Trusted Trust Attorney in San Rafael, CA
From Victorian homes near Gerstle Park to properties within sight of the Mission, San Rafael families have deep roots here. Codi M. Dada helps you protect that history with a living trust that keeps the family out of probate court.
Recognized for Legal Excellence Across San Rafael
Book Your Free 15-Minute Consultation
Ready to protect your assets or need immediate help with a family member’s estate? Use our interactive calendar below to select a date and time that works for you.
Trusted Counsel for San Rafael Families
California Trust Law, Made Clear
A generic trust form may not cover California’s specific rules or the trust issues that can arise for families in Marin County. Working with a trust attorney in San Rafael, CA gives you local legal guidance to help make sure your trust is prepared carefully and reflects your wishes.
Codi M. Dada focuses on trusts and wills, giving San Rafael clients direct legal guidance from start to finish. Whether you live near Gerstle Park or closer to the Civic Center, he takes time to understand your family, assets, and goals before preparing your trust.
Our Practice Areas
From creating your first trust to handling trust and probate matters, we provide clear legal guidance for San Rafael families throughout Marin County.
Estate Planning
As your trust attorney in San Rafael, we help you create living trusts and wills that clearly state your wishes and make asset transfers easier for your family.
Trust Attorney
Serving as a trustee can bring many questions. We guide you through your duties, from working with beneficiaries to managing trust assets and making final distributions.
Probate Administration
When probate is required, we help executors handle the legal process, prepare filings, and meet court requirements with Marin County Superior Court in San Rafael.
Probate Services
Some estates may qualify for a simpler process. We assist with spousal property petitions and small estate transfers when full probate may not be required.
2026 Top 3 Rated Legal Excellence Award
BusinessRate reviews thousands of law firms across California every year, weighing verified Google reviews from actual clients to rank the very best. In 2026, the Law Office of Codi M. Dada earned a spot among the top three.
Clients bring up the same handful of reasons again and again: fast callbacks, plain explanations, and a flat fee that never changes mid-project. San Rafael families say that consistency is what turns a first-time client into someone recommending Codi to their neighbors and coworkers.
Why Choose Codi M. Dada?
A general practice attorney might draft your trust between a custody hearing and a lease dispute. We never do that. San Rafael families choose us because trusts and wills are our entire practice.
Exclusive Estate Focus
Plenty of law offices squeeze estate planning between divorce filings and business contracts, treating it as a side service. We built our practice the opposite way. Trusts and wills are the only work on our desk, so every strategy comes from years of focused experience.
No Hidden Hourly Fees
Hourly billing turns a hard conversation about your own mortality into a running tally you never agreed to. We removed that completely. One flat number, agreed before we start any work, covers your entire plan no matter how many meetings or questions it takes.
Lifetime Support Policy
Life doesn't freeze the day you sign your trust. Homes get refinanced, grandchildren arrive, beneficiaries move away. That's why we welcome every client back for free review sessions anytime, and include one no-cost amendment during your first three months after signing.
Trust Structures We Handle in San Rafael CA
No two families need the same plan, so we help you choose the trust structure that actually fits.
Revocable Living Trusts
You keep full control while living, changing terms anytime you like. When you pass, assets move to the family with no court involved.
Irrevocable Trusts
Assets moved here sit outside your taxable estate, gaining stronger protection from creditors while potentially reducing what your heirs eventually owe.
Special Needs Trusts
A family member with a disability can inherit without losing SSI or Medi-Cal, since this trust covers extras those benefits don't.
Testamentary Trusts
Written into your will instead of standing alone, this trust activates after death and holds assets for children until they're older.
The Danger of an Unfunded Trust
Signing your trust is only half the work. If your home, bank accounts, or investments still carry your name alone, that trust protects nothing, and your family ends up at Marin County Superior Court, right here in San Rafael.
We handle this critical final step for every client, preparing deed transfers, drafting bank letters, and confirming with each institution that titles were actually updated before we close your file.
Our Simple 3-Step Trust Process
We keep the trust process clear and straightforward, so you always know what happens next and what to expect.
Trust Consultation
We start with a free 90-minute conversation about your assets, family, goals, and concerns. This gives Codi a clear picture of your needs before any trust documents are prepared.
Custom Trust Drafting
Codi personally prepares each trust document based on your wishes and California law. He reviews every detail carefully to make sure your trust is clear, complete, and suited to your needs.
Signing & Completion
You sign your completed trust documents in our office with a notary present. You then leave with an organized set of trust documents and clear guidance for the next steps.
Comprehensive Trust Plan
$2,450
One-time flat fee. No hidden billable hours.
-
Complete Revocable Living Trust -
Declaration & Certification of Trust -
Schedule of Trust Assets
-
Written Trust Funding Instructions -
Personalized Trust Review -
Attorney & Notary Signing
What Our Clients Are Saying
EXCELLENT
Based on 98 reviews
Posted on Google![]()
Nancy HybargerApril 6, 2026Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
Codi Dada is everything I needed . Very thorough , his staff were also excellent . I highly recommend him . Thank-you .Posted on Google![]()
Mary RoseMarch 26, 2026Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
Professional, calm, efficient, competent are the words to describe Lukas. He didn’t miss a beat with my transaction. I would recommend him to anyone.Posted on Google![]()
Victoria St johnMarch 26, 2026Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
Codi was amazing if I could give him 10 stars I would! He helped me with my trust and was very patient, informative and very kind. He made the process easy. I highly recommend him!!!Posted on Google![]()
Dave BohlerMarch 25, 2026Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
I'm extremely happy with the trust documents Lukas prepared for me. He was very professional, friendly and patiently explained the documents in detail for me. He answered all of my questions to my toral satisfaction. The entire process was accomplished very quickly and throughly. The cost of the package was, in my opinion, very fair. It was actually a real pleasure meeting and working with Lukas and Daniel to do the final signing to finish off the package.Posted on Google![]()
Laniea McCarthyMarch 17, 2026Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
I met with Lucas today and finalized my Living Trust and Health directive. I was glad to go thru the many pages and clarify all of the documents with Lucas. It made it easier to understand it. Lucas was really patient and also met with the notary which was Daniel Dada. He arrived on time and we got everything signed. I would definitely recommend Codi and Lucas to anyone in the future. Thank you.Posted on Google![]()
Gabriel SternMarch 11, 2026Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
Lucas and Codi first provided clear advice and then proceeded to create a new Grant Deed to replace an existing one that had an error. Done efficiently and quickly. Thanks!Posted on Google![]()
Edgar VegaFebruary 26, 2026Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
I am currently working with Codi M. Dada to handle my late father’s estate. Probate is a long and confusing process, but Codi has been very helpful in getting the paperwork started so I can be named as the administrator of the estate. He is professional, explains the statutory fees under the California Probate Code clearly , and has made a difficult time much easier to navigate. I highly recommend him if you are just starting this process!Posted on Google![]()
Chad CastillaFebruary 4, 2026Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
I couldn’t recommend a better attorney for the probate process. Codi genuinely has the heart of a teacher and makes sure you understand every step from start to finish. He takes the time to walk through everything in plain, easy-to-understand terms, never rushes you, and answers questions thoroughly. His pricing is very reasonable, and the clarity and support he provides throughout the process made a stressful situation feel manageable.Posted on Google![]()
JoeJanuary 30, 2026Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
These guys kicked ass. The upmost professionalism and courtesy. I highly recommend them.Posted on Google![]()
Christina CrocoJanuary 28, 2026Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
Codi was wonderful in helping to prepare a family trust. He is kind, patient, trustworthy, and most importantly, skilled and knowledgeable in all things trust related. He felt more like a friend than a hired professional. I highly recommend reaching out if you are in need of his services.
Frequently Asked Questions
A few common questions San Rafael families ask us often.
What happens if I die without a Living Trust in San Rafael?
Without a trust, California pushes most estates worth more than $239,700 into formal probate, and Marin County's court calendar can stretch that process past a year. Your family covers filing fees and attorney costs throughout, while inherited funds stay frozen until a judge signs off.
Can I change or update my Revocable Trust later?
You remain in complete control of your trust for as long as you're living, adding property, changing beneficiaries, or rewriting terms whenever life shifts. We also include one free amendment during your first three months as a client.
Why hire an attorney instead of online software?
Free software can generate a document in minutes, but it can't confirm your bank accounts were actually retitled correctly. A trust attorney San Rafael families meet with in person catches those funding mistakes before they matter, keeping your plan fully compliant with California law.
Do I need a living trust if I only own one house?
Yes, in nearly every case. San Rafael's average home price sits well above the small estate threshold on its own. Without a trust, that single property can force your entire estate into mandatory, drawn-out probate court.
Serving Every Corner of Marin County
From our base in San Rafael, we serve families in Larkspur, Novato, Mill Valley, and across Marin County.
Trust Attorney Sonoma County
Trust Attorney Petaluma
Trust Attorney Novato
Trust Attorney San Rafael
Trust Attorney San Francisco
Trust Attorney Mill Valley
Trust Attorney Larkspur
Trust Attorney Tiburon
Trust Attorney Rohnert Park
Trust Attorney Vallejo
Protect What Your Family Built
An unprotected estate is a risk you can fix today. Book your free strategy session now and give your San Rafael family real peace.