At The Urbatsch Law Firm P.C., we focus on special needs planning, settlement planning and related practice areas. Our geographic focus includes all counties in California but primarily San Francisco, Contra Costa, Alameda, Marin, San Mateo, and Santa Clara.

We help clients plan for the future, preserve their wealth against the high cost of long-term care health insurance, provide for the future of their loved ones, and leave a lasting legacy. We provide services in the following areas:

  • Elder Law – Medi-Cal Planning
  • Veteran Benefits
  • Special Needs Planning
  • Settlement Planning
  • Special Needs Trusts (SNT)
  • Minor’s Settlement Trusts
  • Medicare Set Aside Advisement (MSA)
  • Qualified Settlement Funds (QSF)
  • Selection/Identification of Trustee

Kevin belongs to the following organizations:

• National Director of the Academy of Special Needs Planners (ASNP);
• American College of Trust and Estate Counsel (ACTEC)
• Editor-in-Chief for the NAELA Journal and member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA);
• California Advocates for Nursing Home Reform (CANHR);
• Bar Association of San Francisco, Probate & Trust Section; and the
• State Bar of California, Trust and Estate Section.

Kevin is also a member of the following trial lawyers associations:

• Consumer Attorneys of California
• San Francisco Trial Lawyers Association
• Alameda/Contra Costa Trial Lawyers Association

Kevin Urbatsch, Esq.

Kevin Urbatsch is the owner of the special needs and settlement planning law firm, The Urbatsch Law Firm P.C. located in Berkeley, California. He has practiced law for over 30-years. Kevin also serves as National Director of the Academy of Special Needs Planners (ASNP), a national organization of special needs and settlement planning professionals. He is a State Bar of California, Certified Specialist in Estate Planning, Trust and Probate law. He is also a fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel (ACTEC). Kevin served over five years as Editor-in-Chief of the National Academy of Elder Law (NAELA) Journal.

Kevin has a wealth of experience in estate planning, particularly in special needs planning and administration. He was the initial Attorney-Editor, creator, and contributing author of CEB’s two-volume treatise titled Special Needs Trusts: Planning, Drafting and Administration. He is the author of the treatise titled Administering the California Special Needs Trust, the 3rd Edition and Administering the Michigan Special Needs Trust both published in 2020. He is the author for the 5th through 8th Editions of Nolo Press’ book titled Special Needs Trusts: Protecting Your Child’s Financial Future. He has represented clients in establishing and administering hundreds of SNTs throughout California and the United States. He is host of the annual California Special Needs Planning Symposium, a three-day event for attorneys, financial advisors, and professional
fiduciaries on mastering this difficult subject. He has been certified and testified as an expert witness on the proper planning needs for Californians with disabilities in Alameda County and in Great Britain.

In 2013, Parenting Magazine named Kevin as one of the nation’s Top Child Advocates for his work in fighting for the rights of children with special needs. In May 2011, Kevin was presented the NAELA’s Presidential Recognition Award for his work in special needs planning. In each year from 2010 to 2023, Kevin was named a Northern California Superlawyer; in 2019-2023, he was named a Michigan Superlawyer. In 2009, Kevin was named KRON-TV’s Best of the Bay estate-planning attorney for Northern California.

Kevin is a frequent lecturer to professionals and consumers on special needs and estate planning. He also is the author (or co-author) of the following books and treatises, and you can review his author’s page on Amazon.com at Kevin’s Amazon Author Page.

Kevin has been a member of the California Bar since 1993. He received his law  egree from St. Louis University in 1993 and his undergraduate degree from Truman State University in 1988. He began his California law practice as a litigator, where he specialized in various matters, including but not limited to elder financial abuse, Americans with Disabilities Act public access cases, and trust and estate litigation. Kevin is married to special needs attorney extraordinaire, Michele Fuller, who practices in Michigan. The two enjoy traveling, trying to keep up with their four children, and two French Bulldogs, Buster and Posie.

Estate Planning for Loved Ones with Special Needs

jessica-marmolejo-2023-headshot

Jessica Marmolejo
Senior Paralegal

(Hablo Español) 

Jessica Marmolejo is a Supervising Senior Paralegal at the special needs and settlement planning law firm, The Urbatsch Law Firm P.C. located in Berkeley, California. Jessica has been a paralegal for over 25 years. Jessica’s primary focus is to assist Kevin Urbatsch, Principal and Jess Jones, Associate, in all aspects of special needs planning, settlement planning and related practice areas to ensure timely, thorough and overall excellent service to meet the needs of their clients. Jessica joined the Urbatsch team in June 2017 to provide a truly personal and professional experience to their clients.

Jessica currently trains and supervises support staff, oversees all court supervised matters, assists with client consultations, prepares pleadings, drafts estate planning and transfer documents, handles all conservatorships and probate estate cases and assists attorneys and clients with the orderly administration of all matters. Jessica maintains excellent working relationships with clients, Court personnel, attorneys and others involved in the California probate legal system. Jessica is a presenter at the annual Special Needs Planning Symposium, educating attorneys, fiduciaries, and other professionals across the state in this specialized area of the law. She is a member of the Alameda County Legal Secretaries Association and Contra Costa County Legal Professionals Association. Jessica speaks fluent Spanish and is a Notary Public.

Before joining The Urbatsch Law Firm, while still in high school, she began her paralegal career in San Francisco, California, focusing on conservatorships, estate planning, trust administration, post-death administration, and guardianships. It was during these years, working closely with attorneys and partners of the law firm, that she honed her skills and developed her passion for helping clients during challenging times. Jessica is proud mom of her 4-legged daughter, a rescued cattle dog affectionately named Cali Chill Marmolejo. Jessica loves spending time with her family, especially her three nieces and two nephews, and enjoys traveling.

cris-giron-headsot-2023

Cris Giron
Junior Paralegal

(Hablo Español) 

Cris Giron is a Junior Paralegal at the special needs and settlement planning law firm, The Urbatsch Law Firm P.C., in Berkeley, California. Cris’ primary duty is to assist attorneys and fellow paralegals in providing timely, thorough and quality service to clients in all aspects of special needs planning, settlement planning and related practice areas.

Cris aspired to work in the legal field from a very young age. Throughout his years, he has held various positions in customer service, management, and leadership. In 2021 he joined the Urbatsch Law Firm, P.C. as a receptionist while studying full time. In 2022 he graduated from Sonoma State University with a Bachelor of Arts In Sociology and a minor in Spanish. He was promoted to Junior Paralegal that same year. His hard work ethic, professionalism and willingness to always go above and beyond what is asked make him a valuable asset to our team.

Denise Chacon
Executive Assistant

(Hablo Español) 

Denise Chacon is the Executive Assistant to Kevin Urbatsch, Principal and Jessica Jones, Associate at The Urbatsch Law Firm P.C. in Berkeley, California. Denise brings over a decade of experience in Customer

Service and Organization Development. She joined the Urbatsch Team in July of 2018 with duties in project management and operational roles. Denise earned her Bachelor of Arts in Human Development from California State University East Bay. It has served her well professionally and personally. She earned her second Bachelor of Arts in Christian Ministry and is working toward her Masters in Leadership Studies.

Denise is fluent in English and Spanish and hopes to learn sign language soon. Outside of work, Denise is a passionate volunteer and a mentor for kids that have been exposed to drugs and alcohol at an early age. She leads a children’s ministry and serves at her church’s leadership table.

denisecropped

Start typing and press Enter to search