Biography

Biography

Hello, I'm Matthew Stall, an attorney serving clients throughout California. For more than twenty years, I represented individuals in challenging disputes with their insurance companies before shifting my focus exclusively to estate planning and probate. 

My decision to make that shift was a personal one. From 2018 to 2023, my family and I experienced the problematic consequences of an incomplete estate plan. I witnessed firsthand how a lack of preparation can lead to unnecessary stress, expense, and emotional strain. What followed was a complicated, years-long legal process—one that could have been entirely avoided with proper planning.

That experience deepened my commitment to helping others protect what matters most to them. I understand how overwhelming these decisions can be, which is why I provide not only thorough legal guidance but also a straightforward and compassionate approach. My goal is to help you create a plan that gives you peace of mind, through a straightforward, simplified process designed to make every step easy to understand and complete.

Successfully Reversed Rescission of Insurance Policy at the California Court of Appeal

Duarte v. Pacific Specialty Insurance Co., 13 Cal.App.5th 45 (2017)

Represented the plaintiff in this published decision by the California Court of Appeals. The case involved an insurer's attempt to rescind a landlord insurance policy based on alleged misstatements in the application. The Court of Appeal reversed the trial court's summary judgment in favor of the insurer, holding that the application questions were "utterly ambiguous" and that the plaintiff's responses were reasonable. The ruling clarified how ambiguous insurance applications are interpreted under California law and reinforced important protections for policyholders. 

https://law.justia.com/cases/california/court-of-appeal/2017/a143828.html

Secured Full Rebuilding and Compensation in Insurance Disputes Involving Underserved Communities

In two separate cases, insurance companies denied valid property damage claims in low-income neighborhoods, assuming the policyholders lacked the means to challenge them. I successfully compelled the insurers to rebuild the damaged homes fully and obtained additional compensation for my clients. These outcomes reflect my commitment to holding insurers accountable and ensuring that all policyholders—regardless of income or location—receive fair and lawful treatment.

• McGeorge School of Law, Juris Doctor, 2001
   
• University of California, Santa Barbara, B.A. in Psychology, 1997
   

• Admitted to the State Bar of California, 2001
   

• Member, WealthCounsel
   

Whether you're creating your first estate plan or redoing an existing one, I'm here to guide you through the process with clarity and care. I work with individuals and families across California to create wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and other essential estate planning documents tailored to their unique needs. If you want peace of mind knowing your affairs are in order and your loved ones are protected, I invite you to reach out for a consultation.