Jack E Stephens

PRO

Jack E Stephens

5.0
Rating: 9.8

Licensed for 38 years

Trusts Lawyer at San Diego, CA
Practice Areas: Trusts, Estate Planning, Elder Law

12526 High Bluff Dr Ste 200, San Diego, CA

About Jack

Biography

When there's a Will, there's a way. When there's a Trust, there's a better way.

When there's a Will, there's a way. When there's a Trust, there's a better way.

Practice Areas

3

Practice Areas

Trusts 50%

Marital A-B Trusts, Separate Property Trusts, Special Needs Trusts, Protective Inheritance Trusts (PIT), and Trust Administration

50%
Estate Planning 40%

Living Trusts, Durable Powers of Attorney, Wills, Community Property Agreements, Deeds, and LLC funding

40%
Elder Law 10%

Decedent Trust Administration, Medi-Cal Issues, Home Care, and Retirement Plans

10%

Fees and Rates

Cost

Retainer

Always


Payment Methods

  • Cash
  • Check

Awards

Client's Choice
Client's Choice
2021 2019 2016
...
+ 1
AV Preeminent Peer Review Rating

Licenses

Licensed in California for 38 years

State: California

Acquired: 1988

Active

No misconduct found

Location

Law Offices of Jack E Stephens

12526 High Bluff Dr Ste 200, San Diego, CA, 92130

jackstephens.com

Online Presence

Other places you can find Jack online.

Jack E Stephens's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

5.0 /5.0

68 Client Reviews

Filter Avvo Reviews (68) Refine reviews to match your needs. Use the filters to quickly surface reviews that align with your case or priorities.

Showing 1 - 5 of 35 reviews | Trusts

Posted by Summer and Darryl | December 19, 2025 | Hired Attorney | Trusts

Excellent Trust Lawyers!

We worked with Jack and his team for many years. They prepared a trust for my grandfather, who recently passed away. Throughout the entire process, Jack and his team were exceptionally knowledgeable and thorough. They helped us execute the trust properly, ensured everything was legally airtight, and ...we experienced zero issues with probate. We are extremely grateful for their professionalism, clarity, and timeliness during what could have been a very stressful time. Based on that experience, we also used Jack and his team to create our own trust and estate plan, which we are very happy with. Highly recommended, and we look forward to working with them again in the future.

Posted by Rena | August 02, 2025 | Hired Attorney | Trusts

A true "PRO"

The quality of the Stephen's Law Group is exemplary. I needed many Amendments to my Trust (done by another attorney). Mr. Stephen's vast legal knowledge , attentiveness, and professionalism exceeded my expectations. In addition, his fees are very reasonable. Mr. Stephens is easy to understand, patien...t, and efficient. He is a "PRO" in the true sense of the word. As well, the staff is wonderful, competent, and timely. I highly recommend Stephens Law Group.

Posted by James | October 28, 2024 | Hired Attorney | Trusts

Excellent legal work to update trust

I requested an update to my "Sole and Separate Property Trust". This was done to my complete satisfaction. The attention to detail, including ensuring the most exacting legal terminology, was outstanding. Communications and follow-up were also excellent.

Posted by Erin | December 16, 2021 | Hired Attorney | Trusts

Highly Recommend

Jack Stephens and the entire team at Stephens Law Group are exceptional at what they do. They took phenomenal care of our estate planning needs. Everyone was friendly and knowledgeable and helped to make our entire experience seamless. Brooke, who answers the phone when you call, was cordial and kin...d. Hannah, the assistant who we communicated with during the entire process, was outstanding in getting back to me in a very timely manner and was very informative when answering my questions. Mr Stephens is very professional, thorough and fair. He carefully looked over the amendments we were requesting and thoughtfully made excellent suggestions that improved our original trust. We left our final signing feeling well taken care of. I highly recommend the Stephens Law Group.

Posted by Mitch | August 09, 2021 | Hired Attorney | Trusts

Consummate Professionals

Mr Stephens and his team are consummate professionals. Kind, thoughtful, attentive, wise, experienced, trustworthy, and all for a very reasonable fee. Made creating our Trust and Wills very comfortable and easy. So glad I got this done. Highly recommend!

See All Client Reviews

Jack E Stephens's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse Jack
Brian Michael Malloy headshot
Brian Malloy

Estate planning lawyer | May 08

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I have known Jack for over 10 years. Jack is an amazing attorney. His knowledge of the law is second to none and he is one of the most prominent estate planning attorneys in San Diego."

James Nelson Dicks headshot
James Dicks

Estate planning lawyer | Nov 29

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."

Jeffrey R. Pratt headshot
Jeffrey Pratt

Trusts lawyer | Apr 22

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Jack is a very knowledgeable and skilled lawyer. I highly recommend him."

Ruth A Phelps headshot
Ruth Phelps

Elder law lawyer | Apr 16

Relationship: Friend

"I endorse this lawyer. I have known Jack for many years. I have consulted with him on cases, and referred clients to him. He is conscientious and keeps up on current developments in complicated areas such as retirement planning and Medi-Cal eligibility. He is concerned and caring about his clients. He also has a charming Texas drawl."

Newton Munro Merrick headshot
Newton Merrick

Estate planning lawyer | Mar 13

Relationship: Other

"After 20 years of doing estate planning, i decided that it required full-time attention, and I had other matters to attend to. I met Jack Stephens at a free siminar, was impressed. My wife and I consulted with Jack, reviewed our desires, discussed solutions. My wife felt very comfortable with his presentation. He produced a complete set of documents -- exactly as we wanted, at a reasonable price. I have recommended him to many of my clients and others. I do not hesitate to give Jack Stephens an unqualified endorsement and recommendation."

Jonathan Damien Massie headshot
Jonathan Massie

Trusts lawyer | Mar 13

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. Jack is extremely intelligent, forthright, and easy to work with. I highly respect Jack and recommend him without reservation."

Uzzell S. Branson IV headshot
Uzzell Branson

Estate planning lawyer | Mar 13

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"I've known Mr. Stephens for about 7 years now, and have worked both for him and with him on cases ranging from minor probates to full-blown litigation. He is an excellent estate planner, well versed in tax law, and an honest attorney who is a pleasure to work with. I would trust him to handle a case for a close friend or family member. I also consider him the most knowledgeable person I know when it comes to IRAs. That is a complex and difficult area of law to understand, and I use Mr. Stephens' book as a reference whenever I have an IRA problem."

Gayle Mayfield-Venieris headshot
Gayle Mayfield-Venieris

Estate planning lawyer | Dec 03

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Jack is an excellent estate planning attorney. My client's that have used his services have been very happy with his work."

View All Endorsements
Jonathan Damien Massie headshot
Jonathan Massie

Unknown lawyer

James Franklin Watts headshot
James Watts

Unknown lawyer

Ruth A Phelps headshot
Ruth Phelps

Unknown lawyer

Experience

Rating:  9.8 (Superb)

Honors

2013

2013 Top Lawyer, San Diego Magazine

2013

AV Preeminent Attorney Rating, Martindale-Hubbell

2013

Select Wealth Manager, San Diego Magazine

2012

AV Preeminent Attorney Rating, Martindale-Hubbell

2011

2011 Top Lawyer, San Diego Magazine

2011

Select Wealth Manager, San Diego Magazine

2011

AV Preeminent Attorney Rating, Martindale-Hubbell

2010

AV Preeminent Attorney Rating, Martindale-Hubbell

2009

AV Preeminent Attorney Rating, Martindale-Hubbell

2008

AV Preeminent Attorney Rating, Martindale-Hubbell

2007

AV Preeminent Attorney Rating, Martindale-Hubbell

2006

AV Preeminent Attorney Rating, Martindale-Hubbell

2005

AV Preeminent Attorney Rating, Martindale-Hubbell

2004

AV Preeminent Attorney Rating, Martindale-Hubbell

2003

AV Preeminent Attorney Rating, Martindale-Hubbell

2002

AV Preeminent Attorney Rating, Martindale-Hubbell

2001

AV Preeminent Attorney Rating, Martindale-Hubbell

2000

AV Preeminent Attorney Rating, Martindale-Hubbell

Work Experience

1990 - 2013

Owner, The Law Offices of Jack E. Stephens, J. D., LL.M.

Associations

2012 - Present

Trusts and Estates Committee of Rady Children's Hospital

Attorney Member

2012 - Present

Elder Care Matters Alliance

Attorney Member

2002 - Present

National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys

Attorney Member

1999 - Present

Southern Caregivers Resource Center

Referring Attorney

1995 - Present

Estate Planning Council of San Diego

Attorney Member

1988 - Present

Estate Planning Section of the California Bar Association

Attorney Member

1988 - Present

Trusts and Estates Section of the San Diego Country Bar Association

Attorney Member

National Association of Estate Planners and Councils

Attorney Member

Navigators Christian Ministry

Volunteer

Honorary Deputy Sheriff Association of San Diego

Honorary Deputy

Education

N/A

Baylor University School of Law

JD - Juris Doctor

N/A

University of San Diego School of Law

LL.M - Master of Laws

N/A

Louisiana State University

Undergraduate

Speaking Engagements

1997

Elder Law Practice

Estate Planning for the Terminally Ill

1996

State Bar of California, Continuing Education of the Bar

Beyond the Basics

1995

Elder Law Practice

Addressing the Needs of a Client

1993

Mira Costa College Seminar

Business Law

1990

UCSD Extension

Estate Planning

N/A

Symposium Speaker

Elder Law

Publications

2000

Aspen Publishers Ticking Time Bombs in IRA Planning for Professionals

1999

Legalaction Publications Avoiding the Tax Traps In Your IRA

1999

Quoted in Kiplinger's Retirement Reports Tricks and Traps of By-Pass Trusts

N/A

California Continuing Education of the Bar (CEB) California Elder Law

N/A

California Continuing Education of the Bar (CEB) Estate Planning for the Terminally Ill

N/A

National Business Institute How to Draft Wills and Trusts in California

N/A

National Business Institute Estate Planning with IRAs for California Professionals

Languages

English

Arabic

Avvo Rating

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