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.
Hon. Victoria Wood, Esq. Retired, Of Counsel
Experience & Education
She graduated magna cum laude from Pacific Union College with a B.S. in Sociology and a B.A. in Spanish, and later earned her J.D. from the University of California, Davis School of Law. Her dedication to legal education continues as she will be teaching an Alternative Dispute Resolution class at her alma mater this fall.
A Distinguished Career of Nearly Two Decades
Judge Wood’s illustrious career with the Napa County Superior Court spanned nearly two decades, during which she made an indelible mark on the community through her versatility and profound understanding of the law. Her judicial tenure was characterized by her ability to preside over a diverse array of cases, ranging from civil, probate, and family law to complex jury trials, appeals, and high-conflict mediations.
Leadership and Expertise
Her leadership in the court was evident through her impactful roles, including serving as the Presiding Judge of the Appellate Division, Assistant Presiding Judge of the Court, and Lead Judge for the Civil, Juvenile, and Family Law Divisions. These positions underscore her exceptional ability to manage and lead with integrity and insight.
Judge Wood’s dedication to the legal community extended beyond the courtroom. For three years, she was the judicial liaison to the Napa County Civil Grand Jury, supervising critical recruitment, investigation, and reporting efforts. Her commitment to legal education and research was further highlighted by her 18-year tenure on the Napa County Law Library Board of Trustees, where she served as the immediate past president.
A Journey of Dedication and Service
Before her appointment to the superior court bench, Judge Wood spent nearly five years as Court Commissioner, presiding over family law cases, including dissolution and child custody matters, restraining orders, child support, small claims, and even criminal matters. Her near-decade experience as court counsel involved meticulous legal research and writing for tentative rulings, orders, and opinions in various legal areas. Her early career also saw her serving as a chambers attorney for Justice Wes Walker at the First District Court of Appeal and working in private practice.
Jessica Hooper, Esq. Of Counsel
Areas of Law
Estate Planning – advises on and prepares a wide range of trusts.
Probate – represents family members of the decedent.
Trust Administration – represents trustees and beneficiaries.
Business Law Matters for small business-LLCs, Non-Profits, Corporations, Partnerships
Experience & Education
Attorney Advisor - United States Small Business Administration
Law Clerk - Estate Planning Firm
Graduate - Florida A&M College of Law
Barred Attorney - State of Florida
Notary Public - State of Florida
Adjunct Professor - Criminal Justice Department
Court Mediator - Supreme Court of Florida
Licensed Realtor - State of Florida
One of my favorite parts of being an attorney is speaking with business owners and seeing the sparkle in their eyes as they discuss their dreams and vision for this business. I enjoy seeing those who have the guts to start a business and become their own boss. I understand the pitfalls and even trying moments business owners face as they venture out and begin their business. My goal is to assist with legal matters to protect their vision and what they have built from litigation or lawsuit or potentially losing all they have built.
In addition to assisting small business owners, I strongly believe that legacy matters and how you leave the world is just as important as the things you do within this lifetime.
When it comes to estate planning it could be a tough conversation to have with your loved ones. The idea of a beloved family member no longer being here or the idea of death is a hard thought to process. However, it is paramount to have all your affairs in order.
I have witnessed in my own life the devastation of not having a proper estate plan in place for when a loved one passes on. It destroys families when it comes to distributing property or making those tough medical decisions for your loved ones. To avoid this, an estate plan is necessary, and this is where I come in. I am here to have that tough conversation and handle this conversation with the care, diligence, detail, and compassion it needs.
I have experience working as an Attorney Advisor for the United States Small Business Administration. Next, I have experience working as a law clerk for a boutique Estate Planning Firm. I am a graduate of Florida A&M College of Law located in Orlando, Florida. I am currently a barred attorney within the State of Florida, and I received my bar license in 2019. I am currently a Notary Public for the State of Florida.
I have been an adjunct professor teaching in the criminal justice department for three years, which is also one of my passions. Thus, I have no issues explaining things or answering any questions you may have throughout the process. I am a former Supreme Court of Florida county court mediator. Lastly, I am a licensed realtor within the State of Florida. Thus, I have a wide range of knowledge to assist with your legal matters.