310.395.6555
Specializing in Estate Planning, Trusts and ProbateJAKLE, ALEXANDER & PATTON, LLP is dedicated to serving clients primarily in the areas of estate planning, probate, trust administration, incapacity planning, conservatorships, guardianships, special needs trusts as well as legal entities (with special experience in Family Limited Partnerships) and general business matters. The firm’s expertise also includes the areas of Federal Estate and Gift Tax and property tax.
Our office is located in Santa Monica, California. Our clients are located throughout Southern California and beyond.
Our office is located in Santa Monica, California. Our clients are located throughout Southern California and beyond.
Our Mission
Established by partners John B. Jakle and Lisa P. Alexander, JAKLE, ALEXANDER & PATTON, LLP was founded on the philosophy that clients deserve personal and thoughtful attention as well as exceptional representation.Our Team
John B. Jakle
Partner
Lisa C. Alexander
Partner
Courtney C. Patton
Partner
Ramon Lamelas
Associate Attorney
Sarah V. Nichols
Associate Attorney
Lori A. Cioffi
Of Counsel
Jennifer Van Duzer
Of Counsel
Our Goals
Help Through the Legal Maze
Legal matters can often be confusing and overwhelming. With years of experience in the areas of general business matters and probate and estate planning, we are able to help our clients navigate the ever changing legal maze.
It is difficult to plan for one’s potential incapacity and certain mortality. It is emotionally challenging to settle the affairs of a loved one or establish a conservatorship for someone who can no longer care for themselves, while dealing with the loss at the same time. We understand it is a process. We take pride in being able to provide a compassionate and experienced team of professionals to guide you through the intricacies of the complex legal process.
Whether you are planning your estate, planning for incapacity, handling a probate, administering a trust, establishing a conservatorship or guardianship, creating a special needs trust or setting up and operating a business entity, you will find Jakle, Alexander, & Patton's commitment to quality representation begins with prompt response to your inquiries, complete and easy to understand explanations of your options, attention to detail and a thorough and thoughtful representation of your needs.
Prepared to Represent You
Successful representation requires a thorough understanding of the law and meticulous preparation. Beyond our academic credentials and legal experience, we invest in continuing legal education seminars and training, ensuring our knowledge of federal, state and local law, procedures and practices is current and accurate.
Counsel You Can Trust
When the time comes to make legal decisions that will affect your future and the future of your loved ones, you can rely on Jakle, Alexander & Patton to focus on your individual needs and goals. We are dedicated to building long-lasting client relationships. Our strong client base is built solely on referrals and our reputation for excellence.
Providing Peace of Mind
The attorneys at JAKLE, ALEXANDER & PATTON, LLP are a knowledgeable team of experienced professionals. Our mission is to handle each legal matter with personal care and the highest standard of legal representation, providing our clients peace of mind.
Our Services
A recent survey found that more than half of all Americans do not have a will. Three in five Americans do not have a power of attorney for health care naming an agent to act if he or she becomes incapacitated. According to the survey, another reason people do not have an estate plan is because they do not know who to talk to or how to begin. At Jakle, Alexander & Patton, we will advise and assist you to create an individually tailored estate plan to benefit you during your lifetime and to provide for distribution of your assets at death. There is no “one size fits all” estate plan. Read more.
Trust Administration is similar to the probate process, but it does not involve court supervision and is usually faster than a probate. When the creator of a living trust passes away or becomes incapacitated, a Successor Trustee is appointed. The Successor Trustee is someone named in the trust document to handle the trust in the event of the trust creator’s incapacity or death. If you need assistance with Trust Administration, contact us today for a consultation. Read more.
Probate is the court supervised process of administering an estate of a deceased person. All the assets of the decedent that were not subject to a non-probate transfer, such as a living trust, joint tenancy or a payable on death account, will be subject to probate. That means that if a person dies with only a will or with no estate plan in place, the individual’s estate will have to be probated. In California, the probate process usually takes between six months to two years and can be very expensive. If there has been a death or you have been named Executor in the will of a decedent contact us today for an initial consultation. Read more.
No subject has become more crucial to estate planning than providing for possible future incapacity. To help avoid official court involvement, our estate plan package includes the Advance Health Care Directive and Durable Power of Attorney for Asset Management. However, there are cases where incapacity occurs without such advance preparation. In those cases, Jakle, Alexander & Patton is experienced and ready to initiate and assist with court supervised Conservatorships. For assistance with incapacity planning, contact us today for a consultation. Read more.
When a close family member or friend becomes incapacitated and he or she has not provided for an agent to make medical and financial decisions for him or her, it may be necessary to have an individual or professional fiduciary appointed as Conservator of the person and/or estate of the incapacitated person. The Conservator of the person makes the medical decisions, and the Conservator of the estate makes the financial decisions. Jakle, Alexander & Patton can assist in preparing and filing the Court petition for appointment of the Conservator and represent the proposed Conservator at the Court hearing. Read more.
When a minor child is without a parent, a legal guardian for the child must be appointed by the Court. Most commonly, the guardianship will be of the person only, to provide for the child’s care, including education, medical care and living arrangements. When the minor child has assets to protect, there will also be a guardianship of the estate. Jakle, Alexander & Patton can assist in preparing and filing the Court petition for appointment of the Guardian and represent the proposed Guardian at the Court hearing. Read more.
A Special Needs Trust (also referred to sometimes as a Supplemental Needs Trust) allows a disabled person under age 65 to have assets held for his or her benefit without loss of governmental benefits. The assets held in a Special Needs Trust are intended to pay for education, recreation, counseling and medical care beyond what is provided by public assistance programs. For assistance with establishing a Special Needs Trust for a disabled beneficiary, contact us today for a consultation. Read more.
An integral part of estate and personal planning is the use of business entities, such as limited liability companies, partnerships, corporations, tenancy in common arrangements. We are experienced and work with all such business entities. Read more.