Beach Cities Estate Law 

Above: Angela Bellanca Klenk & Jennifer MacDonnell

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Highlights

• Estate Planning 
• Trust & Estate Administration
• Property Tax Planning 
• Gift & Estate Tax Planning 

Beach Cities Estate Law specializes in estate planning and administration for high-net-worth families. Founding attorney Angela Bellanca Klenk began her career in 1994 working at a prominent downtown law firm before opening her firm in the South Bay in 2015. She is designated by The State Bar of California as a certified specialist in estate planning, trust and probate law.

What makes your firm different from other estate planners?

Few local estate planners have experience in navigating complex tax issues. There are many ways to save taxes in connection with your estate, and it’s not just about estate taxes. Recent changes in the law make income/capital gains taxation and property taxes much more important than they had been in the past. We ask the right questions to determine if our clients can benefit from planning in those areas, and implement strategies to help them take advantage of opportunities.      Clients appreciate that I explain things clearly without talking over their heads or skipping the important details. I take the time to really listen, and I make sure they never leave a meeting confused or overwhelmed. But I also love diving into the fine print because in high-end estate planning, those little legal and tax details can make a huge difference.

Every family is different, and we tailor each plan to reflect that. We work with all kinds of situations—blended families, aging parents, special-needs kids, family businesses—and we take the time to get it right. Nothing we do is one-size-fits-all. We’re also known for being really efficient. We don’t just give advice; we get it done.

What kinds of clients do you serve best?

Our clients are people who care deeply about their families and want to leave things in good order for them. That could be a busy doctor with young kids, a retired couple thinking about the next generation or someone recently divorced trying to make sure their wishes are clear. Many are executives, entrepreneurs or real estate investors. Some are in second marriages and need to balance the needs of their current spouse and their adult children. Others are caring for aging parents or planning for special-needs dependents.

Most of our clients are referred by trusted professionals—financial planners and advisors, CPAs and other lawyers—because they know we’ll take great care of their clients. Whether a client has $5 million or $50 million in assets, we help them feel confident, secure and supported.

What do you enjoy most about your work?

The best part is seeing the relief on someone’s face when we finish their plan. They often say, “I’ve been meaning to do this for years. I can’t believe how easy you made it.” Giving people that peace of mind, knowing their family will be protected and things will go smoothly—that’s why I do this.

What should someone look for in an estate planning attorney?

An estate planning lawyer who takes time to understand your goals, family dynamics and values. Pick someone who listens well, explains things clearly and doesn’t make you feel like you’re asking dumb questions. Credentials help too. A certified specialist is a good sign that they really focus on this area of law. But mostly you want someone thorough, trustworthy and easy to work with.

When should someone call you?

Any major life event is a good reason to get your plan in place or updated: marriage or divorce, birth or adoption, buying a home, starting or selling a business, receiving an inheritance or planning for aging parents. Even if nothing huge has changed but you realize you don’t have a plan—or it’s been years since you looked at it—that’s a great time to call. We’ll walk you through it all; it’s quite painless, actually.

How do you envision the role of trusted advisors evolving in the future?

As our population ages and more families are using trusts, we are unfortunately seeing a significant rise in trust and estate litigation. This trend underscores the growing importance of working with a trusted advisor. On the planning side, we anticipate potential issues and craft plans that withstand scrutiny. Avoiding probate does not mean you can avoid legal guidance; trust administration still involves complex steps and legal obligations. By working with an experienced and trusted advisor in administering a trust or estate, you position yourself for success by ensuring that the process is handled properly, minimizing conflict and reducing the risk that your family’s private affairs end up in the courtroom.

Photographed by Fabien & Laura Castro