About John M. Goralka

Professional Specialties

Income Tax and Estate Tax Planning

Tax Litigation Controversy

Trusts

Asset Protection Planning and Implementation

Business and Corporate Law

Shareholder and Business Buy/Sell Agreements for Estate Planning & Business Continuation Purposes

Estate Planning

Probate and Trust Administration

Sales of Businesses and Real Property

Qualifications

Certified Specialist in Estate Planning, Trusts and Probate Law by the State Bar of California, Board of Legal Specialization

Certified Specialist in Taxation Law by the State Bar of California, Board of Legal Specialization

Former Hearing Officer and Income Tax Auditor, Franchise Tax Board, California

Passed the California Certified Public Accountants' (CPA’s) Exam

Approved Educator - California Department of Insurance

Approved Educator - California Certificated Financial Planning Board

Blue Star Wealth Professional

Awards

Distinguished Client Service Award - Martindale-Hubbell 2014-2022

2016-2022 Northern California Super Lawyer for Estate Planning & Probate, Tax, and Business Law

2016-2022 Sacramento Magazine Top Lawyer for Business & Corporate Law

Rated AV preeminent by Martindale-Hubbell

10.0 Rating with Avvo.com

Recognized as a top attorney in the United States by US News & World Reports for Taxation and Estate Planning

Recognized as a top taxation attorney in the United States by Premier Tax Planners

Author

California Tax Lawyer, August, 1992 – "Can the Service Partner Finally Go Back To Work?"

Nationally recognized author with articles regularly appearing in Kiplinger, NASDAQ.com, On Wall Street, The American Journal of Managed Care, Penton: Wealth Management, Yahoo Finance, Leimburg, ThinkAdvisor and Hospital Impact

Co-Author

Family Limited Partnerships in Estate Planning and Asset Protection, "Maximize the Use of Family Limited Partnerships in Estate Planning" and "Sort Through the Complex Rules Regarding the taxation of Family Limited Partnerships," August 2008

Estate Planning Basics, "Estate and Gift Taxes" and "Charitable Planning," August 2008

Fundamental Probate Procedures and Practices, "Inventory & Appraisal," May 2008

Estate and Gift Taxes, "Estate, Gift and GST Taxes," January 2008

Estate Planning Basics, "Basic Taxes You Need to be Aware Of," January 2008

The Probate Process for California Paralegals: From Start to Finish, 2003 and 2004

A Practical Guide to Estate Administration in California, 1992 and 1993

Education

California State University of Sacramento, B.S. Accounting

McGeorge School of Law, J.D. with distinction, Class Rank – 4th

McGeorge School of Law, L.L.M. Taxation

Academic Achievements

American Jurisprudence Awards in Torts and Business Planning

Corpus Juris Secundum Award For Making the Most Outstanding Contribution to Legal Scholarship (1985 and 1988)

Order of the Coif

Prentice-Hall Outstanding Tax Student Award

Traynor Society Award for Academic Achievement

Member

Former member of Board of Directors, Sacramento Estate Planning Council

Former Education Chair, Sacramento Estate Planning Council Sacramento County and California Bar Associations

National Association of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA)

Wealth Counsel

California Advocates for Nursing Home Reform (CANHR)

 

Awards

Reviews for John M.

Have you consulted or hired this lawyer?

Leave a review about your experience with this lawyer.

Write a Review

Overall Rating
Showing 1-10 of 36 client reviews from Lawyers.com
Lawyers.com Rating Snapshot
5 stars
86%
4 stars
11%
3 stars
0%
2 stars
0%
1 star
3%
What do people say on Lawyers.com?
Communication
4.9
Quality of Service
4.9
Responsiveness
4.9
Value for Money
4.8
Trusts and Estates
Posted by anonymous
June 25, 2015
Hired Attorney

Very informative and helpful with all aspects of my Trust. A great staff that knows how to help me with all my questions. I do recommend him to people.

Trusts and Estates
Posted by anonymous
May 21, 2015
Hired Attorney

My husband and I have wanted to set up a Living Trust for many years, but never did it because we didn’t have the slightest idea how to do that. I found Mr. Goralka’s site on the internet and was immediately impressed. My entire family attended his Estate Planning Seminar and we started the process shortly afterwards. We now have an iron-clad Family Revokable Trust in place and I can rest easy that our wishes will be carried out when the time comes.

 
Trusts and Estates
Posted by anonymous
April 12, 2015
Hired Attorney

Very personable, information in layman terms so we understood what he was advising and why.

Trusts and Estates
Posted by anonymous
March 19, 2015
Hired Attorney

I needed assistance to resolve concerns I had with completing a claimants statement to recover funds from my deceased Mother's annuity. When I called John's Office I explained that I was on a short deadline and needed someone who could help me expeditiously. Mr. Gloralka's office staff was courteous, professional and efficient. Mr. Gloralka was extremely helpful in providing answers to the questions I had on options and completing the form required. I intend to have him do my trust.

 
Trusts and Estates
Posted by anonymous
March 11, 2015
Hired Attorney

DESTRESS AND QUIT PROCRASTINATING. LET JOHN DO IT!!{para}I made my initial assessment of John Goralka Law Firm while watching a segment on Sac & Co. I was sufficiently impressed with his interview presentation that I made an appointment to attend a group seminar (presentation followed by questions from attendees) at Sun City, Roseville. In a limited amount of time, a very well informed, rapid-talking professional left little doubt in my mind that he was just the person to take care of our estate planning needs.
John and his excellent staff prepared a restatement of our trust and an IRA Inheritance trust as well as a will and advance health care directives and durable power of attorney-basically everything we needed to do to make sure our wishes are carried out as we planned.
After the paperwork is all signed, they make sure you know what to do with everything you have, and also an instruction manual for your successor trustee. John lets you know that he will be there to guide them as well. If there are no changes in your situation, he encourages you to come in at least every three years for a review in the event there are any changes in the estate/tax laws that would affect your trust.
We are very confident that we made an excellent choice in John Goralka Law Firm, and would not hesitate to recommend them to anyone needing an attorney with their expertise.

 
Trusts and Estates
Posted by anonymous
February 24, 2015
Hired Attorney

Cutting-edge; thorough and perceptive; excellent staff

Trusts and Estates
Posted by anonymous
August 17, 2014
Hired Attorney

I had an old trust. I went to John for a review. Boy I'm glad I did! Things have really changed for the better with John's help!

Trusts and Estates
Posted by anonymous
August 10, 2014
Hired Attorney

Putting our trust together was a very positive experience that was completed in a timely manner. John clearly knows trusts and taxes and enjoys what he is doing which makes the whole process much more pleasant. John has a great team of professional people that help to make the whole operation run very smoothly.

Trusts and Estates
Posted by anonymous
July 21, 2014
Hired Attorney

We just finished signing the paper work for our living trust and IRA trust. John and his office staff really made the process as easy as it can be. Thank you.

Trusts and Estates
Posted by anonymous
July 04, 2014
Hired Attorney

Always seemed to have our best interests in mind.

Services

Areas of Law

  • Other 9
    • Asset Protection Planning and Implementation
    • Business and Corporate Law
    • Elder Law, Medi-Cal Eligibility Planning
    • Estate Planning and Administration
    • Probate, Conservatorship and Guardianships
    • Sales of Businesses and Real Property
    • Shareholder and Business Buy/Sell Agreements for Estate Planning and Business Continuation Purposes
    • Tax Planning and Tax Litigation Controversy
    • Trusts

Experience

  • Bar Admission & Memberships
    Admissions
    1988, California
    1988, U.S. District Court, Eastern District of California
    U.S. Tax Court
    Memberships
    Sacramento County Bar Association (Member, Business Law, Probate and Estate Planning Sections)
    State Bar of California (Member, Trusts and Estates, Business Law, and Taxation Sections)
    Sacramento Estate Planning Council (Member, Board of Directors)
    National Association of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA).
  • Education & Certifications
    Law School
    McGeorge School of Law, University of the Pacific
    Class of 1989
    LL.M.
    Taxation

    McGeorge School of Law, University of the Pacific
    Class of 1988
    J.D.
    With distinction, Class Rank – 4th
    Other Education
    California State University
    Class of 1986
    B.S. Accounting
    Legal Certifications
    Certified Specialist in Estate Planning, Trusts and Probate Law and Taxation Law, State Bar of California, Board of Legal Specialization

Contact John M. Goralka

Principal at The Goralka Law Firm, P.C.
4.9
127 reviews

4470 Duckhorn DriveSacramento, CA 95834U.S.A.

Show on map
Fax: (916) 440-8038
Office Hours:
  • Monday 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
  • Tuesday 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
  • Wednesday 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
  • Thursday 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
  • Friday 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM

Activity

Legal Community Contributions

Case type is required.
I am is required.
First name is required.
Last name is required.
A valid zip code is required.
Country is required.
State is required.
A valid city is required.
A valid email address is required.
A valid phone number is required.
Message is required.
0/1000 characters

By clicking the Submit button, you agree to the Terms of Use, Supplemental Terms and Privacy Policy. You also consent to be contacted at the phone number you provided, including by autodials, text messages and/or pre-recorded calls, from Lawyers.com and its affiliates and from or on behalf of attorneys you request or contact through this site. Consent is not a condition of purchase.

You should not send any sensitive or confidential information through this site. Emails sent through this site do not create an attorney-client relationship and may not be treated as privileged or confidential. The lawyer or law firm you are contacting is not required to, and may choose not to, accept you as a client. The internet is not necessarily secure and emails sent though this site could be intercepted or read by third parties.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA. See Google’s Privacy Policy and Terms of Service.

Thank you! Your message has been successfully sent.

For your records, a copy of this email has been sent to test@test.com.

Summary of Your Message
Case Type:
I am a/an:
First Name:
Last Name:
City:
Zip Code or Postal Code:
State:
Country:
Phone Number:
Message:

Attorneys FAQs

  • Is this attorney admitted to practice in any U.S. Federal Courts?
    John M. Goralka is admitted to practice before the United States District Court for the Eastern District of California and United States Tax Court.
  • Is this attorney Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review rated?
    Yes, John M. Goralka has a 4.9 Peer Rating from Martindale-Hubbell.
  • Is this attorney Martindale-Hubbell Client Review rated?
    Yes, John M. Goralka has a 4.8 Client Rating from Martindale-Hubbell.
  • Does this attorney accept major credit cards?
    Yes, John M. Goralka will accept American Express, MasterCard, Discover and Visa.
  • What law school did this attorney attend?
    John M. Goralka attended McGeorge School of Law, University of the Pacific and McGeorge School of Law, University of the Pacific.