Estate Planning Attorney Serving Coronado, CA
Coronado families have worked hard to build something worth protecting. I'm Rosser J. Pettit, a San Diego estate planning and property tax attorney based in Point Loma — just across the bridge — and I handle every client matter personally, from the first conversation to the final signed document.
Most people come to me at a crossroads: a parent has passed, a home is being inherited, or they've realized their family has nothing in place if something happens to them. These aren't abstract legal problems — they're urgent, personal, and often time-sensitive.
I handle three interconnected areas of law that most attorneys keep separate.
Estate Planning, Probate, and Property Tax Help for Coronado Residents
Coronado is one of San Diego's most distinctive communities — high property values, multi-generational homeownership, and a significant military and retired-professional population. That combination creates real legal complexity around estate planning and property tax transfers that generic planning rarely addresses well. I offer the full range of services Coronado residents need, with particular depth in Prop 19 parent-child exclusions and avoiding reassessment on inherited property.
Estate Planning Built Around Your Family
Coronado is one of San Diego's most distinctive communities — high property values, multi-generational homeownership, and a significant military and retired-professional population. That combination creates real legal complexity around estate planning and property tax transfers that generic planning rarely addresses well. I offer the full range of services Coronado residents need, with particular depth in Prop 19 parent-child exclusions and avoiding reassessment on inherited property.
Probate and Trust Administration After a Loss
When a family member dies, Coronado families are often surprised by how much administration follows — even when a trust exists. I guide successor trustees and personal representatives through every step, whether that means full probate administration, trust administration, or qualifying for California's small-estate procedures. My goal is to keep the process as straightforward as the law allows.
Prop 19 and Property Tax Planning for Coronado Properties
Coronado real estate carries some of the highest assessed values in San Diego County. When a property transfers between generations, the reassessment risk is significant — and the rules under Prop 19 are strict. I help Coronado families claim the parent-child exclusion correctly, meet the one-year filing deadline, and structure transfers to preserve the lowest possible property tax base. This is work I do alongside estate planning, not as a separate engagement.
Serving Coronado from Point Loma
My office is located at 3667 Voltaire Street in Point Loma — a short drive across the Coronado Bridge. Many of my clients prefer to meet in person, and the commute from Coronado is easy. I also accommodate clients who prefer to handle consultations remotely when that's more convenient. Whether you're on Orange Avenue or in the Coronado Cays, getting started is straightforward.
Coronado is one of several San Diego communities I serve. I also work regularly with families in Point Loma, La Jolla, Mission Hills, Ocean Beach, Pacific Beach, and Chula Vista.
Questions Coronado Residents Ask Before Getting Started
Coronado families deserve an estate plan that reflects the actual value of what they own and the real complexity of California law. I'm available for a free consultation at my Point Loma office or by phone. Call 619.994.1215 or use the link below to get started — there's no obligation, and you'll leave with a clear picture of where you stand.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need an estate plan if I already have a trust from years ago?
Possibly, yes. Trusts drafted more than five to seven years ago often don't reflect current California law, current Prop 19 rules, or changes in your family or financial situation. An outdated trust can still send assets through probate or trigger reassessment you could have avoided. A review is the right starting point.How does Prop 19 affect inherited property in Coronado?
Under Prop 19, a child who inherits a Coronado property and makes it their primary residence within one year can claim the parent-child exclusion and limit reassessment to the difference between the property's current market value and the parent's assessed base value, up to $1,044,586 for transfers between February 16, 2025, and February 15, 2027. Properties that exceed that cap, or where the child doesn't move in, will be fully reassessed at current market value — which in Coronado can mean a dramatic increase in the annual tax bill.What happens to my estate if I die without a will in California?
California's intestate succession laws determine who inherits, and the result may not match your intentions. Your estate will likely go through probate, which is a public court process that can take a year or more and cost the estate several percent of its total value in statutory attorney and executor fees. A properly funded living trust avoids probate entirely.How much does estate planning cost, and do you offer a free consultation?
Yes — every new client consultation is free and comes with no obligation. The cost of an estate plan depends on the complexity of your situation, the number of documents involved, and whether property tax planning is part of the scope. I give honest estimates during the consultation, before any engagement begins.
Ready to Protect What You've Built in Coronado?
Coronado families deserve an estate plan that reflects the actual value of what they own and the real complexity of California law. I'm available for a free consultation at my Point Loma office or by phone. Call 619.994.1215 or use the link below to get started — there's no obligation, and you'll leave with a clear picture of where you stand.
