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Halverson Estate Law
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Estate Planning · Trust Administration · Probate · San Diego

Protect the people you love.
Plan once, with care.

Halverson Estate Law offers flat-fee estate plans for San Diego families — wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and the kind of calm, thorough guidance that holds up across generations.

Schedule a consultation See our flat-fee plans
Flat-fee plans — no billing surprises San Diego probate court familiar Multi-generational approach

What we do

Guidance for every stage of planning — and every kind of family.

Whether you are starting from nothing, updating a plan that has grown stale, or helping a family through probate after a loss, we move at the pace that serves you.

  • Revocable Living Trusts

    A revocable trust lets your family avoid the cost and delay of probate entirely. We draft, fund, and explain every provision so you understand exactly what you have signed.

  • Wills and Pour-Over Wills

    A carefully drafted will makes your intentions clear and legally binding. If you also have a trust, a pour-over will acts as a safety net — catching any asset that was accidentally left outside it.

  • Powers of Attorney

    A durable power of attorney designates someone to manage financial and legal matters on your behalf if you become incapacitated. We pair it with an advance health care directive so your medical wishes are equally protected.

  • Advance Health Care Directives

    Your health care directive tells doctors and loved ones exactly what care you want — and, just as importantly, what you do not want. We walk through every provision together before you sign.

  • Guardianship for Minor Children

    Naming a guardian is one of the most important decisions parents can make. We draft the nomination language carefully and discuss how to make your wishes unmistakably clear to a court.

  • Trust Administration

    When a loved one passes, the successor trustee needs guidance. We walk trustees through California’s notification requirements, asset gathering, creditor timelines, and distribution — step by step.

  • Probate Representation

    If a loved one passed without a plan, or left only a will, probate may be required. We handle the court filings, creditor notices, and hearings so families can focus on healing.

Flat-fee plans

Transparent pricing. No billing surprises.

These are starting-point examples — your consultation will confirm exactly what your situation requires. We quote in writing before you engage.

  • Essentials

    $1,200 flat fee

    The right foundation for individuals or couples who want straightforward, legally sound documents without a trust.

    • Simple will (individual) or his-and-her wills (couples)
    • Durable power of attorney
    • Advance health care directive (AHCD)
    • HIPAA authorization
    • One free update within 12 months
    Get started
  • Most complete

    Family

    $2,400 flat fee

    A complete estate plan built around a revocable living trust — the most effective way to protect your family and avoid probate.

    • Revocable living trust (couple or individual)
    • Pour-over wills for both spouses
    • Durable powers of attorney
    • Advance health care directives
    • HIPAA authorizations
    • Minor children guardianship nomination
    • Trust funding guidance and deed preparation
    • One free update within 18 months
    Schedule a consultation

  • Legacy

    Custom quote flat fee where possible

    For families with a family business, real property in multiple states, or complex gifting goals. Quoted after a thorough consultation.

    • Everything in Family, plus:
    • Family limited partnerships or LLCs
    • Business succession planning
    • Irrevocable trusts (AB, QTIP, ILIT, charitable)
    • Multi-state property coordination
    • Annual review retainer available
    Request a consultation

Probate guidance

We handle the court. You take the time to grieve.

If your loved one passed without a plan, or left only a will, probate in California may be required. Here is how the process works — and how we guide your family through each step.

  1. 01

    Petition the Court

    We prepare and file the petition to open probate with the San Diego Superior Court, identify the personal representative, and set the initial hearing date.

  2. 02

    Notify Creditors and Heirs

    California law requires formal notice to known creditors and all heirs. We handle the mailing, publication, and proof-of-service requirements so nothing is missed.

  3. 03

    Inventory and Appraise the Estate

    We work with a probate referee to establish the fair market value of assets. This inventory becomes the official record the court uses to supervise the estate.

  4. 04

    Pay Debts and Taxes

    Valid creditor claims are paid from estate funds. We review every claim, object when appropriate, and coordinate with the accountant on any final income or estate tax returns.

  5. 05

    Court Approval and Distribution

    We prepare the final accounting and petition for distribution, present it to the judge, and — once approved — help the personal representative transfer assets to each beneficiary.

Not sure whether probate is required?

California has simplified procedures for smaller estates, and assets held in trust or with named beneficiaries bypass probate entirely. Schedule a consultation and we will tell you exactly what your family is looking at — no obligation.

Schedule a conversation

Legacy and gifting

A plan is more than documents. It is a message to the people who come next.

We help clients think beyond the minimum and build estate plans that reflect their values — not just their assets.

  • Lifetime Gifting

    Transferring assets during your lifetime can be one of the most meaningful things you do for the people you love. We help you understand the federal annual gift exclusion, and structure gifts thoughtfully so they align with your broader plan.

  • Charitable Giving

    Whether through a donor-advised fund, a charitable remainder trust, or a specific bequest in your will, we help you build philanthropy into your plan in a way that reflects your values and honors causes that matter to your family.

  • Passing on a Family Business

    Business succession is often the most emotionally complex part of an estate plan. We work alongside your CPA and financial advisor to design a transition that is fair to your heirs, kind to your employees, and realistic about timing.

  • The Letter of Instruction

    Beyond legal documents, we encourage every client to write a letter of instruction — a personal, practical companion to your plan. Where are your accounts? Who is your accountant? What do you want your family to know? This document is not legally binding, but it is often the most read.

Get in touch

Schedule a consultation.

Our first consultation is a conversation — no paperwork, no sales pressure. We want to understand your situation before we recommend anything.

Address
1220 Rosecrans St, Suite 304 · San Diego, CA 92106
Office hours
Mon — Thu — 9:00a — 5:30p
Friday — 9:00a — 4:00p
Sat — Sun — By appointment

Frequently asked

Questions we hear in every consultation.

  • Do I need a trust, or is a will enough?

    It depends on your situation. A will alone is valid in California, but it goes through probate — a court-supervised process that takes time and costs money. A revocable living trust avoids probate entirely, keeps your affairs private, and typically makes things much easier for your family. For most homeowners with minor children, a trust is usually the better foundation. We talk through both in every consultation so you can choose with full information.

  • What happens if I pass away without a plan?

    California's intestate succession laws decide where your assets go — not you. For most people, those defaults are not what they would have chosen. If you have minor children and no guardianship nomination, a court chooses their guardian. If you own a home, your family will likely face a probate proceeding. The good news is that a basic estate plan is straightforward to put in place, and once it's done, it's done.

  • How long does probate take in California?

    A straightforward probate in San Diego typically takes nine to eighteen months from filing to close. More complex estates — or ones with disputes among heirs — can take longer. We move as efficiently as the court calendar and creditor-claims period allows, and we keep you informed at every step so there are no surprises.

  • Can I update my plan later?

    Absolutely, and you should. Life changes — marriages, divorces, the birth of children or grandchildren, the death of a named trustee, significant changes in assets. Our flat-fee plans include a free update within 12 or 18 months (depending on tier), and we are always available for revisions beyond that at a reasonable flat rate. We also offer an annual review retainer for families who want a standing relationship.

  • What does a flat-fee plan actually include?

    Everything you need to sign and put into effect — not just the documents. That means a thorough intake meeting, a review meeting where we walk through every provision, the signed originals, a complete digital copy, and guidance on funding your trust (the step many attorneys skip). The price you see is the price you pay. No hourly billing, no surprise invoices.

  • Is this consultation confidential?

    Yes. Attorney-client privilege attaches from the moment we speak about your legal matter. The form below is a pre-consultation intake — submitting it does not create an attorney-client relationship on its own, but anything you share with us in a consultation is protected.

Client stories

What families say

Client reviews will appear here at launch.

We do not use fabricated testimonials. This section pulls verified Google reviews once the firm opens its doors.