Business Details
Estate Planning & Elder Law Services in San Ramon
Santaella Legal Group is a dedicated law firm serving families and elders in San Ramon and the greater Bay Area. With over 30 years of combined legal experience, the firm specializes in estate planning, elder law, trust administration, and special needs trusts. Our bilingual team prioritizes clear communication and personalized guidance, ensuring clients understand complex legal processes while protecting their assets and future.We combine professional expertise with compassionate advocacy, maintaining memberships in organizations like the Academy of Special Needs Planners and WealthCounsel to deliver comprehensive solutions. Our proven track record includes successful Medi-Cal planning, guardianship cases, and trust administration, supported by client testimonials highlighting our approachability, integrity, and exceptional service.
Services
Estate Planning
Elder Law
Trust Administration
Medi-Cal Planning
Special Needs Trust
Guardianship
Conservatorships
Highlights and features
- We offer 30+ years of combined experience in estate planning and elder law
- Our team provides bilingual (English/Spanish) legal services for better communication
- We use personalized questionnaires and education to empower client decision-making
- We maintain active memberships in premier legal planning organizations
- Our office handles trust recording and document management for client convenience
Associations and certifications
- Academy of Special Needs Planners
- WealthCounsel
- Avvo Top Attorney
What people say
Exceptional legal expertise
Compassionate and understanding
Clear communication
Personalized approach
Successful case outcomes
Services
Estate Planning
We help families create comprehensive estate plans including wills, trusts, and powers of attorney. Our process ensures your assets are protected and distributed according to your wishes while minimizing tax implications. Clients receive personalized guidance through document preparation and execution.
Elder Law
Our elder law practice addresses long-term care planning, nursing home advocacy, and senior rights protection. We help families navigate complex regulations while preserving assets and ensuring quality care for aging loved ones through tailored legal strategies.
Special Needs Trust
We establish specialized trusts that protect government benefits while providing financial security for individuals with disabilities. Our plans ensure ongoing care and support without compromising eligibility for essential programs like Medi-Cal.
Medi-Cal Planning
Our attorneys help families qualify for Medi-Cal benefits while protecting assets through legal planning strategies. We guide clients through complex eligibility requirements and application processes for long-term care coverage.
Trust Administration
We assist trustees with post-death trust administration, including asset inventory, debt settlement, and distribution to beneficiaries. Our services ensure compliance with California probate laws while maintaining the decedent's wishes.
People
Ivette M. Santaella
Attorney
With over 30 years of legal experience, Ivette Santaella specializes in estate planning and elder law. A former corporate attorney, she combines technical expertise with personal experience managing family trusts to deliver client-focused solutions.
Frances Mariano
Legal Assistant
Frances Mariano supports clients with trust and estate matters, leveraging her psychology background to provide compassionate assistance. She helps streamline the legal process for families during sensitive times.
Questions
What estate planning services do you offer?
We provide comprehensive estate planning including wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and advanced healthcare directives tailored to protect your assets and family's future.
How can you help with Medi-Cal planning?
Our attorneys develop legal strategies to help families qualify for Medi-Cal benefits while protecting assets through proper trust structures and compliance with eligibility requirements.
Do you serve areas outside San Ramon?
We serve all of California with primary focus areas including San Ramon, Danville, Dublin, and Contra Costa County for estate planning and elder law matters.
What makes your firm different?
Our combination of 30+ years' experience, bilingual services, personalized approach with client education, and membership in premier legal planning organizations sets us apart in client care.
How are trust administration cases handled?
We guide trustees through post-death administration, managing asset inventory, debt settlement, tax compliance, and distribution while ensuring adherence to probate laws and decedent's wishes.
