Magdalena A. LaBranch
Top rated Estate Planning & Probate attorney in San Jose, California
Temmerman, Cilley, Kohlmann & Norcia, LLP
Practice areas: Estate Planning & Probate; view more
Licensed in California since: 2009
Education: Golden Gate University School of Law
Selected to Super Lawyers: 2024 - 2026 
Selected to Rising Stars: 2019 - 2021 Call today:
408-780-1912
Free Consultation Temmerman, Cilley, Kohlmann & Norcia, LLP
2502 Stevens Creek Blvd.San Jose, CA 95128 Visit website
A veteran attorney of over 16 years, Magdalena A. LaBranch is well-equipped to handle myriad matters pertaining to estate planning and administration, as well as probate, in an effort to give her clients the peace of mind and security they deserve. At the law office of Temmerman, Cilley, Kohlmann & Norcia, LLP, in San Jose, California, she serves residents across the surrounding region.
Ms. LaBranch completed her undergraduate studies in 2004, graduating with her Bachelor of Arts degree in law and society, and criminal justice, from the University of California – Santa Barbara. She went on to simultaneously pursue a higher education and her legal studies at the Golden State University School of Law, receiving her M.B.A. degree and her Juris Doctor in 2008. Later, she became licensed to practice law across all California state courts, as well as before the California Courts of Appeals.
With a tenacious work ethic and meticulous attention to detail in every aspect of her client’s cases, Ms. LaBranch strives to take on all of their burdens. For her immense contributions to the legal field, she has been rated a perfect 10.0 on Avvo and hosts many positive client testimonials on the site. Moreover, she has garnered the adulation of her peers. Within her legal community, she maintains close affiliations with numerous legal organizations of prominence, including The State Bar of California, the Santa Clara County Bar Association and the Silicon Valley Bar Association.
Practice areas
Estate Planning & ProbateFocus areas
Estate Planning, Guardianships & Conservatorships, Living Wills, Power of Attorney, Probate & Estate Administration, Trusts, Wills
- 100% Estate Planning & Probate
First Admitted: 2009, California
Professional Webpage: https://www.tcklawfirm.com/attorney/labranch-magdalena-a/
Bar / Professional Activity
- Silicon Valley Bar Association Member, 2018-present, 2023
- Women’s Networking Alliance, Chapter 114, Former Chapter President and Vice President
- California State Courts and Courts of Appeal
- American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys Member, 2018-present, 2023
- Women's Networking Alliance Executive Board Member, 2021-present, 2023
- Silicon Valley Bar Associate Executive Board Member, 2021-present, 2023
- California State Bar Member, 2009-present, 2023
Videos
- In this video, I discuss the step-up in basis and the importance of understanding how to position your assets to assure that you and your loved ones can maximize this tax planning measure, Step-Up in Basis, Real Estate, Banking, Financial Planning, Estate Planning, General Public, 2023
- In this video, I invited Dementia Consultant and Educator Tami Anastasia to speak at our Ask the Expert series. Our office is an estate planning and elder care law firm and this issue affects many of our clients and their loved ones. Tami spoke about techniques to help facilitate effective communication with people who have dementia, the challenges of caregiving for someone who has dementia, what to avoid, and provided dementia-friendly communication strategies and tips. I shared my personal experience as a caregiver for my grandmother who had Alzheimer's and the importance of helping my clients and their loved ones prepare for possible incapacity, and to help them through the legal challenges they are faced when a loved one has Alzheimer's, Ask the Expert 2022 Series – Communication and Dementia, General Public, Caregivers, 2022
- In this video I discuss the 2023 Estate Tax Exemption and the 2023 Gift Tax Exclusion, 2023 Estate Tax Exemption and Gift Tax Exclusion Update, General Public, 2022
- In this video I answer commonly asked questions about Prop 19, with a focus on how Prop 19 affects the parent-child transfer, Prop 19 FAQ Video, Homeowners In California, 2023
- In this video I discuss property powers of attorney and answers a number of frequently asked questions pertaining to powers of attorney, Property Powers of Attorney, Real Estate, Banking, Financial Planning, Estate Planning, General Public, 2023
- This video discusses the Estate of Sanchez, Sixth Appellate District. In the Estate of Sanchez, in which the appeals court upheld that a personal representative may not represent the estate in propria persona (without the assistance of an attorney) even in the probate action on claims pursued for the benefit of the estate’s beneficiaries. I discuss some elements of the case and the importance of hiring a probate attorney when you have a complicated probate, The Importance of Hiring a Probate Attorney, 2023
- This vlog discusses the structure of older married joint trusts and why it the trust structure may be outdated and no longer in the best interest of the trustors and their beneficiaries, Is Your Married Joint Living Trust Too Complicated?, Legal, Estate Planning, 2021
- This video addresses which assets should be funding into a revocable living trust in California, What Assets Should You Fund Into a Living Trust?, Legal, Estate Planning, Financial Planning, 2020
- This video addresses answers to LGBTQ+ frequently asked estate planning questions, LGBTQ+ Estate Planning Frequently Asked Questions, Legal, Estate Planning, 2021
Special Licenses / Certifications
- California Notary Public, 2018-present, 2023
- Certified Legal Specialist in Estate Planning, Trust and Probate Law by the California State Bar Board of Legal Specialization, 2022-present, 2023
Pro bono / Community Service
- Volunteered with my law firm team at Martha's Kitchen, a non-profit dedicated to providing meals to people with food insecurity, 2023
- Participated and fundraised for the Walk to End Alzheimer's with my law firm team., 2023
- Walk to End Alzheimer's Team Captain, 2021
- Walk to End Alzheimer's Team Captain, 2020
- West Valley Community Services Back to School Event, 2022 and 2023, 2023
- Law firm chairperson for Adopt-A-Family Holiday Gift Drive supported by the Bill Wilson Center, 2021
- Volunteered at Martha's Kitchen with other members of the Women's Networking Alliance, 2022 and 2023, 2023
Honors
- Women's Networking Alliance Leadership Award, Women's Networking Alliance, 2023
- 2021, 2020, 2019 Northern California Rising Stars
- 2024 Northern California Super Lawyers
Educational Background
- Bachelor of Arts in Law & Society, University of Southern California - Santa Barbara, 2004
- Golden Gate University, M.B.A.
Scholarly Lectures / Writings
- In this webinar, we discussed: Communicating Your Plan to Your Loved Ones Proposition 19 The Trust Administration Process – A Roadmap, Co-Author and Co-Presenter, Client Appreciation Webinar – Communicating Your Plan To Your Loved Ones, Proposition 19, Trust Administration, And Ask Us Anything, Real Estate, Banking, Financial Planning, Estate Planning, General Public, 2023
- Presented to the Women's Networking Alliance., Author and Presenter, Integrity as a Foundation of Performance, Professional Women, 2023
- This workshop was designed to assist our living trust clients and their loved ones in understand what funding is, what assets should be funded into their living trust, what assets should not be funded into their living trust, and to assure that they hold their assets accordingly. I have presented this workshop 3 times in 2018, Presenter and Co-Author, Funding a Trust Workshop, 2022
- This article addresses the importance of planning not only for the distribution of your estate after death, but also the importance of planning for incapacity, Author, COVID-19 aka the Coronavirus: A Reminder to be Prepared, 2020
- In this presentation, I address essential components of a comprehensive estate plan for California residents. Presented multiple times to different groups and organizations 2022-present, Speaker, Estate Planning Essentials, Real Estate, Banking, Financial Planning, Estate Planning, 2023
- This 80 minute presentation followed by Q&A addresses elements of a comprehensive estate plan for California residents. Presented to public and to groups and organizations, 2018-present, Speaker, Living Trust Estate Planning, Legal, Estate Planning, 2023
- This free workshop is designed for our estate planning clients and their loved ones. Attendees will learn what to do after someone dies or is incapacitated, and the role that various people and estate planning documents play in the process. We also cover tips and recommendations on what they can do now to prepare for the future. Presented 2019 - present, Presenter, Trustee and Power of Attorney School, 2023
Office location for Magdalena A. LaBranch
2502 Stevens Creek Blvd.
San Jose, CA 95128
Phone: 408-780-1912
Selections
- Super Lawyers: 2024 - 2026
- Rising Stars: 2019 - 2021
Certificates and credentials
Estate Planning, Trust & Probate Law
