Cheever Law, APC

Cheever Law, APC There are many misconceptions about estate planning and whether it is necessary for people where estate taxes are not a concern.

We serve clients in a genuine, compassionate, and professional manner by listening to their concerns and fulfilling their wishes to create customized estate plans designed to keep families out of court and conflict in the event of incapacity and at death. We provide a full range of estate planning services, starting from counseling clients on what components they should consider and then implement

ing their wishes. Through the use of Trusts, Wills, Durable Powers of Attorney and Advance Health Care Directives, we help families preserve their wealth for future, avoid the process of probate, put a plan in place to ease the pain by family members at death and minimize exposure to estate taxes. For middle class individuals and families, estate planning provides tremendous peace of mind knowing that your affairs are in order. Estate taxes are only one component of planning. The more important part of planning involves naming guardians for minor children, establishing a trust for children, especially if the child has special needs, designating beneficiaries of your treasured possessions, and making decisions now that will help you in the event of an illness or accident in the future. Incapacity planning is an important aspect to estate planning by putting the right tools in place to avoid a Living Probate or Guardianship proceeding in the event that you become ill or disabled and you are unable to care for yourself. We also work with small business owners to help them navigate the legal landscape, focusing on minimizing exposure to loss and using strategies such as contracts and entity formation to protect their companies. Business owners are busy running their businesses and may not have taken the time to ensure their company is properly protected and structured. Cheever Law handles all aspects of business planning to ensure your business is protected and your chosen entity is in compliance in order to avoid any potential personal liability. Our practice includes Small Business Planning and Business Succession Planning.

Your trust may be named as the beneficiary of your IRA. That may have made perfect sense when you created your estate pl...
09/01/2026

Your trust may be named as the beneficiary of your IRA. That may have made perfect sense when you created your estate plan.

But here’s what many people don’t realize: the SECURE Act changed the rules for inherited retirement accounts, and the strategy that worked years ago may not work the same way today.

The right plan depends on more than taxes. It should also consider who will inherit the account, how the trust is structured, the protections your beneficiary may need, and whether your beneficiary designations still match your wishes.

If your trust was created before the SECURE Act and is named as beneficiary of a significant IRA or retirement account, it may be time to take another look.

In this week’s blog, I explain what the SECURE Act changed and why your trust, IRA, and beneficiary designations should all work together as part of your Life & Legacy Plan.

Read the full article here: https://estateplanninglawyersandiego.com/trust-as-ira-beneficiary-secure-act/

You made a will. That’s an important step.But here’s what many people don’t realize: a will does not keep your family ou...
08/28/2026

You made a will. That’s an important step.

But here’s what many people don’t realize: a will does not keep your family out of probate, it does not control every asset you own, and it does not help your loved ones manage things if you become incapacitated.

A complete estate plan should also address beneficiary designations, trust funding, incapacity planning, and the people you are trusting to make financial and healthcare decisions for you.

If Make-A-Will Month inspired you to finally get your will done, don’t stop there.

In this week’s blog, I explain what a will can and cannot do, and the other pieces you should review to make sure your estate plan will actually work when your family needs it.

Read the full article here: https://estateplanninglawyersandiego.com/you-made-a-will-heres-what-it-cant-do/

What would happen to your business if you were suddenly no longer able to run it?Most business owners spend years buildi...
08/26/2026

What would happen to your business if you were suddenly no longer able to run it?

Most business owners spend years building their business but never create a plan for what happens if they die or become incapacitated.

A will may determine who inherits your business interest, but it cannot keep your business running, give someone authority to make decisions during incapacity, or ensure your family receives the full value of what you built.

From buy-sell agreements and key person insurance to business succession and personal estate planning, protecting your business requires more than a single document.

Your business and your family are connected. Your planning should be too.

👉 Read our latest blog to learn what can happen to your business without a plan and the steps you can take to protect what you’ve built: https://estateplanninglawyersandiego.com/what-happens-to-your-business-when-you-die-without-a-plan/

A plan on paper isn’t enough. It has to work in real life.The lawsuit involving Malcolm-Jamal Warner’s widow highlights ...
08/21/2026

A plan on paper isn’t enough. It has to work in real life.

The lawsuit involving Malcolm-Jamal Warner’s widow highlights an important estate planning lesson: good intentions don’t protect a family. Follow-through does.

Life insurance needs to be active. Financial commitments need to be fulfilled. Beneficiaries need to be reviewed. And your plan needs to change as your family and circumstances change.

In this new blog, I share what I would have done differently if Malcolm had been my client, including the ongoing check-ins and coordination that can help catch gaps before they become bigger problems.

Because intention is not implementation.

Your Life & Legacy Plan should be built, funded, verified, and maintained over time.

👉 Read the full blog: https://estateplanninglawyersandiego.com/the-cosby-show-made-him-famous-his-estate-plan-failed-his-family-heres-what-i-would-have-done/

Curious today. Protected tomorrow. 👀💙Estate planning may not always be top of mind, but asking the right questions today...
08/20/2026

Curious today. Protected tomorrow. 👀💙

Estate planning may not always be top of mind, but asking the right questions today can help protect the people and legacy that matter most tomorrow.

Stay curious. Start planning. Protect what matters.

You Ask. We Answer. 💬Q: Do I really need an estate plan if I don't have a lot of assets?A: Yes! An estate plan is about ...
08/19/2026

You Ask. We Answer. 💬

Q: Do I really need an estate plan if I don't have a lot of assets?

A: Yes! An estate plan is about more than money. It’s about protecting your loved ones, making your wishes clear, and creating peace of mind, no matter your net worth.

Because it’s not just about what you own.

It’s about who you love, who you trust, and how you want them protected. ❤️

Have an estate planning question? Drop it in the comments! 👇

Q4 is closer than it feels. Is your business ready? 👀August may feel like a slower month, but it’s actually one of the b...
08/18/2026

Q4 is closer than it feels. Is your business ready? 👀

August may feel like a slower month, but it’s actually one of the best times to pause, review, and prepare before the year-end rush begins.

Before October arrives, take a fresh look at your LIFT systems: Legal, Insurance, Financial, and Tax.

Are your business agreements still current?
Does your insurance match your growth?
Are your finances clean and ready for Q4?
Have you discussed your tax and year-end strategies early enough to act?

The decisions you make in the next 30–60 days can make the difference between a smooth Q4 and a stressful year-end scramble.

Don’t wait until December to discover a gap. Plan now while you still have options.

👉 Read the full blog to see what business owners should review before Q4: https://estateplanninglawyersandiego.com/q4-business-planning-checklist-what-to-review-before-october/

MONDAY REMINDER: A PLAN TODAY MEANS PEACE TOMORROW. ❤️Life is unpredictable, but loving your family enough to prepare fo...
08/17/2026

MONDAY REMINDER: A PLAN TODAY MEANS PEACE TOMORROW. ❤️

Life is unpredictable, but loving your family enough to prepare for it is something you can control.

This week, take a moment to think about what matters most:

🛡️ PROTECT the people you love most
📋 PREPARE for the unexpected so they don't have to
💙 PROVIDE clarity, direction, and the resources they'll need
🕊️ GIVE your family the gift of peace of mind

You don't have to have everything figured out today. You just have to take the next right step.

Start the week with purpose. A little planning today can make a lifetime of difference.

Make-A-Will Month is here. But a will isn’t a plan.Having a will is an important first step, but what happens if you bec...
08/14/2026

Make-A-Will Month is here. But a will isn’t a plan.

Having a will is an important first step, but what happens if you become incapacitated? Who can make decisions for you? Who will care for your children in those critical first few days? Will your family know what to do, and who to call?

A complete Life & Legacy Plan looks beyond a single document. It helps coordinate your wishes, your family, your assets, and the people you trust to step in when they’re needed most.

This August, don’t just check “get a will” off your list.

Make sure you have a plan that actually works when your family needs it.

👉 Read the full blog and learn what your family really needs: https://estateplanninglawyersandiego.com/make-a-will-month-is-here-but-a-will-isnt-a-plan/

You Ask. We Answer. 💬Q: What is the purpose of an estate plan?A: It’s about making your wishes clear and protecting the ...
08/13/2026

You Ask. We Answer. 💬

Q: What is the purpose of an estate plan?

A: It’s about making your wishes clear and protecting the people you love. ❤️

An estate plan can help you:

• Provide for the people you love and the causes you care about
• Protect your assets and minimize unnecessary taxes and expenses
• Make important decisions clear, so your family doesn’t have to guess
• Reduce stress, conflict, and unnecessary court involvement
• Give you peace of mind today and greater clarity for tomorrow

A plan today can mean peace of mind tomorrow.

Have a question about estate planning, trusts, or protecting your family? Drop it in the comments! 👇

Address

5938 Priestly Drive, Suite 103
Carlsbad, CA
92008

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+18584323923

Website

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