Legal Information Notice
This page provides general information about Bay Legal PC's services for San Diego area clients. It is not legal advice and does not apply to every situation. Consult a licensed California attorney for guidance on your specific matter. Reading this does not create an attorney-client relationship.
California Tax Law Services for San Diego Clients
Bay Legal PC serves clients throughout California — including the San Diego area — with estate planning, trust administration, probate, IRS tax resolution, and real estate tax planning. Attorney Jayson Elliott is licensed by the California State Bar (Bar No. 332479) and serves clients in all 58 California counties.
San Diego's strong real estate market and large military and veteran population create unique estate planning and tax needs — from VA-related matters to the Prop 19 implications of inheriting family homes in La Jolla, Coronado, and other high-value areas.
Key Practice Areas for San Diego Clients
- Prop 19 planning for San Diego coastal property
- Estate planning for military families and veterans
- IRS resolution for San Diego business owners
- Probate administration for San Diego County estates
- Trust administration and successor trustee guidance
Estate Planning for San Diego Families
California's expensive probate process — with statutory fees calculated on gross property values — makes proper estate planning especially valuable for San Diego homeowners. A revocable living trust avoids probate entirely, keeping asset transfers private, fast, and far less expensive than court administration.
For families with real estate in San Diego worth more than the federal estate tax exemption threshold, trust-based estate tax planning can also significantly reduce or eliminate federal estate tax exposure.
Key estate planning services for San Diego clients include: revocable living trusts, pour-over wills, durable powers of attorney, healthcare directives, and advanced strategies including bypass trusts, charitable remainder trusts, and irrevocable life insurance trusts.
Probate and Trust Administration
When a San Diego family member dies with assets subject to California probate, the process typically takes 12–24 months and costs a significant percentage of the gross estate in statutory fees. Bay Legal PC guides San Diego families through probate administration and successor trustee duties — managing assets, addressing creditor claims, and distributing property to beneficiaries efficiently.
IRS Tax Resolution for San Diego Taxpayers
Bay Legal PC represents San Diego area taxpayers in IRS audits, appeals, Offers in Compromise, installment agreements, and penalty abatement proceedings. Attorney-client privilege protects sensitive communications — a significant advantage over working with a CPA or enrolled agent alone for complex IRS matters.
Proposition 19 Planning
California Proposition 19 (effective February 2021) significantly restricted property tax exclusions for inherited property. San Diego families with appreciated real estate face important planning decisions about how to structure transfers to minimize Prop 19 reassessment while preserving the stepped-up basis benefit at death.
Bay Legal PC helps San Diego families analyze the Prop 19 implications of their estate plans and develops strategies to balance property tax, capital gains tax, and estate planning goals. See our complete Prop 19 guide for more information.
Serving San Diego Clients
Bay Legal PC serves San Diego clients via phone and video consultation statewide, with in-person meetings available at our Palo Alto headquarters. All consultations are free and confidential. Call (650) 668-8000, email [email protected], or schedule online at baylegal.com.