Law office of Andrew Kern

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Law office of Andrew Kern Attorney practicing Estate Planning (Wills & Trusts), Bankruptcy, and Workers Compensation I have been an attorney for 30 years.

I practice in the following areas: Wills, Trusts, Probate (Estate Planning); Bankruptcy; Tax Debts, including levies, liens, and wage garnishments; and Worker's Compensation. My aim is giving you all available information necessary enabling you to proceed properly with your particular issue and situation. The Law Office of Andrew Kern serves the counties of Sonoma, Marin, Napa, San Francisco, and Contra Costa. I focus on each individual client's needs and issues. I understand that when people retain an attorney they want to either solve a problem and/or need to put their affairs in order in the most effective possible way. I will respond to your calls promptly and answer your questions so that you feel comfortable working with me.

💸 What does a will contest actually cost? More than most families think.A quick settlement: $5,000–$15,000A fully contes...
09/18/2026

💸 What does a will contest actually cost? More than most families think.

A quick settlement: $5,000–$15,000
A fully contested case: $25,000–$50,000+ per side
Combined legal costs: can top $100,000
Timeline: 12–24 months, with the estate frozen the entire time

And that's before counting the cost to family relationships — which often never fully recover.

The best defense is proper planning now. The Law Office of Andrew Kern helps Petaluma and Sonoma County families draft wills and trusts built to hold up under pressure.

📞 Call (707) 658-4602 to protect your family's future.

⚖️ Can a no-contest clause really stop you from challenging a will?Sometimes — but not always. California law protects c...
09/11/2026

⚖️ Can a no-contest clause really stop you from challenging a will?

Sometimes — but not always. California law protects certain challenges even if there's a no-contest clause in place, including claims based on:

🧠 Lack of mental capacity
😟 Undue influence
📝 Fraud or forgery
✍️ Improper ex*****on (missing signatures/witnesses)
📄 A later will that revoked the one in question

If your concern falls into one of these categories, you may be able to challenge the will without losing your inheritance.

The Law Office of Andrew Kern helps Sonoma County families understand exactly where they stand.

📞 Call (707) 658-4602 for a consultation.

Most pet owners forget one thing: a legal plan for their pet after they're gone.Your will says nothing about your belove...
09/04/2026

Most pet owners forget one thing: a legal plan for their pet after they're gone.

Your will says nothing about your beloved dog, cat, or horse.

California law (Probate Code §15200-15209) allows pet trusts, but most people don't have one.

Without a pet trust:

❌ Your pet goes to whoever steps forward (not necessarily who you'd choose)
❌ No money set aside for care
❌ Your pet might end up in a shelter
❌ Caregiver has no legal obligation to use funds for your pet

With a pet trust:

✅ You name a caregiver (trusted person)
✅ Set aside money ($10K-$100K depending on pet type)
✅ Trust is legally binding
✅ Money only goes to your pet's care
✅ Caregiver has legal duty to follow your wishes

Costs:
$500-$1,500 for standalone pet trust
$200-$500 added to existing trust

Your pet can't inherit money directly. But a trust can.

Your pet deserves this protection.

📞 Free consultation: (707) 658-4602
Learn more: kernlawoffice.com/pet-trust-california



⚖️ ADVERTISEMENT: This is attorney advertising. No attorney-client relationship
created by this post. Contact us for a consultation: (707) 658-4602

🐶 A pet trust is simpler — and more affordable — than most people think.Here's how it works:✅ Name a primary caregiver (...
09/04/2026

🐶 A pet trust is simpler — and more affordable — than most people think.

Here's how it works:
✅ Name a primary caregiver (and a backup, just in case)
✅ Name a trustee to manage the funds
✅ Set aside money for food, vet care, boarding — typically $10K–$30K for a dog or cat
✅ It's legally enforceable for your pet's entire life

Attorney fees usually run $500–$1,500, and most pet trusts are ready in 1–2 weeks.

The Law Office of Andrew Kern helps Sonoma County pet owners get this set up the right way.

📞 Call (707) 658-4602 to schedule your consultation.

Learn more at: http://dlvr.it/TVK23z

You marry again at 55. You have three adult children from your first marriage. Your new spouse has two adult children.Yo...
08/28/2026

You marry again at 55. You have three adult children from your first marriage. Your new spouse has two adult children.

You feel happy. Secure. You love your spouse and want to provide for them.

So you write your will: "Everything to my spouse."

Here's what happens next:

📍 You die first.
Your spouse inherits everything. Probate court distributes assets to your spouse (community property law in California gives them priority).

📍 Your spouse dies later.
Their will says: "Everything to my children."
Your biological children—the ones you wanted to protect—get nothing.

This isn't rare. This is the default outcome.

The fix: A living trust that specifies exact percentages.

Example: "40% to spouse ($800K), 60% to three prior children ($1.2M)"

This is legally binding. Your spouse is secure. Your children are protected.

Cost: $2,000-$3,500 now
Value: Saves $10K-$20K in probate fees later + protects your children

👉 Read our free guide: kernlawoffice.com/blended-family-estate-planning-california

Questions? Call us: (707) 658-4602
Petaluma | Santa Rosa | All of Sonoma County

🐾 Quick truth: your will does NOT guarantee your pet gets taken care of.A will isn't binding on the person you name to t...
08/28/2026

🐾 Quick truth: your will does NOT guarantee your pet gets taken care of.

A will isn't binding on the person you name to take your dog or cat — they can legally say no. And any money you meant for their care? It might just go to your other heirs instead.

The good news: California law gives you a real solution. A pet trust legally designates a caregiver AND sets aside enforceable funds just for your pet.

The Law Office of Andrew Kern helps Petaluma and Sonoma County pet owners protect their furry (or feathered, or four-legged) family members for good.

📞 Call (707) 658-4602 to set up your pet trust.

Learn more at http://dlvr.it/TVCQ4h

💻 Quick question: does anyone know how to get into your accounts if something happens to you?Email, cloud storage, socia...
08/20/2026

💻 Quick question: does anyone know how to get into your accounts if something happens to you?

Email, cloud storage, social media, even an online Etsy or Amazon shop — these can all be frozen or permanently lost without the right plan in place. Most platforms won't just hand over access, even with a death certificate, unless you've set things up in advance.

Only about 1 in 4 people have actually documented their digital assets. Don't leave your family guessing.

The Law Office of Andrew Kern helps Sonoma County families build a complete digital estate plan.

📞 Call (707) 658-4602 to schedule your consultation.

Visit http://dlvr.it/TV6764 to learn more

Post🔐 Your crypto doesn't care who your beneficiaries are.If you own Bitcoin, Ethereum, or other cryptocurrency, your pr...
08/06/2026

Post

🔐 Your crypto doesn't care who your beneficiaries are.

If you own Bitcoin, Ethereum, or other cryptocurrency, your private key is the only way in. No customer service line. No password reset. If you pass away without sharing it, that wealth can be locked away forever — even with a will or trust in place.

Billions of dollars in lost crypto already prove this isn't theoretical.

The Law Office of Andrew Kern helps Petaluma and Sonoma County families build a real digital asset plan so your crypto reaches the people you intend it for.

📞 Call (707) 658-4602 to get started.

Visit http://dlvr.it/TTv7wv to learn more.

❓ Do the new inherited IRA rules even apply to you?Not always. A few groups still get more favorable treatment under SEC...
07/30/2026

❓ Do the new inherited IRA rules even apply to you?

Not always. A few groups still get more favorable treatment under SECURE Act 2.0:

💍 Spouses — can treat it as their own IRA
👶 Minor children of the deceased — can stretch until age 30
♿ Disabled or chronically ill beneficiaries
🔢 Beneficiaries within 10 years of the deceased's age

If you don't fall into one of these categories, the standard 10-year rule applies — and tax planning matters a lot.

The Law Office of Andrew Kern can help you figure out exactly where you stand.

📞 Call (707) 658-4602 for a consultation.

Address

755 Baywood Drive, 2nd Floor
Petaluma, CA
94954

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 5pm
Tuesday 8am - 5pm
Wednesday 8am - 5pm
Thursday 8am - 5pm
Friday 8am - 5pm

Telephone

+17076584602

Website

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