Estate Planning Attorney Serving La Jolla, CA
La Jolla families have a lot to protect — oceanfront properties, investment portfolios built over decades, and the kind of wealth that makes estate planning not a formality but a necessity. I'm Rosser J. Pettit, a San Diego estate planning and property tax attorney based in Point Loma, and I work directly with La Jolla residents on living trusts, probate, Prop 19 parent-child exclusions, and the full range of planning that high-value estates require. Every matter stays with me from the first call to the final signature.
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 Services for La Jolla Residents
La Jolla's real estate values create planning challenges that generic estate plans don't address. A home worth $3 million triggers different trust structures, different tax considerations, and very different property tax consequences than a median-priced property elsewhere in San Diego County. I bring estate planning and property tax law together in one practice — so the plan we build accounts for all of it.
Estate Planning Built Around What You've Built
La Jolla's real estate values create planning challenges that generic estate plans don't address. A home worth $3 million triggers different trust structures, different tax considerations, and very different property tax consequences than a median-priced property elsewhere in San Diego County. I bring estate planning and property tax law together in one practice — so the plan we build accounts for all of it.
Probate Administration When a La Jolla Estate Goes Through Court
California probate is expensive and slow by design. Attorney fees are set by statute — 4% of the first $100,000 of gross estate value, 3% of the next $100,000, and 2% of the next $800,000 — and La Jolla property values push those fees into significant territory fast. If a loved one passed away without a trust, or with assets that weren't properly funded into one, I can guide the estate through probate administration efficiently, or help you explore whether a summary procedure or trust administration pathway applies instead.
Prop 19 and Property Tax Planning for Inherited La Jolla Property
Inheriting a La Jolla home without a plan in place can trigger a full reassessment to current market value — turning a low property tax bill into one that makes holding the property financially impossible. California's Prop 19 parent-child exclusion allows eligible heirs to inherit a parent's property tax base, but the rules are narrow, the deadlines are firm, and the exclusion cap for transfers between February 16, 2025 and February 15, 2027 is $1,044,586 above the property's factored base year value. I help La Jolla families understand whether they qualify, file the claim correctly, and build an estate plan that preserves the exclusion before it's ever needed.
Serving La Jolla from Point Loma — Close Enough to Know the Market
My office is at 3667 Voltaire Street in Point Loma, a short drive from La Jolla through some of San Diego's most distinctive coastal neighborhoods. I work with clients throughout the area — including residents of Ocean Beach, Pacific Beach, and Mission Hills — and I understand the local real estate dynamics that shape estate and property tax planning decisions in this part of San Diego County. Meetings are available in person or by phone, and the first consultation is always free.
What to Bring to Your First Meeting
You don't need to arrive with a complete picture of your estate — that's what the consultation is for. But having a general sense of the following will help us make the most of the time:
- A rough inventory of your assets: real property, bank and brokerage accounts, retirement accounts, life insurance, and any business interests
- The names of the people you'd want to inherit your estate and any you'd name as trustees or agents
- Any existing documents — a prior will, trust, power of attorney, or healthcare directive — even if you think they're outdated
- Questions about property tax, Prop 19, or probate that have been on your mind
If you don't have any of this organized yet, come anyway. The conversation is where we start.
Frequently Asked Questions — La Jolla Estate Planning
Do I need a different kind of trust because my La Jolla home is worth several million dollars?
Not necessarily a different kind, but your trust needs to be drafted with your property values in mind. High-value estates may benefit from irrevocable trust structures that provide estate tax protection beyond what a standard revocable living trust offers. We'll assess your full picture during the consultation and recommend the structure that fits.My parents owned a La Jolla home and passed away recently. Can I still claim the Prop 19 parent-child exclusion?
Possibly, but time matters. You generally have one year from the date of transfer to file the exclusion claim and establish the property as your primary residence. If you're within that window, contact me as soon as possible. If the deadline has passed, there may still be options worth exploring depending on the circumstances.What does it cost to set up an estate plan in San Diego?
I offer a free initial consultation where we discuss your situation and I give you an honest estimate of what your plan will cost before any engagement begins. Fees vary based on the complexity of your estate and the documents required, but I don't believe in leaving clients to guess.Can you help with a La Jolla property tax assessment appeal?
Yes. If your La Jolla property has been assessed at a value you believe is too high, you have a window to file an appeal with the San Diego County Assessment Appeals Board — generally July 2 through November 30 each year. I handle property tax assessment appeals and can evaluate whether your assessment warrants a challenge.
Ready to Talk? Start With a Free Consultation.
Estate planning decisions don't have to be complicated to make — but they do have to be made. If you've been putting off a living trust, haven't updated your documents since a major life change, or inherited La Jolla property and aren't sure where you stand on property taxes, this is a good time to get clarity. Call 619.994.1215 or use the button below to schedule your free consultation.
