerFremont Bank2000 - 2000
    AttorneyLaw Offices of Robert P. Bergman1984 - 2000
    AttorneyEagle & Courtney1983 - 1984
    AttorneyLaw Firm of Harold A. Galloway1981 - 1983
    Associations
    Association namePosition nameDuration
    WealthCounsel (www.wealthcounsel.com)Member2006 - Present
    Estate Planning, Trusts and Probate Section, State Bar of CaliforniaMember2006 - Present
    State Bar of CaliforniaMember1980 - Present
    ElderCounsel (www.eldercounsel.com)Member2012 - 2012
    Advisors Forum (www.advisorsforum.com)Member2012 - 2012
    Financial Knowledge Institute (www.financialknowledgeinstitute.org)Speaker2009 - 2009
    Academy of Special Needs Planners (http://specialneedsplanners.com)Member2008 - 2009
    Family Wealth Planning InstitutePersonal Family Lawyer2007 - 2008
    Foundation for Personal Financial Education (www.fpfenonprofit.org)Speaker2007 - 2009
    Advisors Forum (www.advisorsforum.com)Member2006 - 2007
    NAELA (National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys)Member2005 - 2006
    CANHR (California Advocates for Nursing Home Reform)Member2005 - 2006
    Publications
    Publication nameTitleDate
    California Consumer Guide to Wills, Living Trusts & Estate Planning2021 California Consumer Guide to Wills, Living Trusts & Estate Planning2021
    Education
    School nameDegreeGraduated
    Santa Clara University School of LawJD - Juris Doctor1980
    San Jose State UniversityBA - Bachelor of Arts1977
    De Anza Junior CollegeA.A.1975
    Speaking Engagements
    Conference nameTitleDate
    Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Wills and Trusts, but Were Afraid to AskEstate Planning, Wills and Trusts2009
    Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Wills and Trusts, but Were Afraid to AskEstate Planning, Wills and Trusts2008
    Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Wills and Trusts, but Were Afraid to AskEstate Planning, Wills and Trusts2008
    Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Wills and Trusts, but Were Afraid to AskEstate Planning, Wills and Trusts2008
    Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Wills and Trusts, but Were Afraid to AskEstate Planning, Wills and Trusts2008
    Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Wills and Trusts, but Were Afraid to AskEstate Planning, Wills and Trusts2008
    Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Wills and Trusts, but Were Afraid to AskEstate Planning, Wills and Trusts2008
    Legal cases
    Case nameOutcome
    Probate Court Petitions to Confirm Assets into Trust Ownership (Probate Code 850) and for Modification of Irrevocable TrustsSuccess in getting loose assets, including real property and large brokerage accounts, into trust ownership. Success in modifying existing irrevocable trusts to enhance their features.

    Reviews

    (19)
    5 Star
    		100%
    4 Star
    		0%
    3 Star
    		0%
    2 Star
    		0%
    1 Star
    		0%
    Review Robert Bergman

    Cheerful, timely help!

    Posted by

    Bob Bergman has been our Estate Planning lawyer for many years, and also has advised us numerous times when we needed some other legal help. He has always been easy to work with, cheerful, and most importantly, his advice has always been "right on the mark". We value him both as a counselor and as a friend. Janice
    This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
    Hired attorney

    Practical, knowledgeable, and responsive

    Posted by

    Bergman did a bottoms up estate plan for us in Y2008 after I heard his presentation on the subject. Although we had an estate plan written in 1995, it did not begin to cover the potentially complex issues that could arise on inheritance, end of life decisions, and survivor control of assets. Bergman's estate plan was thorough and addressed issues that one never thinks of but happen all the time in real life situations. Six years later, we had moved to a retirement community and needed to update the plan. He asked all the questions covering our changed circumstances and developed the updated plan quickly. I highly recommend him to everyone who should have an estate plan, AND to young parents who want to have their children protected in the unlikely event they both die. People in this category never think of estate plans but really need them.
    This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
    Hired attorney

    Estate Plan from Bob

    Posted by

    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 recommended him. My favorite thing about working with Law Offices of Robert P Bergman was that Bob was personable, clearly knowledgeable about both the law and its real world applications, extremely competent, and had created an efficient process to identify and create the right estate planning components. The outcome after all of the work put in by the firm was we opted for a living trust, with provisions for life insurance, child care in case of our own demise, an estate distribution that avoiding probate, tax benefits, and other important components. But the key feature was the feeling of security, the elimination of uncertainty and anxiety over the future. Nobody wants to think about their expiration, and we had avoided that, and the needed planning, for many years. Once done, we got a lot of serenity. As a result, aside from the practical benefits, it gave us security - no more amorphous worry about "what will happen to my spouse, or children, or business?" - were i to be devoured by a great white shark while surfing, for instance. A greater confidence in handling financial matters such as savings, retirement, and value investing. Finally, when so much of the concern about the future dissolved, a newfound freedom to live in the moment, which helped my business and relationships. Those were unexpected, but welcome consequences.
    This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
    Hired attorney

    Family will and trust

    Posted by

    The reason I retained Law Offices of Robert P Bergman was we needed a will and trust as new parents of three young children. I decided Law Offices of Robert P Bergman was the right firm for me because he was a referral from the parents of multiples club and other families had highly recommended him. I enjoyed working with Law Offices of Robert P Bergman because he was thoughtful and understood our needs having young children of his own. The outcome of this case was that we completed a will and trust we were happy with and felt secure. Now that we've received this outcome, we know we have security in making sure our children are taken care of.
    This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
    Hired attorney

    Our two consultations with Bob.

    Posted by

    Bob is extremely thorough in his explanations of details that could easily be misunderstood. We recorded our sessions, and still needed more expertise in defining myriad nuances.
    This review is from a potential client who consulted with this attorney.
    Consulted attorney

    Dedicated to help his clients

    Posted by

    I contacted Law Offices of Robert P Bergman, after my husband had passed away suddenly without any will or estate plan. I selected Law Offices of Robert P Bergman to represent me because I was referred to the law offices of Robert p Bergman by my husband's employer. I met him and immediately felt comfortable with him. My favorite thing about working with Law Offices of Robert P Bergman was the instant communication and firm's eagerness to help their clients. The outcome, after all of the work put in by the firm was it was all settled in time. I will always be grateful to Bob for his professional commitment during my tough times.
    This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
    Hired attorney

    Heggstad Petition

    Posted by

    Mr. Bergman is a miracle worker! His expertise in this area of the law is fantastic. We needed a Heggstad Petition to sell my deceased sisters home. With Mr. Bergman's knowledge and hard work he got the petition prepared and signed in a very short time and we were able to sell the house! Mr. Bergman is not only a wonderful attorney he is personable and caring of what his client is dealing with. I was blessed to be given Mr. Berman's name to handle my case.
    This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
    Hired attorney

    Outstanding Job!!

    Posted by

    Bob was incredibly helpful during a stressful time. He took the time to explain what he could do for me and then DID IT!!! I had tears of joy when he got court approval. I recommend Bob very highly!
    This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
    Hired attorney

    Efficient & Supportive Help

    Posted by

    Mr.Bergman far exceeded my expectations! I had some problems with my sister’s trust and assets that were left out . He was recommended to me by another Bay Area lawyer . I needed his expertise in the filing of a Heggstad petition to avoid probate. I do not live in California and Mr. Bergman made the entire process so easy and efficient for me . Once I contacted him it took less than one week for him to resolve my predicament. I couldn’t be more grateful for the support and the kind words . His knowledge, thoroughness and professionalism were so very reassuring at a time like this . I highly recommend his services and advice on these kind of matters .
    This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
    Hired attorney

    Delivered as promised

    Posted by

    I had a very well-off client with a complicated estate pass away unexpectedly. He had a personal trust for his non-business assets that had not been funded and his family members needed to access those assets a s a p. The estate lawyer who had set up his business organization advised that probate was the only option. He estimated the cost to the heirs to be in the hundreds of thousands, and the time to gain access to funds to be several months at minimum. He did not believe Heggstad would be an option. I heard about Bob from a friend, called him, and he told me he could get the Heggstad petition filed and an order issued within a couple of weeks for a fraction of the fees that a probate would entail. The adage "if something sounds too good to be true..." gave me pause. But Bob answered every question and concern I had and delivered as promised, saving my clients a ton of fees and helping them to navigate a very difficult time in their lives. I heartily recommend Bob to anyone in similar circumstances and thank him for his help.
    This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
    Hired attorney
    See all reviews

    Attorney endorsements

    (9)
    Are you an attorney? Endorse this lawyer

    Kris Crawford, Administrative law Attorney on Mar 17, 2017
    Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

    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.

    Patricia Mayer, Estate planning Attorney on May 14, 2015
    Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

    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.

    Kenneth Ziskin, Estate planning Attorney on Jan 19, 2015
    Relationship: Worked together on matter

    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.

    John Demas, Estate planning Attorney on Jan 19, 2015
    Relationship: Worked together on matter

    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.

    Jonathan Mintz, Estate planning Attorney on Jan 7, 2014
    Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

    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.

    C Welty, Estate planning Attorney on Jun 7, 2013
    Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

    Bob is an estate ans trust planner of the highest caliber and has a topnotch national reputation to boot.

    Michael Doland, Trusts Attorney on May 23, 2013
    Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

    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.

    James Frederick, Trusts Attorney on Aug 24, 2012
    Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

    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

    Shirlene Bastar, Estate planning Attorney on Apr 3, 2011
    Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

    I endorse this lawyer.

    Cost

    RATES
    • Hourly Rates$400-$500/hour
    • Free Consultation Some lawyers offer a free consultation to help determine whether their services are right for your legal needs
      60 minutes
    PAYMENT METHODS

    Cash, Check, Credit Card