Smart Estate Planning for Peace of Mind

Estate Planning Attorney San Diego
Associations and Accreditations









About Dawn A. Allenby
As your trusted advisor, Dawn will help you make the very best legal decisions for your family with the kind of guidance usually reserved for only very high-net-worth individuals. Dawn graduated from the University of San Diego School of Law in 2003 and resides in Point Loma with her husband and two children.
Your Trusted Estate Planning Lawyer in San Diego
At Allenby Law, we guide you to do the right thing by the people you love now and we will be there for you and for them when you cannot be. Whether you have a lot of money or a little, keeping you out of court and out of conflict is our job. We make estate planning easy and effective, and we keep it as affordable as possible.
We guide you to leave a true legacy.
With virtual systems in place, Allenby Law serves clients throughout the state of California.
Estate Planning
Kids Protection Planning
Our Unique Process
Virtual Services

The clear process, the deep understanding of our situation, needs and wants, together with the high quality of people and high level of experience they have, made us work with Allenby Law. They were always clear, flexible and very insightful about our Estate planning which is now 100% better than the original. Highly recommended to work with them and will continue to consider as our law firm of choice for this matters in San Diego. I doubt there is another law firm with this level of quality and delivery. The Estate Planning binder given to us, is one of the best I have seen. Thank you Dawn and team!
Alex Septien
Dawn was professional yet very personable. I truly appreciate how efficiently she handled the process. Would fully recommend Dawn, especially to those of you with young children to protect.
Buddy Truitt
Dawn Allenby is a true professional. I feel that as a result of her services our estate is finally in good order and positioned well to avoid probate.
Jes Selby, San Diego
Our Unique Promise
HOW YOU HIRE US
We are building relationships, not documents. For that reason, we help you organize your financial life and legacy goals before we get hired, ensuring our work is on the full picture of what matters most.
HOW WE PLAN
Every estate plan is unique, driven by your personal relationships and risk factors. We work with you to map out the most likely scenarios for you and plan for each as life changes.
HOW WE DELIVER
The majority of estate plans are left unfinished and unsigned. We help you mitigate the biggest risk in legacy planning – procrastination – by making it easy to make decisions and solidify legal documents as they are needed.
WHAT WE PROTECT
The assets most often lost between generations are intangible. Our personalized process ensures everything from your values to your voice is protected during your life and for generations to come.
WHAT YOU SEE
You will know what you pay and what you are paying for at every step of our relationship. We offer a “no surprise” promise, ensuring transparency, so we stay on the same side of the table every step of the way.
WHAT YOU CAN TRUST
One-and-done estate plans are a recipe for failure. We build lifetime relationships of trust with you so that your financial and legal decision-making evolves at the speed of life, elevating meaning and purpose in every season.

Securing Your Legacy: Essential Tips for Selecting an Estate Planning Attorney
Did you know that many families fly in the dark when it comes to securing their legacy for their loved ones? You can avoid these mistakes today by discovering exactly what to consider when hiring the best estate planning attorney for your family.
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Smart Estate Planning for a Peace of Mind
Planning for the future can feel overwhelming. Between managing your assets, protecting your family, and making sure your wishes are honored, it’s easy to feel uncertain about where to start. That’s why working with an estate planning attorney San Diego is so essential. But not all firms are the same. Our firm is proud to stand apart by specializing in smart estate planning, truly caring for our clients, and providing education through regular events in San Diego.
We combine legal excellence with compassion, helping families create strong plans that protect their wealth, safeguard their children’s futures, and preserve their legacies.
Why Estate Planning Matters
Estate planning is much more than writing a will. It’s about creating a roadmap that ensures your family is protected and your wishes are carried out even when you’re no longer able to make decisions yourself. Without a proper plan, your estate could end up in probate court, which is costly, time-consuming, and emotionally draining for your loved ones.
An experienced estate planning attorney San Diego helps you:
Avoid unnecessary taxes and court costs
Protect assets from creditors or disputes
Designate trusted guardians for your children
Ensure your medical and financial wishes are respected
Pass wealth smoothly to the next generation
Smart estate planning makes all the difference in securing peace of mind for you and your family.
What Makes Our Firm Different
Many law firms provide estate planning services, but few take the same approach as we do. Here’s what sets us apart:
1. Specialization in Smart Estate Planning
We don’t believe in one-size-fits-all solutions. Every family is unique, and your estate plan should reflect your goals and circumstances. Our San Diego estate planning attorneys use intelligent strategies that adapt to changing laws, family dynamics, and financial landscapes. This smart approach ensures your plan works not just today, but long into the future.
2. True Care for Every Client
Legal expertise matters, but so does compassion. Families trust us because we listen carefully, explain clearly, and walk them through each step with patience. We recognize that estate planning isn’t just about numbers and documents—it’s about people, relationships, and values.
3. Top-Ranked and Trusted in San Diego
Our firm is consistently ranked among the top estate planning attorneys in San Diego, thanks to the trust we’ve earned from families across the region. Our reputation is built on results, reliability, and a deep commitment to protecting clients’ legacies.
4. Regular Educational Events in San Diego
Knowledge is power. That’s why we host frequent workshops and community events in San Diego to educate the public about estate planning. From learning how trusts work to understanding legacy protection strategies, our events empower families to make informed decisions about their futures.
5. Focus on Protecting Children’s Futures
For parents, few priorities outweigh the safety and security of their kids. We put a special emphasis on planning for children’s futures. Whether it’s appointing guardians, creating trusts to support their education, or ensuring financial stability, we help parents design thoughtful plans that protect their children no matter what happens.
Core Components of Smart Estate Planning
When you work with a skilled estate planning attorney San Diego, you gain access to legal tools that help build a comprehensive plan. Some of the most important components include:
Wills
A will is the foundation of any estate plan. It directs how your property will be distributed and allows you to name guardians for your minor children. Without one, California’s intestacy laws determine who inherits your estate, often in ways that don’t reflect your wishes.
Trusts
Trusts offer greater control and flexibility than wills. They can help minimize taxes, avoid probate, and protect assets for beneficiaries. Popular options include revocable living trusts, irrevocable trusts, and special needs trusts. Our firm helps you choose and design trusts that align with your goals.
Power of Attorney
A power of attorney allows you to designate someone you trust to handle financial or legal matters on your behalf if you become incapacitated. This is a critical safeguard against court intervention.
Advance Health Care Directive
This document outlines your medical treatment preferences and appoints a healthcare proxy. It ensures your healthcare choices are respected and relieves loved ones from having to make difficult decisions without guidance.
Guardianship Designations
For parents with young children, naming guardians is perhaps the most important part of estate planning. Our San Diego estate planning attorneys work with you to ensure your children are raised by people you trust, with financial provisions in place for their care and education.
The Importance of Legacy Protection
Smart estate planning isn’t just about transferring wealth—it’s about protecting your legacy. Legacy protection ensures that the values you’ve lived by are carried forward. It may include charitable giving, creating educational trusts, or passing on family-owned businesses.
Our firm focuses heavily on legacy protection because we know your estate plan should be about more than assets—it should reflect your life’s work and the impact you want to leave behind.
Education as a Cornerstone
One of the ways we stand out as a leading estate planning attorney San Diego is through our ongoing community education. Our workshops and seminars cover topics like:
How to avoid probate in California
Strategies for minimizing estate taxes
Planning for blended families
Protecting assets from lawsuits or creditors
Ensuring a smooth transfer of wealth to future generations
By educating San Diego families, we help people understand estate planning in plain language and give them the tools to take action before it’s too late.
Estate Planning for Families with Children
If you’re a parent, estate planning takes on an even deeper meaning. Beyond property and finances, you must consider your children’s well-being, education, and stability. Our firm prioritizes child-focused planning to:
- Appoint guardians who share your values
- Establish trusts that provide for children until they are financially mature
- Ensure children with special needs have ongoing care and resources
- Create safeguards that prevent mismanagement of inherited assets
Protecting your children’s future is one of the greatest gifts you can give, and our firm is here to help you achieve that with clarity and compassion.
Why Work with a San Diego Estate Planning Attorney?
While online forms and do-it-yourself options may seem appealing, they rarely provide the thoroughness and customization needed for a reliable estate plan. Laws change, family situations evolve, and mistakes in DIY documents can cause disputes or invalidate your intentions.
An experienced estate planning attorney San Diego ensures your plan is legally sound, fully tailored, and updated as your life changes. Working with our firm means you’ll have a partner committed to protecting what matters most.
How We Can Help
When you choose our firm, you’re not just getting legal documents—you’re gaining peace of mind. Our approach to estate planning San Diego is built on three pillars: smart strategies, genuine care, and a focus on protecting families, especially children.
We will:
- Craft customized estate plans that reflect your unique needs
- Help you understand complex legal options in plain language
- Provide guidance that evolves with you as life changes
- Ensure your children and legacy are fully protected
- Offer ongoing education through San Diego community events
If you’re ready to take control of your future, protect your loved ones, and leave a meaningful legacy, our top-ranked firm is here to guide you every step of the way. Schedule a free consultation today.