Protecting What Matters Personalized Estate Solutions For Your Peace of Mind

The Law Office of Mark A. Gullotta offers personalized estate planning, trust, and probate services, leveraging over 15 years of experience to create adaptable plans that protect clients’ families and provide peace of mind.

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San Mateo County Estate Planning

Dedicated to Securing Your Legacy

Attorney Mark Gullotta has been working with clients like you for over 15 years, creating estate plans personalized to your circumstances, that are flexible and grow along with you throughout your life.

Let us guide you through the legal process. Dial (650) 649-6276 to schedule your personalized consultation.

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Plan Your Estate Without Leaving Home

Plan Your Estate Over Zoom

The Law Office of Mark Gullotta offers virtual estate planning services, you can plan your estate from the comfort of your own home and still get the exact same high-quality level of service you would if you met with us “in-person.”

We encourage you to schedule a Zoom meeting with us to learn more about our virtual offerings including the ability to gift an estate plan to a friend or family member. Gifting an estate plan to someone else, such as your children, helps to push them to be responsible, or simply helps out a friend that could not otherwise afford one.

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Wills, Power of Attorney, Business Succession and More Services

Attorney Mark Gullotta can help you with virtually every aspect of estate planning, including the following:

Preparing an Estate Plan—Virtually every adult in America can benefit from an estate plan. A thoughtfully prepared California estate plan can accomplish many different things, such as:
- Naming a guardian for your minor children;
- Providing for a family member with special needs;
- Providing instructions for your healthcare in the event of incapacitation;
- Providing instructions for passing your assets on to your loved ones;
- Providing for the transfer of your business after your retirement, death or incapacitation;
- Providing for family members who could need future protection from creditors or a divorce;
- Minimizing estate taxes, and
- Minimizing court costs.
- Protect Minor Children
Probate Services—Probate is a judicial process in which an existing will is proved in a court of law and, accurately reflecting the decedent’s last wishes. If no legal will or other estate planning documents exist, probate can settle the estate, distribute real property according to California intestacy laws. All claims are resolved during the probate process and all assets distributed. Some people may want to avoid probate by using a trust rather than a will, however there are certain things that only a will can accomplish. Probate can be a lengthy, expensive process, and all information exposed during probate is available to the public. The Law Offices of Mark Gullotta can handle the probate process, allowing you and other family members the time to grieve rather than having to deal with legalities.
Trust Administration—Attorney Mark Gullotta can help families and individuals with their trust administration following the death of a loved one. Trust administration refers to the management of all assets which are held in a trust by the named trustee (likely, the decedent). There are many steps involved in trust administration, including providing notice to all beneficiaries named in the trust, taking control of all trust assets, ensuring all the decedent’s debts are paid (including taxes), filing tax returns, and distributing remaining trust assets. The trust administrator must act in good faith, honestly, and in the best interests of the trust beneficiaries.

Preparing Wills—Only about 45 percent of adults in the United States currently have a will. Unfortunately, those who die without a will die “intestate,” meaning the state of California steps in and determines how the decedent’s assets will be divided. Not only can a will tell your chosen personal representative how you want your assets divided after your death, if you have minor children you can nominate a guardian in your will to increase the odds they are raised by a person of your choice. Specific language can be added in your will to greatly minimize the likelihood of a challenge, and if you choose to disinherit a person, you can do so in your will. It is very important to recognize that while you can get a real sense of accomplishment when your will is properly prepared, you must also know that your will must be updated as your life circumstances change. The birth of a child, a marriage, a divorce, changes in your financial circumstances—all these things and more can result in necessary changes to your will. Attorney Mark Gullotta can ensure those changes are made quickly and early.
Business Succession Planning—If you own a business, business succession planning is an important aspect of estate planning. You can rest easy if you know what will happen to your business—perhaps a business you have spent your entire life building—in the event of your death, incapacitation, or retirement. Business succession plans are often associated with retirement, however they can serve an important function at any time, for any business. As we know, unexpected things happen on a regular basis. When you have a solid business succession plan in place, an unexpected happening will not financially ruin your business or cause it to be lost. A good, solid business succession plan also reduces the likelihood of disputes and drama following a death, retirement or incapacitation.
Guardianship for Minors—If you have minor children, you will want to ensure there will be a person to take care of them in the event of your death—a person of your choice. Many young parents believe there is no rush to name a guardian. This type of thinking can leave children at the mercy of a California court—who may well choose a person you would not be okay with to raise your children. Guardianship for minor children is a subject which should be carefully thought out. You should have a long, honest conversation with the person you want to be your children’s guardian before you name them in your will. There are many considerations, including where the proposed guardian lives, whether he or she has roughly the same values as you (as they relate to raising children), the life situation of that person, and whether the person is willing and able. There should always be an alternate guardian named, “just in case.” Mark Gullotta can help you make these necessary decisions, memorializing them in your will, and ensuring your wishes for your children’s future will be properly carried out.
Power of Attorney—A power of attorney can be used in many different situations, allowing you to manage your affairs in the event you are unable to because of physical or mental impairment. There are many different types of POAs, therefore it is highly advisable to have an experienced California estate planning attorney like Mark Gullotta help you create your power of attorney document. Your situation may require a General Power of Attorney, a Special Power of Attorney, a Healthcare Power of Attorney, or a Durable Power of Attorney. It is important to ensure your power of attorney document accurately reflects your intentions.
Advance Healthcare Directive—An advance healthcare directive is important in the event you become incapacitated. An advance healthcare directive is a legal document which outlines your preferences for the tough decisions which must be made during an incapacitation. You will choose a person you trust—your agent—to make medical decisions on your behalf should you become incapacitated. Healthcare directives are not only for the elderly, as even a young, healthy person can suffer an unfortunate accident or have a medical issue which leaves you unable to communicate their wishes to doctors and to loved ones. Mark Gullotta can help you create the necessary documents contained in an advance healthcare directive, ensuring those documents clearly reflect your wishes.

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Meet Mark Gullotta Dedicated to Securing Your Legacy

Attorney Mark Gullotta brings dedication and personal care to every step of the estate planning process, ensuring your assets are fully protected.

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The Law Office of Mark Gullotta

Frequently Asked Questions

Have questions? We are here to help. Still have questions or can't find the answer you need? Give us a call at 650-649-6276 today!

Is a Living Trust Expensive?

Creating a living trust used to be an expensive process, but not anymore. It used to be an instrument used by the rich and famous, but these days it has become affordable. The cost naturally depends on the complexity of the family case.
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How Can Probate be Avoided?

While creating a Living Trust is probably the most common way to avoid probate, there are other circumstances in which Probate can be avoided, delays, or minimized. Revocable Living Trust The reason for establishing the Living Trust was to give people the opportunity to by-pass probate.
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When Should My Estate Plan Be Updated?

Every person who has an estate plan prepared should understand it is not a “one and done” task. As a general rule, it is recommended that you update your estate planning documents every three to five years.
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Contact Law Office of Mark Gullotta to Plan Your Estate

If you are in the San Mateo County area, such as San Bruno, Millbrae, Burlingame, South San Francisco, Daly City Colma, and the City of San Mateo, Attorney Mark Gullotta has the experience and knowledge to help you create an estate plan that will reflect your current situation, as well as “grow” with you through the years, as your life circumstances change. Mark Gullotta provides a simplified estate planning process, minimizing any unpleasant surprises in the future, and achieving desired protection for those you love.

The Law Office of Mark Gullotta offers upfront pricing and a comfortable planning experience. Attorney Mark Gullotta will keep you informed during the entire estate planning process, answering your questions thoroughly. For a comprehensive evaluation of your estate planning needs, contact the Law Office of Mark Gullotta or schedule your virtual consultation today.

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Our Testimonials

What Clients Are Saying

"I would recommend him without hesitation."
Mark handled my estate planning with great efficiency and at a very reasonable cost. I would recommend him without hesitation to anyone interested in setting up a trust or any other type of estate planning.

- Lenaea
"Highly recommend."
He explained everything so that we were able to understand our options and how the plan should be executed. I highly recommend Mark Gullotta for his excellent service.

- Aleo
"We are very happy and thankful to have had him on our team!"
Mr. Gullotta has a wealth of knowledge, but what set him apart for us was his compassion and willingness to explain our options and possible outcomes in terms we were confidant in making decisions from.

- Pauline
"Adept at His Craft"
It’s one thing to work with a good attorney. But it’s another thing to work with an expert in his field who is also a trusted advisor and approaches his clients as though he were taking care of a family member.

- Catherine
"Highly Recommended"
Mark Gullotta made our experience in Estate planning very easy and comfortable. He is extremely knowledgeable and was able to guide us to the exact plan that we needed.

- Rhonda

Your Partner in Estate Planning

Why Choose The Law Office of Mark Gullotta?

Personalized Estate Planning Guidance
We believe estate planning is personal. Attoney Gullotta offers a streamlined, 15-minute initial assessment to understand your unique needs, ensuring you know exactly what steps are needed to protect your future.
Comprehensive Approach
We go beyond standard estate plans by focusing on three crucial factors: your specific wishes, your family’s circumstances, and current California Trust and Estate Law. This ensures a tailored plan that adapts as your life changes.
Commitment to Client Peace of Mind
Attorney Gullotta is dedicated to creating estate plans that allow you to rest easy, knowing your loved ones and assets are fully protected. His experience in trust, estate planning, and probate ensures thorough and compassionate guidance at every step.
Adaptive Legal Guidance
As your circumstances evolve, so should your plan. With in-depth knowledge of California law, Mark helps clients adapt their estate plans over time, ensuring continued protection and relevance.

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