John Wong

John L. Wong is the founder and Managing Partner of Modern Wealth Law, APLC, an Irvine-based firm focused on estate planning, probate, trust administration, asset protection, and trust litigation. For more than a decade, he has advised individuals, families, business owners, trustees, executors, and beneficiaries on protecting assets, transferring wealth, and navigating the legal responsibilities that arise after a death or incapacity.

Wong is recognized by the State Bar of California as a Certified Specialist in Estate Planning, Trust and Probate Law. This distinction is awarded only to attorneys who satisfy rigorous experience requirements, pass a comprehensive written examination, complete specialized continuing education, and receive favorable evaluations from judges and other attorneys familiar with their work. The certification reflects a demonstrated level of knowledge and experience in one of California’s most technical areas of legal practice.

Wong founded Modern Wealth Law with the goal of providing Orange County families with sophisticated yet personalized estate planning. His approach extends beyond preparing wills and trusts. He evaluates the client’s family structure, assets, business interests, tax exposure, property holdings, and long-term objectives to develop a plan suited to the client’s particular stage of life.

His estate planning work includes strategies designed to avoid probate, preserve wealth, minimize estate and income taxes, address California property-tax reassessment issues, and facilitate the efficient transfer of assets to future generations. Wong believes an effective estate plan must not only be legally sound on paper, but also function properly when a family is required to rely upon it.

That practical perspective is informed by extensive experience administering thousands of trusts and litigating disputed trust matters. Through this work, Wong has seen how unclear drafting, improper trust funding, outdated provisions, and poor administration can frustrate a client’s intentions. He applies those lessons when creating estate plans, with particular attention to how trustees, beneficiaries, financial institutions, and courts may interpret and implement the documents in real-world circumstances.

Wong also represents clients in probate and trust administration. He helps personal representatives and trustees identify and value assets, address creditor claims, satisfy notice and reporting requirements, manage estate or trust property, communicate with beneficiaries, and complete distributions. When disagreements arise, his trust litigation experience provides an informed understanding of fiduciary duties, beneficiary rights, and the issues most likely to result in conflict.

Before founding Modern Wealth Law, Wong practiced at one of the nation’s largest estate planning firms. During that time, he was part of teams involved in prominent estate and conservatorship matters, including the Michael Jackson estate and the Britney Spears conservatorship. His experience working with substantial and complex estates reinforced his belief that sophisticated planning principles can benefit families at every wealth level.
Education is central to Wong’s client service philosophy. He takes time to explain estate planning and probate concepts in clear, understandable language so clients can make informed decisions about their families and assets. Whether a client is establishing a first estate plan, updating an older trust, administering a loved one’s estate, or confronting a contested trust matter, Wong seeks to provide a structured and understandable path forward.

Wong earned his Juris Doctor from Loyola Law School, where he was named to the Dean’s List. He is a member of the trusts and estates sections of the California Lawyers Association and the Orange County Bar Association. He has also served the broader Orange County community, including a term as Commissioner of John Wayne Airport from 2015 through 2018.

By combining Certified Specialist credentials with extensive estate planning, probate, trust administration, and litigation experience, John Wong provides clients with both technical guidance and practical insight. His work is ultimately focused on helping families preserve what they have built, prepare for the unexpected, and ensure their wishes are carried out as intended.