KJMLAW Partners

KJMLAW Partners is a Pasadena law firm practicing both estate planning and tax law, including property tax assessment appeals for clients in the San Gabriel Valley. The firm's combined focus makes them well positioned for property tax matters that connect to estate issues, like Proposition 19 parent-child transfer exclusions, trust reassessment disputes, or planning around ownership changes that could trigger a reappraisal. The firm's 3.7-star rating suggests a more variable client experience than higher-rated competitors, which tends to happen with smaller offices juggling multiple practice areas. They're likely a better fit for clients with intertwined tax and estate planning needs than for those seeking a high-volume, assessment-only firm. If you're dealing with a property tax question that's wrapped up in a trust transfer or estate matter, KJMLAW can address both sides without you needing separate counsel.

KJMLAW Partners offers property tax services on both the appeal and planning side. For assessment appeals, the firm files applications with the Los Angeles County Assessment Appeals Board and handles the informal review process with the Assessor's office before any formal hearing is scheduled. They work on residential and commercial properties in Pasadena and the surrounding San Gabriel Valley. A meaningful portion of their property tax work involves Proposition 19, which changed the rules for parent-to-child and grandparent-to-grandchild property transfers in 2021. Many families discovered that inherited properties they expected to receive at the parent's low assessed value were instead reassessed at current market rates. KJMLAW helps clients understand whether a transfer qualifies for an exclusion, file the necessary claims to preserve a lower base year value, and appeal Assessor decisions when an exclusion is wrongly denied. On the estate planning side, the firm structures trusts, wills, and ownership arrangements to minimize reassessment risk on future transfers. For clients who own investment properties, they advise on holding structures and transfer strategies that preserve Proposition 13 protection across generations where the law permits. The firm also handles general property tax appeals for clients who want a local Pasadena attorney rather than a large tax consulting company, and they're candid about which cases are strong enough to pursue.

KJMLAW Partners starts most property tax engagements with an intake consultation to understand the full picture. Because the firm also handles estate planning, they often discover that the property tax issue connects to a broader question about how the property is held, who owns it, and what happens to it on transfer. For straightforward assessment appeals, they follow the standard California process: review the assessment, pull comparable data, file the appeal application before the deadline, and engage the Assessor's office informally before a hearing is scheduled. Many cases resolve at the informal stage without a board hearing. For estate-linked property tax matters, such as a disputed Proposition 19 exclusion, the process involves reviewing transfer documents, determining eligibility under current law, filing the exclusion claim, and if denied, appealing the decision. These cases require careful documentation and sometimes coordination with the client's CPA or financial advisor. KJMLAW tries to keep clients informed at each step, though response times can vary depending on the firm's current caseload, which is worth asking about upfront.

KJMLAW Partners serves clients in Pasadena and throughout the San Gabriel Valley, including Arcadia, Monrovia, San Marino, Temple City, Alhambra, Monterey Park, El Monte, Covina, and Glendora. The firm also handles property tax matters for clients across Los Angeles County, particularly when the case involves an estate planning or trust component. They occasionally work with clients in adjacent counties when the matter connects to an existing estate planning engagement with the firm.