Matthew Eric Palmer

PRO

Matthew Eric Palmer

4.8
Rating: 9.6

Licensed for 27 years

Divorce and separation Lawyer at Oceanside, CA
Practice Areas: Divorce & Separation, Litigation, Estate Planning ... +3 more

301 Mission Ave, Suite 205, Oceanside, CA

Virtual Consultation Available

Free Consultation

About Matthew

Biography

Certified Family Law Specialist and Pro Tem Judge, Serving San Diego County for over 18 years.

The Lawyers People Trust When facing a Divorce or Family Law Crisis

We help clients through the probate process to move forward with their lives

Avoid Probate and Estate Taxes

Practice Areas

6

Practice Areas

Divorce and Separation 60%

Whether it is a family in Encinitas, or a military service member at Camp Pendleton, our San Diego County lawyers help clients make difficult decisions regarding divorce and family law involving Military divorce, Child custody, Complex property division. Choosing a lawyer in a contentious case is an important decision. To obtain the outcome you desire, the lawyer you select should be knowledgeable, experienced and confident.

27 years

60%
Estate Planning 10%

10%
Guardianship 10%

10%
Litigation 10%

10%
Probate 5%

We offer a full range of estate planning, probate administration and probate litigation services for estates of all sizes. Our personal approach helps us to identify the wishes of clients regarding the disposition of their assets through wills, trusts and more. Experienced in complex and simple probate and estate matters, we have the ability to achieve results in an efficient and cost-effective manner.

27 years

5%
Trusts 5%

Wills and Trusts - living wills, Inter Vivo trusts, AB trusts, and challenges to a will or trust. Guardianships and Conservatorships - establishing guardianship for a child who has lost their parents, or creating a conservatorship to protect disabled adults and their assets. Power of Attorney - living will, advance health care directives and Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) orders. Probate Administration - including estate administration of non-probate assets. Probate litigation

27 years

5%

Fees and Rates

Cost

Free Consultation

$0 first 30 minutes


Payment Methods

  • Cash
  • Check
  • Credit Card

Awards

Client's Choice
Client's Choice
2025 2024 2023
...
+ 7

Licenses

Licensed in California for 27 years

State: California

Acquired: 1998

Active

No misconduct found

Location

Palmer Rodak & Associates

301 Mission Ave, Suite 205, Oceanside, CA, 92054

oceansidedivorcelawyer.com

Palmer Rodak & Associates

445 Marine Ave, Suite 300, Del Mar, CA, 92014

oceansidedivorcelawyer.com

Online Presence

Other places you can find Matthew online.

Matthew Eric Palmer's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

4.8 /5.0

111 Client Reviews

Showing 6 - 10 of 36 reviews | Practice Area Knowledge

Posted by Danielle | February 04, 2025 | Hired Attorney | Criminal Defense

Best Law Firm in Southern California

Look no Further!! Palmer Rodak & Associates are hands down the best law firm in Southern California. I called and "interviewed" several different law firms. I am very pleased and thankful I chose this law firm. Matthew Palmer wasn't my attorney, at first, but he stepped in; due to the severe complexi...ty of my case. Matthew is my saving grace. Matthew and his entire team truly do care about each and every one of the clients at this law firm. The entire team are extremely nice, organized, pleasant, and wonderful to work with; from attorneys, paralegal. billing, and who answers the phone when you call. I cannot emphasize enough for the fantastic team at this law firm!! Palmer Rodak & Associates Will fight for you. They truly care about the outcome of your future!! Thank you Palmer Rodak & Associates for your time, hard work, dedication, and my freedom. All of you deserve more than 5 stars!

Posted by anonymous | January 01, 2025 | Hired Attorney | Divorce & Separation

Professional and knowledgeable

I am so grateful for Layla and Autumn's help in my divorce. They handled my case with professionalism and fought hard for my children and me. They achieved an amazing result. I could not have done this without them.

Posted by Samantha | July 03, 2024 | Hired Attorney | Child Custody

Great legal help!

I’m going through an intense custody case right now attempting to get full custody. Matthew and Alexandria have done so so much to help my child and I! they are professional yet they care on a personal level as well! I definitely recommend coming here for your legal help!

Posted by Erin | March 25, 2024 | Hired Attorney | Divorce & Separation

Client

I retained Matthew Palmer and Associates October 2022. The day I met Mr. Palmer, and Sidney Price, another Attorney at the firm, I knew I selected the best Attorney's for my Divorce. Mr. Palmer was very thorough, explained so much about family law, as well as Sidney Price in terms of what I needed t...o do, and what they could do for me. My Divorce was very complicated, as well as difficult emotionally for me, but they were always there for me. I never knew how much was involved with a long term marrige, and so many different things that needed to happen legally for me to get Divorced. It was a very long journey, and I needed to do what I called "Divorce Homework", and they both helped me navigate this complicated process. Their office staff, Mary, Ashley, Autumn, and Alex (more people too but I don't remember everyone's names) were excellent, especially since I am not good at computers, and their smiles, professionalism, and kindness were what I needed. Mary also helped me with so many things, even when I was falling apart, a very kind and compassionate lady. Sidney went above and beyond with everything as well, very knowledgeable, kind, and empathetic.I trusted Matthew, and Sidney to make these hard decisions for me, supporting me emotionally, but also making sure I understood all the details, different court documents, so I would know what the next step would be. Matthew is one of the kindest people I have ever met, always professional, and when I had trouble keeping it together, at the end he said some very wise words to me. I feel Blessed to of had all these people on my side, and even though I didn't ask for my Divorce, I also knew I needed this relationship with my Ex-husband to end. Thank you so very much from the bottom of my heart.

Posted by Mindy | February 09, 2024 | Hired Attorney | Family

Fantastic Attorney

I have worked with Matthew Palmer over the last couple years on my case and I would 100% recommend his office! My case has been long, complicated, heartbreaking at times and just overall complex. He has been there through it all and has done everything he could for me and my children. His paralegals ...have been fantastic as well and when he wasn’t able to handle a few things due to personal reasons, Layla stepped in for Matthew and was just as amazing. I would 100% recommend them. They care and are understanding, working with me in every way possible against some really big issues that should not have even been there in the first place. If you need a caring attorney who will fight for you that is well versed and knows what he is doing, I would not think twice about retaining Matthew. And if he’s not available, Layla is just as fantastic!!

See All Client Reviews

Matthew Eric Palmer's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse Matthew
Dimitry F. Erudaitius headshot
Dimitry Erudaitius

Family lawyer | Jul 19

Relationship: Worked for lawyer

"Matthew is an excellent attorney, and it was a privilege working with him. He taught me an immense amount, and you will be well taken care of with Matthew. There is no doubt he is respected as one of the best. I endorse this lawyer."

Layla Zad headshot
Layla Zad

Divorce and separation lawyer | Jun 21

Relationship: Co-worker

"Matthew is an excellent trial attorney and has mentored me since the beginning of my law career. I endorse Matthew."

Susan Renee Rodak headshot
Susan Rodak

Real estate lawyer | Feb 09

Relationship: Co-worker

"I endorse this lawyer."

Gabriel Pene headshot
Gabriel Pene

Divorce and separation lawyer | Feb 05

Relationship: Co-worker

"Working closely with Matthew on a daily basis, I can unreservedly offer my endorsement as he provides a level of experience, dedication, and compassion that is difficult to find."

Colleen Marie Dillon headshot
Colleen Dillon

Divorce and separation lawyer | Jan 30

Relationship: Worked for lawyer

"I currently work with Matthew. I have learned so much since I started working at Palmer Rodak & Associates. Unlike a lot of individuals I have met in this field, Matthew genuinely cares about his clients and will endeavor to achieve their desired results in the time and cost efficient way. Matthew recently completed a 23 day trial and I was impressed that he was able to not only present ALL the material but to do it in a manner that was concise and straight to the point. I would trust Matthew with any family law case whole-heartedly."

Gary L. Nell headshot
Gary Nell

Litigation lawyer | Dec 22

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"I endorse this lawyer. Matthew is an excellent trial lawyer and litigator. He is personable, knowledgeable and persuasive."

Ryan Hugh Sargent headshot
Ryan Sargent

Family lawyer | Feb 16

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. Mr. Palmer is one of the most skilled family law attorneys in San Diego. He is honest and trustworthy."

View All Endorsements
Colleen Marie Dillon headshot
Colleen Dillon

Family lawyer

Carolyn M Kirner headshot
Carolyn Kirner

Divorce and separation lawyer

Gary L. Nell headshot
Gary Nell

Business lawyer

Experience

Rating:  9.6 (Superb)

Honors

2015

Certificate of Appreciaton as a Temporary Judge, San Diego Superior Court

2014

Certificate of Appreciaton as a Temporary Judge, San Diego Superior Court

2014

Client Rating, Martindale-Hubbell

2014

Certified Specialist - Family Law, State Bar of California

2013

Certificate of Appreciaton as a Temporary Judge, San Diego Superior Court

2012

Certificate of Appreciaton as a Temporary Judge, San Diego Superior Court

2011

Certificate of Appreciaton as a Temporary Judge, San Diego Superior Court

2010

Certificate of Appreciaton as a Temporary Judge, San Diego Superior Court

2009

Certified Specialist - Family Law, State Bar of California

2008

Certificate of Appreciaton as a Temporary Judge, Superior Court of San Diego

2006

Certified Specialist - Family Law, State Bar of California

1999

Certicate of Appreciation, The Bar Association of Northern San Diego Couty

1999

Attorney Admission, United States District Court

1998

American Jurisprudence award, American Jurisprudence Society

Work Experience

2003 - Present

Judge Pro Tem, San Diego Superior Court

1998 - Present

Lead Attorney at Law, Palmer Rodak & Associates

Associations

2004 - Present

Certified Family Law Specialist Association

Member

1998 - Present

San Diego County Bar Association

Member

1998 - Present

North County Bar Association

Member

Education

1996

Thomas Jefferson School of Law

JD - Juris Doctor

1990

University of Connecticut in Storrs

BA - Bachelor of Arts

N/A

University of Phoenix

MBA - Master of Business Administration

Languages

English

Spanish

French

Farsi

American Sign Language

Avvo Rating

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Avvo Rating Levels
10.0 - 9.0 Superb8.9 - 8.0 Excellent7.9 - 7.0 Very Good6.9 - 6.0 Good5.9 - 5.0 Average4.9 - 4.0 Concern3.9 - 3.0 Caution2.9 - 2.0 Strong Caution1.9 - 1.0 Extreme Caution