Attorney Spotlight: Claire Johnson Saénz

I see estate planning as a puzzle. Every client brings a unique set of goals, relationships, and financial circumstances. My job is to fit the right legal pieces together to create a plan that’s protective, empowering, and precise.

I also genuinely enjoy the technical side of this work: interpreting statutes, structuring trusts, navigating tax codes, and drafting documents that hold up under scrutiny. It’s intellectually engaging and constantly evolving, which keeps me sharp and curious. But what makes it truly rewarding is using that technical expertise to build something that fits each client’s life perfectly.

One thing that concerns me is the use of online drafting tools and AI-generated documents. I understand the appeal of these approaches—they’re fast, inexpensive, and convenient. But estate planning isn’t just about filling in blanks; it’s about understanding how the law interacts with your life, your assets, and your goals. I’ve seen too many situations where people thought they had a solid plan, only to discover gaps or unintended consequences when it mattered most. My role is to help clients see what they might not know to look for, ask the right questions, and build a plan that truly works when it’s needed.

I’ve seen firsthand how even well-meaning estate plans can go awry without the right legal guidance. One case that stands out involved a decedent who directed in their will that all state inheritance taxes be paid from their probate estate. The family thought this approach would be simple and straightforward. But a large portion of the assets passed outside probate to an unmarried partner, who wasn’t a beneficiary of the estate itself. Because of how the tax clause was worded, the estate ended up covering the partner’s tax liability, unintentionally reducing the inheritance meant for the decedent’s children.

It’s a reminder that estate planning isn’t just about expressing wishes—it’s also about understanding how those wishes interact with the law, asset structures, and tax consequences. That’s why I take the time to walk clients through the ripple effects of each decision, so their plan works as intended.

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