Sophisticated Estate Planning with a Personal touch in Pasadena, California

that makes estate planning a priority for those with insight and vision. We first wrote that in our 1996 book, Looking Ahead with Living Trusts. Estate planning is important for almost everyone in our complex and fast-moving world. Our goal through our books and this website is to help you find valuable information that will help you or your loved ones begin or continue the process of planning for the management and disposition of your estate.

We want to know -- what's really important to you?

Our clients tell us that they are concerned about everything they own and everyone they love. Our mission is to translate that love and concern into an estate plan that reflects your values, attitudes and the uniqueness of your family. We help you create a loving link between your hopes, dreams, needs and goals, and a one-of-a-kind plan for you, your family, your business. Customized estate planning is for everyone.

Who are the partners?

Galen Griepp and Sharon Stuart McRee offer the maximum in client service and lawyer accessibility. Both are active as speakers, writers and teachers.

Galen Griepp has been designated a Certified Specialist - Estate Planning, Trusts and Probate Law, by the State Bar of California, a distinction held by 1/2 of 1 percent of the State's attorneys. A member of Wealth Counsel, with an LLM degree in tax law, he has distinguished himself in the legal community since his admission to the bar in 1971. As a certified education provider, he continues to teach basic estate planning to insurance professionals. He is a popular speaker and has volunteered his time for such organizations as the Los Angeles Archdiocese, Hillsides Home for Children, Rotary International, Pilgrim School, and AIDS Project Los Angeles.

Sharon McRee brings to the practice her extensive background in psychology and education, and has a particular interest in issues of importance to families. In practice since 1976, she continues to advocate for consumer rights and child welfare, with a background in adoption law and issues. As a former law school instructor, she also participates in community events as a speaker, and writes extensively on estate planning topics. She has contriuted numerous articles for various publications and has authored portions of the books Senior' Financial Guide, Looking Ahead With Living Trusts, and New Money Revelations. She has been honored by many civic and service organizations.

Together the partners have established one of the premier innovative small firms, engaged exclusively in estate planning, in the Southern California area.

They have refined such techniques as:

• cooperative multi-generational planning
• family retreat days
• business succession roundtables
• family advisory panels
• specialized presentations for charitable entities.

Cooperation, Commitment, Customization

As quoted from the firm's introductory materials:

We embrace a professional team approach to estate planning. As part of our ongoing responsibility to provide client service, we strive to build and maintain contacts with our clients' other professional advisors, so that our work enhances each client's goals and plans, both short- and long-term.

One-shot service is not our style. We work hard to build client relationships.

We recognize an obligation to the consumer, not to 'sell' an idea or service, because we know that when intelligent people are given access to valuable information, they will make sound decisions.
Our service orientation clearly distinguishes us from other law firms, and we believe that our highly-personalized efforts produce the ultimate in client satisfaction.