Practice Areas: Estate Planning, Trust, Probate Law and Litigation
Stuart G. Schmidt has over 20 years of experience as an estate planning attorney. As head of the Estate Planning, Trust and Probate practice group at Sweeney Mason LLP, he counsels individuals and families on their wealth and succession planning. For most of us, the fundamental estate plan with a revocable living trust, will, power of attorney and healthcare directive is the most important to put into place. Stuart also guides trustees and executors through the complexities of post-death administration of trusts and probate estates. He has been certified as a specialist in Estate Planning, Trust and Probate Law by the California State Bar, Board of Legal Specialization since 2001. This designation is held by fewer than 3% of California estate planning attorneys.
After graduating from McGeorge School of Law in 1997 as No. 6 in his class and being admitted to the Order of the Coif, a nationally recognized honor society, Stuart obtained an LL.M. degree (Master of Laws) from Golden Gate University.
Stuart has planned thousands of individual estates and has administered hundreds of estates and trusts. Although Stuart often assists his clients in resolving trust and probate disputes of all types, he particularly enjoys the planning process when the entire family, with multiple generations, becomes involved. Stuart brings creative and cutting edge techniques to the planning process and also a sensitivity to the personal and family issues involved in the process. His skills as a clear communicator make complicated estate planning concepts and strategies understandable to his clients.
Stuart was raised in Los Altos Hills and is the second youngest of nine children. He understands family dynamics, which makes him well suited for assisting clients in planning and implementing their estate plans. Stuart lives in Los Altos Hills with his wife and three children. He enjoys spending time with his family, as well as snow skiing, bicycling and traveling.