Overview
Michael Pevney has practiced estate planning exclusively in Orange County for more than 18 years. The practice he operates, marketed under the name OC Estate Plan Lawyer and formally organized as Pevney Estate Planning, does not branch into unrelated areas of law. Every client engagement is an estate planning matter. That single-minded focus on one practice area, sustained over nearly two decades in Orange County, defines how the firm has built its reputation and its client base.
The practice is located at 2160 Barranca Parkway, Suite 1029, Irvine, CA 92606. The firm serves communities throughout Orange County, including Irvine, Laguna Hills, Mission Viejo, and surrounding areas. The website is www.ocestateplanlawyer.com/.
Michael Pevney holds a B.A. in Political Science from the University of California, San Diego, and a J.D. from Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law, Yeshiva University, in New York City. He is known among clients for making complex legal processes approachable through clear communication.
Practice Areas
Living Trusts: The firm drafts custom living trusts designed to help clients avoid probate and protect their assets. A properly structured and funded living trust allows assets to pass to beneficiaries after death without court supervision, which reduces the time, cost, and public exposure that probate proceedings involve. The firm tailors trust documents to each client’s family structure, asset profile, and distribution intentions rather than using generic forms with substituted names.
Wills: Wills are drafted as part of comprehensive estate plans. For clients with minor children, a will is the document that nominates a guardian, making it an essential element of any plan regardless of whether a trust is also used. The firm coordinates will drafting with trust planning to ensure documents work together rather than creating gaps or conflicts.
Durable Financial Power of Attorney: A durable power of attorney for finances grants a named individual the authority to manage the client’s financial affairs if the client is unable to do so due to incapacity. This includes paying bills, managing investments, filing tax returns, and selling property. The “durable” designation means the document remains valid even if the principal becomes incapacitated; a non-durable power of attorney would terminate upon incapacity, which would defeat its purpose in most estate planning contexts.
Healthcare Power of Attorney and Healthcare Directive: A healthcare directive appoints a trusted individual to make medical decisions for the client if the client cannot speak for themselves. This document ensures that the client’s wishes are communicated to and followed by healthcare providers in hospital settings, emergency situations, and circumstances involving incapacity. Without this document, healthcare decisions may be made by individuals the client would not have chosen.
Probate Guidance: When a person in Orange County dies without an estate plan that avoids probate, or when circumstances require court supervision despite prior planning, the firm provides representation and guidance through the California probate process. California probate is often described as expensive and time-consuming, and the firm’s estate planning work is specifically designed to help clients avoid it. When probate is unavoidable, the firm provides expert and compassionate guidance for Orange County families.
Attorney Profile
Michael Pevney (Attorney and Principal)
Michael Pevney received his B.A. in Political Science from the University of California, San Diego, and his J.D. from Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law at Yeshiva University in New York City. Cardozo Law is a well-regarded institution known for its programs in intellectual property, dispute resolution, and constitutional law.
His practice is entirely dedicated to estate planning, and he has been serving Orange County clients exclusively in this area for more than 18 years. He maintains a reputation for clear communication that makes complex legal processes understandable and approachable, a characteristic that is particularly important in estate planning, where clients often come with limited legal background and significant personal stakes.
The attorney-led consultation model means that clients work with Michael Pevney directly throughout their engagement with the firm, rather than being handed off to staff after an initial intake meeting.
Location and Service Area
The office is at 2160 Barranca Parkway, Suite 1029, Irvine, CA 92606. The firm serves clients throughout Orange County, including Irvine, Laguna Hills, Mission Viejo, and surrounding communities. Irvine is the county’s largest city and home to a large professional population, including many who work in the area’s technology sector. The website is www.ocestateplanlawyer.com/.
Client Focus
The firm serves Orange County families of all backgrounds. Client groups include homeowners, professionals employed in Irvine’s technology and business sectors, parents focused on long-term security for their children, and individuals who want clear and accessible estate planning guidance without legal complexity becoming an obstacle. The firm’s reputation for plain-language communication reflects the diverse client base it serves.
The firm has helped hundreds of Orange County families create estate plans, and it maintains a 5-star Google review rating reflecting consistent client satisfaction.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a durable power of attorney for finances and why is the “durable” designation important?
A durable power of attorney for finances gives a named person the authority to handle your financial matters, including paying bills, managing bank accounts, making investment decisions, filing tax returns, and selling property. The “durable” designation means the power of attorney remains effective even if you become incapacitated. A power of attorney without the durable designation would terminate if you become incapacitated, leaving no one with legal authority to manage your finances at precisely the moment that authority is most needed.
Does a living trust eliminate the need for a will?
Not entirely. Even when a living trust is in place, a “pour-over will” is typically used to capture any assets that were not transferred into the trust during the person’s lifetime and direct them into the trust at death. A will also serves the function of nominating a guardian for minor children, which a trust does not address. The two documents work together in a comprehensive estate plan.
What happens to assets that are not included in a trust when someone dies?
Assets that are not held in a trust and do not have beneficiary designations typically must pass through probate. California probate involves court supervision of the asset distribution process, which takes time and incurs statutory fees calculated as a percentage of the estate’s gross value. One of the primary goals of estate planning at this firm is to structure clients’ assets so that probate is avoided or minimized.
Why would I need a healthcare directive?
Without a healthcare directive, decisions about your medical treatment during incapacity may be made by family members who disagree about your wishes, or by medical providers following default legal protocols that may not align with your preferences. A healthcare directive specifies what treatments you do or do not want in specific circumstances and names the person you want to make medical decisions if you cannot. It provides clarity and reduces the potential for family conflict during an already difficult time.
How long does it take to create an estate plan at this firm?
Specific turnaround times are not publicly stated. Clients are encouraged to contact the firm directly through its website at www.ocestateplanlawyer.com/ to discuss their situation and the process for their specific plan.
Closing
Pevney Estate Planning, operating as OC Estate Plan Lawyer, offers Orange County residents access to an attorney who has spent more than 18 years focused exclusively on estate planning in this community. The firm’s reputation for clear communication, its attorney-led engagement model, and its service to hundreds of Orange County families reflect a practice that is purpose-built for the clients it serves. The office is at 2160 Barranca Parkway, Suite 1029, Irvine, CA 92606, and the firm can be reached through its website at www.ocestateplanlawyer.com/.