The Law Office of Norell S. Manning

• Revocable living trust – Helps avoid probate and manage how assets are held and distributed.
• Last Will and Testament – Directs how your assets are distributed.
• Durable Power of Attorney – Authorizes a trusted person to handle financial and legal matters for you.
• Advance Health Care Directive – Appoints a healthcare agent and states your medical wishes.
• Trust transfer deed – Transfers real property into your trust.
• Certification of trust – Provides proof of trust authority without revealing private terms.

Who does the firm serve?

• The firm is based in San Diego, California and assists clients throughout California with estate planning matters.
• The attorney is licensed to practice law in California.
• In some situations, the firm may assist people who live outside California but who have assets in California, depending on the specifics of the matter.

Scope of services

The firm focuses on:

• Estate planning (wills, trusts, powers of attorney, advance health care directives, trust transfer deeds)
• Limited conservatorships (uncontested)

The firm does not currently handle:

• Trust administration matters
• Probate cases
• Tax law matters (but can refer clients to a local tax attorney as needed)

General information and common questions

• Do I need a trust if I have a will?

In California, a will alone does not avoid probate. A trust is often recommended for people who own real property or have assets above the probate threshold, as it can keep your estate private and reduce court involvement.

• Is estate planning only for the wealthy?

No. Estate planning can help anyone who wants to decide who will make decisions for them if they are unable to do so, and who should receive their assets. Even if you do not have many assets, a Power of Attorney and an Advance Health Care Directive are still recommended.

• Can the firm help clients outside San Diego?

Yes. The firm can assist clients throughout California by telephone or video meetings and can mail documents for signing with a local notary.

• Does the attorney provide tax advice?

No. The attorney is not a tax lawyer. Clients who need tax advice can be referred to a tax attorney.

• Does the firm accept credit cards and digital payments?

Yes. The firm accepts cash, check, major credit/debit cards, Zelle, Venmo, and Apple/Google Pay.

This FAQ summarizes information published on https://www.norelllaw.com. For detailed, up-to-date information or legal advice for your specific situation, please contact the firm directly.

Living Trust Package

• Fee:
• $2,250 for an individual
• $4,500 for a couple
• Includes:
• Two 1-hour meetings (planning and finalization)
• Living trust–based estate planning documents
• One trust transfer deed
• Updates for returning clients:
• Returning client trust package update: $750, including one 30-minute meeting to discuss changes.

Additional administrative fees may apply:

• Estate planning: $300 per additional trust transfer or transfer-on-death deed beyond the one included in the package.

Will Package

• Fee: $1,700 per person
• Includes:
• Two 1-hour meetings (planning and finalization)
• Will-based estate planning documents

Powers of Attorney and Advance Health Care Directives

• Fee: $350 per document (for each Power of Attorney or Advance Health Care Directive)
• Notes:
• Aside from the initial 15-minute consultation, this service does not include meetings with an attorney.
• Powers of attorney and advance health care directives require payment in full.
• Self-service options may be available through the firm's online store for certain documents.

Limited Conservatorship (Uncontested)

• Fee: $6,500*
• Includes:
• Representation in uncontested limited conservatorship cases
• All required meetings
• Court filing fees
• Up to two co-conservators
• One hearing appearance
• Additional fees:
• Each additional conservator: $250

Billing schedule for conservatorship matters:

• First half of the fee is due after the first 60-minute meeting (planning meeting). An online invoice must be paid before you receive a draft of your paperwork.
• Second half of the fee is due at least 1 week before the hearing date.

Additional time and meetings

• If you need more time beyond what is included in the flat-fee package, you can schedule an additional 30-minute meeting for $350 ($700 per hour).
• The fee for extra meeting time is due at the time of booking.

General pricing structure

• All listed services are offered on a flat-fee basis, so you know the total cost of your selected services in advance.

All prices and package details are based on the information currently published on https://www.norelllaw.com and may change. For the most up-to-date information, contact the firm directly.

• Phone: (858) 230-8034
• Email: info@norelllaw.com
• Website: https://www.norelllaw.com

Office hours and meeting options

• Typical office hours:
• Monday–Wednesday: 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
• Thursday: Office closed
• Friday: 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
• Additional availability: Weekday evening and Saturday appointments may be available upon request.

• Meeting formats:
• Telephone
• Video / virtual meetings
• In-person meetings (a brief telephone consultation is required before an in-person meeting is scheduled).

Payments accepted

The firm accepts the following forms of payment:

• Cash
• Check
• Credit and debit cards (all major credit/debit cards)
• Zelle
• Venmo
• Apple Pay / Google Pay

Payment plans may be available for some flat-fee estate planning packages (fees must be paid in full before a final draft is provided). Powers of attorney and advance health care directives require payment in full.

Lists San Diego as a location. Names California, San, and San Diego as a service area. Areas beyond these are not published.

• A 15-minute telephone call to discuss your planning needs and answer general questions.
• Especially helpful if you are new to estate planning and want to better understand your options before moving forward.

2. Planning meeting

• A 60-minute virtual meeting (telephone or video chat).
• Used to discuss your specific wishes and gather the details needed to draft your estate plan.

3. Draft preparation

• After the planning meeting, the attorney begins drafting your estate planning documents based on the choices you made.
• You can generally expect to receive a draft within 7–10 business days after your planning meeting, depending on the complexity of your plan.

4. Finalization meeting

• A 60-minute virtual meeting (video recommended, telephone also available).
• You review the draft, ask questions, and request edits.
• Trust funding (what you do with your accounts after the trust is created) is also discussed during this meeting.

5. Signing

• If you are in San Diego County, you will typically meet in the office to review and sign your documents.
• If you live outside San Diego County, your finalized estate plan is mailed to you so you can sign with a notary of your choice.

Limited conservatorship process (uncontested)

1. Initial consultation (required)

• A 15-minute telephone call to discuss your loved one's circumstances and their specific needs.
• Used to determine whether the firm is a good fit for your case. If you both agree to move forward, a planning meeting is scheduled.

2. Planning meeting

• A 60-minute virtual meeting (telephone or video chat).
• Used to go over the details of the limited conservatorship and gather all necessary information.

3. Draft preparation

• The attorney drafts the required conservatorship paperwork.
• You generally receive a draft for review within 7–10 business days after the planning meeting.

4. Pre-signing meeting

• A 60-minute virtual meeting to answer any questions, review the draft paperwork, and make any needed edits.

5. Signing meeting

• A 30-minute in-person meeting to sign the finalized paperwork for filing.
• The attorney explains next steps and what to expect before the court hearing.

6. Hearing date

• After preliminary requirements are complete and paperwork is filed, you attend the court hearing with the attorney to seek the judge's decision on the limited conservatorship.

Processes described above are based on the information currently published on https://www.norelllaw.com and may change. For the most up-to-date process details, contact the firm directly.

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