Estate Planning Attorney Sacramento
California State Bar Certified Specialist in Estate Planning, Trust & Probate Law. Serving Sacramento County families since 2009.
If you own a home in Sacramento — whether in Land Park, East Sacramento, Natomas, Elk Grove, or anywhere in Sacramento County — you almost certainly need a living trust. Without one, your family faces Sacramento Superior Court probate: a public, court-supervised process that typically takes 12-18 months and costs 4-8% of your estate's gross value.
On a Sacramento home worth $550,000, that's $22,000-$44,000 in court and attorney fees — money that should go to your family, not the courthouse at 720 9th Street.
Dustin MacFarlaneis a California State Bar Certified Specialist in Estate Planning, Trust & Probate Law — a designation held by fewer than 1% of California attorneys. His firm, California Probate and Trust, PC, has helped Sacramento County families protect their assets, avoid probate, and plan for the future since 2009.
Estate Planning Services for Sacramento Families
Revocable Living Trust
Avoid Sacramento Superior Court probate, maintain control of your assets, and protect your family with a properly drafted and funded California living trust.
Wills & Pour-Over Wills
A valid California will ensures your wishes are honored and your children have a named guardian. Essential for every Sacramento adult.
Medi-Cal Asset Protection
Protect your Sacramento home and savings from nursing home costs — which can exceed $12,000/month in the Sacramento area. MAPT, spend-down strategies, and spousal protection.
Probate Administration
If a loved one passed without a trust, we guide Sacramento families through the probate process at the Gordon D. Schaber Courthouse efficiently and affordably.
Trust Administration
Serving as successor trustee is a legal responsibility. We guide Sacramento trustees through their duties step-by-step and protect them from personal liability.
Powers of Attorney
A durable financial power of attorney and advance healthcare directive protect your family if you become incapacitated — without court intervention.
Special Needs Trusts
Protect a disabled loved one's government benefits — including Medi-Cal and SSI — with a properly drafted California special needs trust.
Elder Law & Long-Term Care
Sacramento elder law services including Medi-Cal planning, IHSS, PACE program coordination, and skilled nursing facility planning for seniors and families.
Sacramento County Probate: What Your Family Faces Without a Trust
Sacramento County probate is handled at the Gordon D. Schaber Sacramento County Courthouse, 720 9th Street, Sacramento, CA 95814. The probate division handles hundreds of new cases each year.
Without a Living Trust in Sacramento:
- ⏱ Timeline: 12-18 months minimum at Sacramento Superior Court
- 💰 Cost: 4-8% of gross estate — on a $600,000 estate, that is $24,000-$48,000
- 📂 Public record: Your assets, debts, and family situation become public at the courthouse
- ⚖️ No control: A judge — not you — makes decisions about your estate
- 🏠 Your home: Sacramento real estate often has to be sold to pay probate costs and creditors
With a Properly Funded Living Trust:
- ✅ No Sacramento probate court — ever
- ✅ Assets transfer to your family within weeks, not years
- ✅ Complete privacy — no public records
- ✅ You stay in control during your lifetime
- ✅ Your Sacramento home stays in the family
Medi-Cal Planning for Sacramento County Families
Long-term care in the Sacramento area costs between $10,000 and $15,000 per monthat skilled nursing facilities. Most families cannot pay these costs indefinitely. Medi-Cal — California's Medicaid program — covers long-term care for those who qualify, but qualifying requires careful planning.
The California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS), headquartered in Sacramento, administers Medi-Cal. The rules around asset transfers, look-back periods, and estate recovery are complex and change regularly.
We help Sacramento County families with:
- Medi-Cal Asset Protection Trusts (MAPT) — protect your home and savings while qualifying for Medi-Cal
- Medi-Cal estate recovery defense — protect your estate from DHCS recovery after death
- Spousal protection planning — protect the community spouse who remains at home
- IHSS coordination — In-Home Supportive Services to keep loved ones at home longer
- PACE program — Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly for qualifying Sacramento seniors
Sacramento Communities We Serve
We serve clients throughout Sacramento County, including:
About Dustin MacFarlane
Dustin MacFarlane is a California State Bar Certified Specialist in Estate Planning, Trust & Probate Law (State Bar #262162) and founder of California Probate and Trust, PC. He has been helping Sacramento County families create estate plans that work since 2009.
The Certified Specialist designation is awarded by the State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization and requires passing a written exam, demonstrating substantial experience, and completing ongoing education. Fewer than 1% of California attorneys hold this designation.
Our office is located at 6957 Douglas Blvd., Granite Bay, CA 95746 — serving all of Sacramento and Placer County. Remote consultations are available for Sacramento families throughout the county.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does estate planning cost in Sacramento?
A complete Sacramento estate plan — living trust, pour-over will, durable power of attorney, and healthcare directive — is priced as a flat fee at California Probate and Trust, PC. Cost depends on the complexity of your assets and family situation. Call (916) 306-0211 for a private consultation and upfront pricing.
Do I need a living trust in Sacramento?
If you own real property in Sacramento County, a living trust is almost always the right choice. Without one, your estate goes through Sacramento Superior Court probate — typically 12-18 months and 4-8% of the gross estate value. A living trust avoids probate entirely.
How long does probate take in Sacramento County?
Probate at the Gordon D. Schaber Sacramento County Courthouse at 720 9th Street typically takes 9-12 months for simple estates and 18-24 months or longer for complex ones. A properly funded living trust bypasses Sacramento probate court entirely.
What is Medi-Cal planning?
Medi-Cal planning helps Sacramento County families protect their home and savings from nursing home costs — which exceed $12,000/month in the Sacramento area. We use Medi-Cal Asset Protection Trusts (MAPT), spend-down strategies, and spousal protection planning to help families qualify for Medi-Cal while preserving assets.
What does a Certified Specialist in estate planning mean?
The California State Bar certifies fewer than 1% of attorneys as specialists in Estate Planning, Trust and Probate Law. It requires a written exam, substantial experience, and ongoing education. Dustin MacFarlane holds this designation — it is the highest credential a California estate planning attorney can earn.
Private Consultation with an Attorney for Sacramento Families
Talk to Certified Specialist Dustin MacFarlane about protecting your family. No obligation, no pressure.