Estate Planning Attorney —
Anaheim & Orange County, CA

Protect your family. Preserve your assets. Avoid probate.

Goodman Estate Law provides personalized estate planning, trust administration, and probate services for families throughout Orange County. Brett J. Goodman makes the process clear, straightforward, and tailored to your life.

Call To Schedule A Free Consultation

Call or text: (949) 768-1491

By phone, video, or in person — no obligation, no pressure

116

Five-Star Google Reviews

Hundreds

of Families Served

3

Practice Areas

GoodMan Estate Law

Orange County Estate Planning, Done Right the First Time

What does an estate planning attorney do? An estate planning attorney helps individuals and families create legally binding documents that determine what happens to their assets, their minor children, and their healthcare decisions if they die or become incapacitated. Without a plan in place, California law makes those decisions for you, typically through a costly, time-consuming court process called probate.

At Goodman Estate Law, every plan is built around your specific circumstances. Brett Goodman takes the time to understand your family, your assets, and your goals before drafting a single document. The result is a plan you understand, that your family can rely on, and that holds up when it matters most.

Brett’s practice is based in Anaheim and serves families across Orange County, including – Anaheim, Brea, Fullerton, Orange, Placentia, Santa Ana, Tustin, Villa Park, and Yorba Linda.

Our Services

How Goodman Estate Law Can Help

Don’t Let the State Decide —
Plan for Your Family’s Future

Estate Planning

A complete estate plan includes a revocable living trust, pour-over will, durable power of attorney, and advance healthcare directive. Brett builds integrated plans that keep your estate out of probate, protect your assets, and ensure your wishes are carried out.

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Trust Administration
Made Simple

Trust Administration

Being named as successor trustee carries significant legal responsibility, with specific duties, deadlines, and potential personal liability. Brett guides Orange County trustees through every step of the administration process, from initial notification to final distribution.

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Probate Explained —
When You Need It Most

Probate

When a loved one passes away without a trust, their estate may need to pass through California probate court before assets can be distributed. On a $1 million estate, probate fees can exceed $50,000. Brett helps executors navigate the process efficiently, and helps families understand how to avoid probate for the future.

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Why Brett

An Attorney Who Puts Your Family First

Brett J. Goodman is a California-licensed estate planning attorney who began his career at PricewaterhouseCoopers before focusing exclusively on trust, probate, and estate law. That background in tax strategy and complex financial planning informs how he approaches every client: not just as a document drafter, but as a strategic advisor.

Brett grew up in Tustin and lives in Villa Park. He is not an attorney who relocated to Orange County; rather, he is from here. He serves on the board of the J. Reuben Clark Law Society, Orange County Chapter, an affiliate of the Orange County Bar Association, and previously served as president of the law school chapter at Chapman University’s Dale E. Fowler School of Law.

He has earned 114 five-star Google reviews — consistently praised for his patience, thoroughness, and non-pushy approach.

I don’t like pushy, salesy people — Brett is the opposite of that. If you’re looking for knowledge, a friendly peaceful advisor and guide, Brett Goodman is the guy.
Mike S. — Google Review

Simple Process

What to Expect: A Simple, Clear Process

Estate planning does not need to be complicated or intimidating. Brett’s process is designed around your comfort and convenience.

Step

Free Consultation.

A genuine conversation about your situation, your goals, and your options. No pressure, no sales pitch. Available by phone, video, or in person.

Step

Personalized Plan Design.

Brett reviews your assets, family structure, and goals, then recommends the right documents and strategy for your specific circumstances.

Step

Document Drafting & Review.

Your documents are drafted, reviewed with you in plain language, and revised until everything is exactly right.

Step

Signing & Funding.

Your plan is signed, notarized, and — critically — your assets are properly titled into your trust so your plan actually works when it needs to.

Our Client Says

What Orange County Families Say About Brett

Every interaction with Brett was pleasant he is honest, knowledgeable, patient, thoughtful, and thorough. I felt comfortable working with him and am definitely going back for any further help.

Eun C.Google Review

Brett set up my family trust thoroughly and patiently, explaining everything. I am extremely pleased with his high level of service in what I had long regarded as a process to dread. It was not that at all.

Beth S.Google Review

Goodman Estate Law

Client Reviews

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need an estate plan if I already have a will?

In California, a will alone does not avoid probate. It tells the court how you want your estate distributed after the probate process has run its course. A revocable living trust, when properly funded, keeps your estate out of probate entirely. Most California families benefit from having both: a trust as the primary vehicle for asset distribution, and a pour-over will as a safety net. A free consultation with Brett will clarify exactly what your situation requires.

How much does probate cost in California?

California probate fees are set by statute. On a $1 million gross estate, the statutory fee for the probate attorney alone is $23,000 — and the executor is entitled to the same amount, bringing combined statutory fees to $46,000 or more, before accounting for court costs, publication fees, and appraisal expenses. These fees apply to the gross value of the estate, not the net — meaning a home with a large mortgage is still valued at its full market value for fee calculation purposes.

How long does it take to create an estate plan?

For most clients, the process from initial consultation to signed, finalized documents takes two to four weeks. The timeline depends on the complexity of your assets and how quickly we can gather the information needed to draft your documents. Brett keeps you informed at every step.

Who needs an estate plan?

Anyone who owns assets, has minor children, or wants to have a say in their own medical care if they become incapacitated needs an estate plan. This is not exclusively a concern for the wealthy; in California, even a modest home can push an estate over the probate threshold. Key life events that make planning especially important include marriage, divorce, having children, purchasing real estate, starting a business, and receiving an inheritance.

Where is Goodman Estate Law located, and what areas do you serve?

Goodman Estate Law is located at 1240 N. Lakeview Ave, Suite 270, Anaheim, CA 92807. Brett serves families throughout Orange County, with a focus on Anaheim, Brea, Fullerton, Orange, Placentia, Santa Ana, Tustin, Villa Park, Yorba Linda, and surrounding communities. Consultations are available by phone, video, or in person.

Free Consultation with Brett

Your Family Deserves a Plan. Let’s Build One Together.
Schedule a Free Estate Planning Consultation

Call to schedule a free consultation

Estate Planning Attorney — Anaheim & Orange County, CA

Protect your family. Preserve your assets. Avoid probate.

116

Hundreds

3

Orange County Estate Planning, Done Right the First Time

How Goodman Estate Law Can Help

Estate Planning

Trust Administration

Probate

An Attorney Who Puts Your Family First

What to Expect: A Simple, Clear Process

Free Consultation.

Personalized Plan Design.

Document Drafting & Review.

Signing & Funding.

What Orange County Families Say About Brett

Frequently Asked Questions

Your Family Deserves a Plan. Let’s Build One Together.Schedule a Free Estate Planning Consultation

Estate Planning Attorney —
Anaheim & Orange County, CA

Your Family Deserves a Plan. Let’s Build One Together.
Schedule a Free Estate Planning Consultation