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The Goralka Law Firm helps successful families, business owners and real estate owners achieve their enlightened dreams by better protecting their assets, reducing income and estate tax and providing for the distribution of their estate to the right people, at the right time and keeping the wrong people out. For over two decades, we have satisfied our clients’ unique planning needs by collaborating with our partners, attorneys, accountants, business managers, financial planners, stock brokers and insurance professionals. As tax attorneys and as estate planning and asset protection professionals, our job is to provide peace of mind by easing the process of estate and asset protection planning, minimizing estate and income taxes and developing sophisticated retirement and post-mortem plans.
At The Goralka Law Firm we understand business and taxation law and the role these play in your business and estate planning matters. Whether you are starting up a new business, buying or selling an existing business or looking to draw up a will, trust, or premarital agreement, our firm can tailor creative solutions designed to meet your legal concerns and needs.
Our Sacramento attorneys are experienced in a number of highly specialized areas of the law, including the following:
John Goralka is a Certified Specialist, by State Bar of California, Board of Legal Specialization, in Taxation as well as Estate Planning, Trust and Probate. He is one of few attorneys in Sacramento County with both of these critical specializations. In addition, he has successfully completed his Certified Public Accountants (CPA) exam, and holds a Master in Taxation Law (LLM). John is rated AV Preeminent by Martindale-Hubbell. The AV Preeminent Rating is the highest rating in both legal ability and ethical standards. This AV rating is the pinnacle of profession excellence earned through a strenuous peer review process by Martindale-Hubbell, the most trusted legal ratings resource.
Additional Qualifications:
For additional information about our law firm, or to discuss your business, tax, real estate, or estate planning matter with Mr. Goralka, please call us at , e-mail us or fill out our intake form.
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State: California
Acquired: 1988
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61 Client Reviews
Showing 1 - 5 of 8 reviews | Tax
Posted by Ed and Paula | January 03, 2016 | Hired Attorney | Tax
Lawyer Extraordinaire
Initially we chose John Goralka to create our Trusts based on his expertise as a certified specialist in both estate planning and taxation, his prestigious accomplishments, and his stellar testimonials. Almost immediately we realized Johns' dedication to patiently listening to our needs and the c...
Ed and Paula, We are happy to hear that we did a good job for you and your family and thank you for your kind words about the dedication, patience and tireless work our team puts in for clients.
Posted by Carolyn | May 14, 2015 | Tax
2014 Taxes/ Family Trust & Estate Planning
I attended a Living Trust Seminar where John M. Goralko was the Speaker. I was so impressed with the way John was so knowledgeable, informative and easy to understand, that I had to make an appointment ASAP!! He helped complete my 2014 Taxes which was rather complicated and updated my Family Trust ...
Carolyn, We are fortunate that our firm can assist clients with both taxes and estate planning. Often, if not almost always, those two topics go hand-in-hand as you've experienced. Our goal is to help clients understand their options, the pros and cons of various decisions and offer patience along the way as you make your decisions. Thank you for recommending us to your family and friends.
Posted by Heather | October 12, 2014 | Tax
Excellent Service!
I received excellent service and much needed advice as I went through the process of creating my Trust. I highly recommend John Goralka for your Trust and Estate Tax Planning needs! You won't be disappointed.
Heather, We appreciate you for choosing our firm for your Trust and for recommending us to others.
Posted by Alan | August 10, 2014 | Tax
A positive experience!
Like most people we have put off writing our trust for years and have checked out many lawyers over that period of time until we went to a presentation by John. It was clear by his presentation that he knew trusts and he knew taxes. John also knew how to explain the entire process and consequences ...
Alan, Thank you for your positive review. Many people put off getting their trust done or updated, because until you meet with an experienced attorney, it can feel like a major undertaking. We're happy that you made the decision to get your trust done, and now you can rest a little easier.
Posted by Mike | June 18, 2014 | Tax
Difficult tax case and tax audit
While representing me during a very long and difficult tax case with the State of California and audit with the IRS, John was always very professional, thorough and competent in the areas of State and Federal tax law and procedures. He put all his expertise and energy into my case to affect a positiv...
Mike, Thank you for writing your review and for sharing your experience with your tax audit. Dealing with the IRS and the State of California on an audit can emotionally challenging but getting through it with expert help is definitely the way to go. Thank you for recommending our firm to others.
"I have known John Goralka for 3 years and in that time, I have come to know him as a lawyer of the highest integrity and competence. John is a certified tax specialist which is a very rare designation to achieve. I also use John as a lawyer on my personal tax matters."
"I have had the pleasure of working on a number of cases with Mr. Goralka. He is a consummate professional and I believe he has the unique distinction of being the only attorney in Northern California to be a certified specialist by the State Bar Board of Legal Specialization in Estate Planning, Trust & Probate Law and Taxation Law. John genuinely cares for his clients and provides specially tailored services to meet each client’s individual needs. I have referred many clients to John and will continue to do so. John Goralka is a lawyer that you can trust."
"I wholeheartedly endorse John. I have worked with him as co-counsel and am delighted with the care and expertise he provides to clients. Mr. Goralka is a trusted and experienced attorney in the Sacramento area. Whether you are in need of a simple update to your existing planning, or have complex estate and business planning needs, John will provide you with excellent advice, service and support."
"John is an excellent attorney. His attention to detail and commitment to his clients and practice is outstanding. He is extremely knowledgeable in the field and takes the time to fully analyze each matter, no matter how unique and complex, he is presented. John and the whole law firm exhibit true professionalism with every client. I endorse this lawyer."
"I highly recommend John for all estate planning, business planning and transactions, and tax litigation matters. John is the only certified specialist in both taxation and estate planning, probate and trust administration in the Sacramento area, and he is the most qualified attorney to assist you with these matters. John is extremely knowledgeable in his practice areas and delivers only the best work product for his clients. I have worked with John for over 10 years and continue to learn from him every day. He is a great colleague, friend, and mentor."
"John Goralka is an experienced, knowledgeable and skilled attorney. He is an expert in business and estate planning matters, with a specialty in taxation law. I have personally worked with John on numerous complex litigation matters concerning business, real estate, trust, breach of contract, corporate, insurance and partnership law. In one case, John’s corporate client was sued by the Insurance Commissioner of the State of Pennsylvania for a large sum of money. John was able to get the case resolved with his client paying nothing. I would not hesitate to recommend John Goralka."
"I endorse this lawyer. I have referred clients to him and they reported back to me that they were very satisfied with the work he did for them. I have also worked with John on business matters where I needed and relied upon his tax expertise."
"I endorse this lawyer. He has helped several of my clients with their tax and estate planning issues. He is very competent and knowlegeable in these matters."
"After more than two decades of practice, John has the knowledge and the experience to negotiate the toughest business sales and purchases and to establish the most tax-advantageous business model that works hand in hand with each individual client's needs. His State Bar certifications as a specialist in tax and estate planning, trust and probate laws enables him to present his clients with the "big picture" solution that extends beyond just their business needs."
"John provides each client with an estate plan that is tailored to the client's unique circumstances. John is an expert in state and federal tax matters. This tax expertise, combined with John's extensive knowledge and experience in assset protection and business matters ranks John head and shoulders above other lawyers who provide estate planning services."
Estate planning lawyer
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Securities offerings lawyer
Lawsuits and disputes lawyer
Lawsuits and disputes lawyer
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2025
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2024
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2023
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2022
Top taxation attorney in the United States, Premier Tax Planners
2022
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2022
Blue Star Wealth Professional, Blue Star
2022
Approved Educator, California Certificated Financial Planning Board
2022
Approved Educator, California Department of Insurance
2022
Avvo Rating 10.0, Avvo
2022
Distinguished Client Service Award, Martindale-Hubbell
2022
Northern California SuperLawywer for Tax and Business, SuperLawyers
2022
Top Lawyer for Business and Corporate Law, Sacramento Magazine
2022
AV Preeminent Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
2022
Northern California SuperLawyer for Estate Planning and Probate, SuperLawyers
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Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
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Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
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Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
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Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
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Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
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Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2014
Five Star Estate Planning Attorney Award, Five Star Professional
2010
Certified Specialist in Estate Planning, Trusts and Probate, State Bar of California
1994
Certified Specialist in Taxation, State Bar of California
1988
Making the Most Outstanding Contribution to Legal Scholarship, Corpus Juris Secundum
1985
Making the Most Outstanding Contribution to Legal Scholarship, Corpus Juris Secundum
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Passed the California Certified Public Accountants' (CPA’s) Exam, American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
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Academic Achievement, Traynor Society
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Torts, American Jurisprudence
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Outstanding Tax Student Award, Prentice-Hall
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Business Planning, American Jurisprudence
1996 - Present
President, The Goralka Law Firm
1983 - 1986
Hearing Officer, California Franchise Tax Board
1979 - 1983
Income Tax Auditor, California Franchise Tax Board
2015 - Present
California Advocates for Nursing Home ReformMember
2013 - Present
Sacramento Estate Planning CouncilEducation Chair
1988 - Present
Order of the CoifMember
Member
Member
Member
2012 - 2013
Sacramento Estate Planning CouncilMember, Board of Directors
Helped the client save $2.75 million in estate taxes
Client received millions of dollars in tax savings and deductions
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LL.M - Master of Laws
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JD - Juris Doctor
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BS - Bachelor of Science
2008
Inventory and Appraisal
2008
Sort Through the Complex Rules Regarding the Taxation of Family Limited Partnerships
2008
Maximize the Use of Family Limited Partnerships in Estate Planning
2008
Basic Taxes You Need to be Aware Of
2008
Charitable Planning
2008
Estate and Gift Taxes
2008
Estate, Gift and GST Taxes
2004
The Probate Process for California Paralegals: From Start to Finish
2003
The Probate Process for California Paralegals: From Start to Finish
1993
A Practical Guide to Estate Administration in California
1992
Can the Service Partner Finally Go Back To Work?
1992
A Practical Guide to Estate Administration in California
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English
Legal Answers
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