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The Richard J. Lee Law Group will help you navigate legal matters with expertise and experience, all the while taking your worry and concern out of the equation. We specialize in Estate Planning, Probate & Trust Administration, Small Businesses, and Non-Profit Organizations.

Founder’s Message

Welcome to the Richard J. Lee Law Group. I’m Richard Lee, founding partner. For more than 40 years, I’ve guided California families, business owners, and nonprofit leaders through estate planning, probate, trust administration, and business matters. I founded this firm to offer clear guidance and personal attention during life’s most important decisions. We take time to understand your goals, explain your options, and create plans that protect your loved ones, your assets, and your long-term vision. Our commitment is to provide thoughtful, experienced counsel you can rely on.

Why Clients Trust Our Experience

With over 40 years of legal experience, Richard J. Lee Law Group, P.C. has helped California families, professionals, and business owners plan for the future with confidence. We’re known for our personalized approach, clear communication, and deep knowledge of estate planning, probate, and business law.

Every client receives practical, results-driven guidance focused on protecting what matters most.

Our Commitment to You

Flat fees for most estate plans and small business formations
Quick turnaround
Compassionate support during probate
Decades of experience

Practice Areas

Estate Planning

Secure your legacy and provide peace of mind. We craft custom estate-planning solutions from living trusts and wills to advance healthcare directives and powers of attorney so you retain control over your assets, personal care and your family’s future.

Probate & Trust Administration

When a loved one passes away, navigating probate or trust-administration can be complex. We help fiduciaries (executors and trustees) guide assets through California’s rules and deadlines efficiently and cost-effectively.

Small Businesses

Whether you’re launching a new venture or have operated for years, we provide legal services tailored to business structure, compliance, contracts, governance, risk mitigation and succession so your business supports your personal legacy and estate plan.

Non-Profit Organisations

Nonprofits face unique regulatory, tax and governance demands. We partner with mission-driven organisations in California, helping with entity formation, tax-exempt status, leadership structure and alignment with your charitable goals.

All Practice Areas

FAQ’s

Why do I need an estate plan in California?

If you pass away without a valid will or trust, California’s intestacy laws will determine how your assets are distributed. An estate plan gives you control over what happens to your real and personal property, healthcare decisions, and the care of minor children.

What’s the difference between a will and a trust?

A will directs how your assets are distributed after death and generally must go through probate. A trust (often a revocable living trust) allows you to transfer assets during your lifetime, avoid probate, and provide more privacy and flexibility.

How does probate work in California?

Probate is the court-supervised process of administering an estate after death. It can be time-consuming and costly; one key benefit of a trust-based plan is to minimise or avoid probate entirely.

Can you help with business and nonprofit matters too?

Yes. We assist California-based business owners and nonprofit organisations with formation, governance, compliance and planning for succession or asset protection so your enterprise is aligned with your personal and estate-planning goals.

How do I know which services I need and where to start?

We begin with a consultation to understand your personal situation, your goals (family, business, legacy) and then tailor the right plan for you whether that’s an estate-plan update, trust or will, probate/trust administration, business entity advice or nonprofit formation.

Important Things to Know

Why do I need an estate plan in California?
If you pass away without a valid will or trust, California’s intestacy laws will determine how your assets are distributed. An estate plan gives you control over what happens to your real and personal property, healthcare decisions, and the care of minor children.
What’s the difference between a will and a trust?
A will directs how your assets are distributed after death and generally must go through probate. A trust (often a revocable living trust) allows you to transfer assets during your lifetime, avoid probate, and provide more privacy and flexibility.
How does probate work in California?
Probate is the court-supervised process of administering an estate after death. It can be time-consuming and costly; one key benefit of a trust-based plan is to minimise or avoid probate entirely.
Can you help with business and nonprofit matters too?
Yes. We assist California-based business owners and nonprofit organisations with formation, governance, compliance and planning for succession or asset protection so your enterprise is aligned with your personal and estate-planning goals.
Why do I need an estate plan in California?
If you pass away without a valid will or trust, California’s intestacy laws will determine how your assets are distributed. An estate plan gives you control over what happens to your real and personal property, healthcare decisions, and the care of minor children.
How do I know which services I need and where to start?
We begin with a consultation to understand your personal situation, your goals (family, business, legacy) and then tailor the right plan for you whether that’s an estate-plan update, trust or will, probate/trust administration, business entity advice or nonprofit formation.

Are your loved ones protected with a revokable living trust?

A revocable living trust is not primarily for the benefit of the trust creators (“settlors”), and instead are for the benefit of the beneficiaries of the settlors. This is because the property in the trust is still the property of the settlors and creating and funding a trust does nothing to fundamentally change that. The settlors are still the owners and primary beneficiaries of all trust assets while they are alive. The settlors can still sell or encumber the real property in the trust and sell, exchange, or redeem securities in the trust.

> Learn how easy it is to be prepared.

Correctly prepare life insurance and retirement accounts now.

When creating an estate plan, several documents and decisions are involved. An important decision is to decide which assets are being held by the trust and what assets aren’t being held in the trust. Retirement accounts and life insurance are generally not in the trust.  Retirement accounts can’t be, and life insurance is generally not owned by the trust. Both pay to a beneficiary, which may or may not be the trust.  Failing to designate a beneficiary, or failing to make sure your beneficiaries are accurate and updated,  can have severe negative consequences.

> Avoid unnecessary expenses for the future.

Have you kept your estate plan documents up-to-date?

If you had a trust and related estate plan documents prepared more than a few years ago, you should consider having them reviewed and updated if necessary.

You should consider the persons you have designated to take care of your children if something happens to you and your spouse and make sure they are still your choice.  You should consider the persons you have appointed to make health care decisions for you and make sure that they are still able to serve, and that their contact information on your Advance Health Care Directive is correct.   You should also make sure that all of your assets are titled in your trust and that the beneficiary designations on accounts such as IRAs and life insurance are still correct. 

> It’s easy to have your plans reviewed at no charge.

Read all of our articles that will help guide you in planning for the future.

Client Reviews

Working with Richard Lee has been exceptional from start to finish. He managed my mother’s trust with the utmost care, prioritizing her dignity and quality of life in her senior years. He also prepared my personal trust and will, explaining every step clearly and tailoring everything to my needs. Richard brings informed, respectful understanding of LGBTQIA+ matters and made sure my husband and I were fully honored in all documents and discussions. He partners effortlessly with other attorneys, accountants, and financial professionals, which kept our planning efficient and stress-free. His work is impeccable, his integrity is evident, and his responses are consistently prompt. I recommend him without reservation.
Clay David
Our dealings with the Richard J. Lee Law Group were quite satisfactory. Richard and his colleagues were friendly and respectful in gathering the information needed to set up our wills and trusts, as well as thorough in explaining our various options and the advantages and disadvantages of each option. We feel we made a sound decision which will serve us well in the future. They were then thorough and efficient in setting up the legal framework that we needed. We feel confident that all our current legal needs and requirements have been met and that we are in good hands for the future.
Joe Tally
I found making a will and establishing a trust very daunting. Richard made it as easy as possible, and handled my estate planning with great skill. He calmly, clearly explained all options, and guided me in the best direction after carefully listening to my goals. He took the time along the way to answer my questions. I never felt rushed. Over many years, Richard has always been there for me when I had any sort of legal concern, and has made good referrals as appropriate. I highly recommend Richard Lee.
Andy Powning
I had my will/estate portfolio renewed last year as I wanted to make sure it was still current with the law and my wishes dictated years ago. Richard was wonderful as he brought my documents up to date legally and helped me with various issues in my will which had changed. His approach was professional and spoke to me like a friend with no “legalese.” In other words, he cared for me with common sense suggestions which made the process smooth and comforting knowing that when I go there will be no legal roadblocks. Bottom line, he is a pro with many years of experience on probate, etc., issues. He has my total confidence and trust.
Burnham Matthews
Our revocable trust was set up by Richard J. Lee Law Group. They were efficient and responsive. Several years later we made revisions and they promptly helped us out. I am confident with the work they provided.
N L
Richard and his firm are the best. From setting up a family trust for my wife and I to assisting with the closing out my parents trust, the RJ Lee Law Group provided clear, precise, and professional guidance in a easy and comfortable environment. Thank you Richard, Brian, and Doris!
Ray Angelo
We needed Richard’s help in setting up a corporation. Due to his incredible knowledge of options and insight into our objectives it took no time at all to solve our problem. I could not recommend him more highly.
Michael Guy Thompson
Richard J. Lee and his law group have been wonderful in the many ways they have helped myself and my family, with legal advice, the creation of trusts, and always with a degree of professionalism and personal touch that we have greatly appreciated. In short, we trust them, and that word, that essential element, is at the center of who they are and the services they have provided.
Gene Kahane

Read all of our articles that will help guide you in planning for the future.

“We generate fears while we sit.
We overcome them by action.”

— Dr. Henry Link

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