About JM
JM Preston has spent decades in and around the practice of law. He trained in multiple law schools and built a career that moved from study to private practice. Colleagues describe him as steady and pragmatic. He prefers clear language and practical solutions.
Preston’s legal education spans several institutions. He earned a J.D. in 1976 from Utah State University. He later completed study at Thomas Jefferson School of Law in 1979. He also attended Western State University College of Law. Those years form the academic foundation that led him into client work and the daily mechanics of estate planning.
Early in his career he worked on matters typical for young attorneys: drafting documents, advising clients, and appearing in court when needed. Over time his work narrowed toward estate and probate matters. He handled wills, trusts, guardianship petitions, and the administrative tasks that follow when someone dies. The steady volume of routine and complex files shaped his approach. He learned to value precise drafting and thorough client interviews.
Preston joined the State Bar of California in 2012 and remains a member. That affiliation reflects his practice base and regulatory standing. He has practiced under a private office model rather than in a large firm. That setting allowed him to focus on individual clients and family matters rather than high-volume corporate work.
Colleagues and clients say he is careful with details. He prepares estate plans that aim to minimize later disputes and reduce probate complexity. He handles trust formation, beneficiary designations, powers of attorney, advance health care directives, and related estate administration tasks. When probate is necessary, he moves through the required steps and court filings methodically. He also advises clients on how to coordinate estate documents with retirement accounts and life insurance proceeds.
In recent years Preston has concentrated his practice through a small firm, Preston Estate Planning. The office handles intake, prepares core estate documents, and assists personal representatives and trustees during administration. His practice model emphasizes direct client contact and steady follow-through on post-death procedures.
He currently practices at Preston Estate Planning, concentrating on wills, trusts, probate administration, and ancillary estate planning matters.
