About Jack
Biography
Jack E. Stephens J.D., LL.M. has been practicing law in San Diego since 1990 helping thousands of taxpayers reduce taxes and homeowners protect their property with Trust strategies. He has received annual awards including the AV Preeminent Attorney Rating by Martindell-Hubbell, representing the highest possible rating in both legal ability and ethical standards. As an active contributor to continuing education in Estate Planning, Jack Stephens has authored and edited quarterly newsletters, pamphlets and contributed articles to the Continuing Education of the Bar of California. Additionally, he has gained endorsement by Kiplinger’s Retirement Report for his book, Avoiding Tax Traps in Your IRA. Jack Stephens is an active member of the San Diego Estate Planning Council and also has been a symposium speaker for the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, demonstrating his comprehensive understanding of how Estate Planning and Elder Law are inextricably related. Jack Stephens is an active church and community member who is involved as an instructor in the Navigators Christian Ministry which serves Marine recruits at Camp Pendleton. He has also been selected as a local and national speaker to educate other attorneys on his expertise and dedicates time to educating individuals through seminars and live webinars on the changing laws and important issues that could affect all Trustees of Trusts.
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
Fees and Rates
Cost
Always
Payment Methods
- Cash
- Check
Awards
Licenses
Licensed in California for 38 years
State: California
Acquired: 1988
No misconduct found
Location
Gallery
Online Presence
Other places you can find Jack online.
Jack E Stephens's Reviews
Avvo Review Score
68 Client Reviews
Showing 1 - 5 of 34 reviews | Practice Area Knowledge
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 ...
Posted by Georgette | September 04, 2025 | Hired Attorney | Estate Planning
Great experience!
My parents are very happy to work with Jack Stephens. They are elderly and needed someone they could trust to guide them through their estate planning. Mr Stephens explained everything patiently to them and is very experienced. His staff is wonderful and they get back quickly. No games, hidden fees, ...
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!
Posted by Jeri | June 11, 2021 | Trusts
Very grateful
I contacted Mr. Stephens office on Thursday and he requested I send an email with my list of questions. We then had a phone consultation the following day and although it seems we do not need his services at that time, he answered all of our questions in great detail and even provided help finding a...
Posted by Susan | April 21, 2021 | Hired Attorney | Trusts
Excellent!
Mr. Jack Stephens is an organized, thorough, knowledgeable and a compassionate individual. He provided our family with the necessary information that we needed in setting up a Special Needs Trust for our son/brother and met with us in person to help us navigate through what we had initially thought ...
Jack E Stephens's Lawyer Endorsements
"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."
"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."
"Jack is a very knowledgeable and skilled lawyer. I highly recommend him."
"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."
"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."
"I endorse this lawyer. Jack is extremely intelligent, forthright, and easy to work with. I highly respect Jack and recommend him without reservation."
"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."
"Jack is an excellent estate planning attorney. My client's that have used his services have been very happy with his work."
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Experience
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 HospitalAttorney Member
2012 - Present
Elder Care Matters AllianceAttorney Member
2002 - Present
National Academy of Elder Law AttorneysAttorney Member
1999 - Present
Southern Caregivers Resource CenterReferring Attorney
1995 - Present
Estate Planning Council of San DiegoAttorney Member
1988 - Present
Estate Planning Section of the California Bar AssociationAttorney Member
1988 - Present
Trusts and Estates Section of the San Diego Country Bar AssociationAttorney Member
Attorney Member
Volunteer
Honorary Deputy
Education
N/A
JD - Juris Doctor
N/A
LL.M - Master of Laws
N/A
Undergraduate
Speaking Engagements
1997
Estate Planning for the Terminally Ill
1996
Beyond the Basics
1995
Addressing the Needs of a Client
1993
Business Law
1990
Estate Planning
N/A
Elder Law
Publications
2000
1999
1999
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
Languages
English
Arabic