Estate Planning
Wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and tailored succession strategies designed around your family. We build plans that protect assets and remain useful as life changes.
Discuss your planEstate Planning · Business Law · San Diego
Counsel for the life you’ve built.
Clear, strategic counsel for families protecting a legacy and business owners shaping what comes next.
Serving San Diego families and businesses since 1998
What we do
Thoughtful counsel.
Decisive action.
We turn complex legal questions into practical next steps—without losing sight of the people, plans, and businesses behind them.
Business Formation
Entity selection, filings, operating agreements, and founder arrangements for businesses built on sound footing. We help owners choose structures that fit both today’s realities and tomorrow’s ambitions.
Start your businessContracts
Clear, commercially minded agreements for partners, vendors, employees, and clients. We draft, review, and negotiate terms with an eye toward preventing expensive surprises.
Review an agreementProbate
Steady guidance through administration, court filings, creditor issues, and asset distribution. We keep the process organized while giving families room to focus on what matters most.
Get probate guidanceThe firm
Experience with
perspective.
Senior attorneys remain directly involved—from the first conversation through the final signature.
Jonathan Harrington
Founding Partner · Estate Planning & Trusts
A graduate of the University of San Diego School of Law, Jonathan has practiced for more than 28 years. He focuses on multigenerational estate plans, trust administration, and succession strategies for privately held businesses.
Victoria Cole
Managing Partner · Business Law & Formation
Victoria earned her J.D. from UCLA School of Law and has advised California founders and family enterprises for 22 years. Her practice centers on formation, governance, growth-stage transactions, and practical risk management.
Marcus Webb
Partner · Probate & Contracts
A California Western School of Law graduate with 16 years in practice, Marcus guides fiduciaries and families through complex probate matters. He also counsels business clients on high-stakes contracts, disputes, and negotiated resolutions.
A record of stewardship
Built on confidence.
25+Years serving San Diego
$400M+In estates protected
1,200+Businesses formed
They took a conversation we had put off for years and made it feel clear, calm, and completely manageable.Sample testimonial · Elena R.
We left with more than an LLC—we had a structure and a legal roadmap we could actually use.Sample testimonial · Daniel M.
Marcus anticipated the hard questions, kept us informed, and treated our family with extraordinary care.Sample testimonial · Priya S.
Start a conversation
Your first consultation is on us.
Tell us what brings you here. A member of our team will follow up to arrange a confidential conversation.
ResponseWithin one business day
FormatIn person, by phone, or video
CostComplimentary first consultation
Common questions
Clarity before you begin.
Every matter is different. These answers are general information, not legal advice.
Cost depends on your family, assets, and planning goals. After the consultation, we provide a clear scope and fee proposal before work begins; many standard planning matters are handled for a flat fee.
California intestacy law determines who receives property that does not otherwise pass by beneficiary designation, joint ownership, or trust. The result may not match your wishes, and the estate may require probate.
Many estates take roughly 12 to 18 months, while contested, complex, or tax-sensitive estates can take longer. The timeline depends on court scheduling, creditor issues, the assets involved, and whether disputes arise.
The right structure depends on ownership, taxes, fundraising plans, governance, and risk. We work with you and your tax advisor to weigh those factors rather than defaulting to a one-size-fits-all entity.
Bring any existing legal documents, a general list of relevant assets or agreements, and the questions you want answered. For business matters, formation papers and the agreement at issue are often useful.
We use both. Defined planning and formation projects are often flat-fee; negotiation, probate, and evolving advisory matters may be hourly. We explain the proposed arrangement in writing before you engage the firm.
Visit or connect
Harrington & Cole
550 W B Street, Suite 1200
San Diego, CA 92101
Office hours
Monday–Friday, 8:30 AM–5:30 PM
Evenings by appointment
Monday–Friday, 8:30 AM–5:30 PM
Evenings by appointment