Matthew R. Stall, Esq.
Estate planning and probate attorney serving Palm Desert and the Coachella Valley. Here to make a hard subject simple and protect the people you love.
An attorney shaped by personal experience
I'm Matthew Stall, an estate planning and probate attorney based in Palm Desert and serving the Coachella Valley and clients throughout California.
Before focusing on estate planning, I spent more than twenty years representing individuals in high-stakes insurance disputes. I fought for clients facing policy rescissions, bad faith denials, and the kind of litigation that insurance companies count on ordinary people not being able to sustain. That work taught me a great deal about what happens when families are unprepared, legally and financially, for the unexpected.
My decision to shift to estate planning was a deeply personal one. From 2018 to 2023, my own family experienced the consequences of an incomplete estate plan. I watched firsthand how a lack of preparation can unravel into years of legal complexity, unnecessary expense, and genuine emotional pain, all of which could have been avoided with a proper plan.
That experience changed the way I practice law. I now build the plans I wish my family had. Every client who walks through my door gets the same thing: a thorough, personalized estate plan, built around their actual life, delivered through a process designed to be as clear and painless as possible.
I believe estate planning should be accessible to everyone, not just the wealthy. Flat-fee pricing, a simple four-step process, and the option of signing at home are all part of making that a reality.
Matthew R. Stall, Esq.
What you can expect from this firm
Clarity over complexity
Legal documents shouldn't require a law degree to understand. I walk you through every page so you know exactly what you're signing and why it matters.
Transparent pricing
You'll know the total cost before a single document is drafted. No hourly billing, no surprise invoices, just a fixed fee agreed upon in advance.
Convenience by design
Most of the process happens online, on your schedule. When it's time to sign, you can come to the office, or we'll send a notary to your home anywhere in California.
Genuine care
Estate planning is personal. I take the time to understand your family, your concerns, and your goals, because a good plan is built on a real understanding of your life.
Twenty-plus years of legal experience
Licensed California Attorney
Admitted to the State Bar of California. Member in good standing.
20+ Years of Litigation Experience
Former insurance litigation attorney representing individuals against major insurance carriers.
Published Court of Appeal Decision
Duarte v. Pacific Specialty Insurance Co., 13 Cal.App.5th 45 (2017). After the trial court granted the insurer summary judgment on the wrongful rescission of an insurance policy, we won a reversal on appeal.
Estate Planning & Probate Focus
Focused on estate planning, trust administration, and probate. Serving Palm Desert, Rancho Mirage, Cathedral City, Palm Springs, Indio, La Quinta, Indian Wells, and the entire Coachella Valley.
What probate actually is
Probate is the court process for transferring what someone owned after they die, when there's no living trust already handling it. It confirms the will, pays debts and taxes, and moves what's left to the right people. In California it usually takes close to a year, and the attorney fee is set by law as a percentage of the estate, not something we set ourselves.
You might not need full probate
Not every estate has to go through the full court process. California has simpler paths for smaller estates and for assets passing to a surviving spouse, which can save months and money. The first thing we do is figure out which path yours actually needs, so you're not doing more than the law requires.
Guiding Palm Desert families through every step
Probate Administration
Full representation through the California probate court, from filing the petition to the final distribution of assets.
Trust Administration
Guiding successor trustees through their duties when a loved one had a living trust, usually without going to court.
Estate Administration
Inventorying assets, paying valid debts and taxes, and making sure everything transfers to the right people.
Spousal & Small-Estate Petitions
Faster, simpler options when the law allows them, so you avoid full probate where possible.
Creditor & Court Filings
We prepare and file every notice, inventory, and accounting the court requires, and we meet every deadline.
Support for Executors & Trustees
Clear guidance on your legal duties so you're protected and confident in every decision you make.
How I Help With Probate in Palm Desert
California probate runs through the Riverside County Superior Court, with strict filings and deadlines. We take the paperwork, the deadlines, and the court appearances off your plate, and we keep you updated in plain English the whole way.
The Probate Process in Four Steps
Complimentary consultation
We learn about the estate and your family, explain your options, and walk you through what probate will actually cost, up front and in plain English.
Open the estate
We prepare and file the petition, or for a trust, send the required legal notices to get things moving.
Administer
We handle the inventory, creditor notices, and paperwork, and keep the estate on track through every deadline.
Distribute & close
Assets go to the right people, the estate is closed, and your responsibilities are complete.
What clients say
Real reviews from families and business owners across the Coachella Valley.
Let's build your plan together
A complimentary Peace of Mind Planning Session is the best place to start. We'll talk through your goals and put together a plan that gives your family the protection they deserve.
Want directions or office hours? Contact the office.