Estate Planning, Trust and Probate Specialist

Home About Us Why Estate Planning? How to Make an Appointment Contact Us

ABOUT US

JAMES F. WATTS

Attorney At Law

Attorney James F. Watts is a specialist in trusts, probate and estate planning, certified by the State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization. Mr. Watts received his Juris Doctorate (J.D.) degree from California Western School of Law in San Diego in 1977 and he completed his Masters of Law degree (LL.M) in Taxation Law at the University of San Diego Graduate Law School in 1983. Prior to specializing in estate and business planning, Mr. Watts was a probate attorney in San Diego for several years. Mr. Watts still handles several probate cases each year.

Mr. Watts has authored articles published in Legal Journals, including: Taxes- The Tax Magazine: “Liquidation and Re-incorporation as a Tool of the Tax Planner” July, 1983 edition, and California Western Law Review: “The Criminal Law Enforcement Authority of Park Rangers in Proprietary Jurisdiction National Parks-Where Is It?” Volume 13, 1976-77, Number 1.

Mr. Watts is originally from Webster Groves, Missouri, a suburb of St. Louis. He attended Southeast Missouri State University and the University of Arizona. He has a Bachelor of Science degree in Zoology, with a minor in Chemistry. Mr. Watts served five years in the United States Air Force. He finished his military service commitment as a Captain and Missile Crew Commander of a Titan II Intercontinental Ballistic Missile launch crew at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base near Tucson, Arizona. Prior to attending law school, Mr. Watts worked as a National Park Service Ranger at Saguaro (pronounced Sa-War-Oh) National Park near Tucson, Arizona.

Mr. Watts was, for three years, an instructor of estate planning at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD). Mr. Watts is a member of the California Bar Association’s Estate Planning Trust and Probate Section.

UZZELL BRANSON

Office Manager, Estate Administration Specialist

Mr. Branson has been Mr. Watts’ office manager for over two years, and oversees the bulk of the Estate Administration and Probate activity in the office, as well as overseeing the day-to-day activity in the office. Mr. Branson is originally from Los Angeles, but moved to San Diego in 2000 to attend UCSD. Mr. Branson has enrolled at USD School of Law and will be continuing his work for the law office while taking classes.

OTHER STAFF

Mr. Watts also employs a number of legal interns and a full time legal assistant who will handle the majority of your phone calls and some document preparation. You will likely interact with at least one member of our courteous staff when you make your appointments, come in for signings, and advise us as to updates to your trust information.