Our Team
I joke with clients about preferring to see their doctor than meet with their estate planning attorney - and we are much less intrusive!
Michelle Goff, Founder and CEO
Areas of Practice
Estate Planning – advises on and prepares a wide range of trusts.
Probate – represents family members of the decedent.
Trust Administration – represents trustees and beneficiaries.
Education and Affiliations
Michelle is admitted to practice before all California Courts, as well as before the U.S. District Court, Eastern District of California, and the U.S. Tax Court.
CSUS, MBA in Taxation and MBA in Business, 2002
Admitted to the California State Bar Association in June, 1998
J.D., McGeorge School of Law, 1997
B.S. in Economics & Business, Westmont College 1993
Recipient of the Sacramento 2011 Wealth Manager Award and 2011 Rising Star
Past and Current Speaking Engagements
Regular speaker to clients of various financial planners
Guest Speaker for various banks and Credit Unions
Speaker at various Churches and organizations
As a busy mom in the middle of the sandwich generation - two active young adults, two active parents, and the wife of an avid gardener, I understand how life can pull us in many directions—balancing work, family, and carving out personal time. It’s easy to put off important tasks, like ensuring your family is protected in the event of an unexpected situation.
The truth is, many parents I meet haven’t prepared a will or legally named a guardian for their minor children. We all know how important these steps are, but life happens, and we push it off. Sometimes, it’s the difficulty of deciding on the right guardian for our children. My advice? Choose the best option for now—you can always update your documents as life changes.
One memorable client waited until their late 80s, just before celebrating their 63rd wedding anniversary, to create their estate plan. While they waited longer than most, they still accomplished this crucial task before it was too late.
Common Reasons for Delaying Estate Planning
1. I Don’t Have an Estate."
One misconception I often hear is that only those with millions of dollars need an estate plan. This isn’t true. While estate taxes only apply to those with assets over $13.61 million (as of current laws), probate thresholds in most states are much lower. Proper planning can help you avoid unnecessary court proceedings and ensure your wishes are carried out.
2. I Don’t Have the Time or Money."
Time and budget constraints are understandable, but I’ve designed my practice to solve these issues. With our online platform, you can connect with your attorney whenever it’s convenient for you—no need to schedule during traditional office hours. Additionally, by reducing overhead costs, we are able to offer high-quality legal services at competitive rates. Flexible payment options, including ACH and credit cards, can make estate planning more accessible.
Tailored Estate Planning for All Life Stages
Whether you’re a young adult needing a simple will or a parent with children and significant assets requiring more complex planning, I’m here to help. From basic documents like wills, financial powers of attorney, and healthcare directives to more advanced strategies like trusts and tax planning, I’ll work with you to create an estate plan tailored to your needs.
Building Long-Lasting Relationships
I take pride in the relationships I build with my clients. Many see me not just as an estate planning attorney, but as their family attorney—the go-to person for legal advice when they need it most. My goal is to provide you with peace of mind, knowing that your loved ones will be taken care of, no matter what the future holds.
Let’s make sure your family is protected. Contact me today to get started.

Sarah Downs, Esq. Of Counsel
Experience & Education
Associate and Of Counsel Attorney, Husch Blackwell LLP, in Kansas City, MO and Denver, CO
Associate Attorney, Kutak Rock LLP, Kansas City, MO
Sarah is admitted to practice in Colorado and Kansas
J.D., University of Kansas School of Law, 2003, Order of the Coif
B.A. in English and Journalism, Southern Nazarene University, 2000, Summa Cum Laude
Institutional Review Board for Porter, Littleton and Castle Rock Hospitals
The Knolls of Southbridge Homeowners Association
Mission Hills Church Volunteer, Legal Aid Clinic and Homeless Shelter
Sarah is a busy mom of two kids who enjoys balancing the practice of law with family life and community involvement.
She prides herself in working closely with families, couples, and individuals to design estate plans that provide security and peace of mind, now and for years to come.
Sarah also has experience advising clients in the areas of corporate law including taxation, non-profit, contractual and governance issues, and she has experience representing healthcare providers in regulatory and business matters.
Vanessa Molina, Esq.
Of Counsel
Areas of Practice
Estate Planning – advises on and prepares a wide range of trusts.
Probate – represents family members of the decedent.
Trust Administration – represents trustees and beneficiaries.
Education and Affiliations
Senior Counsel to the Solicitor of Labor, U.S. Department of Labor
Trial Attorney, U.S. Department of Justice, Civil, Antitrust, and Criminal Divisions
Practice in the U.S. Courts of Appeals for the First, Third, Fourth, Fifth, Seventh, Eight, and Ninth Circuits
Practice in 21 U.S. District Courts
Admitted to practice in Maryland and California
B.A. in International Studies – Economics, University of California, San Diego
J.D., American University, Washington DC
Native Spanish fluency
From Litigation to Estate Planning
Vanessa Molina brings a decade of federal litigation experience to estate planning, offering clients the strategic thinking and meticulous attention to detail honed during her tenure as a trial attorney at the U.S. Department of Justice.
During her career in federal civil litigation, Vanessa gained experience in complex legal analysis, risk assessment, and strategic planning – skills that translate directly to crafting comprehensive estate plans that anticipate potential challenges and protect client interests.
Vanessa’s transition to estate planning reflects both professional evolution and personal passion. Drawing on her litigation background, she approaches each estate plan with the same analytical rigor used in federal courtrooms and personalized attention to each client’s unique circumstances. As a mother of two children and a small business owner, she understands firsthand what is at stake when it comes to estate planning. Her personal experience protecting her own family's future and business interests give her insight into the concerns and priorities of clients.
Vanessa serves clients in English and Spanish. She is licensed to practice in California and Maryland and is a member of the American Bar Association, California Lawyers Association, and San Diego County Bar Association.