Sacramento California Business, Tax, and Estate Planning Attorneys

What to Expect When You Work With Our Firm

Uncommon knowledge. Attorney John Goralka is certified by the State Bar of California's Board of Legal Specialization in two key areas: Taxation Law and Estate Planning, Trust, and Probate Law. Only a handful of approximately 100 lawyers within the state have earned these dual certifications.

Communication. We put people first and treat our clients like family. In fact, we have many clients who have been represented by our firm for over 20 years and across the first, second, and third generations. When you work with us, you'll get the personalized attention you deserve.

Trust. We are committed to helping our clients achieve their goals—even when others have said that a problem can't be solved. You can count on us to provide a realistic assessment of the challenges you're facing and the steps you'll need to take to turn your dreams into a reality.

Hear How We’ve Helped Families & Business Owners Just Like You

I worked with John Goralka in setting up a legal structure for my business. His knowledge and suggestions regarding which structure I needed were spot on target. I was very happy with how he worked with me and the patience to deal with my endless questions! Why is that important? He billed me one price for the whole setting up and didn't charge extra when I called with yet another question or concern. He doesn't nickel and dime you for everything which is as nice as it gets from an attorney. I was so satisfied that I ended up having him work on a personal trust for me. Again, he was very patient in making sure I understood the ins and outs of what I was trying to do. His guidance and expertise made the process of getting things set up a relatively easy process. His price structure was also fair and didn't have little add-ons here and there. Very fair and reasonable. I also honestly feel like he actually cares about me as a client AND a person. He shows by his demeanor and actions that he is vested in doing the best that he can for me as my attorney. I will continue to use John for as long as he will have me as a client! Tabias C.

John Goralka Law Firm is a fabulous choice if you need creative estate trust and/or tax law advice. John is trained to work with the highest level of Estate Trust complexity and strives to be a loyal advisor. John is very current and up to date with the ever-changing rule and laws governing Estate Trust and Taxation Law. John is surrounded by a great staff starting with his very knowledgeable Assistant Maegan who is always quick to serve and can get John's ear during a busy day. You will be in the hands of a highly professional Law Firm if you choose the Goralka Law Firm. Phillip T.

I have been working with John for 30+ years. During that time he has provided several services to me and my family that include sales of business, merger, several business acquisitions, probate, estate planning, will, living trust, and a great source for questions regarding tax law. John has been very responsive to my needs making me feel like he worked directly for me and my own private attorney. I would highly recommend John and his team and will continue to use them for years to come. Ray R.

I've worked with John for a couple decades now. He's a great guy and does a great job. I've used his services for personal and business services. He has done company formations, some litigation, and estate planning work for me through the years. I feel comfortable recommending him to people with legal needs in his areas of expertise. Richard C.

I have known John Goralka for almost 10 years, when he helped me with a tricky international sale of business assets involving intellectual property. A few years ago, my wife and I remembered he also did trust work, and contacted him again. It turned out that he's known as one of the experts and innovators in the trust field, and helped create a very flexible family trust for us. He and his staff are very professional and do high quality work, and have our complete confidence. David F.

Based in Sacramento, We Provide the Help You Need to Reach Your Business, Tax, and Estate Planning Goals

At The Goralka Law Firm, we think outside the box. Our founder, Estate Planning and Tax Attorney, John Goralka, started the firm in 1996 in Sacramento, CA as a single father with two young children—an experience that has given him a deep understanding of the creativity, hard work, and sacrifice necessary to turn dreams into reality.

Today, our extensive knowledge of Business, Tax, and Estate Planning matters provides us with the ability to deliver unique solutions to our clients' needs, in Sacramento and throughout California, instead of relying on a quick Band-Aid fix that will eventually cause more problems than it solves. Here's a small sample of some of the successes we've achieved for our clients:

For a client with an $88 million estate holding substantial income producing real property, we were able to provide a plan to transfer real property worth over $50 million out of his estate for estate tax purposes. In addition, only 3% of the value of the real estate was reassessed for property tax purposes, and the client receives approximately 84% of the net income from the property for life. The client retained control over the $50 million in property interests through control of the business entity and the Trust holding the property interests. The property tax on the properties was not reassessed upon the client’s death as would otherwise be required. This provided a higher return on investment for these income producing properties.
Clients holding income-producing real estate valued at approximately $12 million received a step-up in income tax basis upon the death of their mother. During their mother's lifetime, the real property was transferred to an Upstream Basis Trust. This trust is designed to provide a basis step-up by including the property in the mother's estate for estate tax purposes. A basis step-up means that the properties can now be sold with virtually no capital gains tax. For properties that are not sold, the depreciable basis is increased to the fair market value as of the date of death, resulting in higher depreciation deductions and an increased return on investment. The clients were actively involved in managing these properties. This allows them to retire from property management activities without incurring high tax costs upon the sale of the properties. This is a transformational change for these clients, as they can now improve their daily enjoyment of life. Previously, they did not see a way to retire without facing significant tax costs, which could have been one-third or more of the property value in California and federal income tax on the sale proceeds.
Saved our client approximately $1 million in tax, penalties and interest on a $2.9 million payment for deferred compensation and retirement payments. The California Franchise Tax Board asserted those funds were taxable, even after our client moved from California to Colorado. After an 18 month battle, The Goralka Law Firm was able to establish that Federal Law precluded California from taxing these funds because my client was now a Colorado resident. The California Franchise Tax Board withdrew its notice as a result of the appeal and protest.
Implemented a tax savings plan for a lottery winner with a $2,500,000 investment, providing income tax deductions of over $1,700,000, a tax savings of nearly $900,000, income for life (with investment control on $1,500,000), and a remainder of over $1,100,000 income tax-free in 10 years (with investment control during the 10-year period).
Reinstated an inherited IRA as a tax-deferred retirement account after the client inadvertently transferred the securities from a qualified account to a non-qualified taxable account. The reinstatement was completed more than two (2) years after the withdrawal. As a result, we successfully appealed the assessment of additional Federal and California Income Tax of over $450,000.
Obtaining a $2,750,000 estate tax refund upon filing an amended or supplemental estate tax return ( IRS Form 706) that was sustained after an IRS audit. The original estate tax return was prepared by an experienced estate planning firm that represented the family for many years. The Goralka Law Firm was able to identify other reporting methods and additional deductions that provided the family a $2,750,000 estate tax savings, a transformational result.
Successfully administered over 1,000 trusts for clients that passed away.
Expertly designed and implemented over 2,500 estate plans avoiding probate; continuing core family values and goals; better protecting the clients’ children and loved ones from divorce, lawsuits, and creditor claims; and minimizing income and estate tax.
Established an asset protection plan for the owner of a number of restaurants in the Los Angeles area protecting personal assets and investment from a claim of over $1,000,000 related to one (1) restaurant.
Successfully negotiated an “as is” stock sale of a combined group of construction companies for approximately $12,000,000.
Established a Medi-Cal Asset Protection Trust for a client to protect an apartment complex worth over $1,000,000.
In a multi-state tax appeal with the California Franchise Tax Board, we successfully resolved the appeal and received a judgment against the Franchise Tax Board for our fees.
Created a Premarital Agreement, Financial Confidentiality Agreement, and Separate Property Asset Protection Trust for the son of third-generation family business owners. Years later, while the son was a resident of Texas, the Premarital Agreement was challenged in court. After a full trial, the Premarital Agreement was fully respected, and all the family business assets were protected. The judge, in his ruling, complimented our client on the thoroughness, and specificity of the Premarital Agreement and the related legal instruments.

None of us can predict what the future will hold, but our firm will provide the support you need to make informed decisions about the best way to reach your goals. Whether you're seeking to lower taxes on lottery winnings, create a trust to leave a lasting legacy for your loved ones, or expand a family-owned business, we can help. Contact us today in our Sacramento Estate and Tax Planning office, whether you are in Sacramento or anywhere in Califonia, to get started.

Sacramento Business, Tax, and Estate Planning Resources