La Jolla Estate Planning Lawyers

I am a heart-driven attorney who loves life and making my clients' lives better. Originally from the pacific northwest, I left the rain for the sun and became a long-time San Diego resident, although I still return frequently to be with my family and the trees.

I am a life-long entrepreneur and also a wife and mom as well as many other roles. I want to improve the environment and my community for the next generation. I appreciate the challenge of making all of these things work together and engaging in with others who are doing...

Michael aims to bring the same level of compassion that he had for his patients to the practice of law. Michael began his professional career as a registered nurse, working in cardiology and surgical services before supervising a pre and post-operative area. After starting a family and becoming enamored with the law through Caroline’s experiences, Michael decided law school and a career as an attorney was also for him. Estate planning became personal to Michael when his father passed away suddenly without any plan in place. Since that day Michael has made it his mission to educate everyone on the need...

With almost 30 years of experience, Gregory E. Deetman, Esq. is a seasoned attorney licensed to practice law in the state of California. Since 1994, Mr. Deetman has been dedicated to providing his clients with exceptional legal representation and personalized attention. A member of Wealth Counsel, the leading membership organization and drafting platform for estate planning attorneys, Mr. Deetman brings his dedication, experience, and passion for his clients, to the field of estate planning.

John Masnica is President and founder of Tailored Legal. He formed the law firm to deliver legal services to San Diego’s business owners and families in a different way. John recognized that San Diego’s small business owners and families are in need of quality legal services delivered by an attorney they can understand, relate to, and trust, and for a fixed price within their business and family budgets. Tailored Legal was born out of that recognition and strives to help San Diego’s businesses and families plan for the future by using legal tools to start and operate...

I am a founding parter at Shorb & Connor and make it a point to get to know every client that walks through our firms doors. We are a small firm and offer small firm personal service but have the technology and team attorney approach of the larger firms. Ms. Connor and I keep up to date on every case, even thoughs handled by associates. Our goal is to help our clients, and what better way than to provide them with our entire firm's knowledge, not just their single attorney. I began my career at the San Diego Public...

Bachelor's of Science Degree in Business Administration UCLA Juris Doctorate UCLA Law LLM (in taxation) NYU Served 25 years as an Arbitrator for the American Arbitration Association Admitted to: California Supreme Court United States Tax Court United States District Court for the Southern District of California Broad experience in Probate & Estate Planning, We give client's a free 1/2 hour consultation. Very competitive fees. Probate fees are statutory. For a single person we prepare a Trust, Certificate of Trust, Will, Health Care Directive with Hippa Release, Assignment of Assets to the Trust and Quick Claim deed to put the house into the Trust...

Armed with impressive qualifications from big law firms and an approachable demeanor you'd expect from a small firm, Owen uniquely bridges the often intertwining areas of Trusts, Estates, and Probates. Owen holds degrees in tax (LL.M.), law (J.D.), and business (M.B.A.), making him particularly well-equipped to guide you, whether you're crafting an estate plan for your loved ones or you're a trustee or beneficiary in need of expert counsel. At Opelon, we believe in more than just offering services - we're dedicated to building enduring relationships. With Owen, you'll find an attorney who is not just qualified but also approachable. We encourage...

Mrs. Geiger’s practice is located in Carlsbad, California. Her practice focuses on Estate Planning, Asset Protection, Business Planning, Elder Law, Trust Administration, and Probate. She obtained her law degree from the University of San Diego School of Law where she served as an Editor for the San Diego International Law Journal and published a law review article. She has also authored multiple books on Trusts, Elder Law and Business Law topics and is an active member of the North County San Diego Bar Association, the North County Estate Planning Council and is a member of the editorial committee for the...

What makes me unique is that I am both a Business Owner and a Corporate & Business Law Attorney. I actually started my first business at age 8 when I launched “Dan’s Bird Farm.” As the owner of the Kehr Business Law PC, I provide business, corporate general counsel, technology, Internet, e-commerce and tax law, as well as trust, will, estate and succession planning legal services. I founded, managed and have run my own law firm for over 17 years. My experience as a business owner makes me uniquely suited to approach legal representation from the business owner’s perspective. I...

Practice Areas
Will and Living Trust drafting and review
Powers of Attorney and Advance Health Care Directives
Will and Trust Amendments and Updates
Estate, Gift, Income, and Property Tax planning Techniques for avoiding probate
Represent Executors and Administrators in Probate
Represent Trustee in Trust Administration
Advanced Estate Tax Planning: Irrevocable Trusts, Gifting Trusts, Grantor Retained Trusts (GRIT, GRAT, GRUT, QPRT), Life Insurance Trusts
Charitable Planning ? Charitable Trusts (CRAT, CRUT, CLT)

Education
University of San Diego School of Law ? Juris Doctorate in 1977
University of California, Irvine ? Bachelor of Arts in 1974
Personal Philosophy
Roberta helps families plan to transfer assets to the next generation while avoiding probate and miniming...

Mr. Kouretchian provides strategic counseling and customized legal service to individuals, families, entrepreneurs, estates and businesses. He specializes in the areas of Wills and Trusts and Corporate/Business Law (Formation, Governance, Finance).

Paul Hilton is committed to the idea of “service to country” which translates into the work he does for his clients. After graduating from Thomas Jefferson School of Law, Magna Cum Laude, Paul Hilton began his practice in the San Diego area and is licensed to practice law in California’s state and federal courts.

A retired Marine, Paul finds that his law career allows him to pair his passion with his purpose within his home community. During his time in law school, he was awarded the Veterans Assistance scholarship and served as the Executive Editor of Law Review. As a lawyer,...

Professional Life: California State Bar member, Asaph Abrams represents individuals, families and businesses in obtaining federal bankruptcy protection. He has filed over 650 successful bankruptcy cases in San Diego and has been co-chair of the San Diego County Bar's Bankruptcy Law Section. He has parted ways with the large law firm sector to focus personally on clients in need. He offers sliding-scale rates to make bankruptcy an affordable solution for all San Diegans. Asaph volunteers and is active in the legal community through the San Diego County Bar Association and the National Association of Consumer...

Sam McGovern is an attorney who was born and raised in San Diego, California. He obtained the degree of Juris Doctor Magna Cum Laude from California Western School of Law in San Diego, graduating in the top 2% of his class. Prior to becoming a lawyer, Sam McGovern worked as a police officer. The unexpected take-away from Sam's time in law enforcement was a unique expertise in problem solving and conflict resolution. Sam’s unique background lends itself to providing excellent representation to clients that results in peace of mind. He’s been there when individuals were first faced with seemingly insurmountable...

Jeffrey Gaffney is a 30 year attorney and retired Navy Captain. Originally from New York, he moved to San Diego in 1985 and has remained here since, military duties permitting. An attorney since 1993, Jeff is a graduate of the University of San Diego School of Law. He began as a law clerk in 1991, helping aggrieved investors recover from unscrupulous stockbrokers. A former registered representative ("used stock salesman") and principal (licensed manager of registered representatives), he began his own law firm in the midst of a scandal involving Prudential Securities' sales of limited partnerships. Since then,...

Bill helps business owners achieve financial freedom through legal strategies that maximize and protect their assets. As Chief Counsel at Sollertis, Bill works with his clients in the preparation of a Master Asset Protection Plan™ and, once created, manages a team of strategically selected Private Practice Attorneys who work with him to implement the plan and ultimately, to help his clients protect their assets and obtain financial freedom. Bill brings a business perspective to everything he does. As co-founder and managing partner of San Diego Law Firm, he guided the firm in its ascent...

James F. Sexton first worked as an attorney for the insurance companies he now opposes. Having worked this side of personal injury and worker’s compensation cases, James understands the goals, motivation, and tactics employed by the insurance companies and the lawyers who protect their interests. He uses that knowledge to better serve and protect his clients’ interests. As CEO of a company and owner of his own law firm, James Sexton’s success reflects the positive experiences his clients have had and continue to have at The Sexton Law Firm. His expertise is extensive and includes California bankruptcy law, California...

California Board Certified Specialist in Estate Planning, Trust, and Probate Law
Master of Laws in Taxation

Practice Areas
Will and Living Trust Drafting
Powers of Attorney and Advance Health Care Directives
Estate Planning Review
Will and Trust amendments and updates
Estate, Gift, Income, and Property Tax planning
Techniques for avoiding probate
Probates - Represent Executors and Administrators in Probate
Represent Trustee in Trust Administration
Email: DanielWilson@TrustLaw.us

Professional Associations and Memberships
Rancho Bernardo Community Foundation, Board Member
Rancho Bernardo Business Association
Probate Bench?Bar Committee
San Diego County Bar Association
North County Estate Planning Council
San Diego North County Bar Association
Personal Philosophy
Daniel has a passion for working with people and assisting them achieve their goals. He provides clear and simple...

Giovanni A. Correa is an estate planning, probate, and trademark attorney with more than 10 years of legal experience, including 6+ years as a California licensed attorney. Giovanni has extensive experience in estate planning and trademark registrations. His passion for his profession is evident in his commitment to providing exceptional customer service while always keeping costs at the forefront.

Experienced attorney with office located in Rancho Bernardo, San Diego. In practice in San Diego County for 15 years. Appeared in Los Angeles County, Riverside County and Orange County courts. My practice is limited to those counties.

Experience in Estate Planning arose from the connection that exists between the two areas of law practiced in my firm. Divorce causes change in estate plans, wills, asset allocation, beneficiary and Powers of Attorney designations. The two areas of law naturally go together. And even if they do not in your case, we have the skill and experience to assist you with your specific...

I enjoy many thing in San Diego including sailing, off roading and time with my kids, wife and friends. Our firm only handles estate planning and related matters. We Help Parents Make Sure Their Assets And Children Are Protected When The Unthinkable Happens To Them. Avoid Probate. Keep the government out of your affairs. Estate Planning is accessible for all and necessary for most. Yet, nearly 2/3 of all adults have no planning in place. Ask yourself: 1) Do you have an estate plan in place for your family (Will, Trust, Powers of Attorney, Health Care Directive, etc)? (2) If you have an estate...

Aisha is a native San Diegan, graduating from San Diego State University with a Bachelor of Arts in International Business (with an emphasis in Spanish and a Distinction in the Major) and a minor in Portuguese. She began an 18-year career at Qualcomm, Inc., a global leader in wireless communications technology, as a Marketing Intern while attending SDSU. Her desire to do meaningful and fulfilling work drove her back to school, and as someone who isn't afraid of a challenge, she attended the University of San Diego School of Law under scholarship, while continuing to work full-time. Aisha earned her...

Kevin Forrester has more than 20 years experience as a trust and fiduciary lawyer, arbitrator, and mediator of civil, securities, and real estate disputes; and more than 30 years real estate practice experience as a Realtor® and licensed real estate broker.

Scott C. Soady, Esq. is admitted to practice in California as well as the Southern and Central Federal District Court. He is an active member of the Trust and Estates section of the State Bar of California and the San Diego County Bar Association.

Scott C. Soady was born in Toronto, Canada and raised in Los Angeles. He attended the University of California, San Diego and graduated with honors with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science. He went on to obtaining his Doctor of Jurisprudence from the University of San Diego, School of Law in 2005.

Attorney Soady has focused his...

Mara Allard has a proven track record of success advancing claims for clients in probate courts throughout the state. At Allard Smith A Professional Law Corporation, she represents executors, heirs, trustees, trust beneficiaries and family members in probate petitions, will contests, breach of trust, financial elder abuse claims, breach of fiduciary duty claims, quiet title actions, real property disputes and contested actions related to guardianships, conservatorships and powers of attorney.

Juanita Guillen-Mellman is a co-founding partner of Mellman & Mellman LLP, a law firm that has represented clients in various legal matters, including estate planning and probate, family law, real property, civil litigation and estate litigation. As an attorney licensed to practice in all California state and federal courts, Ms. Guillen-Mellman has gained extensive litigation experience by conducting and successfully arguing hundreds of motions, trials, and other hearings. Attorney Guillen-Mellman is well versed in what it takes to obtain results, both in and out of court. At Mellman & Mellman, LLP attorney Juanita Guillen-Mellman is an integral part of the...

Mr. Mellman provides clients with a full range of legal services including estate planning, estate litigation, family law, divorce, child custody, child support, spousal support, civil litigation, business transactions, business law, intellectual property, real property, and asset protection. Mr. Mellman received a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Central Florida and obtained his Juris Doctorate from Thomas Jefferson School of Law, where he graduated in the top four percent of his class with honors of Magna Cum Laude. While in law school, Mr. Mellman served as the Managing-Editor of the Thomas Jefferson Law Review...

I have been practicing law since 1980 and as a sole practioner since 1981. My focus has been on Estate Planning, Probate, Elder Law and related litigation and appeals since the 1990's. My primary experience is with the various courts in San Diego county but have also appeared in the Los Angeles county and Orange county courts, as well. My goal is to provide personal,individualized legal services to each one of my clients.