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.
Practice areas
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
42 years
I handle all types of probate matters including decedent's estates, guardianships, and conservatorships.
42 years
I represent both proposed guardians and parents contesting a guardianship. I provide step-by-step support for those going through this often emotional process.
41 years
Languages spoken
English
State | Status | Acquired | Updated |
---|---|---|---|
CA | Active | 1980 | 02/06/2022 |
Legal answers | 759 |
Legal guides | 0 |
Award name | Grantor | Date Granted |
---|---|---|
Academic achievement | Kappa Delta Sorority | 1975 |
Title | Company name | Duration |
---|---|---|
Owner | Law Offices of Rosemary Meagher-Leonard | 1981 - Present |
Staff attorney | Senior Citizens Legal Services | 1980 - 1981 |
Association name | Position name | Duration |
---|---|---|
P.E.O. | Corresponding Secretary | 2010 - Present |
American Bar Association | Member | 2010 - Present |
State Bar of California, Trusts and Estates Section | Member | 2010 - Present |
American Bar Associaion Real Estate, Trusts, and Estates Section | Member | 2010 - Present |
American Association of Justice | Member | 2009 - Present |
P.E.O. | Member | 2006 - Present |
State Bar of California | Member | 1980 - Present |
P.E.O. | Chaplin (past) | 2006 - 2009 |
School name | Degree | Graduated |
---|---|---|
Thomas Jefferson School of Law | JD - Juris Doctor | 1979 |
San Diego State Univ | undergraduate | 1976 |
Conference name | Title | Date |
---|---|---|
P.E.O. Chapter Meeting | Estate Planning 101: Who needs a trust and why | 2008 |
Case name | Outcome |
---|---|
Estate of Cromminger | Case settled shortly before trial |
Hwodek v. Hwodek | Settled at trial: the granddaughter was able to keep the residence. |
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February 21, 2018
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Gerald Dorfman, Unknown Attorney on Jun 21, 2018
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
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, Unknown Attorney on Dec 18, 2017
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer. She is consistent in her responses on AVVO and obviously cares about the community.
Gerald Dorfman, Unknown Attorney on Jun 21, 2018
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
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, Unknown Attorney on Dec 18, 2017
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
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, Unknown Attorney on Nov 10, 2014
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
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, Unknown Attorney on Mar 25, 2013
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
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, Unknown Attorney on Apr 16, 2012
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
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.
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