My father passed away in 2012 and I needed a lawyer to handle probate.   I didn’t have any referrals so I went to yelp and chose John Palley.  Thankfully Yelp didn’t let me down!  John was professional, personable, efficient and knowledgeable.   He responded to all of my questions quickly and articulately.    I never felt like he was annoyed with all of my questions or that he was too busy for me (I have had two other experiences with lawyers and that’s exactly how I felt with them).   Good guy – but even more importantly good lawyer!

Loraine P., West Sacramento, CA, 4/2/2014 on Yelp (5 star review)

I found John Palley through yelp* when I needed a probate attorney in the Sacramento Area. John is hands down the most responsive, professional, knowledgeable, thorough, and helpful attorney I’ve worked with. John provides superb customer service and he is amazingly fast at responding to emails! His assistant, Danielle, is great at follow-up and a pleasure to work with as well.

Wendy N., Sunnyvale, CA, 6/8/18, on Yelp (5 star review)

If you ever need a probate lawyer John Palley is the person to talk to. I contacted him early on a Monday morning and he responded right away. I don’t live in California so I needed someone I could trust. From start to finish John and his team were dedicated. Very informative and a true blessing in an unfortunate situation. It did not matter when I emailed they would respond. Danielle was always willing to listen to me ask a million questions. I would go back to him time and time again.

Nicole G., Pflugerville, TX, 8/2/18, on Yelp (5 star review)

John Palley assisted with all the aspects of probate on my sister’s estate for which I suddenly and unexpectedly found myself as executor.  John walked my husband and I through all the steps of the complicated process, and gave us a very accurate timeline and accounting of what to expect.  His office staff was always responsive and questions by email or phone were answered usually on the same day, and often within the hour. John clearly explained what needed to happen, made sure I had all the correct forms to file, kept everyone apprised of the progress and probate closed in the exact time frame he predicted.  Could not be more please with the service and care John and his office took with our case.

Katie H., Davis, CA, 10/3/18, on Yelp (5 star review)

I called a lot of Attorney’s, who make you wait for an appointment, John immediately takes charge and is interested in giving you the best service he can beginning with the first call.
The last thing I wanted to do in my time of grief, was to be put on a calendar when I needed questions answered now.
He is a no fluff guy, very upfront and honest.
All I can say is, “Don’t wait , call him right now, he will get the ball rolling from first contact.” “He is a Great Attorney.”

Rebecca D., Pacifica, CA, 6/20/18, on Yelp (5 star review)

Mr. John Palley contacted me within an hour and scheduled a free phone consultation.  He was straight forward and extremely patient  as well as answering all my questions in this difficult time.  Although he was not able to personally assist us with our case if we decided to go forward with it, he did say that he could refer us to another attorney who could assist us.

After speaking with him I felt confident with what our next step if any would be and as well as setting my mind at ease.

A Personal Note:  In matters where money comes into play and you think you know your sibling and the situation becomes confusing, do contact an attorney who can help you with your unanswered questions.  You will find that peace of mind from a professional and their is no cost for a consultation.

Many Blessings to John for his time….

Marilyn C., Surprise, AZ, 10/20/18, on Yelp (5 star review)

John Palley was a tremendous help with an unfortunate situation. My father passed away unexpectedly and I found out shortly thereafter that he had not completed his trust. The whole probate process was a little overwhelming but John did a wonderful job of walking me through it, giving me advice and assistance when I needed it. I would highly recommend the services of [Edit: former law firm name removed] to anyone that may be going through the same situation that was bestowed upon me.

Bryan W., Citrus Heights, CA, 10/16/18, on Yelp (5 star review)

I was referred to John Palley’s office by a once close friend whom had established a relationship with his office for their own personal family estate planning needs. In fact, his firm was recommended with high regard. Further, his services were requested to assist in the estate planning of a dear friend who was diagnosed with cancer and given only 3mo to live. Upon John’s office receiving an initial request to provide estate trust documentation to protect her one and only real asset of value, John’s team came to her rescue. Within only 3 days prior of my dear friend passing, John’s team rushed to her bedside to secure the documentation needed to avoid probate. This dear friend of mine had worked so very hard during her lifetime without any help from family. Her friends were her family and assisted her during the years of struggle to help protect and secure this asset. Upon death, John’s office again, stepped up to assist in the trust administration. Moreover, Robin S. Diamond. She has been professional, a person who cared and one that was always available to answer any sort of question(s). I am very pleased with the firms attention to detail, personal touch and professionalism. I highly recommend this firm for your estate planning needs.

Cheryl H., Concord, CA, 10/3/18, on Yelp (5 star review)

My sister and I contacted John Palley a few years ago when our father passed away. We did not have much contact with our father over the years and he passed away in a different state than the one we were living in. John was exceptional. He was kind, hard working for our best interest, and a pleasure to work with. He traveled out of the county to attend court for us and I believe wholeheartedly that he looked out for us with the upmost care and respect. Lawyers can have a bad reputation but John is not like most and I am so happy, thankful, and grateful for all he did for my sister and I.

Tiana E., Tempe, AZ, on Yelp 6/12/18 (5 star review)

My family and I thank you all.

John Palley was referred to me after my mother passed in 2017. From our initial telephone conversation through the conclusion of the probate process, Mr. Palley and his staff were professional, considerate, and attentive. They responded to telephone and email messages immediately with thorough and helpful responses, and made themselves available in person when needed for in-depth discussion. Mr. Palley’s experience and insight with complicated estate matters ultimately allowed my family to conclude this unhappy part of our lives much quicker than expected, and his guidance saved us tens of thousands of dollars. Thank you for everything.

David P., Sacramento, CA, on Yelp, 5/30/18 (5 star review)

I was told early on by an elderly kind attorney that the probate process in California is no joke. As a matter of fact he indicated he no longer had the energy to do a full Probate & suggested that I find someone that specializes in that area. So since the fees in California are statutory I set out to find the very best. And the best I found! I can’t say enough about John Palley and his paralegal Danielle; actually everyone in that office who I had an interaction with. Words that come to mind…….. caring, efficient, responsive, knowledgeable, dynamic. He is totally on your team and steers you in the best direction for your situation. I had some other issues (probate related) come up during the process and John helped me with those as well. It was like being treated as a family member…in some instances better than a family member. I could go on and on and on. So I will just end this review by saying YOU ROCK JOHN PALLEY!!! You really do! Thank you from the bottom of my heart!

– Carol W., Elk Grove, CA, on Yelp, 2/2/16 (5 star review)

When Placer County called me on my birthday, the 12th day of November, 2014 and asked if I would handle the my mothers estate. I was unaware that my mother died Christmas Day 2013. I was made aware, along with my brother and my two twin step-sisters, we were all disinherited by the Will. Being raised knowing the difference between right and wrong….I agree to handle the estate. I received the information and started to google who is the best Probate Attorney’s in Placer County/Sacramento Area….

[Edit: former law firm name removed] was at the top of the list. I called, I was directed to their corporate partner John Palley. We spoke about the Probate process and how it works. I was at ease to know I had a real pro in my corner!

John simplified the entire process in plain English, no attorney garble, just easy for anyone to understand. Myself being a Professional in the Building Industry….I knew the trust was there!

Step-by-step the Probate process evolved, I did my research as well, we exchanged and compared directions during its course. I was approved by the courts and in its predetermined time the estate finalized, with all four of us being part of the estate disbursement.

John’s experience and insight will always gave me options to what can be done, besides the executor is the main decision maker to any estate….John really simplifies this to where to can be comfortable in any and all decisions you need to make. This is where John really came through….he did it for me and he can do it for you!

I do want to mention [Edit: former law firm name removed] Staff….they are truly great individuals assisting you, when John is not available…..a great group of real professionals!

Since then I have moved to Texas, where I did put my life on hold, until the Probate was finalized. If I had to do this again…..John would be my first call, without doubt!

I am sorry Yelp has only 5 Stars, John and his group deserves 10 Stars!

– Ronald L., Helotes, TX, on Yelp, 12/28/15 (5 star review)

I am very grateful to Attorney John Palley for guiding me through the probate process when my sister died unexpectedly in 2013. The referral came from our financial planner and I am so grateful for his recommendation.

I live in San Diego and since John’s office is in Sacramento all our communication was done by e-mail or phone conversations. In fact, I didn’t have to appear in court because John represented me – that was a big relief! One of John’s greatest assets is that he responded to my numerous questions immediately.

It is wonderful to find someone like John Palley who will go the extra mile to assure peace of mind every step along the way. His availability, and most of all his professionalism, knowledge, generosity and kindness can’t be matched. He took me under his wing and guided me through every detail of the court process to completion. It took several months to do this mini-probate.

I highly recommend John Palley and will continue to spread the word about my experience with him. If anyone needs help and guidance in his area of expertise – John is the BEST.

I also want to thank John’s paralegal, Danielle Swaim, for her assistance and help in this matter. She is a tremendous asset to the [Edit: former law firm name removed] and is a great team member..

– Rita C., San Diego, CA, on Yelp, 9/15/14 (5 star review)

When my father died in 2008, I realized that since I was in Washington State, I was going to need a California attorney to probate his estate. So, I began browsing on the web and discovered John’s excellent website. On that site, one can learn everything one needs to know to probate an estate in California. Because of all the excellent information on that site, I decided to email John. Several hours later — about 7:00 pm on a Friday night, I received a phone call from John. He was at one of his children’s swim meets, yet took the time to call me! On a Friday night!!! I was so impressed I just knew he was the right person for the job. He successfully probated my father’s estate, and I was very pleased with the results. If anyone in the State of Washington, or any state, for that matter, needs a wonderful, caring attorney, please seriously consider John Palley

– Annie F, May 5, 2012

Thank you for your services in handling the probate of our son’s estate. Your professionalism and fairness are much appreciated.

– Client Letter, July 2011

Mr. Palley was so helpful, kind, courteous and very interested in my issues. Mr. Palley took the time to investigate my issues and respond to me before making any conclusions. He made sure he knew what he was talking about and not just a “for instance” kind of lawyer as the one I had spoken to before Mr. Palley. I am so glad I found Mr. Palley and would highly recommend recommend him for anyone that wants an awesome lawyer that is truly interested in protecting their best interests.

– A Satisfied Client

Called John Palley today for a free consultation to determine if my wife and I needed a Living Trust. He let me know that the Will we had was sufficient for our circumstances, even though this advice ran counter to his own monetary gain. He even looked at our current Will and suggested one minor adjustment that I could make on my own without any expense. This guy is knowledgeable, friendly, honest and informative.

– Charles M. Yelp.com, May 2012

We had a new family and new business. John provided our family with needed estate planning resulting in a trust, will and power of attorney to cover all the bases. John was thorough and made the process simple to understand. We would recommend John for your estate planning needs.

– Bryan G, August 11, 2008

It was a pleasure working alongside Mr. Palley on a complex and hostile probate matter. Since then I have referred clients to Mr. Palley and remain comfortable doing so based upon his knowledge, experience and people skills.

– A Satisfied Client

John is a good probate and estate planning attorney. I have known him for many years and have received good feedback from clients that have benefited from his services.

– Tom C, March 28, 2012

John Palley has assisted multiple members of our family with their estate planning, probate issues, etc. Each time he has treated each individual as an individual, not just as another client. He has often gone above and beyond what we would expect from any other attorney. He always answers questions and resolves problems in a most thorough, courteous and respectful manner. He is diligent in his efforts to meet all of our needs and is a true professional in regard to communicating pertinent information in a timely manner. I have and will continue to recommend him to anyone who is in need of help in his area of expertise–even the most difficult members of our family (and we have quite a few of those with whom he has worked) feel comfortable and very satisfied working with John Palley.

– Kiersten C.

My father needed help planning his estate this year. John Palley drafted a trust and other estate planning documents for my father. He answered our questions intelligently and was very open, understanding, and willing to help. He also answered our emails and phone calls in a timely, polite professional manner. John is capable and accessible, I feel confident that I could go to John in the future and my legal affairs would be done right.

– Capkat, August 2010

John Palley helped me through the probate process when my husband passed away. His knowledge of probate law and estate planning including testamentary and special needs trusts is unmatched. Mr. Palley guided me through one of the most difficulty processes a person can go through. I would recommend him to everyone I know.

– A Satisfied Client

John Palley has provided legal services to my family and clients for many years. He consistently demonstrates the absolute best listening and communication skills I have experienced among legal professionals. He truly cares about his client’s current needs and provides excellent plans for future uncertainties. John will take remarkable care of you, your friends and relatives.

– Pat Shea, Sacramento, CA, October 14, 2009

I’ve been working with Mr. Palley so long time now it is like he is a member of the family. He is a fantastic lawyer and able to simplify very complex issues to help me make the right decisions for all my probate issues.

– Jeff, 2011

I hired John to help with a probate situation. I’m out of state and needed an expert to represent my family’s interests in California. The attorney on the other side was a challenge to work with, but John followed up consistently and frequently until things were finally settled. He was honest, very knowledgable and a pleasure to work with.

– Pam C, March 26, 2011

Losing a family member and then thinking about dealing with probate almost by definition means it is not the best of times. Going to [Edit: former law firm name removed] was one of the really good decisions I made. John Palley and Joy Lehman made it all as easy as possible. I inundated them with questions and their answers were prompt, clear and to the point. I certainly trust them to know what they are doing. Everything did go smoothly and everything was explained along the way. But in addition to their knowledge, I appreciated their kindness in what was for me a most stressful situation. Without hesitation, I recommend John Palley and Joy Lehman and I can’t thank them enough for being there for me.

– A Satisfied Client

You learn a lot about a guy when you play golf with him. You find out about his temperament, honesty, perseverance, etiquette and whether or not they possess any likability. Years ago, I had a few opportunities to play golf with John Palley, one of the partners at JFMJ&P. I was so impressed with him that I hired him to help my family with our estate planning. He was an excellent listener and took personal interest in our situation. During the process, we came to trust his sense of fairness so much that we named him executor of our estate. Weeks after the bill was paid and the documents were in order, he called me to offer some advice regarding a sensitive subject in the content of the will – with a great idea to smooth out a particular transaction. He made the slight (but emotionally significant) change for no additional cost. Highly recommended.

– Fred H., July 2010

John and I had the pleasure of getting to know each other at a conference of over 30 attorneys from around the country. It was clear that he stood out among this elite group as being more proactive and one of the best attorneys in the room. I would not hesitate to send anyone with an estate planning or probate matter in California to him. I feel certain they would receive fair, fast, and extremely competent legal services from him.

– Michael W, August 21, 2011

Honest, persistent, knowledgable, I hired John to help with a probate situation. I’m out of state and needed an expert to represent my family’s interests in California. The attorney on the other side was a challenge to work with, but John followed up consistently and frequently until things were finally settled. He was honest, very knowledgable and a pleasure to work with.

– A Satisfied Client

John Palley assisted me with my estate planning affairs. His service, expertise, and customer service were exceptional. I have dealt with many attorneys, through my job, and none were as impressive as John. I highly recommended him and his firm!

– A Satisfied Client

Professional, Honest, Hard Working My first impression of John was his professional approach. He takes the time to anwer all your questions and we never seemed rushed. You can trust John Palley.

– A Satisfied Client

Trustworthy, Professional and Knowledgeable John Palley provides ‘Top Shelf’ service!!! He assisted my family with a Living trust and Will. The process was easy and turn key. John took the time to understand our situation and put together a program that put our family in the best position to be protected. His knowledge and responsiveness is second to none. I highly recommend working with John. He is a man of integrity and professionalism.

– Gary C., 2010

John Palley is numbered among the best! John went above and beyond all of our expectations; and continues to do so. He is very knowledgeable and extremely good at what he does. We found that he is very interested in creating a professional relationship. John knows that a relationship built on trust and communication lasts from one generation to another. Our family estate is being organized by one of the best!

– A Satisfied Client

John Palley simplifies the Estate Planning Process‎. John prepared family trust documents for my wife and me, simplifying the complex process for us. John engages in conversation to describe the scope and benefits of estate planning. His informal manner put us at ease while we collectively made important decisions for John to include in the trust documents. Having known John for 15 years, I would highly recommend him to anyone needing a true professional to handle their estate planning.

– A Satisfied Client

Mr. Palley was so helpful, kind, courteous and very interested in my issues. Mr. Palley took the time to investigate my issues and respond to me before making any conclusions. He made sure he knew what he was talking about and not just a “for instance” kind of lawyer as the one I had spoken to before Mr. Palley. I am so glad I found Mr. Palley and would highly recommend recommend him for anyone that wants an awesome lawyer that is truly interested in protecting their best interests.

– A Satisfied Client

A Thoughtful Communicator John Palley is a true professional. He has an uncommon ability to address difficult questions with concise answers that are easy to understand. The handling of my parents estate planning was a delicate matter. With John’s gentle demeanor combined with his no-nonsense style, my parents were very comfortable with the entire process and are very relieved to have their affairs in order.

– A Satisfied Client

TRULY, Professional, Very Helpful & TRULY INTERESTED I must say John Palley, for never meeting me, was very helpful and truly interested in my concerns and issues. Not only helped me with my questions, but referred me to an equally intelligent and professional attorney. This attorney, as well, was truly interested in my issues.

– A Satisfied Client

Best Probate Attorney John Palley and his firm helped me through the probate process after the death of my spouse. Mr. Palley understands probate law and estate planning like no one else. He is patient, committed, driven, and efficient. An excellent attorney and an excellent law firm.

– A Satisfied Client

By profession, I am a CPA. I have worked with many attorneys. In my opinion John has an excellent rating. I am also a trustee for various trusts. I have brought specific problems arising in my capacity as trustee to John and received from him direct and understandable answers. He has raised potential issues that might arise and given me instructions to follow if needed. I have every confidence in John, and will continue to use his services as the need arises.

– A Satisfied Client

Losing a family member and then thinking about dealing with probate almost by definition means it is not the best of times. Going to [Edit: former law firm name] was one of the really good decisions I made. John Palley and Joy Lehman made it all as easy as possible. I inundated them with questions and their answers were prompt, clear and to the point. I certainly trust them to know what they are doing. Everything did go smoothly and everything was explained along the way. But in addition to their knowledge, I appreciated their kindness in what was for me a most stressful situation. Without hesitation, I recommend John Palley and Joy Lehman and I can’t thank them enough for being there for me.

– A Satisfied Client

Good attorney diligent in his efforts to get the job done. for me when it comes to attorneys it is how quickly they get the job done. and what kind of reference they can provide me on the potential choices I may have in a particular case.

– Scorpio, June 2011