Estate Planning and Business Law Attorney with Over 30 Years of Experience in Southern California

Bill Sauls is an estate planning and business law attorney with over 30 years experience practicing in downtown San Diego.  His firm is well known within the San Diego Community for its integrity, quality and personal service. 

Contact us today if you need legal assistance with any of the following:

Estate Planning & Probate Administration:  Estate Planning and administration make up a major portion of my practice.  Preparing living trusts, wills, irrevocable trusts, special needs trusts, healthcare directives and durable powers of attorney are some of the services I provide.  The firm also acts as counsel for probate and trust administration matters and can offer advice as to income, gift and estate tax issues.

When initial cost and simplicity are a primary consideration, use of a basic will is often the first step in planning for distribution of assets at death. The major concern is that an estate passing by will often requires administration by probate. This court proceeding can be time consuming and expensive.

I make every effort to avoid or minimize the probate process. I can assist in the collection of proceeds from insurance and qualified plans with appropriate income tax planning. Often, multi-party accounts and joint-tenancy property can be transferred without probate. Title to most automobiles, trailers, mobile homes and undocumented vessels can be handled without probate. Other personal property may be eligible for transfer by a simple non-probate procedure.

Most clients benefit by creating a revocable living trust, rather than relying upon use of a simple will. This type of trust allows the grantors to retain control and ownership of assets during their life, with the ability to revoke the trust or the trustee. A revocable living trust is beneficial to most individuals or married couples who want control of assets and the ability to avoid probate.

Great care should be taken not to use pre-printed forms or do-it-yourself services offered by non-lawyers. I often see clients who have suffered considerable expense or great hardship by failing to use an experienced estate planning attorney, who will carefully draft and implement a trust instrument suited to their individual needs.

Rather than have a client fill in a questionnaire about their assets and financial objectives, I insist on meeting with you personally and having a face-to-face discussion of your particular circumstances and requirements. Only then can I craft a plan to meet your objectives.  I am sensitive to keeping legal costs highly competitive and affordable, but will not sacrifice quality to cut corners.

If you or a loved one needs the help of an experienced San Diego, California Estate Planning lawyer, call William H. Sauls today at 866-679-5409, or complete the contact form provided on this site to arrange your free initial consultation.

Professional Profile

If you or a loved one needs the help of an experienced San Diego, California Estate Planning nlawyer, call William Sauls today at 866-679-5409, or complete the contact form provided on this site to arrange your free initial consultation.

William H. Sauls Attorney At Law
427 C Street, Suit 416
San Diego, CA 92101
Phone: 866-679-5409
Hours: M-F, 8:00AM-5:00PM
After Hours Appointments Available

William H. Sauls

Jurisdictions:

• California

Education:

• Thomas Jefferson School of Law, Juris Doctorate, 1980

Admitted To The Bar:

• 1981

Professional Memberships and Achievements:

• AV Preeminent rating by Martindale Hubbell.
• Selected as 2011 and 2012 Five Star Wealth Manager in the fields of estate planning and business law 
• Member of the San Diego County Bar Association Business Law, Estate Planning, Trust and Probate Sections 
• Member of the State Bar of California Estate Planning, Trust and Probate Law Sections

Corporate and Business Law

Corporate and General Business:  Many of the firm's clients are closely held corporations, most of which were incorporated by the firm. In addition, I have represented a large number of start-up businesses which have elected sole proprietorship, limited or general partnership status, or have organized as a limited liability company for tax or related purposes. Having represented many entities in their formation stage, I am very aware of start up capital limitations. I am more than willing to work with clients in structuring fees to accommodate those concerns.  Thereafter, the firm serves as ongoing counsel for the business operations. For some smaller businesses, this may simply entail assistance in complying with laws regarding business operations, such as holding annual shareholder's meetings. Other businesses require greater assistance such as drafting various contracts (i.e. employment contracts), drafting equipment leases, properly authorizing corporate actions such as major equipment acquisitions, or handling stock or partnership transfers.  Should the owners decide to sell the business, I can assist in the negotiation of terms, preparation of documents and closing the sale. Finally, matters related to winding up and dissolving businesses are within the purview of the firm's practice.