About
Us
JUDD MATSUNAGA
BIOGRAPHY
 |
Judd Matsunaga is a Los Angeles
based attorney and founding partner of Elder Law Services
of California, a Professional Law Corporation. In addition
to his legal practice, Mr. Matsunaga operates a full service
real estate company as a Licensed Real Estate Broker - JM
Properties. |
Mr. Matsunaga graduated from UCLA with a Bachelors of Science
degree in Economics and then from the University of West Los Angeles
School of Law. His career includes employment with Magana, Cathcart
& McCarthy, a large Century City plaintiff’s law firm,
and with Barth, Green & Kelly, a real estate defense firm.
Currently, Mr. Matsunaga specializes in Elder Law, which includes
Medi-Cal planning, Estate Planning, Probate, and is a noted speaker
and published writer on the topics of: (1) Estate Planning; and
(2) Medi-Cal planning for Long-Term care.
Mr. Matsunaga is also available to speak at Senior Centers, Retirement
Homes, Nursing Homes, as well as other civic organizations throughout
Los Angeles, Ventura, Orange and San Diego Counties.
In addition to his business pursuits, Mr. Matsunaga is active
with several religious organizations, and is an avid golfer and
amateur magician.
JOEL MARTINEZ
BIOGRAPHY
 |
Joel O. Martinez graduated
from California State University at Fullerton, with a Bachelor
of Arts degree in Sociology. He then obtained his law degree
from Western State University, School of Law.
Mr. Martinez has been a participating attorney for over
twenty years. |
He has an extensive experience in handling Bankruptcy, Family
Law, Personal Injury, and Medi-Cal Planning.
Prior to joining the law firm of Matsunaga, Martinez, & Madala,
LLP., Mr. Martinez was in sole practice. He had a general practice
in which the majority of his clientele was Spanish-speaking. He
was also actively involved in providing pro-bono legal services
to the economically disadvantaged.
Mr. Martinez is bilingual with fluency in Spanish.
SPANISH
Joel O. Martinez se graduo de California State University, Fullerton
despues obtengo su doctorado en derecho de Western State University,
College of Law.
El senor Martinez es un abogado que cuenta con mas de 20 anos
de experencia. El tiene bastante experencia en casos de Bancarota,
Divurcios, Danos Personales, y Medi-Cal Planamiento.
Antes de ser un miembro del bufete de Matsunaga, Martinez, &
Madala, LLP., el senor Martinez practicaba en su propria oficina.
El tenia una practica general donde la mayoria de su clientela
era personas de habla hispana. El senor Martinez era activo en
su comunidad, especialmente dando servicios legales pro-bono a
personas de bajos recursos.
El senor Martinez es bi-lingue y habla espanol.
NAVEEN MADALA
BIOGRAPHY
 |
Mr. Madala graduated from Northwestern University where
he majored in political science. He obtained his law degree
and masters in business taxation degree from the University
of Southern California.
|
Mr. Madala practices in the areas of estate planning, wills,
trusts, elder law, probate, conservatorships, guardianships, business
succession planning, asset protection planning, estate and gift
taxation, business litigation, probate litigation, business transactions,
real estate transactions, business/individual taxation, business
entity formation and securities.
Mr. Madala is also a California licensed real estate broker.
Prior to joining Matsunaga, Martinez & Madala, LLP, Mr. Madala
worked at various law firms in Los Angeles and Orange County.
|
|
»
Frequently Asked Questions
|
What if the estate is worth
more than $20,000?
If the deceased person’s
assets exceed $20,000 or real estate is part of the
estate, probate or administration must be used. However,
if the value of the deceased person’s assets
subject to probate is less than $50,000 exclusive
of liens, a special petition to the court by beneficiary
or heirs may allow distribution without further proceedings.
The only person allowed access to the deceased person’s
assets will be the court-appointed Administrator or
Executor will receive a document called “Letters
of Testmentary” or “Articles of Administration”
which will be issued by the court, and outlines the
Administrator’s or Executor’s authority
and responsibility.
Is the Administrator or Executor
of an estate personally liable for the deceased person’s
debts?
No, not normally. However,
the Executor or Administrator is obligated to act
in the best interests of the estate and its beneficiaries.
It is advisable to consult with an attorney regarding
the duties and obligations of an Executor or Administrator
prior to accepting that responsibility.
|
|
|
