T. Owen Rassman: Carlsbad Estate Planning & Probate Attorney
Managing Partner | California State Bar #236974
Attorney Owen Rassman combines big firm qualifications with small firm accessibility. With degrees in tax (LL.M.), law (J.D.) and business (M.B.A.), Opelon’s co-founding attorney, T. Owen Rassman, is uniquely qualified to bridge the often overlapping areas of Trusts, Estates & Probates.
Whether you are in need of an estate plan for your family and loved ones, or are the trustee or beneficiary, Owen has the experience and qualifications to counsel you from start to finish.
At Opelon, our services extend beyond our qualifications. Owen strives to build lasting relationships. At Opelon, you will get to know your attorney and feel comfortable asking questions. That’s a promise! Estate planning is done on a flat fee basis, so questions are encouraged.
Trust administration is billed hourly, but the initial consultation is free. Probate fees are set by the court. Our business model is built on providing quality service at reasonable rates. If our clients are happy, we are confident they will refer friends and family. It is as simple as that.
T. Owen Rassman is originally from Los Angeles and still has close ties to the city, including family and his UCLA Bruins, but his heart lies in North County San Diego.
When not reading up on changes to the tax code and counseling clients, Owen enjoys spending time with family, surfing in Cardiff and traveling.
Practice Focus
Owen counsels individuals, families, trustees, and beneficiaries across every stage of the estate planning and administration process — from creating revocable living trusts and wills to guiding executors and trustees through probate and trust administration. His tax law background gives clients an advantage when navigating estate tax planning, California revocable living trust tax issues, and complex multi-asset estates.
Professional Memberships
- California State Bar
- Trusts and Estates Section of the California State Bar
- San Diego Bar Association
- Taxation Section of the San Diego Bar Association
- Business and Corporate Law Section of the San Diego Bar Association
- North County Bar Association
Approach
Owen believes that estate planning should be accessible, not intimidating. At Opelon, estate planning is done on a flat fee basis, so clients are encouraged to ask questions without worrying about the clock. Trust administration is billed hourly, but the initial consultation is always free. Probate fees are set by the California court.
Owen’s goal is straightforward: provide quality legal counsel at reasonable rates, build lasting client relationships, and earn every referral
Experience:
- Licensed by the California State Bar since 2005
- 20+ years of California estate law experience
- 700+ California trusts designed and funded
- 250+ San Diego County estates administered
Education:
- University of San Diego, School of Law, Master of Laws in Taxation;
- Pepperdine University, School of Law, Juris Doctor;
- Pepperdine University, Graziadio School of Business, Master of Business Administration; and
- University of California, Los Angeles, Bachelor of Arts, English Literature.
Practice Areas:
Awards:
2025 Business Professional of the Year Finalist | Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce
2025- San Diego SuperLawyers
2025– Best of North County – Estate Law Coast News Group
2024– San Diego SuperLawyers
2023– San Diego Business Journal | Top 100 Leaders in Law
2023– San Diego SuperLawyers
2022- Avvo.com, Client Choice Award | T. Owen Rassman
2021– San Diego Reader | Best Attorney- Estate Planning
Memberships:
- California State Bar;
- Trusts and Estates Section of the California State Bar;
- San Diego Bar Association;
- Taxation Section of the San Diego Bar Association;
- Business and Corporate Law Section of the San Diego Bar Association; and
- North County Bar Association.
Hobbies:
- Surfing
- Spending time with his wife Jody and dog Nugget
- Los Angeles Lakers
Publications:
Hidden Gems: Meet Matt Odgers & Owen Rassman from Opelon LLP | SD Voyager
Opelon LLP’s Owen Rassman Named to Super Lawyers for Third Consecutive Year | USA Today
SDBJ 2023 List of Law Firms | San Diego Business Journal
Published Writing on Opelon.com
Profiles
Experience at a Glance
- Designed revocable living trusts ranging from $100K to $25M+ in assets
- Administered complex trust estates involving multiple beneficiaries,
- California Prop 19 property tax rules, and business interests
- Petitioned successfully under Probate Code §850 (Heggstad petitions)
- Probated estates including real property, retirement accounts,
and closely-held business interests - Advised California executors and trustees on fiduciary duty,
accountings, and beneficiary communications
FAQ's about Owen Rassman
What types of estate planning does Owen specialize in?
Owen focuses on California revocable living trusts, probate administration, and trust administration for
San Diego County families.
How long has Owen been practicing estate law?
21 years, admitted to the California State Bar in 2005.
What makes Owen different from larger firms?
Owen built Opelon as a boutique firm on purpose. You work directly with him, not a rotating team of associates or paralegals handling the substance of your plan. Clients get a partner-level attorney from the first call through signing and funding. That hands-on approach is hard to find at larger firms in San Diego County.
Is the initial consultation free?
Yes. Owen offers a complimentary 15 minute initial consultation at the firm’s Carlsbad office or by phone or video. You can ask questions about your situation, learn how Owen approaches estate planning or trust administration, and decide whether Opelon is the right fit before committing.
Does Owen handle probate litigation?
No. Opelon focuses on non-contested probate, trust administration, and estate planning. Owen does not take on will contests, trust disputes, or adversarial beneficiary matters. If your situation involves litigation, Owen is glad to point you toward experienced California probate litigators who handle that work.
What kind of estates does Owen typically work with?
Owen works with California families across a wide range of situations. That includes first-time planners with young children, blended families, homeowners concerned about Prop 19, small business owners, and surviving spouses settling a trust. If you own real estate in California, there is usually a reason to talk with an attorney.
How does Owen charge for estate planning?
Owen uses flat-fee pricing for most estate planning work, so you know the cost before any work begins. Probate and trust administration matters follow California statutory fee schedules or hourly rates, depending on the service. Owen walks through pricing during the initial consultation, with no surprise invoices later.
What are Owen's credentials and recognitions?
Owen is the managing partner at Opelon LLP and has been practicing California law since 2005 (Bar No. 236974). He holds a J.D. and M.B.A. from Pepperdine, an LL.M. in Taxation from the University of San Diego, and a B.A. in English from UCLA. Owen has been named to San Diego Super Lawyers from 2023 through 2025 and recognized on the San Diego Business Journal’s Top 100 Leaders in Law list.