William Finestone

Biography

Bill Finestone concentrates his practice in the area of trusts and estates, with particular emphasis on estate and tax planning, and estate and trust administration. His more than 40 years of experience spans the gamut of matters on which he advises his clients:

  • Wills, revocable and irrevocable private trusts
  • Charitable trusts and tax planning for charitable gifts
  • Durable powers of attorney for financial and healthcare matters
  • Business succession planning
  • Estate and trust administration involving probate and non-probate procedures
  • Dispute resolution involving wills and trusts
  • Private fiduciary current and final accountings
  • Representation of fiduciaries and beneficiaries
  • Tax planning matters including California, United States, and international transfer tax
  • Corporate, partnership, and individual income tax planning
  • Property taxation
  • Formation and representation of tax-exempt organizations

Bill is a frequent lecturer and author for industry publications on these topics as well. Recent engagements include:

  • American and California State Bar Association
  • Partnership for Philanthropic Planning (National Committee on Planned Giving)
  • Western Conference on Tax-Exempt Organizations
  • California State University Los Angeles, College of Extended Studies and International Programs

News & Views

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Recognitions

  • “Southern California Super Lawyer" for Estate Planning/Trusts, by Los Angeles Magazine
  • “Best Lawyers in America" for Trusts and Estates” by Los Angeles Magazine
  • AV Preeminent®, by Martindale-Hubbell®
  • 2006–2023, Non-Profit/Charities Law and Trusts and Estates in Los Angeles, listed in Best Lawyers in America©
  • 2004–2023, “Southern California Super Lawyer” in Estate Planning & Probate, listed in Super Lawyers
  • 2021 and 2023, Top Wealth Management Author, JD Supra Readers’ Choice Award

Affiliations

Memberships

  • American College of Trust and Estate Counsel
  • California State Bar Association
  • Los Angeles County Bar Association
  • Oregon State Bar

Credentials

Admissions

  • Supreme Court of the United States
  • United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
  • California
  • U.S. District Court - Central District of California
  • U.S. Tax Court
  • United States Court of Federal Claims

Education

  • University of California, Los Angeles, BS
  • University of California, Los Angeles, JD
  • University of California, Los Angeles, MBA