Turn Estate Questions Into a Clear Plan for Your Family

From our Westlake Village office, we help Conejo Valley families replace uncertainty with a straightforward plan their loved ones can rely on.

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TESTIMONIALS

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Clear, Calm Guidance for the Decisions That Matter

For more than four decades, Pederson Law Offices has helped families across the Conejo Valley understand their options, avoid conflict, and make decisions with confidence. From our office in Westlake Village, we support clients in Thousand Oaks, Oak Park, Agoura Hills, Simi Valley, and surrounding communities with practical estate planning.


We focus on giving you a clear process, steady guidance, and a plan your family can follow without doubt or confusion—now and when it’s needed most.

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Practical Support for Every Stage of Planning and Administration

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ESTATE PLANNING

Create a clear, organized plan that reduces confusion and gives your family a roadmap—not a legal puzzle. We help you build trusts, wills, powers of attorney and medical directives with straightforward guidance every step of the way.

Estate Planning
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TRUST ADMINISTRATION

Serving as a trustee can feel overwhelming. We guide you through notices, deadlines, taxes, and beneficiary communication so the process stays on track and off your shoulders.

Trust Administration
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PROBATE ADMINISTRATION

When a loved one passes, you shouldn’t have to navigate the court system alone. We handle court filings, timelines, and all required steps so you can focus on your family.

Probate Administration

Your plan should make life easier for your family—today and years from now.

The Support Families Across Westlake Village Count On

Experience That Brings Clarity

With more than 40 years serving the Conejo Valley, we simplify complex decisions and help you move forward with a clear plan.

Personal Attention That Reduces Stress

We take the time to understand your concerns and explain every option plainly, so you always know the next step.

Credentials That Guide the Tough Decisions

From board certification to ongoing leadership, our attorneys bring trusted judgment to choices like guardians, executors, and trustees.

A Calm, Steady Approach When Things Feel Heavy

Estate matters can feel overwhelming—we help you stay organized, supported, and confident throughout the process.

Straightforward Fees and Open Communication

You’ll always know what to expect. We provide transparent pricing and consistent communication from start to finish.

Our Affiliations

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OUR LATEST

Clear, Helpful Guidance for Every Stage of Planning

Explore practical tips, plain-language explanations, and upcoming webinars designed to make each step of estate planning feel more manageable.

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Selling Appreciated Assets During Lifetime vs. Transferring at Death

Selling Appreciated Assets During Lifetime vs. Transferring at Death

For many individuals and families in Southern California, significant wealth is held in highly appreciated assets—real estate, brokerage accounts, concentrated stock positions, and closely held...
Should I Put My Child on Title to My Bank Accounts?

Should I Put My Child on Title to My Bank Accounts?

If your goal is to make banking easier for your child (help with bills) or avoid probate when you pass away, adding your child to your bank account can sound like a simple fix. In California,...
Key Documents Making Up a Comprehensive Estate Plan

Key Documents Making Up a Comprehensive Estate Plan

When many people hear "estate planning," they think primarily of a Last Will and Testament. While a Will is a foundational piece of legal history, in 2025, a comprehensive estate plan in California...
Key Estate Planning Terms

Key Estate Planning Terms

A plain‑English glossary of common estate planning terms for California familiesEstate planning has its own vocabulary. This glossary defines key California terms you will encounter in your...
What to Do When a Loved One Passes Away

What to Do When a Loved One Passes Away

Losing a loved one is one of life's most difficult experiences. During this time of grief, you may feel overwhelmed by the practical matters that need attention. Please know that it's often best to...
Why Good Legal Advice Saves Money

Why Good Legal Advice Saves Money

Many people hesitate to call a lawyer because they think it will be expensive. But in estate and trust matters, the real expense often comes from not getting advice when it’s needed. Small mistakes...
The Benefits of Utilizing Professional Fiduciaries

The Benefits of Utilizing Professional Fiduciaries

When planning your estate, one of the most critical decisions you’ll make is selecting the right fiduciary—someone legally designated to manage your assets and act in your best interest. While...
Estate Planning After the OBBBA Legislation

Estate Planning After the OBBBA Legislation

The recent passage of the OBBBA Legislation in July introduced significant changes affecting estate planning, trust administration, and probate. While these adjustments may have caused uncertainty...
The Importance of Having a Senior ID

The Importance of Having a Senior ID

The Importance of Having a Senior IDWhen California seniors sign estate planning instruments—trusts, durable powers of attorney, advance health care directives, grant deeds, and similar documents—a...
Benefits of Hiring a CPA to Assist with Trust Administration

Benefits of Hiring a CPA to Assist with Trust Administration

Administering a trust is a significant responsibility that comes with a multitude of tax and legal obligations. For those tasked with this responsibility, ensuring accuracy and compliance with all...
The Pitfalls of Transfer-On-Death Deeds

The Pitfalls of Transfer-On-Death Deeds

California’s revocable Transfer‑On‑Death deed (RTODD) was designed as a quick, low‑cost way to pass a home outside probate, but its simplicity hides a long list of traps: it only works for certain...
Understanding the Differences: AHCD, DNR, POLST & HIPAA Authorization

Understanding the Differences: AHCD, DNR, POLST & HIPAA Authorization

When planning your estate, it’s crucial to think beyond asset distribution. Your health care wishes are equally important, especially if you become unable to speak for yourself. In California, many...
What is the Difference Between a Revocable and an Irrevocable Trust?

What is the Difference Between a Revocable and an Irrevocable Trust?

Introduction to TrustsTrusts are powerful estate planning tools designed to help individuals manage their assets during their lifetime and beyond. In California, creating a trust can simplify the...
Why Timely Trust and Estate Administration Matters

Why Timely Trust and Estate Administration Matters

Losing a loved one is an emotionally taxing experience, often accompanied by the daunting responsibility of managing their trust or estate. While grief and familial obligations understandably take...
Home Insurance, Wildfires, and Earthquakes

Home Insurance, Wildfires, and Earthquakes

The recent devastation caused by the Palisades, Eaton, and other wildfires in Los Angeles and Ventura counties has left many homeowners grappling with the aftermath of destruction and the realities...
Investing in the Future: Estate Planning with 529 Plans and Annual Gifting

Investing in the Future: Estate Planning with 529 Plans and Annual Gifting

Planning for the future involves more than just saving money—it's about making strategic decisions that benefit both you and your loved ones. One powerful way to do this is by combining 529 college...
The Hidden Consequences of Do-It-Yourself Estate Planning

The Hidden Consequences of Do-It-Yourself Estate Planning

In today's digital age, do-it-yourself (DIY) solutions are just a click away for almost any task, from home improvements to financial planning. The allure of saving time and money makes DIY estate...
Demystifying Trust Administration: What Is Its Purpose?

Demystifying Trust Administration: What Is Its Purpose?

When a loved one passes away, leaving behind a trust, you may hear the term "trust administration" being used. But what exactly does this mean, and why is it so important? Let's demystify trust...
California Trust Law Update: Notice Requirements for Incapacitated Settlors

California Trust Law Update: Notice Requirements for Incapacitated Settlors

Changes to California Probate Code §15800 have introduced important new requirements for trustees when a settlor becomes incapacitated. As your trusted estate planning advisors, we want to ensure...
Estate Planning After Divorce: Essential Considerations for California Residents

Estate Planning After Divorce: Essential Considerations for California Residents

Divorce significantly impacts your life, including your estate plan. For California residents, updating your estate plan post-divorce is crucial to protect your assets and provide for your loved...
The Cost of Failing to Fund Your Trust

The Cost of Failing to Fund Your Trust

Creating a revocable living trust is a smart move in estate planning, designed to bypass probate and ensure your assets are distributed according to your wishes. However, many people overlook a...
Protecting Your Beneficiaries from Their Poor Decision Making

Protecting Your Beneficiaries from Their Poor Decision Making

When planning your estate, it's essential to consider how to protect your beneficiaries from their potentially poor financial decisions. Pederson Law Offices offers various strategies to ensure...
Can I Disinherit My Estranged Child?

Can I Disinherit My Estranged Child?

Navigating the complexities of estate planning can be challenging, especially when it involves making difficult decisions such as disinheriting an estranged child or other heirs. At Pederson Law...
Should I put my child on title to my house?

Should I put my child on title to my house?

Adding a child to the title of your house is generally not a recommended alternative to comprehensive estate planning. At Pederson Law Offices, our goal is to empower our clients with comprehensive...
Does your Revocable Living Trust address your current life circumstances?

Does your Revocable Living Trust address your current life circumstances?

Are you one of millions who setup your revocable living trust years ago and thought you were done? No question that a Revocable Living Trust (RLT) is a great, relatively...
Is life insurance really tax free?

Is life insurance really tax free?

Life Insurance can be a wonderful estate planning tool when properly utilized. Not only does it provide income replacement in case of premature death, but it also provides liquidity in estates that...
Timeshare Trusts

Timeshare Trusts

Do you own timeshare interests? If so, the following are a number of questions you may want to consider regarding your estate planning: How do you plan on distributing...
Your Options for Real Estate Title-Holding

Your Options for Real Estate Title-Holding

If you are a Thousand Oaks homeowner, then chances are that you have a title for your property. There are a variety of different ways to hold a real estate title, and all of them have implications...
The Beneficiary's Role in an Estate Plan

The Beneficiary's Role in an Estate Plan

The term "beneficiary" comes up frequently during the process of estate planning because the efforts of estate planning are focused on transferring the decedent's assets to the beneficiary. A...
Online Estate Plans May Result in Unnecessary Litigation or Probate

Online Estate Plans May Result in Unnecessary Litigation or Probate

When you develop your estate plan, you are deciding the best way to keep your memory alive and pass on your legacy to loved ones. When your property and assets are valued and considered with the...
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