Seasoned, general estate planning guidance financial advisors in Berkeley, CA
The right financial advisor for you depends on how you weigh location, expertise, experience, the clients they typically serve, and how they work with you.
You might seek general estate planning guidance if you're organizing your assets to protect your family or planning for how your estate will be managed after your passing. Without focused expertise, advisors may overlook how California's unique tax rules, like Proposition 13's property tax limits, affect your long-term planning.
- California tax nuances. Confirm how they incorporate state-specific rules like Proposition 13 to manage your property tax exposure.
- Comprehensive asset review. Ask if they consider all asset types, including real estate and investments, to create a cohesive plan.
- Legacy and beneficiary clarity. Ensure they help you clearly define who inherits what to avoid family disputes.
- Experience with complex estates. Inquire about their approach to handling estates with multiple properties or business interests.
Here are top matches to get you started. Review each profile to compare experience, credentials, and approach.
-
Winston T
Series 63, Series 65
El Cerrito, CA
Morgan Stanley
Winston Thomas offers seasoned general estate planning guidance near Berkeley, CA, leveraging 30 years of experience and expertise with Morgan Stanley's extensive resources. His affiliation with a large firm managing $2.74 trillion in assets provides access to structured planning tools and diverse advisory programs, distinguishing him from advisors with smaller firm support or less comprehensive service offerings.
Experience: 31 years
Avg account: $670,481
-
Timothy M
CFP®, Series 63, Series 65
Oakland, CA
PFG Advisors
Timothy Mansell offers seasoned general estate planning guidance with 38 years of experience and CFP® certification, serving clients near Berkeley from Oakland. His firm, PFG Advisors, employs a macroeconomic and fundamental analysis approach using index-based ETFs, and provides flat-fee financial planning, which may appeal to those seeking transparent pricing and comprehensive asset management including trusts and estates.
Experience: 38 years
Avg account: $421,263
-
Vanessa D
Series 63
Oakland, CA
In Touch Financial Services
Vanessa Donaville offers seasoned general estate planning guidance near Berkeley, CA, with 28 years of experience and a Series 63 designation. Her firm, In Touch Financial Services, manages diverse client types including trusts and estates, using a mix of fundamental and technical analysis. She provides flat-fee financial plans and has expertise in real estate, enhancing her ability to address California-specific estate planning nuances.
Experience: 28 years
Avg account: $248,276
-
Vivian T
Series 66
El Cerrito, CA
TIAA-CREF
Vivian Tsai offers seasoned general estate planning guidance with 24 years of experience and expertise in retirement plans for business owners, serving high-net-worth clients near Berkeley, CA. Affiliated with TIAA-CREF, a large firm providing fiduciary-managed portfolios and ongoing discretionary management, she also supports educators and mid-career professionals, differentiating her through a focus on comprehensive planning within a well-established institutional framework.
Experience: 24 years
Avg account: $523,144
-
Gavin D
Series 66
Berkeley, CA
Topel & Distasi Wealth Management, LLC
Gavin Distasi offers seasoned general estate planning guidance in Berkeley, CA, with 23 years of experience and a Series 66 designation. His firm provides flat-fee financial planning up to $10,000 and serves high-net-worth clients, managing portfolios with model allocations from conservative to aggressive, which may appeal to those seeking comprehensive estate and tax planning alongside investment management.
Experience: 23 years
Avg account: $1,349,320
Want help finding the right advisor?
Answer a few questions to see advisors matched to you.
Advisors focused on
People also searched
Popular in Berkeley, CA
Find advisors by type
Not sure where to start?
We'll help you think it through—whether you ultimately need an advisor or not. Warmer helps you compare advisors clearly, so you can choose with confidence.
For advisor listings, we rely on sources including public filings and data provided by advisors, and we cannot guarantee that all information is current or accurate. Advisors are independent and may not have reviewed or updated this information. Please review an advisor’s Form ADV and do your own diligence before deciding whether to work with them.
Advisor matching and introductions are provided by FinanceHQ LLC (“FHQ”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Warmer and an SEC-registered investment advisor. We receive compensation from certain participating advisors for introductions or referrals. This creates a conflict of interest because we have an incentive to recommend advisors who compensate us, including those who pay us more. You pay no fee to use our matching service, and advisor fees are not increased because of a referral or introduction. We do not review the ongoing performance of advisors, manage or hold assets, guarantee performance, or provide advice about specific investments.
By using our service, you agree to our Terms of Service and Advisory Agreement, and acknowledge our Privacy Policy. Please review FHQ’s ADV Part 2A and Form CRS. Logos provided by Logo.dev
© 2026 Warmer Holdings Inc. (“Warmer”)