Jed Hazeltine is the founder and owner of Trusts and Estates Group. With over two decades of litigation and transactional practice experience, Jed focuses his practice on estate and tax planning, probate and trust administration, professional fiduciary services, and trust and estate litigation and appeals.

After nearly a decade of developing his legal skills as an associate in San Francisco-based law firms, Jed decided to begin his boutique practice in his beloved hometown of San Luis Obispo in 2010. He established his law practice to offer creative solutions in trust and estate law with a commitment to providing individualized, personal guidance to every client. He practiced as Central Coast Estate Planning & Fiduciary Services until 2025, when he renamed the firm Trusts and Estates Group to reflect his specialized boutique legal services.

Jed’s experience and credentials set him apart in the area of trust and estate law. After graduating from Pepperdine University, Jed was one of only 16 fellows selected from thousands of applicants around the country to serve in the highly prestigious California State University Executive Fellowship Program. For two semesters during law school, Jed was selected as a law clerk by Associate Justice Ming W. Chin of the California Supreme Court (ret.). Being selected is a highly competitive process, as only a few law students are selected each year to work in the California Supreme Court. Even fewer are asked to stay on for a second semester, as Jed was with Justice Chin. After working in the chambers of Justice Chin, Jed was selected as a law clerk in the U.S. Attorney’s Office in San Jose, California.

In addition to his law degree, Jed earned his Master of Laws (LL.M.) in Taxation, which enables him to take into account the ever-present implications of federal and state tax laws concerning his practice areas. While earning his LL.M. degree, Jed worked in the chambers of Marshall I. Whitley, Chief Probate Judge (ret.) of the Alameda County Superior Court.

In 2015, Jed became a Certified Specialist in Estate Planning, Trust and Probate Law by The State Bar of California. Jed is the only experienced and practicing attorney on the Central Coast who offers his services as a licensed professional trustee. His in-depth, broad knowledge and skill, coupled with his extensive experience, make him exceptionally competent in providing counsel and guidance to his clients, as well as fulfilling his fiduciary duties as a private trustee. Jed has passed three bar exams and is licensed to practice law in California, Nevada, and Texas.

A caring, personalized approach to addressing the individual needs of each client is a cornerstone of Jed’s practice. Clients appreciate his down-to-earth, genuine, and personable manner. Jed maintains close communication throughout each client matter by keeping the client informed on an ongoing basis and responding promptly to client questions or concerns. The fact that most of his clients come through referrals of previous clients, attorneys, and other professionals demonstrates the success of Jed’s approach to practice.

Outside the office, Jed enjoys spending time with his family. He is also an avid snow skier, having worked as a ski patroller prior to attending law school.

Education
  • Golden Gate University School of Law, San Francisco, California, LL.M. in Taxation, 2006
  • Santa Clara University School of Law, Santa Clara, California, J.D. 1999
  • Pepperdine University, B.A. in Political Science, 1993
  • Certificate in Professional Fiduciary Management for Trustees, California State University Fullerton, 2010
Bar and Court Admissions
  • California, 1999
  • Texas, 2000
  • Nevada, 2005
  • United States Tax Court, 2006
  • United States District Court for the Northern District of California, 1999
  • United States District Court for the Eastern District of California, 2001
Professional Certification
  • Certified Specialist in Estate Planning, Trust and Probate Law by The State Bar of California
  • Licensed California Professional Fiduciary
  • National Certified Guardian (NCG) through the Center for Guardianship Certification (CGC)
Professional Organizations
  • California Lawyers Association
    Trust and Estates Section
    Litigation Section
  • San Luis Obispo County Bar Association
  • Santa Barbara County Bar Association
Community Organizations
  • USA Water Polo
  • Lifetime member California Highway Patrol 11-99 Foundation
  • San Luis Obispo High School Black and Gold Boosters Club
  • Board of Directors YMCA, San Luis Obispo, Former Member
Representative Cases

The total results of Jed Hazeltine’s litigated matters have resulted in millions of court awards and settlements for his clients. The following matters are a representative sample of the types of cases litigated by Jed Hazeltine. The list is not all-inclusive.

  • Obtained summary removal of successor trustee based on allegations of misuse of trust property and immediate appointment of client as successor trustee. In re the Matter of the Dungan Family Trust, San Luis Obispo County Superior Court, Case No. PR110309.
  • Obtained summary suspension of successor trustee and appointment of temporary trustee based on allegations of misuse of trust property and failure to follow terms of the trust. The matter ultimately resulted in a favorable settlement for elderly client-beneficiary. In re the Matter of the Trupp Family Revocable Trust, Los Angeles County Superior Court, Case No. YP010841.
  • Successfully represented successor trustee in accounting and removal action and on appeal to the California Supreme Court concerning the enforceability of an arbitration provision in a trust. The case reignited the nationwide debate about whether a mandatory arbitration provision is enforceable as part of a trust proceeding. The case was returned to the Court of Appeal, and the parties reached a settlement. Diaz v. Bukey (2011) 195 Cal.App.4th 315, review granted and opinion superseded and depublished at 148 Cal.Rptr.3d 495.
  • Successfully obtained removal of health care agent under durable power of attorney. In re Durable Power of Attorney of Donald D. Haney II, San Luis Obispo County Superior Court, Case No. PR110127.
  • Obtained surcharge orders against beneficiaries totaling in excess of $575,000 for filing frivolous legal claims and use of trust property without authorization. In re the Matter of the Carl H. Goedinghaus Trust, San Luis Obispo Superior Court, Case No. 12PR-0281.
  • Obtained judgment awarding ownership of $400,000 insurance annuity to trustee instead of the settlor’s former spouse. In re the Matter of the James D. Albera Living Trust, San Luis Obispo County Superior Court, Case No. 21PR-0117.
  • Obtained $250,000 judgment against disbarred attorney-trustee for misappropriation of trust assets. In re the Matter of the Sorenson Living Trust, San Luis Obispo County Superior Court, Case No. PR110309.
  • Jointly obtained a seven-figure settlement on behalf of sub-trusts in purported breach of contract action. Teece v. Davies et al., San Luis Obispo County Superior Court, Case No. 14CV-0161.
  • Obtained judgment dismissing entire action against out-of-state successor trustee on ground of lack of personal jurisdiction. In re the Matter of the Robert W. Haynes Trust, San Luis Obispo County Superior Court, Case No. 19PR-0152.
  • Obtained substantial settlement on behalf of out-of-state beneficiary in trust proceeding, where sibling-trustee misappropriated and exhausted trust assets. In re the Matter of the Bagnard Family Trust, San Luis Obispo County Superior Court, Case No. 18PR-0400.
  • Successfully intervened in a probate matter on behalf of out-of-state children of decedent to prevent longtime girlfriend of decedent from inheriting majority of father’s estate. In re the Matter of the Estate of Charles T. Williams, San Luis Obispo County Superior Court, Case No. 20PR-0087.
  • Successfully defended hand-written amendments to trust resulting in distribution of settlor’s Cambria home to trustee-beneficiary. In re the Matter of the 2002 Jacklyn M. Matthews Revocable Trust, San Luis Obispo County Superior Court, Case No. 16PR-0266.