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Rosemary Jane Meagher-Leonard

Virtual Consultation
also known as Rosemary Leonard
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Avvo Rating8.4
  • San Diego, CA
  • Licensed for 40 years
  • Free consultation
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About Rosemary

A large part of my duties as an elder law, estate planning, and Probate attorney involves listening to my clients and providing sound advise that meets their individual and family needs. A large portion of my practice involves estate planning including trusts (revocable, irrevocable, special needs, dynasty, medical planning), wills, powers of attorney, and advanced health directives. In addition to estate planning, my practice is limited to Probate matters including Conservatorships, Guardianships, decedent's estate, Probate ligitation, trust litigation and Probate litigation appeals.

I also assist senior citizens and their families in elder law planning, and with nursing home and dementia care issues. I have also handled matters in northern California, Orange county, Riverside county, San Bernardino county, Santa Barbara county, Ventura county, Alameda County, and Los Angeles county. I also represent out of state individuals who have California estate, trust, elder law, litigation or Probate appeal matters that require my assistance.

My husband and I live in San Diego county and have three grown children and two grandchildren. Most people know me as Rosemary Leonard.

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Practice areas

GuardianshipProbateEstate planning
  1. Estate planning: 55%

    I assist clients with all types of trusts and their supporting documents. The types of trusts that draft include: inter vivos, charitable, dynasty,insurance, irrevocable, family business, and bypass

    41 years

  2. Probate: 30%

    I handle all types of probate matters including decedent's estates, guardianships, and conservatorships.

    41 years

  3. Guardianship: 15%

    I represent both proposed guardians and parents contesting a guardianship. I provide step-by-step support for those going through this often emotional process.

    40 years

Languages spoken

English

Photos and videos

215326 1286232905

215326 1289525267

Contact

4456 Florida St
San Diego, CA, 92116

    Resume

    License
    StateStatusAcquiredUpdated
    CAActive198002/03/2021
    We have not found any instances of professional misconduct for this lawyer.
    Avvo Contributions
    Legal answers757
    Legal guides0
    Awards
    Award nameGrantorDate granted
    Academic achievementKappa Delta Sorority1975
    Work Experience
    TitleCompany nameDuration
    OwnerLaw Offices of Rosemary Meagher-Leonard1981 - Present
    Staff attorneySenior Citizens Legal Services1980 - 1981
    Associations
    Association namePosition nameDuration
    P.E.O.Corresponding Secretary2010 - Present
    American Bar AssociationMember2010 - Present
    State Bar of California, Trusts and Estates SectionMember2010 - Present
    American Bar Associaion Real Estate, Trusts, and Estates SectionMember2010 - Present
    American Association of JusticeMember2009 - Present
    P.E.O.Member2006 - Present
    State Bar of CaliforniaMember1980 - Present
    P.E.O.Chaplin (past)2006 - 2009
    Education
    School nameDegreeGraduated
    Thomas Jefferson School of LawJD - Juris Doctor1979
    San Diego State Univundergraduate1976
    Speaking Engagements
    Conference nameTitleDate
    P.E.O. Chapter MeetingEstate Planning 101: Who needs a trust and why2008
    Legal cases
    Case nameOutcome
    Estate of CrommingerCase settled shortly before trial
    Hwodek v. HwodekSettled at trial: the granddaughter was able to keep the residence.

    Reviews

    (8)
    5 Star
    		100%
    4 Star
    		0%
    3 Star
    		0%
    2 Star
    		0%
    1 Star
    		0%
    Review Rosemary Meagher-Leonard

    Wonderful experience

    Posted by

    Rosemary was very knowledgeable and covered all the bases definitively in my initial consultation. She was also quite generous with her time and patient with addressing all my concerns - one of the most pleasant legal consultations I've had. I will certainly hire her if my case indeed develops to need legal assistance.
    This review is from a potential client who consulted with this attorney.
    Consulted attorney

    Patient, Knowledgeable and kind

    Posted by

    Rosemary, is great I spoke with her on the phone for a while and sent her my fathers estate information. She carefully reviewed the documents and gave me a lengthy opinion without even discussing money. The other attorneys I spoke with (about a dozen) only cared about one thing, their bill rate and how much the retainer or percentage contingency was going to be, Rosemary, cares about me and my problems.
    This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
    Hired attorney

    Extremely Grateful to Have Found Mrs. Leonard

    Posted by

    With gratitude we can't express in words how wonderful, understanding, smart, patient and compassionate this woman is and how very happy we are that we found her. She is articulate, her knowledge of the law, case laws, appellate laws is through and her writing, communications and petition are to the letter of the law. Rosemary is about doing what is right and what is correct and she won't stand for nonsense. She is always available and will educate her client as to the process, the laws, and gives you the opportunity to make a good decision. She is patient and will help guide you through sometimes very difficult times. We plan to keep Mrs. Leonard on retainer for a long time. No more worries and no more headaches. With sincere gratitude we thank her for all her wisdom and the freedom to know we are in the best of hands. Thank you Mrs. Leonard.
    This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
    Hired attorney

    An excellent choice

    Posted by

    I worked with Rosemary Leonard to settle an estate and had a great experience with her. Throughout the process, I felt that I could trust her to look out for my best interests. She answered my many emails quickly and was extremely helpful. I'd strongly recommend her services.

    Excellent, thorough, trustworthy...

    Posted by

    My situation (rewriting the family trust) required delicacy. My mom had a stroke & we had to relocate her & purchase a home in San Diego. In the midst of chaos, Rosemary easily relieved lingering family tension, met with us in locations selected to relieve mom's stress, advocated reasonable solutions specific to our situation, and most importantly, handled my mother with the dignity she deserves, which isn't always the case. Rosemary remained patient when we missed appointments because I was simply overwhelmed, and, what I should really stress, handled our legal affairs skillfully and much to our benefit. I'd recommend her to anyone.

    Living Trusts

    Posted by

    I asked a simple question and got the normal run around answer from a few other lawyers. Rosemary gave me a succinct definitive answer that was concise and hit right to the point I needed to know and was extremely helpful. She is very knowledgable and straight forward.

    Tremendous Follow-Through

    Posted by

    Having no other resource in attaining a Trust attorney because of geographical distances I went through AVVO. I was referred to Rosemary who was extremely responsive to my emails and need for an Irrevocable Trust for my aging Mother in a nursing home. Other than the final signing of the Irrevocable Trust being delayed longer than anticipated (both parties responsible) Rosemary Leonard was professional, very informative and was able to assist me very well. I would definitely recommend her.

    Estate Planner

    Posted by

    Rosemary Leonard lead us through our estate planning with ease and comfort. It was our first time setting up an estate and she explained each and every item to our understanding. She made a complex issue an easy process to understand. I would recommend her as an easy person to work with and knowlegdeable about the forms and process. She professionally presented the final documents and walked us through each page. It was great to work with Rosemary and I will work with her again as our estate changes.

    Attorney endorsements

    (23)
    Are you an attorney? Endorse this lawyer

    Gerald Dorfman

    I endorse this lawyer. I often find myself agreeing with her responses given to questions posted in the Avvo forum. Those who post there can expect nothing more than direct, thoughtful, accurate responses, and Ms. Meagher-Leonard delivers.

    David Ferri

    I endorse this lawyer. She is consistent in her responses on AVVO and obviously cares about the community.

    Kris Crawford, Estate planning Attorney on Mar 17, 2017
    Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

    I endorse this lawyer. Ms. Meagher-Leonard provides great advice to those in need. She takes time out of her day to answer questions on AVVO and point people in the right direction.

    Peter Depew, Probate Attorney on Feb 8, 2017
    Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

    I endorse this lawyer. Ms. Meagher-Leonard provides a much needed service on Avvo. She donates her time to individuals who are in need of immediate legal answers.

    Ernest Lee, Probate Attorney on Jul 13, 2015
    Relationship: Worked together on matter

    I endorse this lawyer. I have worked with Rosemary for almost 1 year and I have found her to be well qualified, intelligent, always helpful, resourceful and very friendly and easy to work with. I am a criminal defense and personal injury attorney, who knows close to nothing about probate matters, so when a client came to me with a probate-estate matter I was lost. But not for long. I remembered that Rosemary had answered a probate question for me on Avvo so I reached out to her. Man, I am glad I did. She quickly allayed my probate concerns and is still assisting me to this day. In fact, she is now my firm’s go to person for probate. I heartily endorse and recommend Rosemary for any probate or estate and trusts matter.

    Hovanes Margarian

    I endorse this lawyer.

    Matthew Schneider, Elder law Attorney on Apr 12, 2014
    Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

    Rosemary is a higly skilled and knowledgeable elder law practitioner. I endorse her without reserve.

    James Dicks, Estate planning Attorney on Nov 29, 2013
    Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

    This attorney works very hard for the clients and keeps up with the law by attending legal seminars to assist them in this regard. I endorse this attorney.

    John Corrigan, Estate planning Attorney on Jun 6, 2013
    Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

    I do not know Rosemary personally but have read now thousands of Avvo questions and this attorney knows her stuff in the T&E arena. I am a very picky person (technically) and I have a short list of about 10 Avvo attorneys in the country that I feel are at the top of their game --- Rosemary among them.

    Dagmar Pollex, Estate planning Attorney on May 5, 2013
    Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

    I have known Rosemary Leonard from our professional connections. I respect her skills and her expertise and her willingness to share those with colleagues as well as the public. She has a great ability for empathy and communication for clients in a down to earth manner that puts clients at ease.I would recommend her to my friends and family in California.

    Christian Lassen

    Top-notch attorney. Highly respected in the legal community.

    Jennifer Gardner, Probate Attorney on Nov 20, 2012
    Relationship: Worked together on matter

    It is rare that you meet an attorney who you instinctively trust immediately and work seemlesly with from the get-go. Rosemary and I are representing clients in a nasty elder abuse/probate matter in San Diego. I can honestly say that I am enjoying every minute of it. Rosemary is a meticulous, ethical, dedicated advocate for our clients, and I hope that we have the opportunity to collaborate together on other matters in the future.

    Richard Stewart, Estate planning Attorney on Oct 2, 2012
    Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

    I endorse this lawyer. Fantastic resource for clients.

    James Frederick, Probate Attorney on Jul 31, 2012
    Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

    I am happy to endorse Attorney Meagher-Leonard. Because we practice in similar areas of law, I have had the opportunity to review many of her answers and they demonstrate not only legal expertise, but also genuine concern for the asker of the question. She offers practical, useful advice and I am happy to commend her as a colleague and a tremendous resource to the Avvo community. James Frederick

    Mark Baer, Estate planning Attorney on May 29, 2012
    Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

    Rosemary is a very knowledgeable estate planning, probate and elder law attorney. She recognizes that a great deal of litigation could be avoided if more attorneys were of the problem solving variety. She appreciates that her clients are people with families and is sincerely interested in helping them solve or avoid problems. I have referred fellow attorneys to Rosemary and will continue to do so without hesitation.

    Hillary Johns, Estate planning Attorney on Apr 25, 2012
    Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

    Rosemary is a dedicated, knowledgable and very thoughtful attorney. She spots issues and sees solutions quickly, is very compassionate, and genuinely cares about her clients. I can see why her clients are so loyal to her and why she is often asked to represent clients throughout the California and receives so many referrals from other states. Every professional comment I have ever received about Rosemary has been nothing but positive. Since I have gotten to know Rosemary, I don't hesitate to refer some of my most valued client to her. She would be my first choice in areas that she handles.

    Michael Doland, Probate Attorney on Apr 18, 2012
    Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

    The responses of Mr. Meagher-Leonard are consistently polite, informative and responsive. With a very down to earth manner she communicates very well and obviously knows her areas of expertise. Any prospective client should count themselves very lucky to obtain the beneift of her services.

    Jon Pettis

    I endorse this lawyer.

    Robin Mashal, Probate Attorney on Apr 2, 2012
    Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

    Ms. Meagher-Leonard has made a subtantial number of contributions on avvo.com. I have read several of her contributions and have found them to be thoughtful, informative and practical. I endorse this lawyer's work.

    William Pfeifer, Estate planning Attorney on Mar 20, 2012
    Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

    Rosemary is an experienced and knowledgeable attorney in the areas of estate planning and elder law. I endorse this lawyer.

    Cost

    RATES
    • Hourly Rates$250-$275/hour
    • Free Consultation Some lawyers offer a free consultation to help determine whether their services are right for your legal needs
      30 minutes
    OTHER BILLING TYPES
    • Retainer Some attorneys require an upfront payment to secure their services before they begin their work.
      Sometimes
    PAYMENT METHODS

    Cash, Check