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Why Choose Us?
Trailblazing Legal Solutions at LifePath
LifePath Law brings a fresh perspective to estate planning with our distinctive approach. Unlike other law firms that focus on one-time transactions, we offer:
- A formal funding and annual update program
- Ongoing support
- Regular updates to assets and documents to fit your evolving needs
We are committed to clear communication and aim to demystify the estate planning process. One way we achieve this is through simple analogies, such as the “Empty Open Box.” With LifePath Law by your side, you’ll feel both confident and well-prepared for your estate planning journey.
Our founder, Attorney Donna Shioya, brings her firsthand experience to the table, shaping our commitment to:
- Provide clear instructions for loved ones
- Ensure a peaceful and smooth transition
With LifePath Law, you can trust that your family’s future is in caring and capable hands.
LifePath Law is acutely aware of the emotional hurdles that frequently arise during the estate administration process. Our firm is not just here to offer legal advice; we are here to stand with you, providing a nurturing environment to work through the intricate details involved. Our systematic approach, coupled with organizational tools, is designed to alleviate the stress and burden you may be facing. We are committed to:
- Understanding your unique situation
- Offering emotional and legal support
- Providing tools to simplify the process
Our team leverages its expertise to ensure you have a structured pathway, facilitating:
- Smooth transitions
- Reduced anxiety
- A clear roadmap to follow
LifePath Law recognizes the emotional challenges that often accompany trust and estate litigation. We believe in offering more than just legal expertise; we provide a supportive environment to navigate these complexities. Our approach is centered around:
- Compassion
- Support
- Understanding
With our counseling-centric method, clients benefit from:
- Personalized guidance
- Empathy
- Emotional support
LifePath Law stands out with its commitment to an educational approach in the realm of estate planning and counseling-centric approach to estate administration and litigation. Instead of persuasion, we prioritize:
- Education over convincing
- Empowering clients with knowledge
- Ensuring informed decision-making
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A calling, not a simple career choice
Personal Tragedy into Constructive Support
Donna’s Mission
Personal tragedy can sometimes give birth to a greater purpose. For Donna Shioya, founder of LifePath Law, a family crisis rooted in a poorly managed estate plan sparked a passion to protect others from similar heartaches.
Witnessing her family’s turmoil due to insufficient estate planning for her grandparents, she recognized a desperate need for transparency, clear communication, and empathetic guidance within the realm of estate planning. This ignited a personal mission to establish LifePath Law.
Donna’s approach to estate planning is informed by her experiences, where she sees every client’s journey as an opportunity to prevent unnecessary conflict and confusion.
By engaging in thoughtful dialogue and offering expert advice, she helps clients create comprehensive and clear estate plans that respect their wishes and protect their loved ones.
Her mission is to ensure that your estate planning journey is not a path walked alone, but a journey shared, understood, and compassionately guided.
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Areas of Practice
Trusts and Estates, Will Contests, Financial Elder Abuse, Care Custodian Issues, Trustee Fiduciary Duties
Bar Admissions
California, U.S. District Court Eastern District of California
Education
University of California, Davis School of Law
–Juris Doctorate, 1998
University of California, San Diego
–Honors, Summa Cum Laude, 1993
Professional Associations & Memberships
WealthCounsel–Member, 2020 to Present, California State Bar, Trusts and Estates Section–Member, National Network of Estate Planning Attorneys, Member–2006 to 2019
Our founder, Donna N. Shioya, embodies the values and vision of LifePath Law, APC. She has been a beacon of clarity and transparency in the often-confusing world of estate planning since 2006. Inspired by her personal experiences, Donna has developed a unique practice that centers on open communication and thoughtful, long-term planning rather than mere transactions. From navigating the tumultuous waters of her grandparents' estate to witnessing a family rift over miscommunication, Donna has always believed that effective estate planning requires more than just expertise—it requires empathy, guidance, and a commitment to clear communication. Her life’s work revolves around ensuring her clients’ families can maintain strong bonds, even in the most challenging circumstances.
In addition to her exceptional leadership, Donna’s innovative thinking sets LifePath Law apart. Recognizing the critical need for ongoing support and updates in estate planning, she implemented a formal funding and update program. This unique offering not only helps clients keep their documents current, but it also fosters a continuing relationship of trust and support. With a background in civil litigation and a natural inclination to help people constructively, Donna's decision to focus on estate planning was a shift towards a more purposeful and satisfying career. She finds joy in providing her clients the assurance of a smooth transition, whether they're setting up their trust for the first time or going through the difficult time of administering it.
Donna's no-nonsense, direct style mirrors her philosophy for estate planning—honesty, transparency, and genuine care. She's not about convincing you; she's about educating you, giving you the tools to make informed decisions. Her approach to estate planning is all about simplicity, likening it to an "empty open box," ready to be filled and structured according to your needs. Donna and the team at LifePath Law, APC are more than legal advisors—they are your trustworthy guides on the journey to ensure your loved ones are cared for when you can't be there to guide them.
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Donna and LifePath Law have done a great job of making a tedious task into an enlightening process.
—Jeffrey Yee