
Robert Paul Bergman, Estate Planning Attorney in San Jose, California
Over 46 years of legal practice · focused on Estate Planning, General, and Health Care · 4.8/5 rating from 1 verified client review
Attorney and Counselor at LawatLaw Offices of Robert P. Bergman
San Jose, CA
Practicing estate planning in San Jose since 1980.
- 46+
- Years practicing
- 4.8 ★
- 1 client review
- 2
- Bar admissions
Are you Robert Paul Bergman?
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Quick answer
Robert Paul Bergman is an attorney and counselor at law based in San Jose, CA. The practice focuses on Estate Planning, General, and Health Care. Robert has over 46 years of legal experience. Currently practicing at Law Offices of Robert P. Bergman. Rated 4.8 out of 5 from 1 client review.
- Based in
- San Jose, CA
- Experience
- over 46 years
- Known for
- Estate Planning · General · Health Care
- Handles Estate Planning, General, and Health Care matters from San Jose, CA.
- Over 46 years of practice as a licensed attorney.
- Recognized with Peer Reviewed.
About Robert Paul Bergman: Robert Paul Bergman is an attorney and counselor at law based in San Jose, CA. The practice focuses on Estate Planning, General, and Health Care. Robert has over 46 years of legal experience. Currently practicing at Law Offices of Robert P. Bergman. Rated 4.8 out of 5 from 1 client review.
Areas of practice
Legal matters Robert takes on
Robert concentrates on estate planning, general, health care, poa, and probate. Each area below outlines the kind of case Robert handles, typical outcomes to expect, and how the intake process starts.
Estate Planning
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General
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Health Care
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POA
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Probate
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Trusts
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Wills
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Animal Law
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Estate Planning cases in San Jose, California
Robert takes estate planning matters in San Jose, California. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before Robert agrees to represent you.
General cases in San Jose, California
Robert takes general matters in San Jose, California. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before Robert agrees to represent you.
Health Care cases in San Jose, California
Robert takes health care matters in San Jose, California. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before Robert agrees to represent you.
POA cases in San Jose, California
Robert takes poa matters in San Jose, California. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before Robert agrees to represent you.
Probate cases in San Jose, California
Robert takes probate matters in San Jose, California. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before Robert agrees to represent you.
Biography
Meet Robert Paul Bergman — estate planning lawyer in San Jose
Robert Paul Bergman is an attorney and counselor at law based in San Jose, CA. The practice focuses on Estate Planning, General, and Health Care. Robert has over 46 years of legal experience. Currently practicing at Law Offices of Robert P. Bergman. Rated 4.8 out of 5 from 1 client review.
I'm estate planning Attorney Bob Bergman. I have been practicing in the San Francisco Bay Area since 1980. I am a Board-Certified Specialist in Estate Planning, Trust and Probate Law, as certified by the State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization. My law practice is exclusively devoted to estate planning for individuals and couples, with and without children, who wish to avoid Conservatorship well they are alive and Probate after death.
In addition to estate planning, I handle Probate and trust administration matters. I also have a statewide practice in two specialty Probate Court trust petitions. The first is the Heggstad petition, which is designed to get loose assets into somebody's trust after they have died. I have a dedicated website that describes how I assist attorneys and families throughout the State of California. It is www.heggstadhelp.com.
I also go to court to modify existing irrevocable trusts in order to accomplish income tax planning and also make modifications that may permit inheritance to be passed into trust for a beneficiary rather than outright in order to protect the inheritance further. I also have a dedicated website for this type of petition called www.irrevocabletrustdoctor.com.
I had originally planned to be a high school history teacher, but my disillusionment with the teaching methods being taught in college lead me to switch to go law school instead at Santa Clara Law School. I'm glad I made the switch, even though I still teach as an attorney with the seminars and webinars that I offer as well as continuing education that I have conducted for other estate planning attorneys.
I truly enjoy what I do as an attorney, and I especially enjoy that I have helped hundreds of families over the years with avoiding Conservatorship and Probate and assisting with the orderly transfer of family wealth from one generation to the next.
I'm very accessible to my clients and prospective clients, so don't be surprised if I return your message to me even in the evening or on a weekend.
Robert's approach to estate planning cases
I'm estate planning Attorney Bob Bergman. I have been practicing in the San Francisco Bay Area since 1980. I am a Board-Certified Specialist in Estate Planning, Trust and Probate Law, as certified by the State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization. My law practice is exclusively devoted to estate planning for individuals and couples, with and without children, who wish to avoid…
Clients Robert works with
Robert reviews new inquiries case-by-case for estate planning, general, and health care matters in San Jose and the surrounding California area.
Credentials
Education, bar admissions, and languages
Santa Clara Law School
J.D. · 1980
De Anza College
A.A. · 1975
Jurisdictions
Robert's state bar admissions
U.S. District Court,
1981 · ACTIVE
California
1980 · ACTIVE
Robert studied at J.D. in Santa Clara Law School and A.A. in De Anza College.
Law school and academic background
Robert completed J.D. in Santa Clara Law School and A.A. in De Anza College. Formal legal training is one signal of substantive knowledge — the day-to-day practice Robert runs in California is where that training gets applied to real client questions.
Recognition
Recognition and thought leadership
Robert has received 1 formal recognition from bar associations, industry bodies, and peer-review services.
Peer Reviewed
Legal awards and honors
Peer Reviewed.
Locations
Robert Paul Bergman's office in San Jose
Robert's primary office is at 3535 Ross Avenue, Suite 200, San Jose, CA, 95124. In-person meetings are by appointment; a phone intake usually comes first.
Law Offices of Robert P. Bergman
3535 Ross Avenue, Suite 200
San Jose, CA 95124
Open in Google MapsClient feedback
Client reviews of Robert Paul Bergman — 4.8/5 rating from 1 verified client review
Every review below is from a verified client of Robert. Reviews cover communication, case outcome, and value — the three signals that matter most when comparing estate planning attorneys in San Jose.
4.8
1 client review
Client ratings are sourced from public records and editorial research. Reviews on LawyersListed are accepted from verified clients once Robert Paul Bergman claims this profile.
Read all reviewsHiring guide
How to hire Robert Paul Bergman — what to expect in your first consultation
Working with a new estate planning attorney should feel structured. Here's how the first two conversations with Robert usually go, from the moment you request a consult to the day representation begins.
Consultation formats and pricing
Robert charges for the initial consult. That fee is credited toward representation if you retain Robert's office.
What to bring to your first meeting
Bring any documents you already have — police reports, medical records, filed pleadings, correspondence from an insurer, a copy of the contract at issue. If you're not sure, err on the side of bringing everything; Robert will tell you what matters and what doesn't.
Questions to ask a estate planning attorney in San Jose, California
A short list to run through before you commit: How many estate planning matters have you handled in the last year? What's your fee structure? Who else in the office will work on this? What's your realistic estimate of timeline and range of outcomes? How do I reach you between meetings?
Fees & payment
Fees, payment methods, and consultation options for Robert
Robert discusses fees during intake so the arrangement fits the matter. Contingency, hourly, and flat-fee options are all common in estate planning practice — ask which fits.
Hourly rates, contingency fees, and flat-fee options
Every estate planning matter is priced differently. Simple document review might be a flat fee. Injury litigation is often contingency. Complex commercial disputes usually run hourly with a retainer. Robert confirms the model in the engagement letter before any work starts.
Payment methods and payment plans
Robert's office accepts standard payment methods. Ask about payment plans if the retainer is a stretch — many estate planning practices work with clients on structured schedules.
Frequently asked
Frequently asked questions about Robert Paul Bergman
How much does it cost to hire Robert for a estate planning case?
Cost depends on the type of matter, the fee model (contingency, flat, hourly), and how contested the case becomes. Robert walks through the likely range during the consult so there are no surprises.
Does Robert offer a free consultation?
Robert charges for the initial consult; that fee is credited toward representation if you retain Robert's office. Some estate planning attorneys offer free consults — check Robert's current terms during booking.
How long do estate planning cases in California typically take?
Simple estate planning matters can wrap in a few weeks; disputed cases can run 6–18 months from intake to resolution, longer if the matter goes to trial. Robert gives a realistic estimate for your facts at the consult — vague answers here are a red flag.
Can Robert take my case if I'm outside San Jose?
Robert is licensed in California. Matters governed by California law are the natural fit. Out-of-state matters are handled case-by-case, sometimes with local co-counsel. Ask during intake — Robert will tell you if the case is a fit or refer you to someone closer to your court.
What should I bring to my first meeting with Robert?
Bring every document that touches the dispute: contracts, correspondence, police or medical reports, filed pleadings, invoices, photographs, insurance letters. Also bring a written timeline of what happened, in your own words. Robert will filter what matters — over-preparing at intake is always cheaper than needing a second meeting.
Is Robert accepting new estate planning clients right now?
Robert's intake status shifts week to week. Submit the form; the office will confirm availability or refer the matter out.
Areas served
Estate Planning attorneys serving San Jose, Los Angeles and San Francisco in California
Robert handles estate planning matters throughout California. Each city below is a direct link into the search page for verified estate planning attorneys in that community.
- San Jose5,009 attorneys
- Los Angeles39,975 attorneys
- San Francisco26,380 attorneys
- San Diego16,903 attorneys
- Sacramento10,561 attorneys
- Irvine6,831 attorneys
- Oakland5,709 attorneys
- Palo Alto4,084 attorneys
- Beverly Hills3,348 attorneys
- Newport Beach3,106 attorneys
- Pasadena2,894 attorneys
- Santa Monica2,756 attorneys
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