Sheila-Marie Finkelstein
Top rated Estate Planning & Probate attorney in Irvine, California
Klinedinst PC
Practice Areas: Estate Planning & Probate, Estate & Trust Litigation, Military & Veterans Law; view more
Licensed in California since: 2011
Education: Washington and Lee University School of Law
Selected to Super Lawyers: 2025 
Selected to Rising Stars: 2018 - 2024 Call today:
949-868-2600
Free Consultation Klinedinst PC
2 Park PlazaSte 1250
Irvine, CA 92614 Visit website
Details
A senior counsel at Klinedinst PC, Sheila-Marie Finkelstein is certified by The State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization as a specialist in estate planning, trust and probate law. Positioned at the firm's Irvine, California, branch, she adeptly manages probate administration and disputes with ease and regularity in court. Her professional conduct speaks volumes of her impeccable proficiency in the field.
A distinguished alumnus of Washington and Lee University School of Law (2011), Ms. Finkelstein boasts exceptional academic accomplishments. She obtained her LL.M. (2018) in taxation from Chapman University's Dale E. Fowler School of Law, where she honed her skills in financial matters. In pursuit of her passion for exploring diverse legal systems, she also studied international law at the University of Copenhagen in 2010. She was duly licensed to practice law in California in 2011.
Furthermore, Ms. Finkelstein holds a master's degree in education (2008) from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and a B.A. from American University, Washington, D.C., in 2006. With such an outstanding educational background, she is well-equipped to excel in her legal endeavors and make a mark in the professional realm.
Ms. Finkelstein exudes a profound zeal for education and veterans – a passion that transcends into her legal practice, focusing on estate planning. Her decision to pursue this field of law was fueled by her remarkable experiences as a clerk for the U.S. Air Force JAG Corps and a science teacher for elementary students with Teach For America. Moreover, as a Veterans Affairs Accredited Attorney, she established the noteworthy pro bono Estate Clinic at the Veterans Legal Institute (VLI).
An accomplished writer and captivating speaker, Ms. Finkelstein boasts a rich literary portfolio, with multiple publications in the American Bar Association magazines such as GPSolo and OC Lawyer. She is also a seasoned and revered instructor of Continuing Legal Education Courses. She is sought-after for speaking engagements at various private and public events, where she eloquently expounds on the myriad advantages of effective estate planning for individuals, families and professionals alike.
Ms. Finkelstein's impressive achievements have earned her numerous accolades in her field. Among these, she has been recognized as the Veterans Advocate of the Year by the VLI, while Expertise.com has honored her with the title of Probate Lawyer of the Year in Long Beach.
Practice areas
Estate Planning & Probate, Estate & Trust Litigation, Military/Veterans LawFocus areas
Estate Planning, Living Wills, Power of Attorney, Probate & Estate Administration, Trusts, Veteran's Benefits, Will Contests, Wills
- 50% Estate Planning & Probate
- 40% Estate & Trust Litigation
- 10% Military/Veterans Law
First Admitted: 2011, California
Professional Webpage: https://klinedinstlaw.com/profiles/attorney/sheila-marie-fin...
- Orange County Jewish Bar Association - (Immediate Past President 2022: President 2019- 2021: Board 2012-2019), 2022
- California
- Orange County Bar Association - Veterans and Military Committee (Vice Chair 2014-2019; Chair 2019 - Present), 2022
- Orange County Bar Association - Racial Justice Task Force / Committee (2020-2021), 2021
- Veterans Legal Institute - Vice Chair (2022): Volunteer Attorney (2014-Present): Board Member (2016-Present): Secretary (2019 - 2021) Monthly Pro-bono Estate Clinic (2017- Present) , 2022
- Orange County Women Lawyers Association - (Executive Board - 2016-2019: Board 2012- 2016: Member 2011), 2019
- A client came to me for a "simple" Heggstad petition (where you get a property put into trust after the death of the Trustor to avoid full probate). In the process, we discovered that a fraudulent probate had already been opened, AND the property was encumbered by a reverse mortgage and was going to be sold at auction in 2 weeks. We successfully postponed the auction, they gave us 30 days, and rescheduled it for 30 days later, but refused to provide payoff information, or give sufficient time to complete the Heggstad petition. We successfully petitioned for an ex parte temporary restraining order to stop the property auction, until the probate and Heggstad matter could be cleared. Had the property gone to auction, the incapacitated widower would have received nothing, and the family would not be able to afford the in home care necessary to care for him. , 2022
- I established and run the pro bono estate clinic at Veterans Legal Institute in 2017. On average, VLI handles 100+ trusts, estates, probate matters annually for free. We prepare complimentary comprehensive estate plans for veterans in need. Including Revocable Living Trusts, Deeds, Advance Health Care Directives, Durable Powers of Attorneys, Minor's Protection Packages, Veterans Burial Benefits, etc. This averages about $300,000 in pro bono services each year, plus the avoidance of an estimated $5,000,000 in probate fees. , 2022
- Proposition 19 caused a huge planning issue for Californians who own more than 1 property, because it reduced the benefits provided under Propositions 13 and 58. It was voted on in late 2020 and became effective mid February 2021. Most attorneys in the field would not even touch this type of planning because there was insufficient time and too many unknown variables. Those who would were charging upwards of $50,000 in legal fees to create the necessary complex planning. However, I was tracking the law change and kept studying all of the available information. So in under two months, I created a new type of trust specifically formatted to meet the confusing requirements of Proposition 19. Under proposition 13/58 my clients could transfer their properties (residential and other) to their children, and the children would keep the parent's low property tax basis while receiving a step up in capital gains tax basis. Under proposition 19 children can only keep the low property tax basis on the personal residence, so long as the child makes it their personal residence, and it has not appreciated more than $1M. This means that on average, my clients children would be paying approximately $27k-$35k per year in property taxes instead of $11k. Using my Prop 19 Trust, we were able to preserve the low property tax basis on the rental properties, and thus save my clients' children hundreds of thousands of taxes annually. My legal fees averaged $5,000 per client, significantly less than other attorneys who offered Proposition 19 planning. , 2021
- Certified Specialist in Estates, Trusts, & Probate Law by the California Bar Board of Legal Specialization (2019 - Present), 2021
- Veterans Affairs Accredited Attorney (2015- Present), 2021
- Orange County Bar Association Veterans and Military Committee: Founding member 2014. Vice Chair 2015-2018. Chair 2019- Present. Prepare CLEs to teach attorneys in the community about the veteran and military specific laws and protections as their pertain to various areas of law (i.e. estate planning, family, housing, criminal, etc.), 2021
- Orange County Jewish Bar Association: 2011 - Present. Served on Board 2012-2014. Served on Executive Board 2014 - Present. President 2018- Present. Coordinate educational events, social events, and charitable events. Liaison with associated entities and affiliate bars. , 2021
- California Lawyer Association SSF - Excellence in Service Award - 2019 Veterans Legal Institute - Pro Bono - 2014 - Present, 2019
- Received the Lawyers for Warriors - Veteran Advocate of the Year Award for years of continued service to veterans. Serving as a volunteer attorney, then founding the monthly pro bono Veterans Estate Clinic in 2017. Through the estate clinic, we serve 100+ clients annually. Providing pro bono comprehensive estate plans, and basic probate services. Volunteer approximately $300,000 worth of services annually, and save clients an estimated $5,000,000 in statutory probate fees. , Veteran Advocate of the Year, Veterans Legal Institute - Lawyers for Warrirors, 2021
- Mensch of the Year, Orange County Jewish Bar Association, 2023
- Recognized as 1 of 4 Remarkable attorneys under 40. , 4 Remarkable Attorneys Under 40, NAWBO-OC, 2020
- Received the inaugural Excellence in Service Award in recognition of years of pro bono service to the Veterans, Women, and Education. , Excellence in Service, California Lawyers Association SSF, 2019
- Recognized by Congressman Lou Correa as a woman of the year who has made a significant positive impact on the community. , Woman of the Year, Congressman Lou Correa, 2020
- Chapman University School of Law - LLM Taxation, 2021
- Washington & Lee University School of Law - J.D. , 2011
- University of Copenhagen - International Legal Studies, 2010
- University of Nevada - Las Vegas - M.Ed. Curriculum & Instruction, 2008
- American University - B.A. Communications, Legal Institutions, Economics, & Government, 2006
- Entrepreneurs
- Families
- Individuals
- Medical
- Non Traditional Families
- Small Business
- Solo & Small Firm Attorneys
- Teachers
- Veterans
Office location for Sheila-Marie Finkelstein
2 Park Plaza
Ste 1250
Irvine, CA 92614
Phone: 949-868-2600
Selections
- Super Lawyers: 2025
- Rising Stars: 2018 - 2024
Certificates and credentials
Estate Planning, Trust & Probate Law
