Free Consultation
$0 first 30 minutes
PRO
John Dudley Laughton
Virtual Consultation Available
Free Consultation
About John
Biography
Our Business is Your Trust. Our estate planning and elder law firm helps families successfully plan and execute their wills, living trusts, elder law needs, Medi-Cal planning, VA Aid and Attendance benefits, probate, trust administration, powers of attorney, health care directives, HIPAA authorizations, special needs trusts, family limited partnerships, LLC's, family & business succession planning, estate & gift tax planning, and charitable gifts in Monterey, Carmel, Pacific Grove, Salinas, and throughout Monterey County. We offer free confidential consultations and free educational seminars (please see our website for dates).
“You gotta live every day like it’s your last, because one day you’ll be right.” – Frank Sinatra
“You gotta live every day like it’s your last, because one day you’ll be right.” – Frank Sinatra
“You gotta live every day like it’s your last, because one day you’ll be right.” – Frank Sinatra
“You gotta live every day like it’s your last, because one day you’ll be right.” – Frank Sinatra
“You gotta live every day like it’s your last, because one day you’ll be right.” – Frank Sinatra
“You gotta live every day like it’s your last, because one day you’ll be right.” – Frank Sinatra
Practice Areas
7
Practice Areas
Estate Planning
40%
32 years
Elder Law
20%
27 years
Probate
10%
32 years
Trusts
10%
32 years
Fees and Rates
Cost
Hourly Rates
$ 125-425 per hour
Pro bono
5 %
Retainer
Sometimes
Payment Methods
- Cash
- Check
- Credit Card
Awards
Licenses
Licensed in California for 47 years
State: California
Acquired: 1978
No misconduct found
Location
Law Offices of John D. Laughton, A Professional Law Corporation
215 West Franklin Street, Suite 411, Monterey, CA, 93940-2738
estateplan-lawyers.comGallery
Online Presence
Other places you can find John online.
John Dudley Laughton's Reviews
Showing 1 - 5 of 8 client reviews from Avvo
Posted by Nancy | January 13, 2023 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Excellent
Mr. Laughton is so friendly and helpful. He advised me on an estate in France and helped me do my will. He was affordable and even donated part of his fee to two families from Ukraine that I've been helping. So I'm recommending him to all my friends.
Posted by Carolyn | August 26, 2022 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Friendly, knowledgeable, professional legal services
My husband and I needed to redo our wills and Health Care Proxy documents since moving to California, and we are very pleased with the level of service and support we've received from John and his staff. John outlined two potential avenues for our needs and we decided to go with the more thorough, u...
Posted by anonymous | February 9, 2022 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Good experience
The lawyer explained everything very well, answered all of my questions and if I had any questions in the future he would be there to answer.
Posted by PETER | April 22, 2020 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
MY BEST LAWYER IN 80 YEARS!
I am 80 years old and apparently of sound mind; It took me this long to find a lawyer of Mr. Laughton' caliber and ability. He is exceptionally intelligent, knowledgeable and experienced. He readily anticipated my legal needs and questions and quickly solved all my concerns. In 80 years...
Posted by Susan | December 14, 2016 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Estate Trust
John and his staff did an excellent job setting up a trust for my father’s estate. The situation following my father’s death was complicated, volatile, and met with extreme malice; however, John contained the situation in a timely, professional, and compassionate manner. After my father passed away...
John Dudley Laughton's Lawyer Endorsements
"I endorse this lawyer. I have known John personally and professionally for almost 20 years, and am very happy to endorse him. I regard him as being honest, forthright, professional, skilled in estate planning, and having a high level of regard and respect for his clients. I have referred clients to John in the past and will continue to do so."
"I have known John Laughton since 1984, when we both worked for the same law firm. I believe that he conducts his practice with the highest level of competence and adherence to the highest level of ethical standards. I have retained him to prepare my own family trust, and I have referred several of my clients to him when they have needed legal advice regarding trust and estate planning issues. I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer. I've known John through our affiliation with a national organization of estate planning attorneys that fosters professional excellence. John is a compassionate and knowledgeable estate planning attorney. He cares about his clients and makes complicated estate planning concepts easy to understand. I endorse him as an exceptional estate planning attorney."
"John is a fellow member of the American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys where we meet and discuss cases and study the best way to serve our clients. I would trust John with my personal estate planning."
"I endorse this lawyer. I have known John personally and professionally for about 12 years, and am very happy to endorse him. I regard him as being honest, forthright, professional, skilled in estate planning, and having a high level of regard and respect for his clients."
"I endorse this lawyer. John is a nice person and talented attorney. He works hard to maintain his expertise for representing his clients. He is trustworthy and honest, all you want in your attorney."
"John and I are members of the same Professional Association, the American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys, and in that association I have met with him, consulted with him, and shared common issues involving the practice of estate planning. John is well trained and up to date on the issues involving estate planning, and works hard to provide the best legal guidance to his clients. Any estate planning work my clients need in the Monterey, California area gets referred to John Laughton. I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer. John truly listens and uses his in-depth estate planning knowledge to provide the best solution for his clients."
"I endorse this lawyer. I have known him for several years and have observed his overriding concern to do what is best for his clients. The quality of his work is superb and thorough.."
"I endorse this lawyer. John is a caring and dedicated professional. As a fellow member of the American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys, I would highly recommend him to any potential client."
"John and I are members of the American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys, a prestigious national network of estate planning and elder law attorneys. He has shown his commitment to clients through his involvement with that organization and his continuous effort to better himself and his law firm. I would recommend John to anyone in need of estate planning services."
"John is a highly-skilled, experienced estate planning attorney who exhibits incredible dedication to his clients and his craft. As a 35 year veteran attorney and principal of the firm, he has substantial experience with all estate planning, elder law and Medi-Cal and VA Planning needs one may have. I am proud to endorse John as THE "go-to" resource for all of your estate planning needs in Northern California."
"John is an excellent lawyer and is best equipped to help you with your estate planning needs, including preparation of wills and trusts."
"I endorse this lawyer. They are an expert in the field of estate planning."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I know John through the American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys, an exclusive organization committed to excellence in estate planning. John not only has the legal expertise you would expect from someone with his years of experience, he truly cares about doing what is best for his clients."
"I endorse this lawyer's work. I have know John for many years. He is dedicated and caring and thorough. We have been colleagues in the American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys. I would not hesitate to refer a client to John."
David Hamilton
Estate planning lawyer
Michael O'Brien
Estate planning lawyer
Bruce Benenfeld
Estate planning lawyer
Paul Kraft
Estate planning lawyer
Richard Behlmann
Estate planning lawyer
Richard Schneider
Estate planning lawyer
Timothy Murphy
Estate planning lawyer
Norman Sabin
Estate planning lawyer
Barry Horowitz
Estate planning lawyer
Raymond German
Estate planning lawyer
Roy Litherland
Estate planning lawyer
Shawn Garner
Estate planning lawyer
Lawrence Deason
Estate planning lawyer
Kerry Connealy
Estate planning lawyer
David Gibbs
Estate planning lawyer
Glenn Matecun
Estate planning lawyer
Scott Schomer
Estate planning lawyer
Peter Myers
Estate planning lawyer
James Vitt
Estate planning lawyer
James Nash
Estate planning lawyer
Experience
Honors
2018
AV-Preeminent, Martindale-Hubbell®
2018
Superb Rated Attorney 10/10, AVVO
2017
AV Preeminent Rated, Martindale-Hubbell®
2017
Superb Rated Attorney 10/10, AVVO
2016
AV Preeminent Rated, Martindale-Hubbell®
2016
Superb Rated Attorney 10/10, AVVO
2015
AV Preeminent Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
2015
Superb Rated Attorney 10/10, AVVO
2014
AV Peer Review Rating, Martindale-Hubbell
2014
Superb Rated Attorney 10/10, AVVO
2013
AV Preeminent Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
2013
Superb Rated Attorney 10/10, AVVO
2009
VA Accredited attorney, Veteran's Administration
1971
Distinction in General Scholarship, UC Berkeley
1963
Eagle Scout, Boy Scouts of America
Work Experience
2004 - Present
Principal, John D. Laughton, A Professional Law Corporation
1984 - 2003
Principal, Davis & Schroeder PC Attorneys
1978 - 1984
Associate, Davis & Schroeder PC Attorneys
Associations
2016 - Present
The Salvation Army - Monterey Peninsula CorpsChairperson
2005 - Present
The Salvation Army - Monterey Peninsula CorpsAdvisory Board
2001 - Present
National Academy of Elder Law AttorneysMember
1999 - Present
American Academy of Estate Planning AttorneysMember
1978 - Present
State Bar of CaliforniaMember
1978 - Present
American Bar AssociationMember
1978 - Present
Monterey County Bar AssociationMember
2006 - 2012
All Saints' Episcopal Day SchoolBoard of Trustees
1980 - 2010
Boy Scouts of America - Monterey Bay Area CouncilBoard of Directors
Sample of Legal Cases
Estate of Kajioka
Approved
Medi-Cal Qualfication
Medi-Cal Notice of Action: Eligibility approved
Estate of Geraldine Coronado (MP20683)
Petition granted in full
Petition & Order to Consolidate Will & Trust of Decedent
Order granted
Estate of Yudacufski (MP20640)
Petition granted
Estate of Bruno (MP19866)
Petition granted in full
Estate of Gerda Starr (MP20344)
Petition granted in full
Estate of Benson (MP 20274)
Petition granted in full
Estate of Gaisford (MP20321)
Order granted in full
Conservatorship of Becker (MP18835)
Order granted in full
MP15815
The Superior Court granted our Petition in full.
Education
1978
University of California, Hastings College of the Law
Juris Doctor
1971
University of California Berkeley
BA - Bachelor of Arts
Speaking Engagements
2015
Who Will Care for Your Pet When You Cannot?
Estate Planning
2015
Pet Trusts Lunch & Learn
Estate Planning
2015
Estate Planning & Charitable Giving Lunch & Learn
Estate planning
2015
23rd Annual Estate & Charitable Gift Planning Institute
Charitable Giving
2013
Weekly nationally syndicated radio segment
Estate Planning & Elder Care Law
2012
Medi-Cal & VA "Aid & Attendance" Qualification
Medi-Cal & VA Planning
2012
Estate Planning Concepts for Bank Customers
Estate Planning Concepts for Bank Customers
2012
Boats, Planes & Digital Assets - Funding Difficult Assets
Funding Difficult Assets to Your Client's Trust
2011
Who Will Care for Your Pet When You Cannot?
Pet Trusts
2011
Boats, Planes & Patents - Funding Difficult Assets
Funding Difficult Assets to Your Client's Trust
2005
Planning Your Estate
Estate Planning
2003
Special Needs Trusts for Special Children
Special Needs Trusts
Publications
2010
The Montery County Herald
VA benefits
Languages
English
Activity
Legal Answers
Legal Guides
Legal Answers
Q&A
Do the powers granted under the Uniform Statutory Form Power of Attorney (CA probate code sec 4401 Prob) end upon death?
15 Jun 2010
Q&A
Trustee signature of a revocable trust property refinance.
17 Jun 2010