We have not found any cost information for this lawyer
John Bernard Palley
About John
Biography
I am a certified specialist in estate planning, trust and probate law as determined by the State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization. My practice is 100% devoted to the California probate process only. I also am a past Sacramento Bee estate planning and trust "expert." I also have been rated "AV" by Martindale Hubbell which is their highest rating. I am rated 10.0 by and which are their highest ratings. I am a "Super Lawyer" which they indicate is the top 5% of attorneys. Contact me with all your probate and trust law issues. I am efficient, knowledgeable and easy to work with. I look forward to helping you out.
Practice Areas
4
Practice Areas
Probate
97%
32 years | 1,000 cases
Estate Planning
1%
32 years | 1,000 cases
Trusts
1%
32 years | 1,000 cases
Wills and Living Wills
1%
32 years | 1,000 cases
Fees and Rates
Looking for an attorney? Avvo can help.
Search our directory
Quickly connect with top attorneys through our legal directory to get help with your legal issue.
Avvo's live chat agents can help coordinate a consultation with a local attorney.
Chat with a live agent who can match you with the right attorney for your legal needs.
Chat withLicenses
Licensed in California for 31 years
State: California
Acquired: 1994
No misconduct found
Licensed in Utah for 30 years
State: Utah
Acquired: 1995
No misconduct found
Location
CunninghamLegal
400 Capitol Mall, Ste. 740, Sacramento, CA, 95814
CunninghamLegal
4165 E. Thousand Oaks Boulevard Suite 145, Westlake Village, CA, 91362
CunninghamLegal
999 Fifth Avenue Suite 200, San Rafael, CA, 94901
Gallery
Ad
Transform legal challenges into solutions.
Connect now to review your situation.
John Bernard Palley's Reviews
Showing 1 - 5 of 15 client reviews from Avvo
Posted by anonymous | May 10, 2022 | Consulted Attorney
This review is from a potential client who consulted with this attorney.
Thank Goodness for him!
I contacted John as a fish-out-of-water in desperate need of a line, and he acted swiftly and insightfully. He took the time to answer all of my questions in a way that was easy for a "beginner" to understand. And when I had follow up questions, he did not hesitate to see my issue through. I found Jo...
Posted by Gregory | June 24, 2021 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
John Palley Knows What to Do!
I knew nothing about probate law. When my brother died I owed it to him to be his Administrator and I wanted to do my best for the heirs to the estate. I called John Palley Probate Attorney. He and his assistant Danielle Swain guided me through the process. Any time I had a concern or a question, he ...
Posted by Carol | February 3, 2016 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
You rock John Palley and Crew!
I was told early on by an elderly kind attorney, that the probate process in California is no joke. As a matter of fact he indicated he no longer had the energy to do a full Probate & suggested that I find someone that specializes in that area. So since the fees in California are statutory I set ou...
Posted by Teddy | May 28, 2015
Got my questions answered fast
We had a surprise on who was and was not on the title to the house after my step-father died. John gave us clear, actionable advice within an hour after I sent an email to him. I felt like I knew what legal grounds we stood on and direction about what to do next. Thank you John!
Posted by Traci | October 7, 2014
SO INCREDIBLY HELPFUL!!!!!
My family had hired an attorney that had completely misinformed us about the position we were in and what we were entitled to regarding our probate/estate case. Wanting a second opinion, I emailed John and he was quick to respond and dead on accurate with his information to me. He definitely kno...
John Bernard Palley's Lawyer Endorsements
"I have known John for four years, and he is one of the brightest and most honest attorneys I know. Personally, he has assisted my family and friends with their estate planning needs."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer. John is an experienced probate attorney and I recommend him. I enjoyed working with him at a high level attorney conference a couple of years ago. I was very impressed by his knowledge and energy."
"I have known John for more than 5 years. John is an outstanding professional, is extremely knowledgeable, and is a passionate advocate for his clients. I have referred several clients to him and do not hesitate to refer anyone with estate planning or probate questions. I am confident anyone who seeks John's services will receive attentive, competent, and valuable legal services from him."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"John is a partner at our firm. He is an expert in Probate law and Estate Planning. He is the go to person for novel and/or complicated Probate problems where there is no clear law on point. His door is always open to help resolve the trickiest of client issues."
"John is a kind, capable and compelling advocate. He understands the law, knows how the system works and cares about his clients. John is the kind of lawyer I would want my wife to hire if I died; and I am an estate planning and probate lawyer. If more lawyers were like John, lawyer jokes would not exist."
"I endorse this lawyer. I recently met John. He struck me as an attorney with a keen intellect and the ability to think complex issues through. He is a pleasure to speak with and great listener. I would be confident sending my clients to John for estate planning advice."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"John Palley is an attorney you can trust to do the best for you. I frequently discuss matters of probate and even general litigation with Mr. Palley. In addition to being extremely knowledgeable about his practice areas, he also has a lot of experience and common sense to bring to the table. This combination makes him an excellent partner for anyone, whether it is a colleague or a client."
"I recently met John at a conference for attorneys and immediately knew how much he cares to be of service to his clients and community. It takes time to answer questions and write blog articles and rare is the lawyer that understands the importance of serving our community by sharing knowledge. I highly recommend John B. Palley to serve your probate needs in California."
"I continually work together with John on several shared clients and without hesitation I recommend him to others. I trust his collaborative approach and observe that he adds value and meaning to his clients."
"Mr. Palley is a talented attorney and I recommend him. I had the pleasure of working with John at a recent high level attorney conference."
"I was recently introduced to John at a Rainmaker event in Las Vegas, NV. John is extremely knowledgeable in the areas of estate planning and probate law, and I would not hesitate to refer clients to his practice."
"John and I had the pleasure of getting to know each other at a conference of over 30 attorneys from around the country. It was clear that he stood out among this elite group as being more proactive and one of the best attorneys in the room. I would not hesitate to send anyone with an estate planning or probate matter in California to him. I feel certain they would receive fair, fast, and extremely competent legal services from him. I endorse this lawyer."
"I have known John since attending law school with him many years ago. He has an excellent reputation as an estate planning and probate attorney and does the right things for his clients. He is passionate about what he does and is always looking to improve his knowledge so he can better serve his clients."
"John's passion for estate and probate law is like that for his family - committed, caring and completely dedicated to being the best that he can be."
"I have worked with John on a number of joint clients, and used him as a resource in many other matters. John's knowledge of estate planning and probate is superb and I rely heavily on him for these matters."
"Without hesitation, I endorse John Palley's work. As a lawyer myself, I am well versed in the competancy required to meet the expectations in the legal world, as well as those I personally command. John's expertise and outstanding level of excellence in estate planning, wills, trusts, and probate, dictate his superiority in the field. I can also confidently endorse John's work as client as well."
Sasha Collins
Trusts lawyer
Trevin Workman
Real estate lawyer
Justin Gilbert
Estate planning lawyer
Patricia Nelson
Estate planning lawyer
Richard Wallace
Estate planning lawyer
Brian Comfort
Probate lawyer
William Bowen
Litigation lawyer
Margaret Flynn
Elder law lawyer
Candice Fields
Criminal defense lawyer
Mitchell Port
Probate lawyer
John Ralls
Oil and gas lawyer
Seth Hanson
Chapter 7 bankruptcy lawyer
Amy Ruggles
Estate planning lawyer
Edward Goldkuhl
Probate lawyer
Samuel Swenson
General practice lawyer
Heidi Freeman
Estate planning lawyer
Christine Kingston
Bankruptcy and debt lawyer
Robert Hobbs
Probate lawyer
Edward Smith
Personal injury lawyer
Peter Bauman
Business lawyer
Experience
Honors
2019
Estate & Trust Law Firm of the Year in California - 2019, Global Law Experts Awards
2018
AV Rated - Peer Review Rating - Preeminent, Martindale Hubbell
2018
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers of Northern California
2017
AV Rated - Peer Review Rating - Preeminent, Martindale Hubbell
2017
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers of Northern California
2017
Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers, Bar Registry
2016
Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers, Bar Registry
2016
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers of Northern California
2016
AV Rated - Peer Review Rating - Preeminent, Martindale Hubbell
2015
Best Lawyer in Roseville, Roseville Press Tribune
2015
AV Rated - Peer Review Rating - Preeminent, Marintdale Hubbell
2015
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers of Northern California
2015
Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers, Bar Registry
2014
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers of Northern California
2014
AV Rated - Peer Review Rating - Preeminent, Martindale Hubbell
2014
Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers, Bar Registry
2013
AV Rated - Peer Review Rating - Preeminent, Marintdale Hubbell
2013
Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers, Bar Registry
2013
Re-Certified Specialist in estate planning, trust & probate law, State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization
2012
Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers, Bar Registry
2012
AV Rated - Peer Review Rating - Preeminent, Marintdale Hubbell
2011
AV Rated - Peer Review Rating - Preeminent, Martindale-Hubbell
2010
AV Rated - Peer Review Rating - Preeminent, Martindale Hubbell
2009
AV Rated - Peer Review Rating - Preeminent, Martindale-Hubbell
2008
Certified Specialist in Estate Planning, Trust and Probate law, California Bar Board of Legal Specialization
Work Experience
1999 - Present
Attorney, Meissner, Joseph & Palley, Inc.
1995 - 1999
Sole Practitioner, John B. Palley, Attorney at Law
1994 - 1995
Marketing - Attorney, Manulife Financial
Associations
2013 - Present
Roseville Chamber of CommerceMember
2012 - Present
Placer County Bar AssociationMember
2009 - Present
Sacramento Planned Giving ForumMember
2008 - Present
Rotary Club of RosevilleMember
1995 - Present
Sacramento Estate Planning CouncilMember
1994 - Present
State Bar of CaliforniaMember
1995 - 2003
Active 20-30 Club #1Member
Sample of Legal Cases
Nearly 1,000 Probate cases
Successful!
Estate Planning
Over 1,000 happy clients!
Education
1994
California State University, Sonoma State University
JD - Juris Doctor
1991
University of the Pacific
BA - Bachelor of Arts
Speaking Engagements
2017
PCAR Lunch and Learn
Probate and Living Trusts
2016
UC Davis Extension Tax Class
Estate Planning for Taxation Students
2016
Probate process from start to finish
Probate process from start to finish
2015
UC Davis Extension Tax Class
Estate Planning for Taxation Students
2014
UC Davis Extension Tax Class
Estate Planning for Taxation Students
2013
UC Davis Extension Tax Class
Estate Planning for Taxation Students
2012
Value Investing for MBA students
Estate Planning
2012
Fun Realtor Education Day
Estate Planning
2011
Radisson Hotel Sacramento
Probate Process from Start to Finish
2010
UC Davis Extension Wealth Management - Multi-week class
Estate Planning for High Net Worth Families
2010
UC Davis Extension Tax Class
Estate Planning for Taxation Students
2010
Sheraton Sacramento
Estate Administration - Why Every Step Matters
2008
Sacramento Planned Giving Forum
Probate and estate planning law
2008
Probate Process - From Start to Finish
Probate Law for Lawyers and Paralegals
2006
UC Davis - 10 Week Course
Estate Planning for Financial Planners
Publications
2016
Available at Amazon
How to Live and Die with California Probate
2009
Sacramento Bee
Estate Planning and Probate Expert
1995
The American Society of CLU Business Compensation
Multi-Employer Welfare Benefit Trusts
Languages
English
Activity
Legal Answers
Legal Guides
Legal Answers
Q&A
Does home need to be probated or can a spousal property petition be filed instead?
09 Jun 2020
Q&A
How go I get power of attorney for my mentally ill brother?
21 May 2020
Q&A
Unclaimed money and stocks
13 May 2020
Legal Guides
Legal Guide
California Probate Code Section 10360 - Reducing Mortgages in Probate by Court Order
02 Mar 2011
Legal Guide
Irrevocable Life Insurance Trusts for TERM insurance
29 Jan 2011
Legal Guide
The New Estate and Gift Tax Laws
29 Jan 2011