Estate Planning Attorney

Here to Protect and Preserve What You Care About

TRUSTED CLIENTS

$100,000,000+

ASSET PROTECTION

DEDICATION & FOCUS

2,000+

ESTATES PLANNED

Practice Areas

At Legacy Legal we don’t just explain the law to you; we explain how the law affects you. We are equipped with the most up to date state of the art research, analysis, and technology available in the world of estate planning. By actively listening to you, we can create and administer a custom trust-based plan that reflects your unique situation.

View All

Meet The Team

Rich Gaines

Attorney Partner

Marcelle Pollock

Office Manager

A Carlsbad Estate Planning Attorney Who Plans for Real Life

Most people don’t wake up thinking, “I should call an estate planning attorney today.” Usually, something happens — a friend gets sick, a parent passes away, a business deal sparks a what-if moment — and suddenly, planning for the future feels urgent.

That’s where we come in.

At Legacy Legal, we help families, business owners, and retirees throughout Carlsbad and North County San Diego make sense of complicated things like wills, trusts, and how to protect what you worked for all your life. We’re not a large corporate law firm trying to do everything for everyone. We’re a local team that listens, explains things in plain language, and builds plans that fit real people.

Our clients live all over — Encinitas, Solana Beach, Rancho Santa Fe, La Jolla — but they all come here for the same reason: they want someone they can actually talk to.

Estate Planning: A Plan That Fits Your Life

A lot of people think estate planning is only for the rich. It’s not. It’s for anyone who wants to make sure their family doesn’t have to guess what to do later.
We start by listening. What do you care about most? Who do you want to protect? From there, we design a plan that covers what really matters — whether that means a simple will, a revocable living trust, or a combination of both.

It’s not just about legal documents. It’s about easing stress and avoiding confusion down the road. When we’re done, you’ll know your plan is solid, and your family will know exactly what to do.

Protecting What You’ve Worked For

If you’ve spent years building a business, saving for retirement, or paying off your home, you know how quickly it can all be threatened by the unexpected. Lawsuits, creditors, taxes — they can take a toll.

We help you protect what’s yours. That might mean setting up trusts, creating an LLC, or reorganizing assets so your estate passes smoothly to the next generation. The goal is simple: you keep more of what you’ve earned, and your loved ones deal with less red tape later.
Our job is to help you think two or three steps ahead so you’re not caught off guard.

Trust Administration: When You’re a Trustee and Unsure What Comes Next

If you’ve been named a trustee, you probably didn’t realize how many rules come with that title. It can feel like there’s a wrong turn at every corner. We walk you through it. From understanding the trust document to handling distributions and final reports, we make sure you stay compliant and confident. You don’t have to figure it out alone.

Probate: Help That Keeps Things Moving

Nobody looks forward to probate. It’s slow, it’s procedural, and it comes at a time when emotions are already high. But it doesn’t have to turn into chaos.
We take on the heavy lifting — filing petitions, dealing with creditors, and handling the court process — so you can focus on your family. When possible, we also help people plan ahead to avoid probate altogether through living trusts and other strategies.

For Business Owners: Protecting Your Company and Your Legacy

Your business probably started as an idea scribbled on a napkin, not a legal entity. But now it’s grown, and you need to think about what happens next.
We help entrepreneurs and family businesses build structures that protect what they’ve created. That could mean setting up a new LLC, planning a succession strategy, or simply making sure your estate plan and your business plan work together.

You’ve put too much into your company to let uncertainty get in the way of its future.

Why People in Carlsbad Choose Legacy Legal

Clients often tell us the same thing after their first meeting: “That was easier than I thought.”

We think that’s how it should be. No confusing legal jargon. No cookie-cutter forms. Just honest advice and a clear plan you can understand.

When you work with us, you’ll sit across the table from someone who cares about getting it right — not just fast. We’ll walk you through your options, explain what each step means, and help you make decisions that feel right for your life, not just your assets.

If you’ve been putting off estate planning, now’s the time. A short conversation today can save your family months of stress later.

Call Legacy Legal in Carlsbad or send us a message to schedule a confidential consultation. You’ll meet with an attorney who takes the time to listen — no pressure, no sales pitch. Just guidance you can trust. Because at the end of the day, planning your legacy isn’t just about the future. It’s about peace of mind right now.

ACCREDITATION & ASSOCIATIONS

Tags: carlsbad trust administration

You knew what you were doing
    

Your fees were more than reasonable, you knew what you were doing, you always did it timely. After my previous two attorneys you were more than a breath of fresh air, you were a whole spring day.
O.S. Oceanside, CA

He discovered the big picture of my family's needs
     Rich is multi-talented. He takes from his many years of experience in estate planning and taxation, looks to discover the big picture of my family’s needs and has been able to apply his knowledge in the way that will help my family the best.
N.D. San Diego, CA

I am pleased to give Rich Gaines my highest recommendation.
     I am always careful about giving referrals because they are a direct reflection on me. But I am pleased to give Rich my highest recommendation. Jay was able to present all aspects of wills & trusts to my wife & me in a way that we could understand and he did it with great patience. Rich did everything he said he would do.
M.N. Carlsbad, CA

Thank you for your professionalism with my client.
    
Rich – I wanted to thank you for your professionalism with my client. He was very happy and will use you in the future

D.W. San Diego, CA

Working with Rich was such a breath of fresh air.
    

When you think of sitting down and having to decide who will take care of your child in the event of something awful, thats not typically a process that one gets excited about. But working with Rich was such a breath of fresh air. He was professional, yet fun and engaging. He explained the whole document to us in terms that made sense and answered every question along the way. If I am not mistaken, he had us laughing through much of that meeting. If you don’t at least give him a call, you’ll have missed a tremendous opportunity.
S.M. San Diego, CA

"Extreme care is taken in every respect.”
     The materials provided and all interactions were extremely professional and beyond my expectations. Extreme care is taken in every respect.
J.D. San Diego

"Rich keeps his eyes out for businesses that can benefit from wealth management".
     Rich is a consummate networker. He is outgoing and active in the marketplace. He keeps his eye out for businesses that can benefit his clients and their businesses.
S.P. Solana Beach, CA

"You literally “gave me my life back”.
     Rich — I want to express my deepest gratitude to you for the incredible way in which you handled my tax issues, trust and estate issues. A case that could have lasted 4-5 years was resolved in less than 18 months!!!You literally “gave me my life back”. Rich’s personal style of grace and knowledge, give Legacy Legal the ability to meet the needs of any potential client. I will refer all my friends, family and others to Rich with the highest accolades.
S.R., M.D., San Diego

"I have heard only outstanding reviews from those I referred”.
     Legacy Legal and my bookkeeping company, Find Your Money, have been collaborating in the same office for several years now. Because of our interaction, I have had a chance to recognize the quality of work that both Rich perform. Therefore, I felt confident to refer my clients to Legacy Legal. As a result, I have heard only outstanding reviews from those I referred. Whether they needed Estate Planning, Business Advice, or Tax Representation, my clients have all been please with the Legacy Legal team.
Adriana D. Vista, CA

"simply top notch”.
     New to California and knowing we needed to update our wills and such, Rich of Legacy Legal in Carlsbad was simply top notch in walking us through establishing a Living Trust, Will, etc. Rich was very knowledgeable and detailed, walking us through every pertinent detail. We now have piece of mind in knowing that our children will be taken care of. What's truly special about Rich is his easy going, consultant like demeanor. Preparing for those loved ones after we're gone is hard enough and Rich just simply made it EASY! I make very few recommendations (this is my third) and do so when someone stands out. Thanks Rich and the Legal Legacy team!
Steve L. San Marcos, CA

"it was nice to have the experienced, calm, quiet Rich Gaines”.
     When I was helping my mom consider the value of a trust over simply adding my sister and myself to separate savings and CD accounts (as her mom and dad did for her and her own siblings back when I was a baby), it was nice to have the experienced, calm, quiet Rich Gaines at Legacy Legal LLP in Carlsbad, CA to explain the trust option to her. He discovered she, like some 68 percent of the folks out there, was without a will. That's really bad news unless you really want to give a large chunk of what you saved all your life to amass to be given freely to probate. Mom took Rich's sage advice and worked quickly to develop a will. The jury is still out on those "newfangled" trusts.... but at least she knows her options now, and who to go to because she trusts him!
Holly S. Cincinnati, OH

Schedule a Consultation

Fill out the form below to receive a free and confidential initial consultation.

Your Name (required)

Your Email (required)

Your Phone (required)

By clicking here, I acknowledge that I am NOT creating an attorney/client relationship with any attorney affiliated with this website. (required)By clicking here, I acknowledge that I am NOT creating an attorney / client relationship with any attorney affiliated with this website.

By clicking here, I acknowledge that I am NOT creating a confidential relationship with any attorney affiliated with this website. (required)By clicking here, I acknowledge that I am NOT creating a confidential relationship with any attorney affiliated with this website.

By clicking here I have been informed that an attorney may contact me via phone or the email address I provide. Also, I understand this website WILL NOT sell, give away, or loan any information I provide here to any third party. (required)By clicking here I have been informed that an attorney may contact me via phone or the email address I provide. Also, I understand this website WILL NOT sell, give away, or loan any information I provide here to any third party.