About Erik
Erik Aanestad was raised in Nevada County and is a graduate of Nevada Union High School. He is an estate planning attorney licensed to practice in both California and Nevada. Erik counsels and finds solutions for his clients in all areas of estate planning, trust and probate law and also assists clients through the process of trust administration. These are Erik’s areas of legal expertise and he focuses his work on these specific areas of law.
Erik received his undergraduate degree in English Literature with a minor in Psychology from the University of Arizona. After, working as a firefighter for the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (now known as CALFIRE), he continued his education with the study of law at Florida Coastal School of Law (FCSL) where he received many book awards and honors including the Governor’s Merit Scholarship for academic excellence. As FCSL was one of only three law schools in the country who offered a sports law certification program, Erik (a lifelong athlete and sports enthusiast) took the opportunity to concentrate on this area and received his sports law certification upon graduation.
As exciting as the prospect sounded, most lawyers in the sports industry live and work in metropolitan areas. Erik decided on a different path to utilize his legal and interpersonal skills. First and foremost, he wished to raise his family in a recreational-rich and rural lifestyle, so moving back home to Nevada County made great sense. He also wanted to work in an area of law where he could serve clients and be personally connected to them, and in many cases, their families. For Erik, estate planning has been a natural fit.
During his legal career, Erik has spent time volunteering as a guardian ad litem (also known as a CASA) representing the best interest of children in court proceedings and has provided pro bono consultations to rural residents having limited access to professional legal services. He has been a participant and campaigner for the Alzheimer’s Association and is a member of the Nevada County Bar Association and the Gold Country Estate Planning Council. He is also a member of both WealthCounsel and ElderCounsel, two national associations comprised of over 3,600 estate planning attorneys and wealth preservation professionals.
Erik is a certified private pilot, an active Rotarian, an exuberant coach of his children’s sporting teams, and color commentator at both Nevada Union High School and Bear River High School football television broadcasts as time allows. He also enjoys staying connected with his community by attending local events and supporting local businesses and organizations.
Erik’s personal experience combined with his legal training have taught him important lessons to ensure that each families’ planning is to be handled uniquely and with compassion. Erik looks forward to each opportunity to serve this community with their estate planning needs.
If you’d like to take the next step, Erik would be happy to meet with you. Simply call us at (530) 798-4321 to set up a FREE estate planning consultation with Erik today!