Estate planning is one of the most important legal and financial steps individuals can take to protect their families, assets, and long-term wishes. In Sacramento, where many residents own homes, retirement accounts, investment portfolios, family businesses, and agricultural properties, comprehensive estate planning has become increasingly important. Whether the goal is avoiding probate, creating a living trust, protecting beneficiaries, minimizing taxes, or preparing for incapacity, an experienced estate planning attorney can help ensure that assets are transferred efficiently and according to the client’s wishes.
California’s probate process can be lengthy and expensive, making trust-based estate planning especially popular among Sacramento families. Estate planning attorneys frequently assist clients with wills, revocable living trusts, powers of attorney, healthcare directives, trust administration, elder planning, and wealth preservation strategies.
Based on legal experience, professional credentials, client reputation, attorney-directory recognition, and estate planning specialization, the following attorneys stand out as some of Sacramento’s top estate planning professionals in 2026.
1. Jeffrey Galvin
Jeffrey Galvin is widely regarded as one of Sacramento’s leading estate planning attorneys. His practice focuses on trusts, wills, probate avoidance, estate administration, and wealth preservation planning. With decades of legal experience, he has earned a strong reputation for helping families create customized estate plans that protect assets while minimizing future complications.
Clients frequently praise his attention to detail and ability to explain complex legal concepts in understandable terms.
Key Strengths
- Extensive estate planning experience
- Strong trust and probate background
- Customized planning strategies
- Excellent client reputation
Best For
Living trusts, probate avoidance, and comprehensive family estate planning.
2. Daniel A. Hunt
Daniel Hunt has built a respected estate planning practice serving Sacramento families, retirees, and business owners. His work includes trust creation, will preparation, powers of attorney, healthcare directives, and trust administration.
His client-centered approach and practical legal guidance have made him a trusted advisor for individuals seeking long-term asset protection and family security.
Key Strengths
- Comprehensive estate planning services
- Trust administration experience
- Family-focused legal solutions
- Strong communication skills
Best For
Families seeking customized estate plans and trust management.
3. Michael B. Chastaine
Michael Chastaine is well known throughout Northern California for his work in estate planning, probate, elder law, and trust administration. His practice frequently assists clients with incapacity planning, elder care issues, and multi-generational wealth preservation.
His broad legal background allows him to address both traditional estate planning concerns and long-term care considerations.
Key Strengths
- Estate planning and elder law expertise
- Probate administration experience
- Long-term care planning knowledge
- Multi-generational wealth planning
Best For
Seniors, retirees, and elder planning matters.
4. David C. Sobel
David Sobel has developed a strong reputation in estate planning and tax-related matters. His practice includes sophisticated trust planning, estate tax strategies, business succession planning, and wealth preservation techniques.
Clients with complex financial structures often seek his guidance when developing long-term estate and tax planning strategies.
Key Strengths
- Estate and tax planning experience
- Business succession planning
- Asset protection strategies
- Advanced trust structures
Best For
Business owners, investors, and high-net-worth families.
5. Matthew R. Hall
Matthew Hall has earned recognition for helping Sacramento families prepare comprehensive estate plans designed to avoid probate and protect beneficiaries. His practice includes wills, trusts, powers of attorney, healthcare directives, and trust administration.
His personalized approach and commitment to client education have helped him establish a strong reputation within the local legal community.
Key Strengths
- Trust and will preparation
- Probate avoidance planning
- Personalized client service
- Strong estate administration knowledge
Best For
First-time estate planning clients and family trust creation.
What Makes a Great Estate Planning Attorney?
Estate Planning Specialization
Estate planning involves much more than simply preparing a will. Effective attorneys understand trust law, probate procedures, incapacity planning, tax considerations, and wealth-transfer strategies. Attorneys who focus heavily on estate planning often provide more comprehensive and effective solutions.
Experience With Trust-Based Planning
Many California families use revocable living trusts to avoid probate and streamline asset transfers. Attorneys experienced in trust creation can help ensure that assets are properly titled and transferred according to the client’s wishes.
Tax and Wealth Preservation Knowledge
For clients with substantial assets, business interests, or investment portfolios, tax planning may play a significant role. Attorneys with experience in estate tax planning and wealth preservation can help maximize the value passed to future generations.
Reputation and Client Satisfaction
Client reviews, peer endorsements, professional recognitions, and attorney-directory ratings often provide valuable insight into an attorney’s professionalism, communication skills, and effectiveness.
Why Estate Planning in Sacramento Can Be Complex
Sacramento’s economy includes government employment, healthcare, agriculture, real estate, technology, and professional services. Many residents own significant assets, including family homes, rental properties, retirement accounts, investment portfolios, and small businesses.
Estate planning attorneys often help clients address probate avoidance, incapacity planning, charitable giving, business succession planning, elder care concerns, and trust administration. Comprehensive estate plans frequently include revocable living trusts, durable powers of attorney, advance healthcare directives, and carefully structured beneficiary designations.
Blended families, business ownership, agricultural land holdings, and long-term care planning can add additional complexity to estate planning matters. California’s probate system also encourages many families to use trust-based planning strategies to simplify asset transfers and preserve privacy.
Without a comprehensive estate plan, families may face costly court proceedings, delays in asset distribution, and potential disputes among beneficiaries. Experienced estate planning attorneys help minimize these risks while ensuring that clients’ wishes are properly documented and legally enforceable.
Final Verdict
For 2026, Jeffrey Galvin stands out as the strongest overall estate planning attorney in Sacramento due to his extensive experience, strong trust-planning background, and reputation for helping families create comprehensive estate plans. Daniel A. Hunt remains an excellent choice for family-focused estate planning, while Michael B. Chastaine excels in elder law and long-term care planning. David C. Sobel offers valuable expertise for business owners and high-net-worth clients, and Matthew R. Hall rounds out the list with his commitment to personalized estate planning solutions and probate avoidance strategies.
FAQs
1. What does an estate planning attorney do?
A. An estate planning attorney helps clients create wills, trusts, powers of attorney, healthcare directives, and other legal documents designed to protect assets and ensure their wishes are carried out.
2. Do I need a trust or just a will?
A. Many California residents choose living trusts because they can help avoid probate and simplify the transfer of assets. The best option depends on your financial situation and planning goals.
3. What is probate?
A. Probate is the court-supervised process of administering a deceased person’s estate and distributing assets to beneficiaries.
4. How often should I update my estate plan?
A. Most attorneys recommend reviewing your estate plan after major life events such as marriage, divorce, retirement, the birth of a child, or significant changes in assets.
5. Can estate planning reduce taxes?
A. Yes. Certain trusts and wealth-transfer strategies may help reduce estate and gift tax exposure for larger estates.
6. What documents are included in a basic estate plan?
A. A typical estate plan includes a will, revocable living trust, durable power of attorney, and advance healthcare directive.
7. How much does estate planning cost?
A. Costs vary depending on the complexity of the estate, the documents required, and whether advanced trust or tax planning is involved.
8. What should I look for when hiring an estate planning attorney?
A. Look for estate planning specialization, trust experience, positive client reviews, strong communication skills, professional credentials, and a proven track record helping families achieve their long-term planning goals.
