Ruth Burke | Moraga Estate Planning Lawyer

The Law Offices of Ruth Koller Burke specialize in estate planning, trust administration, probate, and estate related litigation. Our practice focuses on helping families plan for life and death, minimize taxes, and protect their loved ones. We have experience representing trustees and beneficiaries in disputed trust and estate matters. We have litigated, tried, and settled hundreds of cases. We efficiently serve our clients and produce high quality work in a cost-effective manner.

Lawyer.com New Member Questionnaire:

Please describe a case(s) in the last year or two where you made a big difference.
A rewarding case I recently worked on involved financial elder abuse by a caregiver. I filed a civil lawsuit for financial elder abuse. In addition, I worked closely with the elder and her trustee to gather the evidence necessary for the D.A. to arrest the caregiver.

How did you build a successful practice?
The success of my practice is based on word of mouth. Once I have completed an estate plan for someone, I am often contacted by their family, neighbors, and friends for estate planning needs.

What should clients look for in a lawyer?
An attorney that is knowledgeable, ethical and connected to the community.

How important is local knowledge to the success of your cases?
In the litigation context, having a professional relationship with opposing counsel and the judges is critical. A reputation in the legal community for being fair and honest is priceless.

What information can you provide in a free phone consultation?
Depending on the circumstances, a free phone consultation can be helpful to learn about the facts the case. In the estate planning situation, I am often able to provide a time-line for the project and estimated flat fee.

What differentiates you from other lawyers in your community?
I am happy to meet with clients at their home or a mutually convenient location such as their office. I do not charge for my travel time.

What are your other interests in addition to law?
Running, photography, spending time with my family.

Are you involved in your community?
I am actively involved in the community. I am a former board member of the Moraga Junior Women's Club, former board member of the Los PErales Elementary PTA, former school site council member for Los Perales Elementary, current board member of Moraga Country Club.

California State Bar Association
Contra Costa County Bar Association
Estate Planning Council of Diablo Valley

Moraga Junior Women's Club, Board Member; Los Perales Elementary School PTA, Board Member; Moraga Country Club, Board Member; CYO Athletic League Coach

The Law Offices of Ruth Koller Burke are located in Moraga, California.  We are available to also meet at a mutually convenient location in the Bay Area.

After Hours Or Weekend Appointments Are Available.

At the beginning of an engagement we enter into a written fee agreement.  For estate planning, the fee is typically a "flat fee" in the range of $1,500 to $3,000.  For estate litigation and trust administration, we typically charge an hourly rate.