Michael McDonald - San Diego, CA
Attorney at The Estate Lawyers, APC
Probate Litigation Lawyers in San Diego, CA
4350 Executive Drive Suite 310 San Diego, CA 92121
- Free Consultation
- 1 Super Lawyers®
-
11
Years
Experience
San Diego Probate Litigation Lawyer
Updated: 06/12/2026
Areas of Practice
- Probate Litigation
- Trust Litigation
- Estate Litigation
- Will Contests
- Trust Contests
- Inheritance Disputes
- Breach of Fiduciary Duty
- Conservatorship matters
- Financial Elder Abuse
- Probate Administration and Trust Administration
- Elder Law
- Elder Abuse Restraining Orders
- Fiduciary Representation
Attorney Information
Overview
Michael C. McDonald is an attorney at The Estate Lawyers, APC, representing trustees, beneficiaries, heirs, and fiduciaries in contested probate matters throughout California. He handles trust contests, will contests, breach of fiduciary duty, trustee removal, inheritance disputes, probate litigation, and conservatorships. Michael pursues and defends financial elder abuse claims, elder abuse restraining orders, and trust administration disputes, advising on beneficiary rights and fiduciary representation. Named a Super Lawyers Rising Star in Trust and Estate Litigation (2024–2025), he routinely litigates in the San Diego Superior Court Probate Division (Central Courthouse), Orange County Superior Court Probate Division (Costa Mesa Justice Center), Los Angeles Superior Court Probate Department (Stanley Mosk Courthouse), and Riverside Superior Court Probate Division.
Awards and Honors
Honors
- Super Lawyers – included in San Diego Rising Stars list 2024, 2025
- Best Lawyers – included in San Diego Ones to Watch list 2023, 2024, 2025
Other Sources of Feedback About Michael McDonald
Included on the 2025 San Diego Super Lawyers list
Past Lists
- 2024 San Diego Super Lawyers list
Education
Legal Education
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University of San Diego School of Law,
San Diego,
California
Juris Doctor
Honors: Vis International Commercial Arbitration Team, Vice President
Honors: Moot Court and Mock Trial tournaments competitor
Non Legal Education
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Arizona State University, Barrett Honors College, W.P. Carey School of Business, 2009
Bachelor of Science
Honors: cum laude
Major: Finance
Current Employment Position(s)
-
Partner
Classes and Seminars
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Speaker: “Estate and Gift Tax & Fiduciary Income Tax: Probate in California.” American Bar Association Tax Section 2023 Midyear Tax Meeting, February 10, 2023
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Speaker: “Providing Notice: a trustee’s duty that is sometimes less than clear.” Probate Attorneys of San Diego, July 19, 2023
- Speaker at multiple continuing legal education events for the William B. Enright and Lous M. Welsh chapters of the American Inns of Court
Bar Admissions
- California
Other Affiliations
- San Diego County Bar Association, Estate Planning, Trust and Probate Law Section member, Past member of Section Leadership Committee, Former Committee Member of online publication “For the Record”
- Probate Attorneys of San Diego, Editor of PASD “Probate Handbook”
- American Inns of Court – William B. Enright Inn, Member, Multiple time speaker at continuing legal education events
- American Inns of Court – Louis M. Welsh Chapter, Former member, Multiple time speaker at continuing legal education events
Photo
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