Estate Planning Attorney Serving Ocean Beach, San Diego

Ocean Beach families have a solo estate planning attorney just minutes away — one who handles every matter personally, combines estate planning with Prop 19 and property tax expertise, and offers a free consultation with no obligation to move forward.

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.

Why Ocean Beach Residents Choose Rosser J. Pettit

OB has always had a strong sense of community and a deep attachment to property — homes passed down through families, long-held real estate, and neighbors who look out for one another. That makes estate planning and property tax strategy especially meaningful here. When you work with me, you get an attorney who understands what's at stake for San Diego coastal families and who handles your matter from the first conversation through the final filing. No associates, no handoffs, no surprises.

 

  • Licensed since 2012, with 14+ years of estate planning and probate experience
  • One of the only San Diego attorneys combining estate planning and Prop 19 / property tax planning under one roof
  • Located at 3667 Voltaire Street in Point Loma — minutes from Ocean Beach
  • Free no-obligation consultations for new clients
  • Annual no-charge check-ins for existing clients to keep plans current

Living Trusts and Wills for OB Families

OB has always had a strong sense of community and a deep attachment to property — homes passed down through families, long-held real estate, and neighbors who look out for one another. That makes estate planning and property tax strategy especially meaningful here. When you work with me, you get an attorney who understands what's at stake for San Diego coastal families and who handles your matter from the first conversation through the final filing. No associates, no handoffs, no surprises.

 

  • Licensed since 2012, with 14+ years of estate planning and probate experience
  • One of the only San Diego attorneys combining estate planning and Prop 19 / property tax planning under one roof
  • Located at 3667 Voltaire Street in Point Loma — minutes from Ocean Beach
  • Free no-obligation consultations for new clients
  • Annual no-charge check-ins for existing clients to keep plans current

Powers of Attorney and Healthcare Directives

Estate planning isn't only about what happens after you're gone. A durable power of attorney and an advance healthcare directive protect you while you're alive — naming someone to handle your finances and make medical decisions if you become unable to do so. These documents are among the most important in any estate plan and among the most commonly overlooked.

Prop 19 and Property Tax Planning

If you own property in Ocean Beach or plan to inherit one, Prop 19 changes the rules on reassessment exclusions in ways that catch many families off guard. I help clients understand the parent-child exclusion, meet the one-year filing deadline, and structure transfers to preserve low property tax bases wherever the law allows. This is a service most estate planning attorneys in San Diego don't offer — I do.

Serving the Ocean Beach Community

My office is on Voltaire Street in Point Loma — the next neighborhood over from OB — which means I'm genuinely local, not a downtown firm with a satellite address. I've built my practice around being accessible to families in Point Loma, Ocean Beach, and the surrounding San Diego coastal communities. I also serve clients in nearby areas including Mission Hills, Pacific Beach, and Coronado.

Two men in suits standing on a rooftop with a city skyline behind them.

Ready to Put a Plan in Place?

A free consultation is the easiest way to find out exactly what your estate plan should include and what it will cost. There's no pressure and no obligation — just a straightforward conversation about your situation, your family, and what you want to protect. Call 619.994.1215 or use the contact form to schedule.

Frequently Asked Questions from Ocean Beach Residents

  • Do I need an estate plan if I rent and don't own property?

    Yes. An estate plan covers far more than real estate — it names who makes medical and financial decisions for you if you're incapacitated, designates beneficiaries for financial accounts and personal property, and ensures your wishes are documented. Renters benefit from powers of attorney and healthcare directives just as much as property owners do.

  • How does Prop 19 affect inherited property in Ocean Beach?

    Under Prop 19, a child who inherits a parent's home can only keep the low property tax base if they move into the home as their primary residence within one year and file the required exclusion claim. If the home is rented out or used as a vacation property, it will be reassessed at current market value — which in Ocean Beach can mean a dramatically higher tax bill. Proper planning before the transfer can help families understand their options.

  • What is the difference between a will and a living trust in California?

    A will goes through probate — a court-supervised process that is public, time-consuming, and fee-driven. A living trust transfers assets to your beneficiaries privately and without court involvement, typically far faster and at lower cost. For California homeowners, a living trust is almost always the more practical choice.

  • How much does estate planning cost in San Diego?

    The cost depends on the complexity of your situation — the number of documents needed, whether you own real estate, and how your assets are held. I discuss fees openly during the free consultation so you have a clear picture before committing to anything. Most straightforward estate plans are more affordable than people expect.

Talk to an Estate Planning Attorney Who Knows Ocean Beach

Your estate plan should reflect your life, your family, and the community you've built here. I work with Ocean Beach residents personally — every call, every document, every question — because that's the only way to do this work well. Reach out today to schedule your free, no-obligation consultation.