Bowman Law Group, P.C. - Oakland, CA

Trusted Estate Planning and Probate Counsel in Oakland, California

Preserving your hard-earned assets and providing peace of mind for future generations requires thoughtful, dedicated legal counsel. Overlooking scenic Lake Merritt from Suite 1500 at 1901 Harrison Street in Uptown Oakland, Bowman Law Group, P.C. offers premier estate planning, trust administration, and probate representation. Formerly known as Horton, West and Bowman LLP, the firm traces its historic roots back to 1948, when it was founded by future Alameda County Superior Court judges George W. Phillips, Jr. and Spurgeon Avakian. Today, shareholder Alexander T. Bowman, a Certified Legal Specialist in Estate Planning, Trust and Probate Law, leads the practice alongside experienced associate attorney Laura S. Raffetto, delivering personalized, professional legal guidance to families and fiduciaries across Northern California.

Core Trusts, Wills, and Estate Practice Areas

As dedicated wills, estate planning and probate lawyers, Bowman Law Group, P.C. assists individuals, couples, and multi-generational families with every facet of estate structuring and post-death administration:

• Estate Planning Lawyers: Designing comprehensive, customized estate plans that reflect each client's unique circumstances. The firm prepares revocable living trusts, wills, special needs trusts, educational trusts, and wealth transfer strategies that protect beneficiaries and minimize administrative delays.
• Trusts Lawyers and Trust Administration: Providing steady, reassuring guidance to successor trustees. The legal team counsels fiduciaries on complying with statutory notice requirements, marshaling trust property, securing formal asset appraisals, preparing trust accountings, funding subtrusts, and executing tax-sensitive asset distributions.
• Probate Lawyers: Steering executors, administrators, and family members through the Alameda County Superior Court probate process. The firm handles court petitions, creditor claims, property transfers, and final accounting reports to achieve efficient court approval and distribution.
• Power of Attorney Lawyers: Preparing durable powers of attorney for financial management and advance health care directives, ensuring designated decision-makers can act during medical emergencies or incapacity without the expense of court-supervised conservatorships.

Deep East Bay Heritage and Recognized Specialization

Families choose Bowman Law Group, P.C. for its rare blend of multi-decade historical depth and specialized contemporary expertise:

• State Bar Certified Specialist: Shareholder Alexander T. Bowman is certified as a Legal Specialist in Estate Planning, Trust and Probate Law by the State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization.
• Super Lawyers Recognition: Consistently recognized by peers and legal ranking publications, including Northern California Super Lawyers honors for exceptional estate planning practice.
• Experienced Legal Talent: Associate attorney Laura S. Raffetto brings over twenty years of legal experience advising individuals and couples on tailored estate planning and probate resolution.
• Active Bar Leadership: The attorneys are deeply engaged in the local legal community through East Bay Trusts and Estates Lawyers (EBTEL), the Alameda County Bar Association, the Contra Costa County Bar Association, and the California Lawyers Association.

Schedule an Estate Consultation in Uptown Oakland

Establishing a comprehensive estate plan or navigating the administration of a deceased relative's trust requires clear direction and trusted advocacy. When individuals and families need an attorney in Oakland to secure their family legacy or resolve a probate matter, Bowman Law Group, P.C. provides unmatched personal service. To hire a lawyer with extensive trusts and estates experience, contact the firm's Harrison Street office in Oakland to discuss your estate planning and administration needs.