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The Goralka Law Firm, P.C.Principal
John M. Goralka
Pro

John M. Goralka

4.9
127 reviews

4470 Duckhorn Drive, Sacramento, CA 95834

Asset Protection Planning and Implementation, Business and Corporate Law, Elder Law, Medi-Cal Eligibility Planning and 6 more

About John M. Goralka

Professional Specialties

Income Tax and Estate Tax Planning

Tax Litigation Controversy

Trusts

Asset Protection Planning and Implementation

Business and Corporate Law

Shareholder and Business Buy/Sell Agreements for Estate Planning & Business Continuation Purposes

Estate Planning

Probate and Trust Administration

Sales of Businesses and Real Property

Qualifications

Certified Specialist in Estate Planning, Trusts and Probate Law by the State Bar of California, Board of Legal Specialization

Certified Specialist in Taxation Law by the State Bar of California, Board of Legal Specialization

Former Hearing Officer and Income Tax Auditor, Franchise Tax Board, California

Passed the California Certified Public Accountants' (CPA’s) Exam

Approved Educator - California Department of Insurance

Approved Educator - California Certificated Financial Planning Board

Blue Star Wealth Professional

Awards

Distinguished Client Service Award - Martindale-Hubbell 2014-2022

2016-2022 Northern California Super Lawyer for Estate Planning & Probate, Tax, and Business Law

2016-2022 Sacramento Magazine Top Lawyer for Business & Corporate Law

Rated AV preeminent by Martindale-Hubbell

10.0 Rating with Avvo.com

Recognized as a top attorney in the United States by US News & World Reports for Taxation and Estate Planning

Recognized as a top taxation attorney in the United States by Premier Tax Planners

Author

California Tax Lawyer, August, 1992 – "Can the Service Partner Finally Go Back To Work?"

Nationally recognized author with articles regularly appearing in Kiplinger, NASDAQ.com, On Wall Street, The American Journal of Managed Care, Penton: Wealth Management, Yahoo Finance, Leimburg, ThinkAdvisor and Hospital Impact

Co-Author

Family Limited Partnerships in Estate Planning and Asset Protection, "Maximize the Use of Family Limited Partnerships in Estate Planning" and "Sort Through the Complex Rules Regarding the taxation of Family Limited Partnerships," August 2008

Estate Planning Basics, "Estate and Gift Taxes" and "Charitable Planning," August 2008

Fundamental Probate Procedures and Practices, "Inventory & Appraisal," May 2008

Estate and Gift Taxes, "Estate, Gift and GST Taxes," January 2008

Estate Planning Basics, "Basic Taxes You Need to be Aware Of," January 2008

The Probate Process for California Paralegals: From Start to Finish, 2003 and 2004

A Practical Guide to Estate Administration in California, 1992 and 1993

Education

California State University of Sacramento, B.S. Accounting

McGeorge School of Law, J.D. with distinction, Class Rank – 4th

McGeorge School of Law, L.L.M. Taxation

Academic Achievements

American Jurisprudence Awards in Torts and Business Planning

Corpus Juris Secundum Award For Making the Most Outstanding Contribution to Legal Scholarship (1985 and 1988)

Order of the Coif

Prentice-Hall Outstanding Tax Student Award

Traynor Society Award for Academic Achievement

Member

Former member of Board of Directors, Sacramento Estate Planning Council

Former Education Chair, Sacramento Estate Planning Council Sacramento County and California Bar Associations

National Association of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA)

Wealth Counsel

California Advocates for Nursing Home Reform (CANHR)

 

John M. Goralka (Sacramento, California) View website

Awards

Platinum Client Champion
This award is granted to attorneys who have received at least 10 client reviews, and have an average review score of 4.5 or higher.
Champion Badge Platinum
AV Preeminent Peer Rated
This elite award is granted to attorneys who have been recognized by their peers for their very high ethical standards, with an average peer review score of 4.5 or higher.
Martindale-Hubbell Peer AV
Avvo Client's Choice
This award is granted to attorneys with at least 5 reviews with 4+ stars in a given year on Avvo.com.
Avvo Client Choice

Client Champion Awards

Client Champion awards recognize those attorneys who excel at service as affirmed by their clients. The awards, based on the quantity and quality of an attorney’s Martindale-Hubbell client reviews, demonstrate an ongoing commitment to delivering excellent client service. Award recipients stand out from their peers with a platinum, gold or silver icon.

Champion Badge Silver

At least three reviews and a score of 4.0 or higher.

Champion Badge Gold

At least six reviews and a score of 4.2 or higher.

Champion Badge Platinum

At least ten reviews and a score of 4.5 or higher.

John M. Goralka got this award in 2021

Martindale Peer Awards

A lawyer who receives a minimum threshold of qualifying responses from fellow attorneys can qualify for one of three prestigious Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review Ratings:

Martindale-Hubbell Peer AV Preeminent Rating

AV Preeminent®: The highest peer rating standard. This rating signifies a large number of the lawyer’s peers rank him or her at the highest level of professional excellence for their legal knowledge, communication skills and ethical standards.

John M. Goralka got this award in 2021

Martindale-Hubbell Peer Distinguished Rating

Distinguished: An excellent rating for a lawyer with some experience. This rating indicates the attorney is widely respected by their peers for high professional achievement and ethical standards.

Martindale-Hubbell Peer Notable Rating

Notable: This rating indicates that the lawyer has been recognized by a large number of their peers for strong ethical standards.

Avvo Awards

Avvo Top Contributor

Avvo Top Contributor: The Avvo Top Contributor Award is granted to attorneys who have earned significant contribution points in a given year on our sister site, Avvo.com. Contribution points are earned by answering questions in Q&A, publishing Legal Guides, and other useful contributions to the Avvo community.

Avvo Client Choice

Avvo Client’s Choice: The Avvo Client's Choice Award Badge is granted to attorneys with a significant number of 4+ star reviews in a given year.

John M. Goralka got this award in 2021

Reviews for John M.

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Overall Rating
4.9
See All Reviews
127
4.8
Lawyers.com
36
4.9
Martindale
30
4.9
Avvo
61
Showing 1-10 of 36 client reviews from Lawyers.com
Lawyers.com Rating Snapshot
5 stars
86%
4 stars
11%
3 stars
0%
2 stars
0%
1 star
3%
What do people say on Lawyers.com?
Communication
4.9
Quality of Service
4.9
Responsiveness
4.9
Value for Money
4.8
Taxation
Posted by anonymous
June 18, 2014
Hired Attorney

While representing me during a very long and difficult tax case with the State of California and audit with the IRS, John was always very professional, thorough and competent in the areas of State and Federal tax law and procedures. He put all his expertise and energy into my case to affect a positive outcome. In addition, Mr. Goralka always represented himself with the utmost integrity and honesty whether with other counsel, judges, or with outside experts and witnesses.

 
Trusts and Estates
Posted by anonymous
May 22, 2014
Hired Attorney

Always seems genuinely concerned about our estate and what would be best for our family and our estate. Very knowledgeable and communicated clearly at all times.

Trusts and Estates
Posted by anonymous
April 04, 2014
Hired Attorney

Estate planning is a very complicated, sometimes unnerving process but thanks to John and his staff the process was smooth and relatively easy. We highly recommend John to anyone who needs to have a competent, highly professional attorney to help and guide them through the estate planning process.

Trusts and Estates
Posted by anonymous
February 11, 2014
Hired Attorney

Mr. Goralka recently updated our revocable family trust which he had originally created for us. He gave us choices on how we could modify the trust along with the benefits of each choice. He was very open to questions that we had and always asked if our question was answered to our satisfaction. His office staff was always courteous, efficient and welcoming. We were entirely satisfied with the services Mr. Goralka provided and would not hesitate to recommend his to our friends and family.

 
Trusts and Estates
Posted by anonymous
February 06, 2014
Hired Attorney

Great experience. Very helpful and informative process.

Trusts and Estates
Posted by anonymous
January 30, 2014
Hired Attorney

John Goralka and his staff have been very helpful with my parents living trust and legal matters and now similarly with my wife and I.

Trusts and Estates
Posted by anonymous
July 26, 2013
Hired Attorney

Outstanding, knowledgeable and most helpful in estate planning. Comfortable to speak of private matters with. Plus, your welcomed by a really classy staff and associates.

Taxation
Posted by anonymous
October 19, 2012
Hired Attorney

Mr. Goralka could tell right away that I was lost in the legal world and he was extremely sympathetic and encouraging. Everyone told me from the start that I couldn't win this difficult case, but he never gave up, and did win it. I consider him to be a "Super Hero".

Trusts and Estates
Posted by anonymous
August 15, 2012
Hired Attorney

Staff is very attentive and great at following up on questions and details. We are confident that our personal documents are now in order. Communications by telephone, e-mail, and personal appointments were efficiently managed. We highly recommend John Goralka and The Goralka Law Firm.

Trusts and Estates
Posted by anonymous
February 29, 2020
Hired Attorney

The Goralka Law Firm was a pleasure to work with. John Goralka and his staff made every effort to accommodate the somewhat unusual situation that my wife and I wanted to arrange in a trust. They were always helpful and encouraging. They treat their clients with great respect, and I can recommend them highly.

From the Martindale-Avvo Legal Network

Services

Areas of Law

  • Other 9
    • Asset Protection Planning and Implementation
    • Business and Corporate Law
    • Elder Law, Medi-Cal Eligibility Planning
    • Estate Planning and Administration
    • Probate, Conservatorship and Guardianships
    • Sales of Businesses and Real Property
    • Shareholder and Business Buy/Sell Agreements for Estate Planning and Business Continuation Purposes
    • Tax Planning and Tax Litigation Controversy
    • Trusts

Experience

  • Bar Admission & Memberships
    Admissions
    1988, California
    1988, U.S. District Court, Eastern District of California
    U.S. Tax Court
    Memberships
    Sacramento County Bar Association (Member, Business Law, Probate and Estate Planning Sections)
    State Bar of California (Member, Trusts and Estates, Business Law, and Taxation Sections)
    Sacramento Estate Planning Council (Member, Board of Directors)
    National Association of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA).
  • Education & Certifications
    Law School
    McGeorge School of Law, University of the Pacific
    Class of 1989
    LL.M.
    Taxation

    McGeorge School of Law, University of the Pacific
    Class of 1988
    J.D.
    With distinction, Class Rank – 4th
    Other Education
    California State University
    Class of 1986
    B.S. Accounting
    Legal Certifications
    Certified Specialist in Estate Planning, Trusts and Probate Law and Taxation Law, State Bar of California, Board of Legal Specialization

Contact John M. Goralka

Principal at The Goralka Law Firm, P.C.
4.9
127 reviews

4470 Duckhorn DriveSacramento, CA 95834U.S.A.

Show on map
Fax: (916) 440-8038
Office Hours:
  • Monday 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
  • Tuesday 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
  • Wednesday 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
  • Thursday 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
  • Friday 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM

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Attorneys FAQs

  • Is this attorney admitted to practice in any U.S. Federal Courts?
    John M. Goralka is admitted to practice before the United States District Court for the Eastern District of California and United States Tax Court.
  • Is this attorney Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review rated?
    Yes, John M. Goralka has a 4.9 Peer Rating from Martindale-Hubbell.
  • Is this attorney Martindale-Hubbell Client Review rated?
    Yes, John M. Goralka has a 4.8 Client Rating from Martindale-Hubbell.
  • Does this attorney accept major credit cards?
    Yes, John M. Goralka will accept American Express, MasterCard, Discover and Visa.
  • What law school did this attorney attend?
    John M. Goralka attended McGeorge School of Law, University of the Pacific and McGeorge School of Law, University of the Pacific.

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