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Klaus Gottlieb, Estate Planning Attorney
California | (805) 703-2282 | WealthCareLawyer.com

Offices in San Luis Obispo and Cayucos

Legal Accomplishments:
Klaus Gottlieb's legal journey is marked by noteworthy achievements. After nurturing a long-held dream of studying law, he turned it into reality by graduating from Northwestern California University School of Law in Sacramento in April 2021. His dedication and aptitude were evident when he passed the July 2021 California Bar Exam on his first attempt, a feat in a state with a 53% pass rate. His legal expertise is in Trust and Estates, where he uniquely combines deep legal knowledge, counseling skills honed as a physician, financial acumen as an MBA, and a knack for creative problem-solving. He teaches Wills and Trusts at Monterey College of Law, sharing his expertise and practical experience in estate planning with aspiring JD candidates. He is a member of the California Bar, the California Lawyers Association, and the San Luis Obispo County Bar Association.

Prior Career Highlights:
Before law, Dr. Gottlieb had a multifaceted career. As a physician, he practiced in both private and academic settings, reaching the rank of Full Professor at George Washington University. His medical expertise led him to testify frequently as a medical expert witness. In the pharmaceutical industry, he held executive positions, reflecting his leadership and analytical skills. He served 16 years in the United States Naval Reserve, including deployment in the Global War on Terrorism, achieving the rank of Commander, Medical Corps.

Educational Background:
Dr. Gottlieb's educational journey spans continents and disciplines. After medical school at the University of Bonn, Germany, he pursued an MBA at Indiana University, graduating with highest honors (Beta Gamma Sigma). He also passed the level I Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Exam and completed a Master of Science in Biotechnology at Johns Hopkins.

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California

State Bar of California

Rising Star - Southern California 2024 and 2025

Super Lawyers

2025

A Super Lawyer is an exceptional achievement and title given to lawyers across the country who have achieved high standards within their respective fields.

State Bar of California  # 339060

Member

Current

San Luis Obispo County Bar Association

Current

California Lawyers Association

Section of Trusts & Estates

Current

Various Articles in the National Law Review

National Law Review

2024

Q. Is there an audit checklist for irrevocable trust accounting in California?

July 3, 2025

A: As a beneficiary of an irrevocable trust in California, you absolutely have the right to review the trustee’s accounting. Trustees owe you a duty of transparency and must provide accountings that are detailed enough for you to understand what they’ve done with the trust assets. Under California law, trustees generally have to provide an accounting at least once a year, whenever there is a change of trustee, and when the trust terminates. Some trusts may require more frequent accountings, depending on their terms.

If something in the accounting doesn’t add up or you’re just not sure whether everything is correct, you’re not stuck reviewing it on your own. Many beneficiaries hire a CPA, specifically one with experience in trust accountings, to go through the numbers line by line. A CPA can check that all income was properly reported, expenses were legitimate, investments were handled prudently, and trustee fees were calculated correctly.

If after reviewing with a CPA you still have concerns, you can take it further by speaking with a trust attorney, who can advise you on filing objections or asking the court to step in. But even before getting to that stage, simply having an experienced CPA review the accounting often clarifies whether there are real issues to pursue or if everything is in order. You’re not just allowed to do this – it’s your right as a beneficiary to ensure the trust is being managed properly for your benefit. ... Read More

Q. Steps for transferring property title and setting up a living trust in CA for joint tenancy after probate.

July 3, 2025

A: By joint tenancy, I understand that there was a right of survivorship, meaning that after your father’s death, his share automatically passed to the surviving joint tenants – your mother, you, and your sibling – in equal shares.

However, your question raises a few important points that need clarification:

• What does your mother mean by wanting to “remove herself from the title now”? Is she hoping to gift her ownership interest outright to someone else and no longer have any ownership rights, or is she simply looking for a way to simplify estate planning by transferring her share into a trust while retaining control during her lifetime?

• What type of property is this? Is it a personal residence, and if so, who lives there currently? Or is it an investment or commercial property generating income? This affects planning decisions, tax considerations, and how ownership transfers impact all parties involved.

• When you say, “We intend to create a living trust that will include transferring ownership of their shares to two additional siblings as beneficiaries,” whose shares are being transferred – just your mother’s, or also yours and your sibling’s shares? Additionally, who are the “we” intending to create the trust – your mother alone, or all current owners together?

• Have you considered the potential property tax consequences? Adding owners or transferring interests to others may trigger a property tax reassessment under California law, which could significantly increase annual property taxes. Also, transferring property into a trust generally severs the joint tenancy, meaning the right of survivorship would no longer apply unless specifically re-created.

The bottom line is that estate planning starts with questions like these to uncover what your mother and your family are truly trying to accomplish. Each answer leads to further questions to ensure her goals are met effectively, legally, and tax-efficiently.

I recommend sitting down with a qualified estate planning attorney in your area who can review the full details of your family’s situation, clarify your mother’s intentions, and guide you through creating a plan that avoids unintended consequences. ... Read More

Q. Can I submit only relevant pages of subpoenaed document in CA trust probate case?

July 1, 2025

A: In a California trust or probate case, you can generally submit only the relevant pages of a subpoenaed document as exhibits. There is no specific California Rule of Court that I know of requiring you to submit the entire document if only part is relevant. However, under Evidence Code section 356, known as the doctrine of completeness, if you introduce part of a writing, the other party can require additional portions to be admitted if necessary for context and fairness. This means that while you may present just the relevant excerpts to support your point, you should always maintain the full document in your file in case opposing counsel challenges the excerpts or the court requests the entire document for a complete understanding.

When submitting excerpts, it is best practice to clearly label the pages to show their source within the full document and to avoid any implication that you are omitting material context. Additionally, because relevance can be a nuanced determination depending on the procedural posture, the nature of the document, and evidentiary strategy, it is advisable to consult with counsel or obtain a legal opinion to ensure that your selection of pages is defensible and will not inadvertently harm your position or open the door to objections.

In sum, you may submit only the relevant pages as exhibits, but retain the full document for potential completeness objections and seek legal guidance to confirm your approach under the circumstances. Do not try to hide information that is adverse to you but relevant unless instructed by your attorney. ... Read More

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