Efting & Godfrey, LLP - Sunnyvale, CA
Efting and Godfrey, LLP is an AV Preeminent rated estate planning and probate law firm in Sunnyvale, California. Serving Silicon Valley since 1978, partners Katherine Efting and Marcus Godfrey, along with founder James H. Efting, provide personalized counsel in living trusts, wills, probate administration, trust settlement, and powers of attorney.
Comprehensive Estate Planning and Probate Advocacy in Sunnyvale, California
Established on February 1, 1978, in Sunnyvale, Efting and Godfrey, LLP has provided dedicated estate planning and probate counsel to Silicon Valley families and professionals for nearly five decades. Located on South Murphy Avenue, the firm assists individuals and multigenerational families throughout Sunnyvale, Cupertino, Santa Clara, San Jose, and the broader Santa Clara County region. Founding attorney James H. Efting established the practice on the pillars of integrity, thorough preparation, and deep community roots, principles upheld today by partners Katherine Efting and Marcus Godfrey. When you need to find a lawyer who prioritizes thoughtful preservation of wealth and clarity during major life milestones, Efting and Godfrey, LLP offers trusted legal representation backed by Martindale-Hubbell highest AV Preeminent rating.
Strategic Living Trusts, Wills and Asset Preservation
Safeguarding family wealth and avoiding the delays of the California probate system requires carefully drafted legal documents. Operating as dedicated estate planning lawyers, wills lawyers, and trusts lawyers, the attorneys at Efting and Godfrey, LLP formulate comprehensive strategies tailored to each client's specific personal and financial circumstances. The firm creates revocable living trusts, irrevocable trusts, and specialized bypass trusts designed to ensure seamless asset distribution, reduce potential tax consequences, and preserve generational wealth. By drafting clear last wills and testaments, nomination of guardian documents for minor children, and customized transfer instruments, the firm ensures that client intentions are honored with precision.
Incapacity Planning and Advance Directives
Estate planning is not merely about asset distribution after death; it also provides essential safeguards during unexpected incapacity. Functioning as skilled power of attorney lawyers, the attorneys prepare durable financial powers of attorney and advance health care directives. These crucial legal instruments grant trusted relatives or fiduciaries the legal authority to handle complex financial transactions, manage business affairs, and make critical medical care decisions if an individual becomes incapacitated. Through meticulous drafting, the firm provides clients and their families with lasting security and peace of mind.
Compassionate Probate and Trust Administration
Navigating the legal transfer of an estate after the death of a family member can be emotionally trying and legally arduous. Serving as compassionate probate lawyers, the practice guides executors and personal representatives through the formal California probate court process. The attorneys assist with petition filings, asset appraisals, creditor notifications, tax compliance, and court-supervised asset distributions. Additionally, the firm provides comprehensive trust administration counsel to successor trustees, helping them fulfill their fiduciary obligations, prepare mandatory beneficiary accountings, and resolve potential disputes efficiently outside the courtroom.
Why Silicon Valley Clients Rely on Efting and Godfrey
- Over forty-five years of continuous estate planning and probate service in Sunnyvale since 1978.
- AV Preeminent rating by Martindale-Hubbell, reflecting the highest level of legal ability and ethical integrity.
- Direct legal representation from experienced partners Katherine Efting and Marcus Godfrey.
- Cost-effective and transparent legal solutions tailored to individual family dynamics.
- Convenient historic downtown Sunnyvale office location serving the entire South Bay.
Schedule an Estate Planning Consultation in Sunnyvale
Whether you need to create your first revocable living trust, update existing documents after major life events, or navigate trust administration following the loss of a loved one, having knowledgeable legal counsel is invaluable. When urgent circumstances arise and you need a lawyer urgently to protect your estate or assist an incapacitated family member, the firm is prepared to guide you. If you are ready to hire an attorney who treats your family's future with the utmost diligence and care, contact Efting and Godfrey, LLP in Sunnyvale today to schedule a confidential legal consultation.
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Location & Access
Primary Address
Located in the historic Heritage District of Downtown Sunnyvale, close to the major retail hub of Sunnyvale Cityline.
Building Location
This is an attractive three-story commercial office building built in 1989, featuring a modern glassline, wood-and-brick framing, and renovated common areas.
Parking Details
Ample parking is provided via a free on-site surface parking lot dedicated to customers, as well as public parking directly behind the building.
Public Transit
Served by VTA Route 55 (Old Ironsides/De Anza); nearest stop is at South Sunnyvale Avenue & East Olive Avenue.
Accessibility / Suite Access
Enter through the building's main double-door entrance into the ground-floor lobby, and take the stairs or elevator to reach the professional offices on the upper floors.