Estate Planning Attorney | San Diego Services

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You lead a busy life, so planning for the future may understandably not be high on your priority list. However, illness and death can strike at any time—whether you’re old or young—so planning for the unknown right now is absolutely critical. Help is available for families seeking an attorney in San Diego who specializes in estate planning.

At the Law Office of Michael C. MacNeil, we are committed to assisting you in the estate planning process. We also provide top-tier probate and conservatorship services to protect your loved one’s wishes and best interests.

ESTATE PLANNING FOR CALIFORNIA FAMILIES

It’s important to find a will and trust attorney in San Diego who can help you produce a well-thought-out estate plan that reflects your wishes and protects you and your loved ones if you become incapacitated or in the event of an unexpected passing. With a solid plan, which may include a will, trust, advance directive, power of attorney, and more, you can dictate who will make end-of-life or critical medical decisions and help to handle finances, funeral arrangements, and assets.

ADDITIONAL ESTATE PLAN BENEFITS

A comprehensive plan can also spell out how you would like to handle your children’s religious, custodial, and educational situations when you pass. A child custody lawyer will understand how to arrange guardianship and advocate for your children’s best interests. Having a family lawyer specializing in estate planning and probate law in San Diego is especially valuable if you’ve been through a divorce in which these matters were a source of contention.

PROBATE ATTORNEY SERVICES IN SAN DIEGO

If your loved one passes away or becomes incapacitated, an estate planning attorney in San Diego will follow proper procedures per California law. The probate process exists to ensure appropriate distribution of assets and notification to potential beneficiaries and creditors.

How an Attorney Can Help Your Family

The probate process in San Diego usually requires the guidance of an experienced probate lawyer due to the many rules in place governing, for instance, how various kinds of assets are handled. As a will and trust attorney in San Diego dedicated to helping California families thrive, I can provide that guidance while upholding the best interests of your family.

SAN DIEGO CONSERVATORSHIP ATTORNEY SERVICES

If your loved one can no longer care for themself, you might need to create a conservatorship. This will allow you or a designated individual to manage the personal and financial affairs of your loved one in the event of age or physical or mental limitations. I can help you to file a conservatorship petition so you can keep your family member’s affairs in order.

SEEK LEGAL HELP FROM MICHAEL C. MACNEIL TODAY

If you’re looking to find a seasoned estate planning attorney in San Diego, contact the Law Office of Michael C. MacNeil today and see how I can help. As a well-known divorce attorney in San Diego, I specialize in both family law and criminal law. Get in touch via the contact form below for prompt assistance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Crafting an estate plan involves preparing vital legal documents and formulating strategies. Whether through incapacity or passing, your assets are vulnerable without established guidelines. Wills, trusts, and powers of attorney guarantee your wishes remain in effect regardless of disputes or conflicts. Advance directives ensure your wishes are honored should you be unable to make medical decisions. 

Court-supervised probate validates the will, determines debt repayment, and distributes the remaining assets to beneficiaries. Proper preparations with an estate planning attorney in San Diego can help simplify this process. 

Review your documents every three to five years or after significant life events. Marriage, divorce, births, or deaths will require a reassessment of assets. Regular updates ensure that your plan reflects current laws and personal circumstances.

what people say

AndrewAndrew
19:29 10 Feb 24
I was dealing with a very malicious neighbor who filed baseless lawsuits as harassment to cover up their illegal construction. Michael sucessfully defeated them in court; and was also able to get them to pay my attorney fees, thereby detering further baseless lawsuits. Michael is unique in that he will work with his clients to devise feasible and successful court strategies, is affordable, is unassuming. and gets back to you when you have a question, unlike other attorneys. Michael also has a lot of experience since he spent many years as a deputy district attorney and in private practice dealing with a wide variety of civil and criminal cases. He knows his way around a court room. I was very satisfied with his representation and highly recommend Michael MacNeil if you need smart, effective representation.
Alan LewisAlan Lewis
23:53 20 Oct 23
As a former attorney, I can tell you that Michael is one of the best I've worked with. His advice is spot on, he gets the job done and doesn't overbill. If you're on the fence, this is your sign to hire him.
Angel RosarioAngel Rosario
22:39 05 Aug 23
Excellent Attorney. Got my issues settled quickly and fairly!
Jon ClaytonJon Clayton
03:59 28 Jan 23
Incredible. He is ethical and honest and what a family law attorney should be. He helped with a contempt issue and was spot on the entire time. He was easy to work with and incredible supportive. I would give him more stars if I could.
Shekia DrakeShekia Drake
02:48 13 Jan 23
I cannot brag on Mr. MacNeil enough!! I thank God for him and giving me strength to get through my divorce. It was rough, but Mr. MacNeil gave me reassurance that everything would work out through communication and helping me understand this whole process. He's very honest, fair, and goes above and beyond for his clients. His communication is ON POINT! I was worry-free throughout majority of this process. BTW... I was not paid or begged to write this review. He's just that awesome in my opinion.
Ken JetersKen Jeters
17:42 06 Jun 22
Mr. Michael MacNeil was my attorney for a very difficult divorce procedure. I could not have found a better attorney to represent me. Mr. MacNeil was exceptional in details, follow through, and outstanding representation in court. His knowledge, honest advisement and professionalism achieved a positive result that I will always owe him my debt of gratitude. I have never worked with a better attorney in my life.
Suzanne FoxSuzanne Fox
16:54 06 Jun 22
Mr. Michael MacNeil recently handled some family legal matters that were quite extensive. He is one of the most outstanding professionals we have ever worked with. He handled everything in a timely manner with a meticulous attention to details. We had the best representation and advocacy, and because of his outstanding work we had an excellent outcome. We highly recommend him and he is the only one we will use to handle any future legal matters if any arise.
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