An innovative provider of sophisticated legal services in over 45 practice areas.

Kay U. Brooks

Shareholder

Sacramento

916.558.6055

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Practice Areas

Bar Admissions

  • California

Court Admissions

  • U.S. District Court, Eastern District of California
  • U.S. District Court, Central District of California

EDUCATION

J.D., with honors, University of Texas, Austin, 1982

Order of the Coif

B.A., University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, 1978

Phi Beta Kappa

Experience

Kay is a shareholder in the Firm’s Trusts & Estates group.

She advises individuals and families on all aspects of Estate & Tax planning, including family trusts, wills, powers of attorney, health care documents, life insurance trusts, education trusts, charitable giving, business succession planning, gifting programs, and family business entities such as limited liability companies and family limited partnerships. She also assists clients with estate and gift tax issues, and probate and trust administrations.

Admitted to the State Bar of California in 1982, Kay began her legal career practicing business and corporate securities law in Los Angeles and Newport Beach. Kay and her family moved to the Sacramento area in 1990, and she established her own Estate Planning law practice in Placer County prior to joining the Weintraub firm.

Kay prepares high-quality, personalized estate and business succession plans for her clients, with an emphasis on addressing each client’s individual needs and concerns. Her clients appreciate her explanations and are able to resolve challenging planning issues with her guidance. Kay’s clients include sophisticated business owners as well as persons who have had limited occasion to work with legal counsel before, and her customized approach has enabled her to successfully advise clients with a broad range of planning issues.

Kay encourages collaboration among her clients’ advisors so that no issues are overlooked. In keeping with this practice, Kay enjoys her participation and leadership role in the Sacramento Estate Planning Council (“SEPC”), a local professional organization that promotes continuing education and collegiality for all advisors engaged in the area of estate planning services. Kay is a Past President of the SEPC.

Kay has appeared on two public service programs, “Your Money, Your Legacy,” and “You Can’t Take It With You,” which explained estate planning topics and aired regularly on Sacramento’s public television station, KVIE. She has been named as a Five Star Wealth Manager (SM) in Sacramento and a Northern California Super Lawyer. She served as an “Expert” on estate planning, wills and trusts in the Sacramento Bee’s column “Ask the Experts.”

Several Sacramento and Placer charitable organizations have also provided Kay opportunities to serve her community. Kay was a member of the Eureka Schools Foundation Board of Directors and Operating Committee from 1999-2002 and participated on the Planning Giving Committee for Sutter Roseville Community Hospital for many years. She has held positions on the Junior League of Sacramento Board of Directors and served on the Advisory Committee of the Assistance League of Sacramento. Kay is currently a member of the Steering Committee for the Philanthropic Advisors Forum.

Kay has received LexisNexis Martindale-Hubbell’s highest “AV” Peer Review Rating for preeminent attorneys.

Certified Specialist in Estate Planning, Trust and Probate Law by the State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization
April 2003 – June 2023

State Bar of California, Taxation and Trusts and Estates Sections
Member

Sacramento County Bar Association, Probate and Estate Planning and Tax Law Sections
Member

Placer County Bar Association
Member

Sacramento Estate Planning Council
Past President

Meritas, Sacramento
Member

Sutter Roseville Medical Center Foundation (SRMCF) Board of Trustees
Trustee, 2024
Chair of Gift Planning Committee, 2024

Sutter Legacy Society
Member

Assistance League of Sacramento Advisory Committee
Member 2002- 2004

Sutter Roseville Hospital
Member of Planned Giving Committee 2001- 2003

Eureka Schools Foundation
Board Director 1999- 2003

Junior League of Sacramento
Member 1990-1999
Board Service: Parliamentarian 1998- 1999, Recording Secretary 1993- 1994

Awards

The Best Lawyers of America©, 2018 – 2025 (Trusts & Estates)

The Best Lawyers of America©, Lawyer of the Year 2023 for Trusts & Estates (Sacramento)

Sacramento Business Journal’s Best of the Bar, 2017 – 2019

SacTown Magazine’s Top Lawyers List, 2015 – 2024 – Estate Planning and Probate

American Jurisprudence Award for Excellence in Real Property

Top Rated Lawyer ™ in Trusts and Estates Law, 2013 and 2014

Sacramento Region Community Foundation 2018 Recipient of Don Poole Award

Northern California Super Lawyers, 2007, 2014-2025

Highest “AV Preeminent” (5 out of 5) Professional Rating
Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory

Managing Risk: How To Protect Yourself In A Post-Giraldin World

A Seminar for Fiduciaries Summary of ProgramJoin the attorneys from Weintraub Tobin’s Trusts and Estates Group as they discuss the important legal and practical implications for trustees arising from the recent California Supreme Court decision in the Estate of Giraldin. Program Highlights You thought you knew to whom your fiduciary…

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Speaking Engagement: Philanthropic Advisor’s Forum Fall Forum

Trusts and Estates Attorney Kay Brooks was a panelist at the Philanthropic Advisors’ of Greater Sacramento’s Fall Forum on Monday, September 30 from 5 to 7 p.m. The forum: “Exploring Creative Solutions with Charitable Case Studies” will be a lively, interactive experience and is intended for professional advisors. Drinks and…

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Speaking Engagement: Prop. 8, DOMA, and Thoughts on Same-Sex Planning in CA

The United States Supreme Court recently issued its decisions in United States v. Windsor and Hollingsworth v. Perry, striking down the portion of the Defense of Marriage Act that prohibited federal recognition of same-sex marriages and rejecting the ballot proponents’ defense of California’s Proposition 8, respectively. Weintraub Tobin attorneys Kay…

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34 Weintraub Attorneys Named to Sactown Magazine’s Top Lawyers 2024

Weintraub Tobin is honored to announce that 34 of its attorneys have been selected to the inaugural Sactown Magazine Top Lawyers 2024 list. Attorneys from Weintraub Tobin are recognized in over a dozen practice areas on this year’s list, including Real Estate, Employment & Labor, Business Litigation, and Estate Planning…

35 Weintraub Attorneys Named to 2021 Northern California Super Lawyers and Rising Stars Lists; Firm Retains Highest Percentage of Sacramento Top 25 List

Weintraub Tobin is pleased to announce that 38 of its attorneys have been included on the 2021 Super Lawyers and Rising Star lists for outstanding attorneys in Northern California.  In addition, 4 Weintraub Tobin attorneys received special recognition on Northern California and Sacramento “Top” lists. Weintraub attorneys represent 16 percent…

33 Weintraub Tobin Attorneys Named to 2020 Northern California Super Lawyers and Rising Stars Lists; Retain Highest Percentage of Sacramento Top 25 List

Weintraub Tobin is pleased to announce that 33 Weintraub Tobin attorneys have been included on the 2020 Super Lawyers and Rising Star lists for outstanding attorneys in Northern California.  In addition, 5 Weintraub Tobin attorneys received special recognition on Northern California and Sacramento “Top” lists. Weintraub attorneys represent 20 percent of…

14 Weintraub Tobin Attorneys Named to Best of the Bar 2019

SACRAMENTO, California  – Weintraub Tobin congratulates its 14 attorneys who have been included in Sacramento Business Journal’s Best of the Bar 2019. Attorneys selected to the 2019 Best of the Bar list include Gary L. Bradus, Kay U. Brooks ,Dale C. Campbell,  Christopher Chediak, Janet Z. Chediak, Jim Clarke,Edward J.…

37 Weintraub Tobin Attorneys Named Among 2018 Super Lawyers and Rising Stars

Super Lawyers has released its Northern California, Southern California and San Diego lists of outstanding attorneys for 2018, on which 37 Weintraub Tobin attorneys have been included. Five Weintraub Tobin attorneys received special recognition as a Top 25 Sacramento Super Lawyer. Weintraub Tobin attorneys named to the 2018 Southern California…

24 Weintraub Tobin Attorneys Rated by Martindale-Hubbell®

SACRAMENTO, CA (August 7, 2017) – Weintraub Tobin, a leading California full-service law firm, is pleased to announce that 24 Weintraub Tobin attorneys are Martindale-Hubbell rated. Out of the 24 attorneys, 21 have received the AV Preeminent® Rating by Martindale-Hubbell®, while three attorneys have been given the Distinguished rating. AV…

36 Weintraub Tobin Attorneys Named Among 2017 Super Lawyers and Rising Stars

Super Lawyers has released its Northern California, Southern California, and San Diego lists of outstanding attorneys for 2017, on which 36 Weintraub Tobin attorneys have been included. Six Weintraub Tobin attorneys received special recognition as a Top 25 Sacramento Super Lawyer. Weintraub Tobin attorneys named to the 2017 Southern California…

18 Weintraub Tobin Attorneys Named to Sacramento Magazine’s Top Lawyers List 2016

SACRAMENTO, California – July 25, 2016 – Weintraub Tobin Law Corporation congratulates its 18 attorneys who have been included in Sacramento magazine’s 2016 Top Lawyer List. David C. Adams | Business/Corporate, Mergers & AcquisitionsBrendan Begley | AppellateTaylor W.Bentley | Securities & Corporate FinanceGary L. Bradus | Banking & Financial Service, Business/CorporateKay U.…

33 Weintraub Tobin Attorneys Named Among 2016 Super Lawyers and Rising Stars

Super Lawyers has released its Northern California, Southern California, and San Diego lists of outstanding attorneys for 2016, on which 33 Weintraub Tobin attorneys have been included. Three Weintraub Tobin attorneys received special honors in their respective regions. Weintraub Tobin attorneys named to the 2016 Southern California and San Diego Super…

37 Weintraub Tobin Attorneys Named Among 2015 Super Lawyers and Rising Stars

Super Lawyers has released its Northern California, Southern California, and San Diego lists of outstanding attorneys for 2015, on which 37 Weintraub Tobin attorneys have been included. Eight Weintraub Tobin attorneys received special honors in their respective regions. Weintraub Tobin attorneys named to the 2015 Southern California and San Diego…

Weintraub Tobin Raises Money for American Heart Association

For a third year in a row, Weintraub Tobin is working to raise funds for cardiovascular diseases and stroke by partaking in the American Heart Association Heart Walk on Saturday, September 21 at William Land Park. Our attorneys and staff work hard during the summer months to gear up for…

Weintraub Tobin Attorneys Bike 100 Miles for a Cause

Four Weintraub Tobin partners, Chris Chediak, Dale Campbell, Kay Brooks and Louis Gonzalez have raised over $16,800 to help the fight against Leukemia, Lymphoma and other blood cancers. Team Weintraub trained to ride 100 miles around Lake Tahoe in what is known as America’s Most Beautiful Bike Ride on Sunday,…

Four attorneys named “Top Rated Lawyer” in Trust and Estates Law

Congratulations to Kay Brooks, Janet Chediak, Ed Corey and Hilary L. Lamar, all of whom have been selected as a 2013 “Top Rated Lawyer” in Trust and Estates Law by the national attorney-ranking service Martindale-Hubbell. The attorneys received this prestigious honor after receiving an “AV Preeminent” review rating on Martindale-Hubbell…

Announcing Weintraub’s Trusts and Estates Law Blog

Weintraub Tobin is excited to announce the launch of the Trusts and Estates Law Blog. The blog aspires to inform the general public and the professionals in the estate planning community, including fiduciaries, CPAs, and attorneys about: – Trusts and estates litigation- Estate planning- Elder law- Estate and gift tax-…

Ask the Experts: Are my assets available to my son’s creditors?

This week , Sacramento estate planning attorney Kay Brooks answers a reader’s question in regards to protecting her assets from her son’s creditors in the Sacramento Bee column “Ask the Experts.” Q: I have a revocable trust with my wife and son (adult) as trustees (house, cars, savings, etc.) and…

Ask the Experts: No Easy Answers on Refinancing Mom’s House

How do six siblings refinance Mom’s house? This week, “Ask the Experts” tackles this financial topic. The answers are from Sacramento estate planning attorney Kay Brooks, one of Sacbee.com’s online contributors. Q: Several years before my mother passed away in 2010, she added her six kids to the deed on…

Ask the Experts: Do I need to set up a trust?

This week, Sacramento, Calif., attorney Kay Brooks answers one of the most basic questions in financial planning: Do I need a trust or not? Q: When is it best to set up a trust? My assets are four cars, household goods (but no house), less than $100,000 in savings, and…

Asks the Experts:Trustee can act without her sisters’ consent

What happens when siblings don’t agree on dividing up their parents’ estate? That issue is addressed this week by Sacramento estate planning attorney Kay Brooks, part of our online “Ask the Experts” panel. Q: My parents passed away in December 2011 and July 2012. My two sisters and I are…

Ask the Experts: See Estate Lawyer About Gifting Assets

Changes in estate tax laws can be extremely confusing. This week, Sacramento estate planning attorney Kay Brooks answers a reader’s question about how to preserve a mother’s financial assets in the Sacramento Bee column “Ask the Experts.” Q: I’m concerned that Congress may fail to act on the 2013 estate…

Ask the Experts: Divorce Calls for New Deed for Home

How to retitle property after a divorce. How to handle a trust after a spouse’s death. This week, Sacramento estate planning attorney Kay Brooks answers readers’ questions on those topics in the Sacramento Bee column “Ask the Experts.” Q: I am recently divorced. My ex and I still own a…

Ask the Experts: What Does a Probate Cost?

This week , Sacramento estate planning attorney Kay Brooks answers a reader’s probate question. Q: I read the article about trusts, which are used to avoid probate. How much would a simple probate cost…no real estate, just cash and IRA? My son processed his divorce papers through court with all…

Ask the Experts: Shared vacation property can pose a challenge.

Sharing ownership of a vacation home can pose a dilemma. This week, Sacramento estate planning attorney Kay Brooks answers a reader’s question on that topic. Q: My boyfriend and I recently purchased a vacation home. For now, the title is held in joint tenancy because we could not agree on…

Ask the Experts: How Best to Handle Loans Between Family Members.

This week, Sacramento estate planning attorney Kay Brooks answers readers questions in the Sacramento Bee column “Ask the Experts.” Q: I have a rental property valued at $265,000, the mortgage balance is $151,000 at 5.75%. I’m considering a loan to pay off this balance from my father’s living trust account,…

Ask the Experts: What do living trusts cover and cost?

Getting a living trust is on many people’s “must-do” lists. But what a living trust covers and how much it costs can be unknowns. Here with some explanations is Sacramento estate planning attorney Kay Brooks with Weintraub Tobin Chediak Coleman Grodin Law Corp. She’s one of our local “Ask the…

Ask the Experts: How do I leave overseas property to heirs?

This week, Sacramento estate planning attorney Kay Brooks answers readers questions in the Sacramento Bee column “Ask the Experts.” Q: I have a common situation, but with an interesting twist. I am 87, have enough money to live on but am not rich (about $300,000 or so), and get Social…

Weintraub Genshlea Chediak Announces New Los Angeles Office

Sacramento’s fifth-largest law firm quietly opened a branch in Los Angeles this week. Weintraub Genshlea Chediak Law Corp. has hired two litigators in an office on Wilshire Boulevard to solidify a toehold in the intellectual property, employment and entertainment markets in Southern California. The firm has expanded in Sacramento, too.…

You’re in The Will Now What?

Article by Catherine Warmerdam originally appeared inSacramento Magazine’s December 2007 issue. Inheriting can be a financial windfall—if you do it right. Receiving an inheritance can change your life in ways you’d never expect. Take the woman whose hefty new income (some $400,000 annually from her share of stock in a…

Supreme Court Rules DOMA Section 3 Unconstitutional

by Kay U. Brooks

Today the United States Supreme Court ruled that Section 3 of the federal Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) is unconstitutional. The case, United States v. Windsor, 570 U.S. ____ (2013), involved the portion of DOMA that stated that the federal government will only recognize marriages between opposite-sex spouses for purposes…

Announcing Weintraub’s Trusts and Estates Law Blog

Weintraub Tobin is excited to announce the launch of the Trusts and Estates Law Blog. The blog aspires to inform the general public and the professionals in the estate planning community, including fiduciaries, CPAs, and attorneys about: – Trusts and estates litigation- Estate planning- Elder law- Estate and gift tax-…