About San Diego Elder Law Center

About the San Diego Elder Law Center — Elder Law San Diego California

Elder law San Diego seniors and caregivers rely on the San Diego Elder Law Center, a firm built around the needs of aging and disabled clients. The center assists elders, Medi-Cal applicants, and special needs families across San Diego County. Because long-term care planning is complex, dedicated experience matters. The attorneys help clients qualify for benefits while protecting their assets. You can also browse other elder law attorneys in the directory while you compare. In addition, the firm supports caregivers managing a loved one’s care.

This practice focuses entirely on elder and special needs law. Specifically, it handles Medi-Cal planning, special needs trusts, and care coordination. The attorneys serve seniors and families throughout San Diego County. Consultations help clients build a plan for the years ahead.

Why Choose the San Diego Elder Law Center

The center positions itself as a premier elder law firm for San Diego County. As a result, clients work with attorneys focused on aging issues. The practice serves elders, disabled clients, and their caregivers. Its specialization in Medi-Cal and special needs planning sets it apart.

Elder Law San Diego — Practice Areas & Services

Medi-Cal planning — qualifying San Diego County seniors for long-term care benefits.
Special needs trusts — protecting benefits for disabled family members.
Estate planning — wills and trusts for aging clients.
Care coordination — supporting caregivers and families.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a special needs trust?

It holds assets for a disabled person without disqualifying them from public benefits. This protects both support and eligibility. An attorney drafts it to meet California rules.

How does Medi-Cal planning help San Diego seniors?

It helps a senior qualify for long-term care coverage while preserving key assets. Early planning can protect a family home. An elder law attorney structures the plan to fit the rules.

What support exists for caregivers in San Diego County?

Programs like In-Home Supportive Services help thousands of local seniors. An elder law firm can connect families to the right resources. Legal planning supports the care plan.

Quick Facts: Elder Law in San Diego, California

Senior services: Nearly 19,762 San Diego County seniors receive In-Home Supportive Services — Justice in Aging
Aging population: 16.5% of Californians were 65 or older in 2024, rising toward 22% by 2040 — Public Policy Institute of California
Care facilities: San Diego County has roughly 80 licensed long-term care facilities — California long-term care licensing data

What People Say About San Diego Elder Law Center

San Diego Elder Law Center, located in San Diego, California, is highly regarded for its exceptional service as an Elder Law and Estate Planning Attorney. Clients consistently praise the knowledgeable and compassionate staff, particularly attorneys Scott Templeton and Carly Surber Maganuco, for providing invaluable guidance during challenging legal situations involving elderly family members. Many reviewers recommend reaching out to the firm for their professionalism and dedication, ensuring peace of mind in navigating complex legal processes.

Google Reviews for San Diego Elder Law Center

San Diego Elder Law Center really helped my brother and I out with knowing where we stood legally. Their staff was willing to talk to us and gave us great advice! I highly recommend giving them a call if you are in the San Diego area and need legal advice for your elderly family members!

Truly impressed with this firm. So far I have interacted multiple times with their counsel Scott Templeton and their staff – Roz, and they have been extremely knowledgeable and professional.

You definitely want to hook up with Scott Templeton and Rosalind Kovacs at the San Diego Elder Law Center if you need help for your ailing for deceased Parent or Relative. They really care about you and and your family members to help them though whatever legal issues in California come up. We used them, and it was a really great experience for something so challenging to go through. Please give them a call you won’t be disappointed.

i asked for SDELC’s help over 2 years ago after my aunt had a stroke and became cognitively impaired. i needed to take over the management of her legal and financial affairs and i worked with attorney scott templeton and paralegal ann roberts. both of them were very knowledgeable and helpful, guiding me through various legal processes. the two most complex issues were: (1) taking my aunt’s bank to court since they seemed to want to fight me every step of the way when it came to accepting my power-of-attorney so that i could manage my aunt’s accounts, and (2) setting up a conservatorship for my aunt so that i could comprehensively manage everything for her without any further legal challenges.

Phil is a legend! Had the privilege of getting connected to Phil who provided clarity to me and my family during a challenging time. A true professional.

Our review of our trust with the attorney, Scott, from SD Elder Law was exceptional. He had reviewed our trust and was prepared to answer our 13 questions we had sent in prior to our meeting. He was friendly and very informative. We highly recommend them.

My attorneys at the San Diego Elder Law Center were Scott Templeton and Adam Juel. Important staff included Ann Roberts, Liz Lockwood and Sarah Harris. All of them have worked diligently to help me handle two petitions concerning my mother’s estate, and to ensure that I have outstanding legal support to help me honor my mother’s wishes as trustee for her estate. Our family would have been lost without their superior guidance and support!

In 2021 I was beaten by a 40 year old woman and she broke my neck. The judge said “anyone can say I’m disabled ” even though I provided medical records showing just about every bone in my body is metal from neck to tailbone & 2 hip replacements. Not one law firm will help me. She’s continued to harassment and continues to bring restraining orders against me lying. She even said I committed a felon and her boss was going to bring legal charges against me, yet the owner said he knows nothing about it, but she told the judge on second time this was true? I have so much proof She’s insane person and a lying. So I’m writing a page in major magazine naming 2 judges and all lawyers who wrote, they will not help. Including this one and district attorney office. Including pictures of my injury and surgery to repair my neck.

Roz and Adam are the team that has helped me navigate the administration, protection and distribution of my parent’s trust assets. Both have provided much needed guidance in my role as the trustee. Roz especially has been helpful in providing clarification, marshalling of all the trust assets, performing the proper accounting and other transactions to close the trust properly. Roz often tells me that “It’s my job” in response to me expressing my thanks for the numerous times she’s assisted me with anything and everything. I feel that not only is Roz doing her job, but she is going above and beyond by providing much needed support in the role of a trustee. Grateful to have found SDELC and equally thankful for Roz and Adam.

We were referred to San Diego Elder Law Center by a friend of mine and we’re specifically referred to Carly Surber Maganuco. We had a long phone conversation with Carly and the subsequently had her review all of our trusts, wills and financial statements. Then we met with Carly in person for 90 minutes and she gave us an education on what we could expect in the future and where she could help. We paid $350 for the consultation and my father said “it was the best $350 I’ve ever spent”. Carly was honest and straight forward and told us that we had all the documentation set up correctly and there was little she could do to help us today but she told us when we should contact her for help in the future

I recommend the San Diego Elder Law Center highly, and Attorney Carly Surber Maganuco, and assistant Rosaline Kovacs. They helped us with executing and managing my parents estate, and helped with conservancy for my mother. All went flawlessly. They are expert at what they do; professional, courteous, helpful and prompt. Top notch folks. I am glad to have them on my side.

Our family has used San Diego Elder Law Center on several different occasions. Each time has gone smoothly. Attorney Scott Templeton and the entire staff are extremely knowledgeable, kind and supportive. I can’t say enough good things about them.

The team at SD Elder Law helped me through a challenging situation with Grace and kindness. I highly recommend them. Great team, great people, and excellent service and skills. 5⭐️

I highly recommend Scott Templeton at SD Elder Law Center. He has helped us to discuss care and considerations for my aging mother in law with dementia, as well as helping us with our own estate and trust.

they don’t litigate… my type of issue

San Diego Elder Law Center