San Diego Estate Planning Done Right — By the Attorney You Actually Hired
One attorney. Every document. No handoffs to paralegals or junior associates.
14+ years of estate planning experience, rooted in Point Loma and serving families across San Diego County. I work with every client personally — from the first conversation through the signing of your final document. Your estate plan reflects your life, your family, and your intentions. It deserves that level of attention.
Estate planning is not a one-size-fits-all transaction. A young family protecting minor children needs a different plan than a retired couple with a blended family and investment property. I take the time to understand your situation before recommending anything, and I explain every document in plain language before you sign it.
What a Complete Estate Plan Actually Covers
Most people come in thinking they need "a will." By the end of the first conversation, they understand why a revocable living trust is usually the stronger choice in California — and why a will alone often leaves a family facing probate court. A thorough estate plan addresses far more than who inherits your property.
The core documents I prepare for San Diego families include:
Living Trusts
A revocable living trust keeps your estate out of probate, allows for immediate asset transfer to your loved ones, and gives you full control during your lifetime. It is the foundation of most California estate plans.
Pour-Over Wills
A companion document to your trust that captures any assets not formally transferred into the trust before your death, directing them into the trust through probate.
Powers of Attorney
Designates a trusted person to manage your financial affairs if you become incapacitated. Without one, your family may need court intervention to act on your behalf.
Healthcare Directives
Combines an advance healthcare directive and a HIPAA release so your medical wishes are documented and your designated agent can communicate with providers.
Special Needs Trusts
Preserves government benefit eligibility for a disabled beneficiary while still providing supplemental support from inherited assets.
Irrevocable Trusts
Used for Medi-Cal planning, asset protection, and certain estate tax strategies where a permanent transfer of assets serves your long-term goals.
Estate Tax Planning
For estates approaching federal thresholds, I structure ownership and gifting strategies to reduce exposure before it becomes a problem.
Trust Funding
The most overlooked step in estate planning. A trust only works if your assets are actually transferred into it. I guide clients through the funding process so the plan works as intended.
Why San Diego Families Choose a Solo Practitioner Over a Large Firm
Large firms divide your matter. A partner takes the intake call, an associate drafts the documents, and a paralegal handles execution. By the time your trust is signed, you may never have spoken to the attorney whose name is on the letterhead.
My practice works differently. I handle every client matter personally, from the initial consultation through document preparation, review, execution, and the annual check-in I offer at no charge to existing clients. You reach me directly. You know who is responsible for your plan.
That is not a marketing claim — it is a structural fact about how a solo practice operates.
Estate Planning and Property Tax — A Combination Most San Diego Attorneys Don't Offer
How you structure your estate plan has direct consequences for your family's property tax bill. In California, an improperly structured transfer of real property — even to a child — can trigger a full reassessment to current market value under Prop 19.
I hold deep experience in both estate planning and California property tax law, including the Prop 19 parent-child exclusion, base year value transfers for homeowners over 55, and strategies for avoiding reassessment on inherited property. Most estate planning attorneys refer these questions out. I handle them in the same engagement.
If your estate includes a family home, a rental property, or any California real estate, this intersection matters — and it should be addressed before your documents are drafted, not after a reassessment notice arrives.
What Happens If You Don't Have an Estate Plan in California
Dying without a valid estate plan in California means the state's intestate succession laws determine who receives your property — regardless of your actual wishes. Your assets pass through probate court, a public process that typically takes 12 to 24 months and costs your estate between 4% and 8% of its gross value in statutory attorney and executor fees.
For a San Diego home valued at $900,000, California's statutory probate fees under Probate Code §§ 10800 and 10810 would run approximately $21,000 in attorney fees and another $21,000 in executor fees — before court costs, appraisal fees, and any extraordinary fee petitions.
A living trust avoids probate entirely. Assets transfer to your beneficiaries privately, without court involvement, and typically within weeks rather than years.
Serving Point Loma and the Surrounding San Diego Communities
My office is located at 3667 Voltaire Street in Point Loma, and I work with clients across San Diego County. I serve families in La Jolla, Coronado, Mission Hills, Pacific Beach, Ocean Beach, and Chula Vista, as well as clients throughout the broader San Diego region.
Common Questions About Estate Planning in San Diego
Do I need a living trust or will a will be enough in California?
For most California residents, a living trust is the stronger choice. A will alone does not avoid probate — any assets titled in your name at death that exceed California's small-estate thresholds must pass through the probate court process. A revocable living trust transfers assets to your beneficiaries privately and without court involvement. I explain the tradeoffs in detail during your free consultation so you can make an informed decision.
How much does estate planning cost in San Diego?
Cost depends on the complexity of your plan. A basic revocable living trust package — including the trust, pour-over will, power of attorney, and healthcare directive — is typically a flat fee. I discuss pricing transparently during your free consultation. There are no hidden charges, and I do not bill by the hour for standard estate planning work.
What is the difference between a revocable and irrevocable trust?
A revocable living trust can be amended or revoked at any time during your lifetime — you retain full control. An irrevocable trust, once established, generally cannot be changed, but it offers benefits a revocable trust does not: potential Medi-Cal asset protection, estate tax reduction, and creditor protection. Which type is appropriate depends on your goals and financial situation.
How does Prop 19 affect my estate plan if I own a home in San Diego?
Prop 19, which took effect February 16, 2021, significantly restricted the parent-child property tax exclusion in California. Under current law, an inherited home is only excluded from reassessment if the child makes it their primary residence within one year of the transfer — and even then, the exclusion is capped. If your estate plan involves transferring real property to your children, the structure of that transfer matters enormously for their future property tax bill. I address this in every estate plan that involves California real estate.
Do I need to update my estate plan after a major life event?
Yes. Marriage, divorce, the birth of a child or grandchild, a significant change in assets, the death of a named trustee or beneficiary, and major changes in California or federal law can all affect whether your existing plan still works as intended. I offer annual no-charge check-ins to existing clients so your plan stays current without the friction of scheduling a formal paid appointment.
Can I meet with you in person at your Point Loma office?
Yes. My office is at 3667 Voltaire Street in Point Loma, and I meet with clients in person. I also offer phone and video consultations for clients in Coronado, La Jolla, Chula Vista, and other parts of San Diego County who prefer not to travel. The first consultation is always free and carries no obligation.
Start With a Free Conversation — No Obligation, No Pressure
Estate planning decisions carry real weight. The right approach is to understand your situation fully before recommending anything. Your free consultation is a working conversation, not a sales call. We will talk through your family, your assets, and your goals — and I will give you an honest assessment of what your plan should include and what it will cost.
