Siena Law, P.C. · Siena M. Martinez, Esq.
Estate planning, probate and trust administration in Sherman Oaks.
Work directly with Siena
One attorney, from the first conversation through the final documents.
Meet your way
Sherman Oaks office. Statewide options.
What Siena Law handles
A plan for your family.
Guidance for what comes next.
I help you put a plan in place during your lifetime, or carry out the responsibilities that follow a death. Each begins with a conversation about your circumstances.
Planning Ahead
Estate Planning
Estate-Planning Tools
Wills
After a Death — Court Process
Probate Administration
Office & Areas Served
Based in Sherman Oaks. Serving Clients Across California.
Office Location Sherman Oaks, CA
Siena Law’s office is located in Sherman Oaks and is available for in-person meetings with clients in Sherman Oaks and the surrounding area.
Areas Served — Virtual & In-Person Travel Available
Siena Law serves clients throughout Los Angeles and Ventura Counties.
For clients farther from the Sherman Oaks office, Siena can travel for in-person meetings when appropriate or meet virtually.
Statewide California Services
Virtual meetings are available throughout California. Siena also assists with probate and trust administration matters statewide, including matters in counties outside the Los Angeles and Ventura areas.
Office Location
Sherman Oaks Office
Sherman Oaks, California 91403
Email: siena@sienalaw.com
9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
- In person
- By phone
- Virtually
Not near Sherman Oaks? Virtual meetings are available, and Siena may travel to meet with clients when appropriate.
Siena M. Martinez, Esq.
Fun Facts: Outside my practice, I enjoy hikes and beach walks with my dog Tulip, yoga, strength training, improv & writing.
Why I started Siena Law
My experience shaped how I practice today
My own family went through an inter-family trust dispute that turned into heavily contested litigation. It was heartbreaking, costly and stressful for everyone involved — and much of it traced back to documents that were never made clear enough.
I spent nearly three years in trust and estate litigation at high-volume firms, working on disputes that arose after plans were already in place. That experience showed me how ambiguity, incomplete planning, and overlooked details can create costly problems later. Today, I bring that perspective to drafting and administration, with an eye toward addressing those issues before they become disputes.
Direct access
Issue spotting informed by litigation
Plain language, no judgment
Education & memberships
University of San Diego School of Law
Tax LLM · December 2023
Professional memberships
- Los Angeles County Bar Association
- Ventura County Bar Association
- San Diego County Bar Association
Who I help
For people planning ahead and those handling an estate
Start here
I'm planning ahead for myself and my family.
Start here
I'm handling a loved one's estate or trust.
Why Siena Law
Experienced guidance with direct attorney attention
Litigation-informed planning
Siena’s background in trust and estate litigation gives her a practical understanding of how estate plans are interpreted and challenged after the fact, which informs the way she approaches planning and drafting today.
Advanced legal and tax training
With both a J.D. and an LL.M. in Taxation, Siena brings additional training to the legal and tax issues that can affect estate planning and administration.
Clear guidance without judgment
Estate planning can involve personal, financial, and family decisions that are not always easy to talk about, so Siena focuses on making the process clear, comfortable, and practical.
Recommendations based on your situation
Siena takes the time to understand your family, assets, goals, and concerns before recommending a plan or scope of work, rather than forcing every client into the same package.
Frequently Ask Questions
Do I actually need a trust, or is a will enough?
It depends on what you own and what you want to avoid. Owning real property or having minor children usually moves the conversation toward a trust, but not always. I’d rather talk it through than tell every visitor they need the same thing.
How do I keep my children out of court when I die?
A properly drafted and properly funded revocable living trust is the usual route, because assets held in it pass without probate. No plan can promise a court will never be involved, but a clear, well-funded plan makes it far less likely.
Why do I need a trust and a financial power of attorney?
Each document serves different roles within an estate plan. If you become incapacitated during your lifetime and you can no longer manage your finances on your own, both your trust and your financial power of attorney documents come into play. Your trustee (the person you appoint to manage your trust) and your power of attorney agent (the person you appoint to manage your finances in your stead) will work together to ensure your finances are managed properly on your behalf. Ideally, the same person is appointed for both roles.
While your trustee will be able to manage all of your assets which have already been retitled under your trust, a financial power of attorney encompasses all of your other assets that are not necessarily named in your trust just yet, such as retirement accounts or cash accounts with beneficiary designations.
Plus, your power of attorney agent will be able to handle all of the day-to-day issues that may arise. For example, if your internet provider charges you too much or you no longer need a subscription, your power of attorney agent will be able to speak to the internet provider and cancel the subscription on your behalf.
Therefore, simply having a trust will not necessarily protect you in all situations; a financial power of attorney is also necessary.
I've been named executor or successor trustee. What now?
Gather what you can find — the will or trust, a list of accounts and property, and the death certificate — and don’t distribute anything yet. Then reach out. I’ll walk you through your fiduciary obligations and guide you throughout the process.
What does this cost?
Estate-planning packages are flat-fee, trust administration is hourly, and probate compensation is set by the California Probate Code and paid at the end of administration. I quote after the intake conversation, because the right scope depends on your circumstances.
Common misconceptions
“I’m not wealthy enough to need an estate plan.”Estate planning is always important, no matter your status or wealth. An estate plan is not just about reducing your tax obligations. It is about protecting yourself and those you love and reducing the stress and burdens that come with the inevitable. Everyone deserves peace of mind that when the time comes, their families will be afforded a smooth transition.
“If I have a will, my family can avoid probate.”A will does not generally avoid probate in California, which is one reason a living trust may be part of a broader estate plan.
“Once I sign my trust, I’m finished.”A trust also needs to be properly funded and coordinated with your assets so it can work the way it was intended. I will provide you with detailed instructions so that you know exactly what you must do to ensure all of your assets are properly funded to your trust and nothing is left behind.
“I can wait until I’m older to handle this.”Estate planning also covers incapacity, financial decision-making, healthcare wishes, and guardianship concerns, so it can matter well before retirement age. It is never too early to start planning.
What happens next
A clear process from first conversation to final documents
You reach out
Send a short message or call the office, and I’ll gather a few basic details so I can understand what you need and confirm there are no conflicts.
Schedule a complimentary consultation
Agreement and questionnaire
Drafting or administration
I’ll prepare your documents and walk you through the decisions that matter, with opportunities to ask questions and make revisions along the way.
Review, signing, and implementation
We’ll review the final documents together, complete signing, and make sure you understand any remaining steps such as trust funding or beneficiary updates.
Start your inquiry
Ready to talk about your next step?
This form is the first step. I’ll personally review your inquiry, complete a conflict check, and follow up with the appropriate next steps, including scheduling a complimentary 30-minute consultation when it makes sense to move forward.
Sherman Oaks office · Remote meetings throughout California · 805-552-6896