Estate Planning · Probate · Trust Administration

San Francisco Bay Area

Protect What
You've Built.
Honor Who
You Love.

Lauren Cappelloni and Karly Schlinkert bring approximately 28 years of combined experience and genuine empathy to estate planning, probate, and trust administration — with a free consultation to get you started.

Schedule Your Free Consultation Meet Our Attorneys

Areas of Practice

Estate Planning & Will Drafting
Probate Proceedings
Trust Administration
Healthcare Directives & Powers of Attorney

Why Clients Choose Us

The Cappelloni Law Difference

~28 Years of Combined Experience

Lauren and Karly's focused, career-long dedication to estate planning, probate, and trust administration gives every client the benefit of deep, tested expertise.

Free Consultation Included

Start with a no-obligation conversation — by phone, video, or in person — to ensure we're the right fit before any commitment is made.

Inclusive Practice, Every Client Welcomed

We proudly serve clients of all backgrounds and family structures. Honoring diversity is not a policy here — it's a core value woven into everything we do.

Boutique Firm With Top-Tier Pedigree

Lauren's background at Nixon Peabody LLP and years as a boutique firm partner means clients receive elite legal expertise with personal, one-on-one attention.

Rooted in the Bay Area Community

Both attorneys were born, raised, and deeply involved in the Bay Area — including pro bono work, foundation leadership, and civic engagement that reflects a genuine community commitment.

Areas of Practice

Thoughtful Legal
Guidance at Every
Stage of Life

Our estate planning is inclusive. Embracing and honoring the diversity of our clients is central to who we are and what we do.

Speak with an attorney →
01

Estate Planning

Comprehensive, inclusive estate plans — wills, trusts, health care directives, and powers of attorney — carefully crafted to reflect your unique family, values, and intentions.

Estate planning
02

Probate

We guide Executors and Administrators through every stage of the California probate process with clarity, efficiency, and steady support from petition to final distribution.

03

Trust Administration

We help trustees understand their legal obligations and navigate trust administration with confidence, ensuring estates are managed properly and beneficiaries are protected.

04

Will Drafting

Clearly drafted, legally sound wills that ensure your assets go exactly where you intend and your loved ones are spared unnecessary confusion or conflict.

05

Healthcare Directives & Powers of Attorney

Essential documents that ensure your medical and financial wishes are honored and the right person has legal authority to act on your behalf when it matters most.

06

Estate & Trust Administration Guidance

From the moment a loved one passes, we provide step-by-step guidance to personal representatives and trustees navigating an unfamiliar and often emotional process.

The Attorneys

Meet Lauren & Karly

Lauren Cappelloni outside courthouse

Lauren Cappelloni

Founder · State Bar of California

"A practice built on knowledge, empathy, and genuine care for every client."

Cappelloni Law PC was founded in 2018 by Lauren Cappelloni after more than a decade of dedicated practice — beginning as a litigation associate at Nixon Peabody LLP, one of the world's largest law firms, before joining a San Francisco boutique estate planning firm where she ultimately became a partner.

Lauren graduated summa cum laude from the University of Pennsylvania and thereafter attended the University of California College of the Law, San Francisco, where she was a member of Hastings Law Journal. She is admitted to the State Bar of California and is a member of the Trusts and Estates Section of the California Lawyers Association and the East Bay Trusts and Estates Lawyers.

During the initial months of the Covid-19 outbreak, Lauren volunteered over 60 hours helping frontline healthcare workers prepare free wills and health care directives — a reflection of the community commitment that defines this firm.

Estate Planning Probate Trust Administration
Karly Schlinkert estate planning attorney

Karly Schlinkert

Attorney · CA & TX State Bars

"Deep expertise in trust administration and probate, delivered with warmth and precision."

Karly Schlinkert joined Cappelloni Law PC in 2023, bringing her own deep expertise in trust administration and probate proceedings developed over years of practice throughout the Bay Area. She and Lauren briefly overlapped at a previous firm and continued to collaborate before Karly formally joined the team.

Karly earned her bachelor's degree from the University of California-Davis and attended Golden Gate University School of Law, where she was a published member of the Golden Gate University Law Review. She is admitted to the State Bar of California and the State Bar of Texas.

Born and raised in the Greater San Francisco Bay Area, Karly also serves as the Secretary of a private foundation in San Francisco that supports the arts — and is known for finding endless entertainment in dressing her English Bulldog, Mr. Buttons, in seasonal costumes.

Trust Administration Probate Estate Planning

What Our Clients Say

Trusted by Families
Across the Bay Area

"Lauren is an exceptional probate attorney. Her knowledge and experience with the probate process were invaluable, and she was also a delight to work with."

— Craig A.

"It can be uncomfortable and awkward talking through an estate plan, but Lauren created a really safe environment to discuss this topic."

— Lisa E.

"Lauren went above and beyond to make sure we are happy, satisfied, and content with all the details for the estate plan. She genuinely cares about her clients."

— Robertus S.

"Lauren is incredible. She provided us a thorough explanation of the process and was always there for us throughout the creation of our trust and beyond."

— Zeena B.

How It Works

From First Call
to Lasting Peace of Mind

A process designed around your comfort, clarity, and confidence at every step.

01

Free Consultation

A no-obligation conversation by phone, video, or in person to discuss your goals and family situation.

02

Personalized Strategy

Your attorney designs a legal strategy tailored specifically to your family, assets, and wishes.

03

Document Drafting & Review

Clear, thorough legal documents with a full walkthrough ensuring complete confidence before signing.

04

Execution & Finalization

Step-by-step guidance through signing, ensuring all documents are legally valid and properly in place.

05

Ongoing Relationship

We remain available as life changes — for updates, trust administration, and probate support whenever needed.

What Sets Us Apart

A Practice Built
Around You

Inclusive Estate Planning

Embracing and honoring the full diversity of our clients is central to who we are. Every family structure deserves a plan that truly reflects it.

~28 Years of Combined Expertise

Lauren and Karly's focused experience means every client receives seasoned, confident, and current legal guidance.

Boutique Firm, Personal Attention

Every client works directly with Lauren or Karly — attorneys who invest in your long-term well-being.

Flexible Meeting Options

Phone, video conference, or in person at our San Francisco or San Mateo offices — around your schedule and comfort.

A Safe Space for Hard Conversations

We create a judgment-free environment where sensitive topics become manageable and you feel fully in control.

Always Current on California Law

Lauren and Karly stay current on legal developments to ensure the most effective strategies are always in place.

Long-Term Client Relationships

We build lasting partnerships with individuals and families, supporting you through every life change that follows.

Deep Bay Area Roots

Both attorneys were born and raised in the Bay Area and are active in local civic and nonprofit life — a genuine community commitment.

Questions & Answers

Frequently Asked
Questions

It's a relaxed, no-obligation conversation — by phone, video, or in person — where we learn about your goals, family situation, and the type of legal support you need. We'll explain your options clearly and answer any questions you have before any commitment is made.

A will directs how your assets are distributed after death but must go through probate. A trust holds assets during your lifetime and transfers them to beneficiaries outside of probate, typically offering greater privacy, speed, and flexibility. Many estate plans include both.

Yes. Estate planning is about far more than wealth — it's about ensuring your medical wishes are honored, naming someone you trust to manage your affairs, and protecting the people you love. Everyone with dependents, healthcare preferences, or any assets benefits from a plan.

Probate is the court-supervised process of authenticating a will and distributing a deceased person's estate. We guide Executors and Administrators through every step — from filing the initial petition to the final accounting and distribution — making a complex process as manageable as possible.

A trustee is legally responsible for managing and distributing a trust's assets according to its terms and California law. This involves gathering assets, notifying beneficiaries, paying debts, filing tax returns, and making distributions. We help trustees understand their duties and fulfill them correctly.

Absolutely. We offer meetings by phone and video conference for all clients. For probate and trust administration matters, we also offer in-person meetings at our conference room in San Mateo, in addition to our San Francisco office.

Major life events are the most common triggers: marriage, divorce, the birth or adoption of a child, the death of a beneficiary or named executor, a significant change in assets, or a move to a new state. We're happy to review existing documents and advise on any updates needed.

Not at all. Life is unpredictable at any age. Anyone with assets, dependents, or strong wishes about their medical care should have foundational documents in place. Starting early ensures the people you love are protected no matter what happens.

Take the First Step

Your Family Deserves
a Plan as Thoughtful
as They Are.

We offer free consultations by phone, video, or in person in San Francisco. For probate and trust administration clients we can also meet in person at our conference room in San Mateo. There's no obligation — just an honest conversation about how we can help.

Schedule Your Free Consultation Call 415-795-2910

Office

201 Spear Street, Suite 1160
San Francisco, CA 94105

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Phone

415-795-2910

Hours

Monday – Friday
8:00 am – 4:30 pm

Email: info@cappellonilaw.com

Submission of an email does not establish an attorney-client relationship.