When my father passed in December of 2019, I had no clue of all the work that goes into probate. When my cousin suggested I get an attorney, I honestly thought to myself, "why? I have a paralegal degree." I had no idea where to start. My friend suggested the Law Offices of James J. Phillips, as one of her friends was able to get her Living Trust done in a hurry. Upon meeting Jim at his office in Castro Valley, I felt very comfortable and felt as though him and his team were very trustworthy. As we began to open probate, everything got pushed back because of the Court closures due to Covid-19. Jim and his daughter Katelyn did a terrific job in staying in contact via email, phone and Zoom meetings. They made the process so easy in a situation that was one of the most difficult in my life. They listened to my endless stories and made an effort to know me on an interpersonal level at a time when human contact was minimal. As a result of going through the hardship of probate (and at Jim's suggestion), I choose to complete a Living Trust, Last Will and Testament, and Advance Health Care Directive. Going through that process was easier than I thought it was going to be. I answered a questionnaire that Katelyn and I went over via zoom to be able to draft the documents. I then reviewed the documents, had another zoom meeting with her for corrections and additions and before I knew it, we were having them notarized. I can't thank Jim, Katelyn and their team enough. They got me through a very difficult process and I can't even put into words how much I would recommend their services. read more

First class all the way!!! Unlike several local Legal Document Assistants and several other law firms, this offices secretary actually called me back the very next morning and then I also spoke with the attorney the very next day! Very positive communication, honesty and transparency. What a welcome relief to be treated with decency and respect! It is shocking how many businesses do not have the professionalism to at least give a timely call back and even a small follow up. Mr. Phillips business doesn't fall into that category, thank goodness! They know their stuff and get it done!!!! Highly recommend!!! :) read more

I had every hope that working with Jim Phillips to settle my mom's estate after her passing would help make a difficult time a little bit easier. Unfortunately, his condescension, refusal to explain things and poor communication skills only created unnecessary aggravation. He exhibited no interest in or ability to help me feel comfortable or informed, and in the end I was left feeling taken advantage of, dissatisfied, much poorer and still in need of legal guidance. There are lots of estate lawyers out there - if my experience is any indication you'd be better off with one who is willing to treat their clients with respect. read more

This is differently a law firm I would highly recommended. Jim was very professional and easy to talk to. We worked primarily with Katelyn Phillips, Jims daughter. She was very through, patient, knowledgeable and quick to return calls. Her work and ideas were impeccable in helping us put together our living trust. read more

I used James and Katelyn Phillips to set up my estate and trust. They were absolutely fantastic! They were very thorough and helped suggest great alternatives to several difficult situations that I had to deal with. When the COVID-19 pandemic shutdown occurred midway through the process they maintained contact and we were able to finalize everything in accordance with the SIP guidelines immediately when they were allowed to reopen. I especially appreciated their sensitivity to all the different dynamics involved, their thoughtfulness and professionalism in recommending options was very much appreciated. read more

My father hired James Phillips to Write his Will and living trust back in 2006. Sadly he passed away this year 2021. Our family has been through the unfortunate process of having other family members pass away over the past 10 years. Each time we were dealing with a different estate planning attorney. This is never a pleasant process. We were very fortunate to have very helpful, patient and understanding attorneys in these past experiences. However, I would never recommend James Phillips to anyone. From my first meeting with him I had a very bad vibe. To begin with he seemed to be constantly on vacation or off for several days at a time. This ended up slowing the entire process of the estate down. He would offer help in going over paperwork and questions. When you were finally able to set up a Zoom meeting, he would seem impatient, arrogant and condescending at times. As I said earlier this was not the first Estate we had finalized so I did not feel our questions warranted the responses or attitude we received from MR. Phillips. Honestly, he seems to be burned out and perhaps needing to retire. read more

Anyone who is in need of legal guidance to prepare their estate planning documents would be well-served if they contacted the law firm of Phillips and Phillips. This is an extraordinary law firm whose entire staff is personable in addition to being highly efficient. A number of years ago, James Phillips was recommended to us for estate planning. Throughout the process of creating a living trust that would accomplish our precise needs, James Phillips was very sensitive to personal and family issues which needed to be addressed. We were very satisfied with the results. With a change in tax laws and a loss of family members, we returned without hesitation to his firm for the purpose of re-stating our trust. While listening with sincere interest to the details of our personal requirements, he also introduced various perspectives that we had not considered. James Phillips has developed his own unique style of displaying available options in the simplest terms on his easel board. Moreover, with a great amount of care and forethought, he guided us through each step of our advance health care directives. Throughout each stage of preparing our documents, he made certain that we understood and were entirely comfortable with all of our decisions. We were delighted with a job well done. read more

James Phillips is excellent to work with and very professional. I just completed my living trust, will, durable power of attorney and Advanced Healthcare directive. I'm very happy and would highly recommend him. read more

I have been a client of Mr. Phillips since 1997 when he helped my wife and me update our wills. Since then he worked with us to set up a living trust, powers of attorney, and advanced health care directives. He really knows his profession and his advice was very valuable. When my wife passed away he was very understanding and compassionate in helping me make all the necessary changes to our documents. I think he really takes a personal interest in his clients. I would definitely recommend him to anyone desiring advice in estate planning. read more

Mr. Phillips was very professional, and very helpful. He gently guided us through the rather hard decisions we had to make in writing our wills and planning for things that nobody likes to think about. He was personable, understanding and knowledgeable and his rates were also very reasonable at the time. I would recommend his services to anybody in need. read more

Based on his many years of experience, I felt that contacting James Phillips was an obvious choice to help my wife with a very difficult and unique probate situation in light of the recent passing of her mother. I received a phone call from James in response to a voicemail I left with his office. He called me from his personal cell phone and right away took what I felt was a very condescending tone as he informed me that he does not deal with spouses of clients and that he had no interest in talking to me about our situation. Rather, he asked me to have my wife call him after looking at his website. Though my wife would in fact be his client, obviously we make decisions together and she will value my input in selecting an attorney. I asked if he had any experience in dealing with our unique situation and he again took what I felt to be a very condescending tone as he told me that he has been doing this for 35 years and has "plenty of experience" and ended the call shortly after. He seemed concerned when I told him that my wife worked and is not always available. He said that "if she's not available to talk during the day, I'm not sure I would want her as a client". Obviously she would be available to talk and take time off when necessary to deal with the case, but has a job just like anybody else. Given his comment, I told my wife to look at his website really quick and give him a call back right away on the number he had called me from, so that he would see that she is available if needed. Of course this backfired, as she called him and he quickly interrupted her and said "let me interrupt you really quick, I told him to have you call my office tomorrow" and proceeded to tell her that he was busy coaching a team. Ironic that he didn't like her calling him on his personal phone at any given time (shortly after he had called me), but was very much concerned that he would not be able to contact her at any given time. I have no experience with my Phillips as an attorney, but I do have experience with his rude and condescending tone on the phone. Anybody who has just gone through a long period of grief after the loss of a loved one would be very unhappy if they had been talked to in the way that my wife and I had been talked to. The tone made me feel very insignificant and my wife agreed that he was absolutely rude, which is why she told him that he does not sound like the type of person we would want to work with before hanging up. If you've lost a loved one and are looking for somebody to help you through the probate process, I would not recommend Mr. Phillips during this very fragile time in your life. read more

Jim has been a trusted advisor and counselor for my mother, my siblings, and me for at least 30 years. He wrote my wife and my first will many years ago. He established a living trust for my wife and me when I became a business owner. His advice has always been spot-on. More recently, he helped establish a living trust for my mother after she sold her house and had to move to an independent living facility. Jim had great recommendations regarding different facilities for Mom. Jim was always available to answer questions quickly and with compassion when Mom had to be moved to an assisted living facility. After Mom passed away, he helped me to deal with my job as trustee and executor of the estate, giving me excellent, thoughtful advice all the way through that very trying time for my siblings and me. I have recommended Jim to numerous friends and relatives. In my mind, he is the epitome of a good attorney and advisor. read more