Atty. John M. Goralka
Professional Specialties Income Tax and Estate Tax Planning Tax Litigation Controversy Trusts Asset Protection Planning and Implementation Business and Corporate Law Shareholder and Business Buy/Sell Agreements for Estate Planning & Business Continuation Purposes Estate Planning Probate and Trust Administration Sales of Businesses and Real Property Qualifications Certified Specialist in Estate Planning, Trusts and Probate Law by the State Bar of California, Board of Legal Specialization Certified Specialist in Taxation Law by the State Bar of California, Board of Legal Specialization Former He
Asset Protection Planning and Implementation & More Attorney · Serving Sacramento, CA · 38+ Years Experience
Profile Summary
About John M. Goralka at a Glance
John M. Goralka is a Principal based in Sacramento, California, practicing at The Goralka Law Firm, P.C.. They have 38+ years of legal experience, licensed to practice since 1988. Their practice focuses on trusts, probate, estate planning, business, and real estate. Admitted to practice in California (1988) and U.S. District Court, Eastern District of California U.S. Tax Court (1988). Educated at McGeorge School of Law, University of the Pacific (LL.M. Taxation, 1989) and California State University (B.S. Accounting, 1986). Recognitions include AV Preeminent. Active member of Sacramento County Bar Association. Serves clients in Sacramento, CA and the surrounding metropolitan area.
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About John M. Goralka
- Professional Specialties Income Tax and Estate Tax Planning Tax Litigation Controversy Trusts Asset Protection Planning and Implementation Business and Corporate Law Shareholder and Business Buy/Sell Agreements for Estate Planning & Business Continuation Purposes Estate Planning Probate and Trust Administration Sales of Businesses and Real Property Qualifications Certified Specialist in Estate Planning, Trusts and Probate Law by the State Bar of California, Board of Legal Specialization Certified Specialist in Taxation Law by the State Bar of California, Board of Legal Specialization Former Hearing Officer and Income Tax Auditor, Franchise Tax Board, California Passed the California Certified Public Accountants' (CPA’s) Exam Approved Educator - California Department of Insurance Approved Educator - California Certificated Financial Planning Board Blue Star Wealth Professional Awards Distinguished Client Service Award - Martindale-Hubbell 2014-2022 2016-2022 Northern California Super Lawyer for Estate Planning & Probate, Tax, and Business Law 2016-2022 Sacramento Magazine Top Lawyer for Business & Corporate Law Rated AV preeminent by Martindale-Hubbell 10.0 Rating with .com Recognized as a top attorney in the United States by US News & World Reports for Taxation and Estate Planning Recognized as a top taxation attorney in the United States by Premier Tax Planners Author California Tax Lawyer, August, 1992 – "Can the Service Partner Finally Go Back To Work?
- Nationally recognized author with articles regularly appearing in Kiplinger, NASDAQ.com, On Wall Street, The American Journal of Managed Care, Penton: Wealth Management, Yahoo Finance, Leimburg, ThinkAdvisor and Hospital Impact Co-Author Family Limited Partnerships in Estate Planning and Asset Protection, "Maximize the Use of Family Limited Partnerships in Estate Planning" and "Sort Through the Complex Rules Regarding the taxation of Family Limited Partnerships," August 2008 Estate Planning Basics, "Estate and Gift Taxes" and "Charitable Planning," August 2008 Fundamental Probate Procedures and Practices, "Inventory & Appraisal," May 2008 Estate and Gift Taxes, "Estate, Gift and GST Taxes," January 2008 Estate Planning Basics, "Basic Taxes You Need to be Aware Of," January 2008 The Probate Process for California Paralegals: From Start to Finish, 2003 and 2004 A Practical Guide to Estate Administration in California, 1992 and 1993 Education California State University of Sacramento, B.S
- Accounting McGeorge School of Law, J.D. with distinction, Class Rank – 4th McGeorge School of Law, L.L.M
- Taxation Academic Achievements American Jurisprudence Awards in Torts and Business Planning Corpus Juris Secundum Award For Making the Most Outstanding Contribution to Legal Scholarship (1985 and 1988) Order of the Coif Prentice-Hall Outstanding Tax Student Award Traynor Society Award for Academic Achievement Member Former member of Board of Directors, Sacramento Estate Planning Council Former Education Chair, Sacramento Estate Planning Council Sacramento County and California Bar Associations National Association of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA) Wealth Counsel California Advocates for Nursing Home Reform (CANHR)
Practice Areas Explained
John M. Goralka's Areas of Legal Practice
Each practice area below reflects the types of cases John M. Goralka handles, with a practical overview of what that area of law involves and how it may apply to your situation in Sacramento.
Trusts in Sacramento
John M. Goralka is one of 103,428 trusts attorneys indexed nationally. Browse trusts attorneys in California →
Probate in Sacramento
John M. Goralka is one of 127,041 probate attorneys indexed nationally. Browse probate attorneys in California →
Estate Planning & Probate in Sacramento
An estate planning attorney prepares wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and healthcare directives to protect your family and pass on your assets.
John M. Goralka is one of 224,789 estate planning attorneys indexed nationally. Browse estate planning attorneys in California →
Business & Corporate Law in Sacramento
Business attorneys advise founders and growing companies on entity formation, contracts, financing, M&A, and dispute resolution.
John M. Goralka is one of 497,491 business attorneys indexed nationally. Browse business attorneys in California →
Real Estate Law in Sacramento
Real estate attorneys handle home purchases, sales, commercial transactions, title disputes, and landlord-tenant matters.
John M. Goralka is one of 313,729 real estate attorneys indexed nationally. Browse real estate attorneys in California →
Jurisdictional Context
Why Local Counsel Matters in Sacramento
Practicing law in California. Legal matters in California are governed by state-specific rules of civil and criminal procedure, statutes of limitations, and substantive law. Cases originating in Sacramento are typically filed in the local municipal court or the appropriate California state district court, depending on subject matter and amount in controversy. An attorney licensed in California brings working knowledge of local procedural deadlines, judicial practices in this venue, and the substantive law that applies to cases brought here. Out-of-state attorneys generally cannot represent clients in California courts without local counsel or pro hac vice admission.
Sacramento Courts and Legal Process
Choosing a Sacramento-based attorney means your counsel already knows the local docketing timelines, preferred filing formats, and how individual judges typically rule on procedural motions — details that only come from practicing in this jurisdiction day after day. That local familiarity can translate to better strategy, faster filings, and fewer costly surprises.
Looking for additional California attorneys? Browse all attorneys in Sacramento or all attorneys in California.
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Professional Profile
Why Clients in Sacramento Choose John M. Goralka
Selecting an attorney is one of the most consequential decisions you can make when a legal matter arises. Below are the core qualities that distinguish John M. Goralka's practice in the field of trusts, probate, estate planning, business, and real estate.
Decade-Tested Legal Experience
John M. Goralka brings 38+ years of hands-on legal practice — enough to have navigated the recurring fact patterns, procedural traps, and negotiation dynamics that shape case outcomes.
Multi-State Bar Admission
Licensed in California and U.S. District Court, Eastern District of California U.S. Tax Court, John M. Goralka can represent clients in cases that span state lines or require counsel in multiple jurisdictions.
Broad Practice Area Coverage
Covering trusts, probate, and estate planning, John M. Goralka can address the full spectrum of a client's legal needs without requiring referrals to separate specialists for each issue.
Local Presence in Sacramento
A Sacramento-based practice means John M. Goralka attends hearings in the same courthouses, knows the local clerks, and understands the unwritten scheduling norms that affect every case filed here.
Case Types
Common Legal Issues John M. Goralka Handles in Sacramento
Below is a representative sample of the types of matters John M. Goralka has experience with under California law. If your situation involves one of these case categories, this attorney may be well positioned to help you understand your options.
This list is illustrative, not exhaustive. Contact John M. Goralka directly to discuss the specifics of your situation.
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John M. Goralka's Practice Areas & Specializations
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