Nicole D. Warmerdam
Top rated Estate Planning & Probate attorney in San Mateo, CA
Law Office of Nicole Warmerdam
Practice areas: Estate Planning & Probate
Licensed in California since: 2005
Education: University of San Diego School of Law
Selected to Super Lawyers: 2020 - 2026 
Virtual Appointments 
Free Consultation Law Office of Nicole Warmerdam
1900 S Norfolk StSuite 350
San Mateo, CA 94403 Phone: 650-931-2596 Email: Nicole D. Warmerdam Visit website
Details 
Nicole D. Warmerdam counsels clients regarding a broad range of estate planning and administration matters, including drafting and implementing their estate plans, petitioning the probate court to resolve issues relating to estates and trusts, and navigating the process of administering estates and trusts after death.
In her practice, Nicole frequently advises clients regarding the minimization of gift, estate, generation-skipping and property taxes. Nicole also focuses her practice on non-tax issues affecting the planning and administration of estates and trusts, such as creditor protection, blended families, and vulnerable beneficiaries.
First Admitted: 2005, California
Professional Webpage: https://www.nw-trust.com/about
Bar / Professional Activity
- Bar Association of San Francisco, Estate Planning, Probate and Trust Section, 2018
- San Mateo Chamber of Commerce, Business Referral Network, member and executive committee, 2018
- Peninsula Estate Planning Council, Past President, Sponsorship Committee Chair, Speaker Committee Chair, and Board Member, 2018
- San Mateo Chamber of Commerce, Leadership Program, 2018
- San Mateo County Bar Association, Probate and Estate Planning Section, 2018
Videos
- Proposition 19 becomes effective on February 15, 2021. The CA State Board of Equalization has not yet promulgated rules for this new law. As such, our analysis will be developing as we learn more. However, there’s no better time than now to explore the issues at stake. If you own real property in California and are hoping to transfer it to your children with your low property tax basis, it is imperative that you understand the differences in the tax laws pre-February 15th and post February 15th., Proposition 19 & Your Estate Plan, Estate Planning, Financial Advising, Accounting, Real Estate, 2020
- In this video, I break down what foundational estate planning means, why it’s not just for the wealthy, and how it helps ensure your loved ones are protected and your wishes are honored. , What Is Foundational Estate Planning?, 2025
- In this video, estate planning attorney Nicole Warmerdam explains what transition planning is and why it’s essential for families supporting aging parents. Whether your parents are just beginning to need help or you’re already involved in their care, this proactive legal approach helps avoid crises and ensures you're equipped with the authority you need., Planning for Transitions - Helping Parents with Aging and Care, 2025
- In this video, I guide you through the seven-step estate planning process I use with every client. From our first chat to the final funding of your trust, you’ll see exactly what to expect: timelines, pricing, and everything else., How We Work With Clients: Estate Planning from Start to Finish, 2025
- For families already dealing with the grief of loss of a loved one, the process of administering their estate can be a daunting task. The unfortunate reality is that the Trustee or Executor of an estate is tasked with duties and responsibilities that begin almost immediately after death. If you have been named as a Trustee or Executor of someone’s estate, it is important that you understand what’s expected of you. Even with a simple estate, there are several actions a Trustee or Executor must take before the estate can be properly distributed., San Mateo Chamber of Commerce Business Essentials: So You’re A Trustee or Executor: Now What, Estate Planning, Financial Advising, Accounting, 2020
- How long has it been since you reviewed your California Will, Trust, Durable Power of Attorney or Advance Health Care Directive? Once they make an estate plan, most people will put it somewhere for safekeeping and forget about it. However, there are many reasons why you should maintain and update your estate planning documents over time. Here are just a few things to consider: Have you recently gotten married or had a child? Did you prepare your estate plan when your children were minors? Have your children gotten married or had a child? Has your estate significantly increased or decreased in size? Did you create your estate plan before you moved to California? Are your documents outdated given changes in California law? In the comfort of your home, educate yourself about maintaining and updating your estate plan and gain peace of mind for years to come., NW-Trust: Maintaining and Updating Your California Estate Plan, Estate Planning, Financial Advising, Accounting, 2020
Special Licenses / Certifications
- California Board of Legal Specialization- Estate Planning, Trust & Probate Law, 2016
Pro bono / Community Service
- Peninsula Family YMCA, Former Board Member and Vice Chair, Member, 2018
- Belmont Redwood Shores Rotary, Former Board Secretary, Member, 2021
Educational Background
- University of San Diego School of Law, J.D., 2005
- University of Southern California, B.A., 1997
Scholarly Lectures / Writings
- Getting Divorced? Here Are the Changes You Should Make To Your Estate Plan, Author, Getting Divorced? Here Are the Changes You Should Make To Your Estate Plan, NW-Trust, 2019
- In California, once your child reaches age 18, they are considered adults under the law, meaning that they are legally responsible for making their own decisions. What parents don’t often realize is that this can create serious and frustrating roadblocks when it comes to their child’s care in an emergency situation., Author, Why Every College Student Needs Basic Estate Planning, NW-Trust, 2019
- If you find yourself in the “sandwich generation” (someone who is caring for both children and parents simultaneously), you need to know whether or not your parents have put together an estate plan. While it is still your parent’s choice to make estate planning decisions, having a plan -- no matter how late in life it is created -- is an absolute must., Author, Do Your Parents Have An Estate Plan?, NW-Trust, 2020
- Many believe that estate planning is simply instructions on how to distribute your assets when you pass away, but the reality is that proper estate planning can do much more. While one major benefit of estate planning is to provide for your family and friends when you are gone, there are many benefits for you as well., Author, Estate Planning Is More Than Just Death Planning, NW-Trust, 2020
- When you pick trustees, executors, and agents in your estate plan, you’re picking one or more people to make decisions in your and your beneficiaries’ best interests and in accordance with the instructions you leave., Author, How to Pick a Trustee, Executor, and Agent, NW-Trust, 2020
- If you and your spouse pass away or become legally incapacitated, and arrangements were never made in the event of such an emergency, your minor child or children will have to be placed with a new family, Author, Considerations When Selecting a Guardian for Your Children, NW-Trust, 2020
- Although having a will is a good basic form of planning, a will does not avoid probate. Instead, a will simply lets you inform the probate court of your wishes - your family still has to go through the probate process to make those wishes legal. , Author, 3 Reasons You Want to Avoid Probate, NW-Trust, 2020
- Although your do-it-yourself estate plan may initially cost very little, it may end up being much, much more expensive in the end than an estate plan designed by an experienced estate planning attorney., Author, Common Mistakes with Do-It-Yourself Estate Plans, NW-Trust, 2021
- A common misconception is that estate planning equates to death planning. But planning for what happens after you die is only one piece of the estate planning puzzle. It is just as important to make a plan for what happens if you become incapacitated., Author, How to Choose the Right Agent for Your Incapacity Plan, NW-Trust, 2021
- There are several reasons why you should update your existing trust or perhaps your entire estate plan. While estate planning documents do not necessarily have a shelf life, they may not fulfill your goals when your circumstances change. Of course, having estate planning documents that are up-to-date is critical, but how do you know when you should make changes? , Author, Should You Update Your Estate Plan?, NW-Trust, 2020
- After a grantor dies, most trusts allow but do not require that the successor Executor/Trustee seek guidance from an attorney during the administration process. However, hiring a qualified trust and estates attorney is something you should strongly consider if you are serving in that role. , Author, How An Attorney Can Help You Administer A Decedent's Estate/Trust, NW-Trust, 2020
- Creating an estate plan can be an emotional minefield for a couple. Confronting the prospect of each other's incapacity or death can be extremely uncomfortable. And, it can be difficult to formulate an estate plan when you need to be in absolute agreement with another person. , Author, Talking about Planning with Your Spouse or Domestic Partner, NW-Trust, 2021
- Revocable trusts are a very popular and useful estate planning tool. They are an effective way to avoid probate and provide for asset management in the event of incapacity. However, you can’t take advantage of what the trust has to offer if you don’t place your assets into it. The terms of a revocable trust only control the assets it owns. , Author, Have You Properly Funded Your Revocable Trust?, NW-Trust, 2021
- There is a lot to consider when to comes to protecting yourself, your loved ones, and your estate. But, you cannot let the uncertainties of life get in the way of creating your estate plan. Having an “imperfect” plan in place is generally much better than having no plan at all., Author, When It Comes To Planning, Perfection Is The Enemy Of Done, NW-Trust, 2021
- Approximately half of America’s population over the age of 16 is unmarried. While much of the discussion involving estate planning focuses on married couples, this topic is just as important for a single person., Author, Estate Planning for People Living Together, Bachelors, and Bachelorettes, NW-Trust, 2021
- One of the most critical steps in the process is "funding" your trust—transferring ownership of your assets into the trust. Failing to fund your trust can render it essentially useless, leaving your estate vulnerable to probate and potentially delaying or disrupting the distribution of your assets., Author, The Importance of Funding Your Trust: A Crucial Step in Estate Planning, NW-Trust, 2025
- The ideas in this first-of-its-kind-book were drawn from the mind meld and collective wisdom of estate planning attorneys throughout the country who saw the need to compile a summary of the most effective estate planning strategies being used today. In addition to their commitment to sharing individual expertise for the benefit of many, these attorneys share another common genetic factor they are all members of WealthCounsel., Author (Chapter 2: "Goals of Estate Planning", Estate Planning Strategies:Collective Wisdom, Proven Techniques (Second Edition), Wealth Counsel, Estate Planning, Financial Advising, Accounting, Real Estate, 2022
- Three commonly used tools are an Advance Health Care Directive, a Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) order, and a Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (POLST) form. While each serves a similar purpose of ensuring your medical wishes are honored, they differ in scope and and usage., Author, Health Care Directive vs. DNR vs. POLST – What’s the Difference?, NW-Trust, 2025
- Why Married Couples Should Revisit Their Pre-2013 Documents, Author, Is Your Estate Plan a Ticking Time Bomb?, NW-Trust, 2025
- Proposition 19 Details (recorded), Speaker, "Proposition 19 Details", Stanislaus County Estate Planning Council, Legal, 2021
- Whether you're new to estate administration or looking for a basic refresher, this two-hour course will give you a comprehensive overview of the process of administering an estate or trust. Equip yourself with real-life, practical knowledge and best practices to ensure you are fully prepared to handle the estate administration process from start to finish. This course assumes some familiarity with typical basic estate planning documents and concepts. This course will not be focusing on state-specific probate statutes and procedures. Course includes a helpful Estate Administration Checklist (for the practitioner) and Estate Administration Timeline (to share with clients), Speaker, "Fundamentals of Administering a Trust or Estate", ProLaw, Legal, 2021
- Proposition 19 becomes effective on February 15, 2021. The CA State Board of Equalization has not yet promulgated rules for this new law. As such, our analysis will be developing as we learn more. However, there’s no better time than now to explore the issues at stake. If you own real property in California and are hoping to transfer it to your children with your low property tax basis, it is imperative that you understand the differences in the tax laws pre-February 15th and post February 15th., Speaker, "Proposition 19 and Your Estate Plan", NW-Trust, Business, Personal, 2020
- How long has it been since you reviewed your California Will, Trust, Durable Power of Attorney or Advance Health Care Directive? Once they make an estate plan, most people will put it somewhere for safekeeping and forget about it. However, there are many reasons why you should maintain and update your estate planning documents over time. Here are just a few things to consider: Have you recently gotten married or had a child? Did you prepare your estate plan when your children were minors? Have your children gotten married or had a child? Has your estate significantly increased or decreased in size? Did you create your estate plan before you moved to California? Are your documents outdated given changes in California law? In the comfort of your home, educate yourself about maintaining and updating your estate plan and gain peace of mind for years to come., Speaker, “Maintaining and Updating Your California Estate Plan”, Law Office of Nicole Warmerdam, Business, Personal, 2020
- For families already dealing with the grief of loss of a loved one, the process of administering their estate can be a daunting task. The unfortunate reality is that the Trustee or Executor of an estate is tasked with duties and responsibilities that begin almost immediately after death. If you have been named as a Trustee or Executor of someone’s estate, it is important that you understand what’s expected of you. Even with a simple estate, there are several actions a Trustee or Executor must take before the estate can be properly distributed. This webinar will focus on how to administer an estate in a manner which is thoughtful, deliberate and transparent, including practical tips regarding: Locating important documents Reporting the death Collecting, valuing, and managing assets Handling debts and expenses Keeping the beneficiaries informed Filing the necessary tax returns Distributing assets as the decedent directed, Speaker, “So You’re A Trustee or Executor: Now What”, San Mateo Chamber of Commerce, Business, Personal, 2020
- Proper estate planning can provide peace of mind, ensuring that you, your loved ones, and your assets are protected in case of incapacity and death. When estate planning missteps happen, they can seriously undermine your intent, diminish the financial legacy you leave behind, and create added stress for your heirs and beneficiaries. Nicole will be discussing the most common estate planning mistakes people make, with suggestions on how you can take action., Speaker, “Estate Planning Pitfalls", Maven Lane, Business, Personal, 2020
- Drafting For Incapacity (recorded), Speaker, Drafting For Incapacity, ProLaw, 2019
- Estate and Incapacity Planning III (recorded), Speaker, Estate and Incapacity Planning III, Continuing Education of the Bar, State Bar of California, 2019
- "Is A Pre-Need Funeral Trust Right For You?", Author, Is A Pre-Need Funeral Trust Right For You?, Carr McClellan, 2018
- "An Overview of U.S. Tax Obligations of Green Card Holders", Author, http://www.carr-mcclellan.com/overview-u-s-tax-obligations-green-card-holders/, Carr McClellan, 2018
- Drafting and Enforcing Advanced Health Care Directives (recorded), Speaker, Drafting and Enforcing Advanced Health Care Directives, Continuing Education of the Bar, State Bar of California, Attorneys, 2018
- Real Property Essentials for Estate Planners (recorded), Speaker, Real Property Essentials for Estate Planners, Continuing Education of the Bar, State Bar of California, Attorneys, 2017
- Basics Conference 2018: Estate Planning (Live program, Monterey, CA), Speaker, Planning for Incapacity, Continuing Education of the Bar, State Bar of California, Attorneys, 2017
Office location for Nicole D. Warmerdam
1900 S Norfolk St
Suite 350
San Mateo, CA 94403
Selections
7 Years Super Lawyers
- Super Lawyers: 2020 - 2026