Business Details
Your Trusted Partner for Estate Planning & Probate Services
Berger Nicholson is a trusted legal practice founded by Ingrid Berger and Peggy Nicholson, two accomplished attorneys with over 15 years of combined experience in estate planning, tax planning, and estate administration. Our firm specializes in creating tailored solutions to help clients manage, preserve, and transfer wealth with precision and care. We prioritize client relationships, offering personalized guidance through every step of the legal process. Our expertise spans revocable trusts, wills, probate, and trust administration, ensuring comprehensive support for complex needs. We serve clients through in-person and virtual consultations, maintaining transparency and clarity throughout our well-established procedures.Our commitment to excellence is reflected in our educational backgrounds, including advanced legal and tax degrees from prestigious institutions. We approach every case with warmth and compassion, aiming to provide peace of mind during critical moments. Our offices in San Francisco, Pleasanton, and Walnut Creek offer convenient access to residents across the Bay Area. We pride ourselves on combining technical expertise with a client-centered philosophy, ensuring every solution aligns with individual goals. Our dedication to quality has earned recognition, including Ingrid Berger's Super Lawyers rating, underscoring our position as leaders in trust and estate law.
Services
Estate Planning
Trust Administration
Probate
Tax Planning
Virtual Consultations
Highlights and features
- We offer over 15 years of combined experience in estate law.
- Our attorneys hold advanced legal and tax degrees from top institutions.
- We provide tailored solutions for complex wealth management needs.
- We maintain transparent, step-by-step procedures for client clarity.
- We combine technical expertise with compassionate, personalized service.
Associations and certifications
- Super Lawyers
What people say
Excellent service
Knowledgeable attorneys
Made the process easy
Compassionate approach
Tailored solutions
Services
Estate Planning
Estate planning ensures your assets are managed and distributed according to your wishes. We create customized plans using revocable trusts, wills, and directives. Our process includes follow-ups and funding instructions to ensure long-term effectiveness.
Trust Administration
We guide trustees through fiduciary duties, including asset inventory, allocation, and distribution. Our support covers beneficiary notifications and Heggstad petitions. We simplify complex administrative tasks to ensure compliance with legal standards.
Probate
Probate assistance helps executors transfer assets through court processes. We provide end-to-end support from probate opening to final distribution. Our expertise minimizes delays and ensures proper asset allocation to heirs.
People
Ingrid Berger
Partner
Ingrid Berger is a California and New York licensed attorney with advanced legal and tax degrees. She graduated first in class in France and holds two LLMs from Golden Gate University. She specializes in estate and tax planning.
Peggy Nicholson
Partner
Peggy Nicholson holds a JD and Masters from France, an MBA, and two LLMs in U.S. law and taxation. She focuses on estate planning and administration, combining legal expertise with client-centered service.
Questions
What estate planning documents do I need?
A standard plan includes a revocable trust, will, power of attorney, and healthcare directives. We customize these documents to meet your specific needs.
How does trust administration work?
We help trustees notify beneficiaries, inventory assets, allocate trust property, and distribute assets while ensuring legal compliance throughout the process.
Can I work with you remotely?
Yes, we offer virtual consultations via video or phone to accommodate your schedule and location preferences.
What areas do you serve?
We serve clients in San Francisco, Pleasanton, Walnut Creek, and surrounding Bay Area communities through our three office locations.
How long does probate take?
Probate duration varies by case complexity but typically takes 12-18 months. We streamline the process to minimize delays and ensure efficient asset distribution.
