Thomas E. Rossmeissl

Thomas E. Rossmeissl

Law Office of Thomas E. Rossmeissl
  • Estate Planning, Probate
  • California
Badges
Claimed Lawyer ProfileQ&ASocial Media
Biography

I am a Certified Specialist in Estate Planning, Trust and Probate Law by the State Bar of California Board of Specialization. My focus is on estate planning, trust and estate administration, and trust and estate litigation. I help individuals and families who face serious legal situations, and I help bring them solutions and peace of mind. My goal is to help clients gain the peace of mind that comes with taking care of their families, to help clients navigate through the challenges of trust and estate administration, and to zealously represent clients in litigation to seek the best available result.

Education
Georgetown University Law Center
J.D. (1990) | Law
-
Honors: magna cum laude, Order of the Coif
Georgetown University Law Center Logo
University of California - Davis
B.A. (1984) | Psychology
-
Honors: summa cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa
University of California - Davis Logo
Professional Experience
Owner
Law Office of Thomas E. Rossmeissl
- Current
Attorney at law, practicing estate planning, trust and estate administration, and trust and estate litigation.
Partner
Terra Law LLP
-
Attorney at law focused on estate planning, trust and estate administration, trust and estate litigation, and some business litigation.
Staff Attorney (judicial law clerk)
United States Federal Court
-
Judicial staff attorney (law clerk) to United States District Judge Ronald M. Whyte
Trusts and Estates Attorney
Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman
-
Estate planning and trust and estate administration attorney working with high net worth clients.
Regional Trust Manager
Wells Fargo Private Bank
-
Regional Trust Manager for Palo Alto Region of Wells Fargo Private Bank, responsible for managing a team of wealth management professionals who provide and plan estate planning and wealth management strategies for high net worth clients.
Trusts and Estates Attorney
Mount & Stoelker
-
Estate planning and administration attorney; estate litigation attorney.
Staff Attorney (judicial law clerk)
United States District Court
-
Judiical Staff Attorney for United States District Judge Ronald M. Whyte
Attorney
Skjerven Morrill LLP
-
Intellectual property litigation attorney
Attorney
Rosenblum Parish & Isaacs
-
Business litigation attorney
Atttorney
Kirkland & Ellis LLP
-
Business litigation attorney
Publications
Articles & Publications
Estate Administration (chapter in publication)
PLC Cross-Border Private Client Handbook
Certifications
Certified Specialist in Estate Planning, Trust and Probate Law
State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization
Awards
SuperLawyer
SuperLawyers.com
AV-Preeminent
Martindale-Hubbell
Order of the Coif
Georgetown University Law Center
Phi Kappa Phi
Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society
Psi Chi
Psi Chi National Honor Society
Phi Beta Kappa
Phi Beta Kappa
Professional Associations
State Bar of California  # 150384
Member
Current
Placeholder image for professional associations.
Silicon Valley Bar Association
Trustee
- Current
Activities: Board of Trustees member
Placeholder image for professional associations.
Santa Clara County Bar Association
Member
- Current
Placeholder image for professional associations.
Jurisdictions Admitted to Practice
California
Placeholder image for jurisdictions.
9th Circuit
Placeholder image for jurisdictions.
Fees
  • Credit Cards Accepted
Practice Areas
Estate Planning
Guardianship & Conservatorship Estate Administration, Health Care Directives, Trusts, Wills
Probate
Probate Administration, Probate Litigation, Will Contests
Languages
  • English: Spoken, Written
Legal Answers
Q. Hi I’m in California my dad passed he is married but not to my mom. He didn’t have a will or trust.
A: You should consult with an attorney near you for advice. If your father had no will or trust, then there is a possibility that you are a beneficiary to a portion of his estate. Under California's law of intestacy, the community property will pass to the surviving spouse, and any "separate property" will be divided between the surviving spouse and the deceased person's children. That said, sometimes property and accounts are held in such a way that they will pass automatically to a surviving co-owner. Your best bet is to consult with an experienced trusts an estates attorney near you, and bring with you as much information as you can gather regarding the nature of your father's assets and how they were titled at his death. ... Read More
Q. In Calif, doesthe executor of a living trust have to be a resident of Calif
A: An executor is the person who will administer a will through probate. A trustee is who will administer the trust. There is no restriction on who can serve as trustee, and an executor of the estate does not have to be a resident of California.

If the estate is going through probate and a non-California resident is the executor, he may be required to post a fiduciary bond before being appointed to administer an estate.
Q. My spouse and I had a simple (restated) spousal trust designed to continue. She died, do I need a new Cert. of Trust?
A: If there has been a change in the trust name, or a change in the trustee, you will likely need a new certification off trust. The attorney who assisted you should be able to prepare it fairly easily. The other option is to complete whatever certification forms provided by the financial institutions themselves.
View More Answers
Websites & Blogs
Website
Contact & Map
Law Office of Thomas E. Rossmeissl
16450 Los Gatos Boulevard
Suite 108
Los Gatos, CA 95032
Telephone: (408) 883-3520