Copenbarger & Copenbarger LLP

Copenbarger & Copenbarger LLP: Estate and Probate Law in California

Copenbarger & Copenbarger LLP is a California-based law firm that presents itself as exclusively specializing in traditional trust, estate, and probate law. The firm states it was established in 1979 and has over 47 years in business, with more than 43,000 clients served and over 500 years of collective legal experience among its attorneys. Its stated service area covers the entire state of California.

Practice Areas

The firm focuses its practice on estate planning and estate administration. Among the services it details are:

• Estate planning, including asset transfer and protection of survivors in the event of death or incapacity.
• Living trusts, wills, durable powers of attorney, and advance healthcare directives.
• Pet and gun trusts, and special needs planning.
• Elder law and Medi-Cal qualification, with planning aimed at avoiding impoverishment.
• Advanced estate planning and high net worth estates.
• Charitable planning.
• Estate administration and trust administration.
• Probate, understood as the administration of a deceased person's estate without estate planning or with a will.
• Guardianship and conservatorship.
• Estate litigation, representing both fiduciaries and beneficiaries.
• Business and tax planning: business formation and governance, tax planning and filings, contracts and agreements, intellectual property and technology, and employment law compliance.

Eight Offices in California

The firm states it operates from eight locations in California: Sacramento, San Jose, Santa Cruz, Pasadena, Santa Ana, Laguna Hills, Temecula, and San Diego. Its presentation emphasizes that this network allows it to serve clients throughout the state.

Educational Activities and Events

Education is presented as a relevant part of the firm's work. The firm organizes free seminars and webinars for clients, groups, and the general public, with the stated goal of keeping attendees updated on legislative changes and providing a space to answer questions. Announced topics include California Proposition 19, Medi-Cal, special needs trusts, business planning, tax strategies, and trust disputes. The firm also publishes a monthly newsletter and maintains a resource archive and video library.

Client Service Process

The site describes an initial process based on listening to the client's circumstances and goals, then providing counseling and guidance. The firm indicates that appointments can be made by phone or by registering for its free educational events, and that these events also allow for a complimentary appointment to review an existing estate plan.