1-415-651-0407

Joel R. bendtsen Esq.

 

Joel R. bendtsen Esq. practice encompasses estate planning, administration of estates and trusts, solving disputes regarding estates and trust, tax planning and tax controversy, and creation and administration of closely held companies.

Mr. Handy is certified by the State Bar of California as a specialist in estate planning, probate and trust law and has the background of having practiced as a Certified Public Accountant (retired CPA).  Mr. Handy’s experience with fiduciary matters and tax matters enhances all aspects of his estate and trust practice.

Mr. Handy has assisted his clients with estate planning to maximize efficiency in the transfer of assets, provide succession planning for businesses, avoid conservatorships, achieve charitable goals, and to generally provide the peace of mind that comes with seeing one’s goals reflected in his or her estate plan.

A significant portion of Mr. Handy’s practice is working with seasoned litigators to resolve estate and trust controversies.

Planning for minimization of income and estate taxes, as well as resolution of income and estate tax matters is a critical part of Mr. Handy’s practice.

Memberships

  • Past Chair of the Los Angeles County Bar Association, Trusts and Estates Section for the 2010-2011 years
  • California Bar Association; Tax Section and Trusts and Estates Section
  • Prior Steering Committee Member, on the Estate Planning Committee of the California Society of Certified Public Accountants, Los Angeles Chapter
  • Prior Steering Committee Member, for the State Chapter of the Estate Planning Committee of the California Society of Certified Public Accountants

Special Notes

  • California Certified Public Accountant (Retired)
  • 2011-2023 “Super Lawyers” List: Southern California Super Lawyers

Presentations

  • Tax Planning for Trusts and Estates”– Co-Presenter — National Business Institute — January 27, 2015
  • “Estate Planning After ATRA — A Quick Review” — Co-Presenter –  CSCPA Estate Planning Committee, Los Angeles — February 13, 2013 and CSCPA San Fernando Valley Discussion Group — February 26, 2013
  • “2011 Los Angeles County Bar Association Trusts and Estates Symposium: Probate Court Procedure – Litigation and Nonlitigation” Program Chair and Panelist — September 23, 2011
  • “Program Moderator for the Annual CSCPA Meeting with the IRS” — February 1999 through February of 2013
  • “Planning for Non-Taxable Estates” Co-Presenter — CSCPA Estate Planning Committee, Los Angeles — June 9, 2010
  • “2010 Los Angeles County Bar Association Trusts & Estates Symposium: Trust Administration and Funding of Sub-Trusts upon the Death of the First Spouse” Panelist, January 29, 2010
  • “Drafting Effective Wills and Trusts” — Co-Presenter — National Business Institute — May 2008
  • “Advanced Estate Planning” Co-Presenter — CSCPA, Costa Mesa — February 28, 2007
  • “Distributions to Beneficiaries:  Real World Challenges” Co-Presenter) — CSCPA Estate Planning Committee, Los Angeles — January 11, 2006
  • “Practical Aspects of Practicing Law for New Attorneys — Probate:  An Introduction” Co-Presenter) — Beverly Hills Bar Association — Summer 2004, 2005, and 2006
  • “Ten Things You Should Know About Community Property” Co-Presenter) — CSCPA Estate Planning Committee, Los Angeles — June 9, 2004
  • “Avoiding Surcharge Removal and Sleepless Nights:  What Every Trustee Should Know” — presented to invited fiduciaries at Reish Luftman Reicher & Cohen — June 2003
  • “Basic Estate Planning:  The Nuts and Bolts of Estate Planning” — CSCPA Estate Planning Committee, Los Angeles — June 11, 2003
  • “101 (or More) Things the CPA Should Look for in the Living Trust While Preparing the 706 and 1041” (co-presenter) — CSCPA Estate Planning Committee, Los Angeles — June 2002
  • “Property Tax Considerations in Estate Planning” — CSCPA Estate Planning Committee, Los Angeles — 2001
  • “The Probate Process From Start to Finish” (co-presenter) — National Business Institute — May 2001
  • “Estate Planning and Probate for the Paralegal/Legal Assistant” — Institute for Paralegal Education — April 1999
  • “Estate Planning for the Small Estate” — CSCPA Estate Planning Committee, Los Angeles — October 20, 1999
  • “Hot Topics in Estate Tax Return Preparation” (co-presenter) — CSCPA Estate Planning Committee, Orange County Chapter — August 27, 1997

Publications

  • “Trusty Trustees:  What Every Trustee Should Know About California Law” — California CPA — March / April 2005
  • “Last Chance to Terminate or Convert Split Dollar Insurance Arrangements Before the Expiration of Safe Harbor” — Business Advisor Report (a publication of Reish Luftman Reicher & Cohen) — November 2003
  • “Avoidance Avenues:  Transferring Assets After Death Without Probate” (co-author) — Business Advisor Report — July 2001
  • “Estate Tax Concerns for Family Limited Partnerships” — California CPA — 2001
  • “529 Plans Receive Welcome Boost Under 2001 Tax Act” — Business Advisor Report — October 2001
  • “Make That QPRT Be All It Can Be” — Business Advisor Report — December 2000
  • “New Opportunities in Amending Irrevocable Trusts” — Business Advisor Report — May 2000
  • “Trusts:  When Irrevocable Does Not Mean Irrevocable” — Business Advisor Report — November 1998
  • “Should Clients Use a CUTMA Account to Save for Their Children’s Education?” — Business Advisor Report — November 1999
  • “Private Letter Ruling Removes Uncertainty for Tax Issues” — Business Advisor Report — April 1999
  • “Property Tax” — Business Advisor Report — July 1998
  • “Skip a Generation and Skip the Tax” — Business Advisor Report — July 1998