Inland Empire Estate Planning Attorneys

Meet Dennis Sandoval, an exceptional attorney whose life experiences have shaped his dedication to serving the disabled and senior communities of Riverside County and San Bernardino County. In 1992, Dennis suffered a life-changing car accident that left him with a broken neck and back, resulting in paralysis. Through this challenging journey, he gained invaluable insights into the physical and emotional aspects of living with a disability and navigating the care system.

Dennis is a legal expert with a unique set of certifications, making him the only attorney in California with credentials in three key areas: estate planning, elder law, and taxation. His journey to becoming a specialist began in 1998 when he earned the Certified Estate Planning, Trust and Probate Law Specialist designation from the California Bar Board of Legal Specialization. Soon after, he obtained the Certified Taxation Law Specialist designation from the same organization in 2000. Demonstrating his commitment to excellence, he became a Certified Elder Law Attorney (CELA) in 2004, meeting all requirements set by the National Elder Law Foundation (NELF) and the American Bar Association. Dennis also holds the prestigious designation of an Accredited Estate Planner® (AEP) from the National Association of Estate Planners and Councils.

Dennis’ educational background is impressive, boasting a Master of Tax Law Degree (LL.M.), a Juris Doctorate (J.D.) degree, and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration with a focus on Finance. Prior to his legal career, Dennis successfully ran a tax planning and financial planning firm in Orange, California. During this time, he attained the designations of Enrolled Agent with the Internal Revenue Service and Certified Financial Planner® (CFP) and Registered Financial Consultant® (RFC). While he no longer practices as a financial planner, his extensive knowledge and experience continue to benefit his estate planning, elder law, and tax controversy clients, as well as their financial advisors.

In addition to his thriving practice, Dennis has actively contributed to the legal community. For seventeen years, he served as the Director of Education for the American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys (AAEPA), an esteemed organization of attorneys focused on estate planning across the nation. He also held prominent roles on the Board of Directors of the National Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys (NAELA), chairing several Sections and Task Groups. Furthermore, Dennis served as a member of the Board of Directors of the National Elder Law Foundation and earned the distinction of being named a Fellow of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys in 2014, a prestigious honor shared by only a select few.

Throughout his career, Dennis has been actively involved in various legal associations, including the Southern California Chapter of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (Southern California NAELA), where he served as its president and was named Member of the Year in 2011. He also played essential roles within the Estate Planning and Elder Law Section of the Riverside County Bar Association and served on the Board of Directors of The Estate Planning Council of Riverside.

Dennis is deeply committed to supporting special needs and disability organizations, such as ARC, NAMI, TACA, the Autism Society, and the Special Olympics. He is one of the six California members of the Special Needs Alliance, a nationwide organization of attorneys dedicated to proper planning for special needs individuals. Furthermore, Dennis is an active member of The Academy of Special Needs Planners, a nationwide group focused on assisting individuals with disabilities.

Beyond his legal engagements, Dennis has contributed to the development of the Life Care Planning Law Firms Association (LCPLFA). His law firm proudly serves as a charter member of LCPLFA, which focuses on a holistic approach to elder care by employing social workers and geriatric care managers as part of the team.

Dennis has also shared his expertise as an adjunct professor at various law schools and universities, including Stetson University College of Law, Chapman University Dale E. Fowler School of Law, University of California, and University of Redlands.

Despite his demanding career, Dennis remains true to his roots, having grown up in Riverside. He attended Our Lady of Perpetual Help grade school and Notre Dame High School, where he actively participated in sports like football and wrestling. Today, he indulges in hobbies such as building and maintaining marine aquariums and photography. Prior to his accident, he even served as an assistant scuba diving instructor. Dennis now resides in Norco, California, with his wife, three daughters, and their delightful assortment of pets. He treasures spending time with his two grandsons and one granddaughter, further enriching his life with love and joy.

David S. Hamilton is a Certified Specialist in Estate Planning, Trust & Probate Law by The State Bar of California.

Meet David S. Hamilton, an accomplished attorney with an impressive background in law and academia. David earned his Bachelor of Arts in Organizational Leadership from Chapman University, setting the foundation for his remarkable journey in the legal field. He further honed his skills and passion for law by achieving his Juris Doctor, magna cum laude, from the prestigious University of La Verne College of Law.

During his time at law school, David demonstrated exceptional leadership skills as the editor in chief for both the University of La Verne Law Review and the Journal of Law, Business & Ethics. He also showcased his advocacy talents as a competitive member of La Verne Law’s esteemed National Moot Court Competition Team. David’s dedication to academic excellence was evident through his consistent presence on the Dean’s List and his remarkable achievement of a CALI award, recognizing his exceptional performance in 13 courses. His exceptional legal writing skills garnered recognition from the American Society of Legal Writers, earning him a place in the esteemed National Order of Scribes.

As an active member of the legal community, David is affiliated with the Riverside and San Bernardino County Bar Associations. His consistent recognition as a Super Lawyers’ Southern California Rising Star in 2021, 2022, and 2023 underscores his exceptional legal prowess and commitment to his clients.

David’s dedication to continuous professional growth is evident through his graduation from the esteemed New Attorney Academy, a rigorous training program provided by the Riverside County Bar Association and the Riverside Superior Court. He has also contributed his expertise as a member at Large on the Board of the Riverside County Barristers Association.

Beyond his local affiliations, David is a proud member of both the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys and the American Bar Association, showcasing his commitment to staying at the forefront of legal developments and serving diverse legal needs.

David’s scholarly contributions are highly regarded in legal circles. He authored an article in the Journal of the Patent and Trademark Office Society, titled “It’s My Copy and I’ll Sell It If I Want To: Capitol Records, LLC v. ReDigi Inc.” Additionally, he co-authored the treatise “Special Needs Trusts: Planning, Drafting, and Administration” for Continuing Education of the Bar, further demonstrating his expertise in complex legal matters.

As a licensed attorney admitted to practice before all courts in the State of California and in the United States District Court, Central District of California, David’s comprehensive reach extends to the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit and the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.

David’s commitment to education is not limited to his legal pursuits. He also serves as an adjunct professor at the University of La Verne College of Law, where he shares his knowledge and passion for the law by teaching legal writing to aspiring law students.

Beyond the courtroom and the lecture hall, David finds joy in spending quality time with his wife and children. He also expresses his creativity and love for music by playing the acoustic guitar during his leisure moments.

With his exceptional legal acumen, diverse expertise, and unwavering dedication to the legal profession, David Hamilton is a valuable asset to our firm, and we are proud to have him on our team.

Richard S. Pershing is an attorney with a diverse practice that caters to clients with estates and businesses of all sizes and types, ranging from small enterprises to multi-million-dollar operations. Whether it’s for-profit or nonprofit, he provides expert estate planning services for single and married individuals, with a particular focus on assisting business owners and family-owned businesses with their estate and business planning needs.

Richard’s expertise extends to healthcare professionals, having represented physicians, osteopaths, podiatrists, dentists, optometrists, chiropractors, and various allied health professions in estate planning, business planning, and business succession matters. He also represents licensed professional fiduciaries. Moreover, Richard is well-versed in tribal law, being admitted to practice before the San Manuel Tribal Court and the Morongo Tribal Court, where he handles conservatorship and guardianship cases.

In the realm of entities, Richard has worked with both non-profit and for-profit hospitals, multi-hospital systems, multi-specialty medical groups, home health care agencies, clinical laboratories, independent practice associations, foundations, construction companies, engineering and surveying firms, trucking companies, real estate development and management companies, technology-based businesses, churches, foster care agencies, and law practices.

Though Richard’s current practice is focused on estate and business planning, he has a background in handling litigation related to medical employment contracts, physician rights, anti-trust issues, unlicensed practice of medicine, and third-party payor contracting disputes.

Recognized as a Super Lawyer by Thompson Reuters and holding a five-star rating on Avvo.com, Richard’s expertise is well-regarded in the legal community. Before becoming an attorney, he worked in hospital administration and public relations and development at Loma Linda University, La Sierra Campus. Richard has also been an educator, serving on the faculty of California Southern College of Law and teaching business law and other business courses at various Riverside Community College District campuses.

Beyond his professional endeavors, Richard actively engages in charitable work and has served on numerous civic, religious, and charitable boards and committees, including those of hospice, Rotary, Kiwanis, United Way, and the Riverside and San Bernardino County Bar Associations. He currently serves on the University of California, Riverside, Paralegal Advisory Committee Meeting.

In his spare time, Richard is the founding Director for the Center for Conflict Resolution in the Tom and Vi Zapara School of Business at La Sierra University. The center promotes conflict resolution and restorative practices throughout North America, the Caribbean, and Europe.

Richard’s passion for mediation is evident, and he firmly believes in the power of mediation to facilitate resolution when parties take ownership of their disputes instead of relying on outside imposition. He serves as a mediator for the Riverside County Superior Court and the Riverside County Bar Association Dispute Resolution Service, mediating trust and will disputes and business conflicts.

On a personal note, Richard is happily married with two daughters and is a proud grandparent, with three grandchildren and another on the way. He enjoys spending quality time with his wife, engaging in artistic pursuits like painting and water coloring.

Richard’s impressive educational background includes a Juris Doctor degree from Western State University College of Law, mediation training from Pepperdine University School of Law, Straus Institute, and post-doctoral coursework at Chapman University, Fowler School of Law.

In summary, Richard is a dedicated attorney with a wealth of experience in estate and business planning, mediation, and tribal law, and his commitment to his clients and community is truly commendable.

Taylor Holstrom achieved his Juris Doctorate from Western State College of Law, where he graduated with honors, cum laude. Before entering the legal arena, he pursued his education at Pennsylvania State University, where he excelled on a Division-I ice hockey scholarship and earned a nomination for the esteemed Hobey Baker Award. Taylor proudly holds two Bachelor of Science degrees from Penn State—one in Economics and another in Energy, Business, and Finance.

Hailing from a lineage of distinguished family law practitioners, Taylor’s roots run deep in the legal profession. His father, Dayn Holstrom, serves as the founding partner of Holstrom, Block + Parke (HBP), the parent law firm of Sandoval Legacy Group. Taylor’s sister, Kristen Holstrom, stands as a Certified Family Law Specialist, Super Lawyer, and a partner, contributing her expertise from the Corona office of HBP.

Taylor’s legal practice centers around crafting comprehensive estate plans, encompassing trusts and wills, navigating the probate process for decedent estates, handling spousal property petitions, Heggstad petitions, conducting trust administrations, and offering overall inheritance planning. Taylor effectively serves his clientele across various offices, including Newport Beach, Riverside, Corona, and San Diego.

Beyond his legal pursuits, Taylor finds joy in spending cherished moments with his wife, indulging in hockey and golf, and exploring hiking trails. He also relishes seeking out novel destinations and embarking on adventures alongside his loyal companion, Archie the dog.

A Southern California native, C L Farrell joined the Sandoval Legacy Group in 2023. Backed with five years of general civil law practice as an associate attorney for a San Bernardino AV-rated law firm, C L established her Inland Empire civil law practice, serving estate planning, trust and estate planning, administration and litigation needs of small businesses, families, and individuals. Meticulous, C L also assists clients with enforcing civil judgments, drafting and reviewing contracts including a variety of real property transactions.

Trained in alternate dispute resolution, C L serves as a mediator of probate, trusts, and estate disputes for the Riverside County Bar Association Dispute Resolution Services. She has served as past Chair and an Arbitrator of the San Bernardino County Bar Association’s Fee Arbitration Program and as Judge Pro Tem for the San Bernardino County Superior Court in Family Law and Small Claims. She has mediated civil law disputes assigned by the San Bernardino County Superior Court.

C L completed undergraduate studies in English Literary Criticism & Theory at San Francisco State University in 1979. As a law student at Golden Gate University School of Law in San Francisco, California, she law clerked for established AV-rated Bay Area civil law firms and served as Reference Law Librarian at the Golden Gate University Law Library. In 1982, C L was awarded a Juris Doctor degree. She joined the San Bernardino County Law Library in 1985 as Head of Reference and conducted computerized legal research and training for attorneys and the public.

In 2009, C L co-created the University of California, Riverside Extension Professional Fiduciary Management Certificate Program (now Fiduciary Management Certificate Program). She served as an Advisory Board Member and Instructor for the program, training students to effectively manage the personal and financial affairs of those unable to do so. The curriculum readies students to pass the rigorous National and California Professional Fiduciary Exams required to become California Licensed Professional Fiduciaries.

In 2010, C L founded the Osborne-Whelan Endowed Rugby Academic Scholarship administered by University of California Hastings College of the Law in San Francisco, California. She serves as Chair of its Advisory Committee.

C L enjoys traveling throughout Ireland, Scotland, and Portugal; studying Irish Gaelic; conducting genealogical research; sailing; and, chasing the Aurora Borealis.