Michael J. Patinelli and John W. Chang, through proper planning and design have helped hundreds of clients protect their loved ones from the Probate courts, Conservatorship hearings and Estate Taxes. Having families of our own has helped us better understand the importance of proper planning in the protection and preservation of our clients' estates.
Give us a call or see what clients say on Yelp or Nextdoor. We serve clients throughout Southern California and when necessary, are happy to meet with you in the comfort of your own home.
Give us a call or see what clients say on Yelp or Nextdoor. We serve clients throughout Southern California and when necessary, are happy to meet with you in the comfort of your own home.
Services
Our law firm specializes in estate planning, trust administration, and probate. As family men, we have the unique ability to understand how important it is to do proper planning to protect and provide for your family should something happen to you. A typical estate plan consists of a revocable living trust, wills, powers of attorney, advanced healthcare directives, HIPAA authorizations and guardianship documents for those with minor children.
Patinelli & Chang, LLP Serving Clients throughout Torrance, Manhattan Beach, West Hollywood and the Surrounding Areas. Comprehensive estate planning covers nearly every aspect of life. It begins with protecting yourself and your personal dignity, and extends to protecting your loved ones and your hard-earned assets.
There are a myriad of legal strategies you might consider implementing as you design your estate plan. Regardless, there are a handful of "must have" estate planning documents you must create before anything else.
You should have: (i) a will - everyone needs a will; (ii) a health care directive for decisions concerning treatment when you cannot make or communicate your own wishes; (iii) financial and health care powers of attorney authorizing "agents" you know and trust to take care of your financial matters and make your health care decisions when you are unable to do so yourself; (iv) a legal authorization that allows a loved one or friend to access your medical information; and (v) a trust (based on your situation) to manage, protect and eventually distribute your assets.
You should have: (i) a will - everyone needs a will; (ii) a health care directive for decisions concerning treatment when you cannot make or communicate your own wishes; (iii) financial and health care powers of attorney authorizing "agents" you know and trust to take care of your financial matters and make your health care decisions when you are unable to do so yourself; (iv) a legal authorization that allows a loved one or friend to access your medical information; and (v) a trust (based on your situation) to manage, protect and eventually distribute your assets.
It is an unfortunate fact of life: airplanes plummet, trains derail, ships sink and automobiles crash. Sometimes there are survivors, sometimes there are no survivors. What is left when a tragedy claims both parents of minor children? Orphans and assets. Children are a family's greatest treasure.
Think of all the precautions taken to safeguard young children - from the first purchase of an infant car seat to the compulsory swimming lessons and even driver's safety instruction.Yet, most parents leave their children completely unprotected from one of life's most crushing blows - being orphaned upon the loss of their parents.
Think of all the precautions taken to safeguard young children - from the first purchase of an infant car seat to the compulsory swimming lessons and even driver's safety instruction.Yet, most parents leave their children completely unprotected from one of life's most crushing blows - being orphaned upon the loss of their parents.
Here are two trivia questions for you movie and late night television buffs. First, what big name Hollywood stars played on-screen spouses in the 1968 film Yours, Mine & Ours? The basic storyline of the movie paired a widow and her eight children with a widower and his ten children. Second, a year later Sherwood Schwartz (creator of Gilligan's Island) took the same basic storyline and rolled out a hit television series that ran for 117 episodes.
Reviews (9)
Michelle Lund
Sep 23, 2021
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We had the wonderful pleasure of working with Michael Patinelli to get our trust set up along with a will. For us, he was the perfect match - pleasant to work with, gets to the point, makes house calls, and quick to reply to calls, emails and questions. He really is the whole package and that's why he's our trust lawyer! It was very easy to make an appointment with him! Give him a call, you won't be disappointed!
Robin Liu
Aug 31, 2021
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John Chang is the best attorney for our estate planning. I strongly recommend John to my friends.
John met with my wife and I in a free consultation for living trust and answered basic questions patiently in details.
During COVID, he set up a Zoom video conference to discuss our situation.
After Zoom meeting, he answered all questions over the phone efficiently.
When we signed all final documents in his office, it's pleasant in a safe and socially-distant way.
I'm extremely satisfied with his service and highly recommend John to others.
John met with my wife and I in a free consultation for living trust and answered basic questions patiently in details.
During COVID, he set up a Zoom video conference to discuss our situation.
After Zoom meeting, he answered all questions over the phone efficiently.
When we signed all final documents in his office, it's pleasant in a safe and socially-distant way.
I'm extremely satisfied with his service and highly recommend John to others.
Stanley Hirakawa
Dec 29, 2019
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Our original living trust was written many years ago and was done in another state. We needed to make some changes to our living trust. We contacted John for a consultation, which was free. We scheduled a meeting with John. He explained what needed to be done. We asked him to proceed with updating our living trust, which took about a week. Then, signed our updated living trust. The process was not as difficult as I anticipated.
Even after we had signed the updated living trust, John continues to answer any questions we have. He is very knowledgeable and has provided valuable advice to us. I would
Even after we had signed the updated living trust, John continues to answer any questions we have. He is very knowledgeable and has provided valuable advice to us. I would
D. S.
Dec 14, 2019
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Mr. Chang is an outstanding attorney. He helped us set up our family trust and he did an excellent job. He explained to us in detail and answered all of our questions. When we had changes to the assets within the family trust, he help us to update the trust without charging us anything. I would highly recommend him.
Meryle Moroney
Dec 12, 2019
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My parents needed to make some changes to their wills, family trust etc. I met with John for a consultation, which by the way, was free. He explained what would need to be done and I brought my folks in a week later to meet with John. He made them feel very comfortable and made the process very fluid. My parents liked him and thought he was very professional, as did I. I would refer anyone needing to make any changes to wills or trusts, or do estate planning of any type to Patinelli & Chang.
Christopher Burrows
Dec 07, 2019
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John Chang drew up my parents family trust years ago and represented us (the beneficiaries) when it was time to settle the estate. John was quick to respond to all our calls and questions and provide excellent guidance throughout the process. Patinelli & Chang were there for us when we needed them and I have recommended them to other family members and colleagues.
Kasra Mobayen
Sep 30, 2019
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Mr. John Chang provided support, thoughtful perspective and exceptional service for my family trust. John is diligent, dedicated and demonstrates expansive knowledge which facilitates the completion of all services to the highest levels of professionalism. The rates are very competitive with others in the community as well as the area in general. Moreover, John's objective is to work for his clients which provides for a seamless and pleasant experience. I would wholeheartedly recommend Mr. Chang to all individuals and families as well as other entities who are looking for services/representation
Sydell Weiner
Aug 01, 2019
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Kei Hashimoto
Jan 10, 2019
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John Chang is the best attorney in Torrance. He is very knowledgeable about living trusts and probate. He is very easy to talk to and extremely patient. I must have asked a ton of questions. Every time I call his office I can speak to him immediately and not have to go through his assistant. Every time I e-mail him, he responds very promptly, even at night. It gives me peace of mind that he will actually be there for my family when they need him. I highly recommend him and his law firm to handle your estate planning and probate needs.
