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 Justia.com and AVVO.com 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
Extremely experienced with conducting probates throughout California.
28 years, 1,000 cases
Conduct all facets of estate planning including simple wills and trusts along with advanced planning for large estates.
28 years, 1,000 cases
Conduct all facets of estate planning including simple wills and trusts along with advanced planning for large estates.
28 years, 1,000 cases
Conduct all facets of estate planning including simple wills and trusts along with advanced planning for large estates.
28 years, 1,000 cases
Languages spoken
English
Meissner Joseph Palley & Ruggles, Inc.
1555 River Park Drive Suite 108
Sacramento, CA, 95815
Meissner Joseph Palley & Ruggles, Inc. - Placer County
2281 Lava Ridge Court, Suite 300
Roseville, CA, 95661
Meissner Joseph Palley & Ruggles, Inc. - Yolo County
510 4th Street
Davis, CA, 95616
State | Status | Acquired | Updated |
---|---|---|---|
UT | Resigned | 1995 | 06/07/2022 |
CA | Active | 1994 | 06/15/2022 |
Award name | Grantor | Date Granted |
---|---|---|
Estate & Trust Law Firm of the Year in California - 2019 | Global Law Experts Awards | 2019 |
AV Rated - Peer Review Rating - Preeminent | Martindale Hubbell | 2018 |
Super Lawyer | Super Lawyers of Northern California | 2018 |
AV Rated - Peer Review Rating - Preeminent | Martindale Hubbell | 2017 |
Super Lawyer | Super Lawyers of Northern California | 2017 |
Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers | Bar Registry | 2017 |
Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers | Bar Registry | 2016 |
Super Lawyer | Super Lawyers of Northern California | 2016 |
AV Rated - Peer Review Rating - Preeminent | Martindale Hubbell | 2016 |
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 | 2015 |
Super Lawyer | Super Lawyers of Northern California | 2014 |
AV Rated - Peer Review Rating - Preeminent | Martindale Hubbell | 2014 |
Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers | Bar Registry | 2014 |
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 | 2013 |
Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers | Bar Registry | 2012 |
AV Rated - Peer Review Rating - Preeminent | Marintdale Hubbell | 2012 |
AV Rated - Peer Review Rating - Preeminent | Martindale-Hubbell | 2011 |
AV Rated - Peer Review Rating - Preeminent | Martindale Hubbell | 2010 |
AV Rated - Peer Review Rating - Preeminent | Martindale-Hubbell | 2009 |
Certified Specialist in Estate Planning, Trust and Probate law | California Bar Board of Legal Specialization | 2008 |
Title | Company name | Duration |
---|---|---|
Attorney | Meissner, Joseph & Palley, Inc. | 1999 - Present |
Sole Practitioner | John B. Palley, Attorney at Law | 1995 - 1999 |
Marketing - Attorney | Manulife Financial | 1994 - 1995 |
Association name | Position name | Duration |
---|---|---|
Roseville Chamber of Commerce | Member | 2013 - Present |
Placer County Bar Association | Member | 2012 - Present |
Sacramento Planned Giving Forum | Member | 2009 - Present |
Rotary Club of Roseville | Member | 2008 - Present |
Sacramento Estate Planning Council | Member | 1995 - Present |
State Bar of California | Member | 1994 - Present |
Active 20-30 Club #1 | Member | 1995 - 2003 |
Publication name | Title | Date |
---|---|---|
Available at Amazon | How to Live and Die with California Probate | 2016 |
Sacramento Bee | Estate Planning and Probate Expert | 2009 |
The American Society of CLU Business Compensation | Multi-Employer Welfare Benefit Trusts | 1995 |
School name | Degree | Graduated |
---|---|---|
California State University, Sonoma State University | JD - Juris Doctor | 1994 |
University of the Pacific | BA - Bachelor of Arts | 1991 |
Conference name | Title | Date |
---|---|---|
PCAR Lunch and Learn | Probate and Living Trusts | 2017 |
UC Davis Extension Tax Class | Estate Planning for Taxation Students | 2016 |
Probate process from start to finish | Probate process from start to finish | 2016 |
UC Davis Extension Tax Class | Estate Planning for Taxation Students | 2015 |
UC Davis Extension Tax Class | Estate Planning for Taxation Students | 2014 |
UC Davis Extension Tax Class | Estate Planning for Taxation Students | 2013 |
Value Investing for MBA students | Estate Planning | 2012 |
Fun Realtor Education Day | Estate Planning | 2012 |
Radisson Hotel Sacramento | Probate Process from Start to Finish | 2011 |
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 | 2010 |
Sacramento Planned Giving Forum | Probate and estate planning law | 2008 |
Probate Process - From Start to Finish | Probate Law for Lawyers and Paralegals | 2008 |
UC Davis - 10 Week Course | Estate Planning for Financial Planners | 2006 |
Case name | Outcome |
---|---|
Nearly 1,000 Probate cases | Successful! |
Estate Planning | Over 1,000 happy clients! |
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William Bowen, Estate planning Attorney on Mar 10, 2017
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
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.
Paul Molinaro, Probate Attorney on Sep 14, 2014
Relationship: Other
I endorse this lawyer.
William Bowen, Estate planning Attorney on Mar 10, 2017
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
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.
Paul Molinaro, Probate Attorney on Sep 14, 2014
Relationship: Other
I endorse this lawyer.
John Ralls, Probate Attorney on Jan 14, 2014
Relationship: Other
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.
Seth Hanson, Estate planning Attorney on Aug 28, 2013
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
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.
Meriam Hansen, Estate planning Attorney on Aug 28, 2013
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer.
Jason Murai, Estate planning Attorney on Jul 9, 2013
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer.
Amy Ruggles, Unknown Attorney on May 30, 2013
Relationship: Worked for 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.
Edward Goldkuhl, Probate Attorney on Apr 9, 2013
Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter
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.
Samuel Swenson, Estate planning Attorney on Mar 15, 2013
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
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.
Howard Roitman, Estate planning Attorney on Dec 27, 2012
Relationship: Other
I endorse this lawyer.
John Orcutt, Probate Attorney on Oct 2, 2012
Relationship: Worked together on matter
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.
Christine Kingston, Probate Attorney on Sep 17, 2012
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
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.
Eric Jeppson, Estate planning Attorney on Oct 20, 2011
Relationship: Worked together on matter
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.
Peter Bauman, Estate planning Attorney on Sep 26, 2011
Relationship: Worked together on matter
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.
Patricia Forman, Probate Attorney on Aug 23, 2011
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
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.
Michael Wald, Probate Attorney on Aug 21, 2011
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
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.
Steven Oshins, Estate planning Attorney on Aug 21, 2011
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
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.
Daniel Roberts, Estate planning Attorney on Feb 24, 2011
Relationship: Friend
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.
Robert Hunt, Estate planning Attorney on Feb 3, 2011
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
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.
Jamie Newbold, Trusts Attorney on Aug 26, 2010
Relationship: Worked together on matter
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.