Irene Zhu, Esq., LL.M.
Meet the Attorney
My name is Irene, and I am committed to providing the best estate planning services for modern families and diverse communities. I first had this vision when I saw the gap in accessible quality estate planning services. I aim at closing the gap by 1) paying my clients personalized attention, 2) constantly optimizing and automatizing my process, and 3) adding value for my clients rather than pouring into gimmicks and hefty advertisements.
Having learned firsthand the struggles of juggling parents, I know the pain too well that “I have to put off Estate Planning to the back burner “because there are too many things going on in life. A first-gen immigrant “mompreneur”, I am culturally sensitive and community service-oriented. I enjoy interacting and working with people of various backgrounds. My friends say I have a knack for explaining things. especially hard concepts I had to learn myself
My First Stab at Estate Planning and Seeing the Gap
My career in wills, trusts, and estate planning began over a decade ago. Working as a paralegal then at a San Francisco law firm, I gained two insights: 1) Every adult needs an estate plan in place while they are alive and well; 2) Good affordable estate planning attorneys are hard to find. Oftentimes, a client either finds an expert estate planner beyond their budget or that a general practice law firm doesn’t offer the customized care needed for estate planning. Sitting in this gap, some clients would go for the “alternative” to “do-it-your-self”, using an online “trust mill” that generates one-size-fits-all documents, ill-fitted for each individual or family with unique needs or wants. A seed was planted in me that one day I want to close that gap.
Closing the Gap through Accessible Quality Estate Planning Service in Time of Need
Although I took a career detour into various practice areas and legal agencies, personally I kept on encountering estate planning needs and issues. Life would hit me and those around me with unpleasant surprises and growth opportunities. More than once in recent years, my life changed dramatically after a single phone call or a telehealth visit. I had to learn the basics of special needs planning which is crucial in securing a steady flow of funds to care for disabled loved ones.
Being in the special needs parents’ community, I’m eye-opened to the dire need for advanced estate planning for this demographic and burdened by the same gap yet again: It’s hard to find affordable quality estate planners to address their needs. Furthermore, parents who are already juggling a lot do not have the luxury to shop around for ideal estate planners. So they push it off to the backburner. As years go by, so are their options available in special needs planning.
With that burden in mind, after being admitted to practice law in California, I immediately dived back into the world of wills and trusts. Different from a decade ago, to my delight, there are now a lot more ways for professionals to collaborate closely and for law firms to operate efficiently. I have found my calling to join like-minded colleagues in the estate planning industry to bridge the gap in accessible quality services.
Closing the Gap through Community Services and Professional Education
My personal experiences have fueled my long-term commitment to community services. I have been involved at HERA, a dynamic nonprofit providing direct pro bono legal services to underprivileged communities. While there, I have seen the numerous ways people fell prey to predatory practices and the “couldn’t care less” attitude from institutions and even family members. In response, our team works tirelessly to advocate for their clients. Thanks to the process, I am loaded with tools and an increasing passion for empowering clients to safeguard their financial future.
Besides providing estate planning services directly to clients, I have had the privilege to frequently speak at workshops in both English and Chinese languages (Mandarin and Cantonese), including one sponsored by the S.F. County Assessor’s Office, a professional continuing education event for lawyers, and other community outreach efforts.
A graduate of UC Hastings College of the Law, I have dedicated my career to estate planning, an area of law in the business of delivering peace of mind.
While not working or serving the community, I enjoy spending time with family and friends, losing myself in non-fictional reading, and attending reformer Pilates classes.
Affiliations
California Lawyers Association | Trusts and Estates Section
Alameda County Bar Association (ACBA) | Trust and Estates Executive Committee Member
ACBA Bay Area Legal Incubator | Cohort of March 2022
WealthCounsel LLC | Member Attorney
East Bay Trusts and Estates Lawyers | Member
Alameda County Bar Association | Member
Education
UC Hastings College of the Law | LL.M.
吉林大学 (Jilin University) | LL.B. (J.D. Equivalent)
Other Pro Bono Experiences
Eviction Defense Collaborative | Volunteer Law Clerk
Al Otro Lado | Immigration Case Translator (Mandarin)
ImpaACT | Volunteer Fifth-Grade Mentor
Elderly Care Ministry | Volunteer
FAQs
Q: Why do I need an Estate Plan? What happens if I do nothing?
A: Glad you asked. The somewhat shocking and disturbing truth is that if you do not plan for what happens beyond your earthly journey, the state you reside in will have a plan mapped out for you and yours. In California (and similarly in other states in the U.S.), the Probate Code essentially spills out formulas to aid the determination of “who gets what” of your possessions. There’s little to no room to factor in a soured marriage or an estranged sibling.
Q: What is the process to set up my estate plan? How long does it take?
A: The process entails four simple stages: 1) Consultation and Education; 2) Retaining and Designing; 3) Drafting and Reviewing; 4) Signing ceremony and further instructions. Every stage is collaborative and personally tailored to your needs and situation.
While it depends on both parties to get the ball rolling, generally, the timeline falls in the ballpark of a few weeks.
Q: Isn’t estate planning only reserved for the ultra-rich or the advanced in age?
A: Not quite. At the very least, everyone over 18 should have incapacity planning documents (e.g., POA, AHCD) in place to avoid disruptive court proceedings to determine a conservator if they lose capacity. Therefore, incapacity documents are an indispensable part of your estate planning. No one is shielded from illness or accidents. Estate planning is not only reserved for the ultra-rich or the advanced in age. Every adult should have an estate plan.
Q: Can you help with my estate plan if I can not travel to your office?
A: Absolutely! As long as you are a resident of California, we can help with your estate plan. If you prefer, you do not have to come into the office throughout the entire process. Thanks to the pandemic, our office has adopted a virtual paperless practice. Several of our early-day clients are based in San Diego! Of course, if it fits your needs or you want to drop by, feel free to schedule an in-person meeting in the Oakland office.
Q: What are the similarities and differences between will and trust? What goes into an estate plan?
A: Will and trust are both inheritance planning mechanisms. The same rules govern them both, but counterintuitively, they often function in exactly opposite ways. For example, a will is public and court-involved; a trust is private and court-avoidant. Depending on your assets, family dynamic, and other circumstances, you need a will-based or a trust-based plan. We get to talk about that in-depth at our client designing meeting.
Q: Am I all set after signing my estate planning according to your instructions?
A: No. While estate planning documents take effect after proper signing, notarization, or witnessing (for wills), living trusts, in particular, aren’t meaningful if not adequately “funded.” We will work with you closely to keep you informed of the nuances and practical pointers regarding funding. That way, you can unleash the full potential of your documents as an effective inheritance planning mechanism, maximizing the peace of mind of your loved ones when the time comes.
