Hostetter, Charles E

Trust, Probate, Estate, Elder Law Attorney (Planning and Litigation)

Charles A. Shultz is a Certified Specialist in Estate, Trust and Probate Law by the State Bar of California and leads the firm's Trust Litigaiton, Probate, Estate Planning and Elder Law practice group.  Mr. Shultz assists the firm's clients in probate and trust litigation and administration matters, estate planning, conservatorships, and other legal issues involving family wealth and succession planning as well as alternative dispute resolution.

Utilizing a master's degree in tax law from New York University, Mr. Shultz is able to handle sophisticated estate planning and post mortem tax issues.  In addition, Mr. Shultz's trial experience allows him to see, raise and address more issues for the firm's estate planning clients.  Similarly, Mr. Shultz's planning practice and tax background provide him a significant advantage in trust and probate litigation.  Mr. Shultz represents clients in probate courts throughout Los Angeles County and Ventura county in probate and trust litigation.  Mr. Shultz also have a unique talent in being able to effectively take over complex matters from other counsel. 

Mr. Shultz approaches each matter differently and adapts well to each particular situation.  Mr. Shultz is very results oriented and strives to find common ground where appropriate.  While he believes in mediation and settlement, Mr. Shultz is not afraid to try matters.  

Professional Experience

In addition to his work with Wasserman, Comden, Casselman & Esensten, LLP, since 2006, Mr. Shultz previously maintained his own office, as well as spent time at two prestigious Los Angeles law firms: Reish Luftman Reicher & Cohen and McKenna & Cuneo, L.L.P.  Mr. Shultz also gained significant planning and consulting experience while working in the family wealth planning group at Arthur Andersen, L.L.P.  Mr. Shultz' roots in the Ventura community stem from his first legal position in a small firm in Camarillo, California, in the mid-90's. 

During his employment with Arthur Andersen, Mr. Shultz was principally involved in estate tax analysis and planning for very high net worth clients.  At Arthur Andersen, Mr. Shultz consulted with clients on sophisticated planning techniques, including the use of GRATS, defective trusts, family limited partnerships, irrevocable trust, dynasty trust, and qualified personal residence trusts.  Mr. Shultz continues to utilize those sophisticated planning techniques. 

Mr. Shultz serves as a volunteer Mediator for the Los Angeles Superior Court, Probate Department in Van Nuys and is on the Probate Volunteer Panel for the Los Angeles Superior Court.  He is a member of the bar in the State of California and the State of New York and is admitted to practice before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit and the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California.

Mr. Shultz is a past Chair of the San Fernando Valley Bar Association Trusts, Probate and Estate Section and currently serves as a Trustee on the Board of Trustees for the San Fernando Valley Bar Association.  Mr. Shultz previously served on the Executive Committee for the Los Angeles County Bar Association Trusts, Probate and Estates section.