Santa Barbara Estate Planning Lawyer

We are proud to be a woman-owned law firm rooted in Santa Barbara, serving clients across California with a blend of compassion, precision, and practical business sense.

Estate Planning: Protecting Families, Preserving Legacies

Estate planning is one of the most important investments you can make for yourself and your loved ones. Far from being reserved for the wealthy, it is a process that ensures your wishes are honored, your assets are protected, and your family is spared unnecessary stress.

We provide estate planning services designed to simplify complex issues while addressing your family’s unique needs. Our estate plans typically include:

• Revocable Living Trusts – To avoid probate, keep affairs private, and provide for efficient asset transfer.
• Wills – To ensure guardianship of minor children and distribution of assets not included in the trust.
• Advance Health Care Directives & HIPAA Authorizations – To empower trusted individuals to make health care decisions if you cannot.
• Durable Powers of Attorney – To manage financial and legal matters in the event of incapacity.
• Special Needs Trusts – To protect benefits for children or dependents with special needs while securing additional support.
• Charitable Planning Tools – To honor your values and support the causes most important to you.

Our role goes beyond drafting documents. We help clients:

• Coordinate beneficiary designations across retirement accounts and insurance policies.
• Understand property tax implications under Proposition 19 and protect family real estate.
• Plan for blended families, second marriages, or complex family dynamics.
• Provide ongoing trust administration support so that plans actually work when they are needed most.

By crafting thoughtful, forward-looking estate plans, we aim to provide clarity today and security for generations to come.

Business Law: Building Strong Foundations for Growth

As an entrepreneur and business owner myself, I understand that starting and running a company is both exciting and overwhelming. Beyond the vision and hard work, success requires a legal foundation that can withstand challenges and adapt as your business evolves.

We partner with entrepreneurs, start-ups, and established businesses throughout Santa Barbara and California to create proactive strategies that minimize risk and maximize opportunity.

Our business law services include:

• Entity Formation – LLCs, corporations, partnerships, and nonprofits, tailored to your business goals and tax considerations.
• Corporate Governance – Bylaws, shareholder agreements, and compliance with California business regulations.
• Contracts – Drafting, reviewing, and negotiating agreements with customers, vendors, employees, and investors.
• Buy/Sell and Succession Planning – Guiding transitions, whether it’s taking on new investors or preparing to hand down a family business.

What sets us apart is our practical, entrepreneur-to-entrepreneur perspective. We understand the realities of running a business—budget constraints, time pressures, and the constant need to adapt. That’s why we offer flat-fee packages for common start-up services, provide direct attorney access, and focus on solutions that are clear, efficient, and aligned with your long-term goals.

A Personal, Hands-On Approach

At many firms, clients feel like just another file on a desk. At Karine Wegrzynowicz Esq PC, we see every engagement as a partnership. We listen first, then design legal strategies that reflect your goals and values.

Our clients often describe us as approachable, clear, and deeply invested in their success. We pride ourselves on providing:

• Personalized guidance – Every plan is tailored, never boilerplate.
• Predictable pricing – Flat-fee options for many services, so there are no surprises.
• Proactive risk management – Identifying issues before they become problems.
• Local expertise – Knowledge of Santa Barbara’s unique business and family landscape, paired with connections across California.

About Karine Wegrzynowicz

Karine Wegrzynowicz is the founder and principal attorney of Karine Wegrzynowicz Esq PC, a boutique woman-owned firm specializing in estate planning and business law. With a background that includes corporate compliance and finance, international travel to more than 70 countries, and launching her own practice, Karine brings a unique global perspective to local challenges.

Her passion is helping families and entrepreneurs feel secure and empowered. She is an active member of the WealthCounsel network, serves on the Board of Santa Barbara Women Lawyers, and teaches Community Property as an adjunct professor at the Colleges of Law in Santa Barbara.

Karine’s approach is shaped by both her professional expertise and her personal journey as an entrepreneur. She knows first-hand the risks and sacrifices involved in building a business and the peace of mind that comes with planning for the future.

Why Clients Choose Us

• Clarity – We simplify complex legal issues into understandable, actionable steps.
• Security – We focus on protecting your assets, your family, and your business.
• Experience – We blend legal knowledge with real-world business insight.
• Care – We treat every client’s goals as if they were our own.

Your Next Step

Whether you are a parent wanting to safeguard your family’s future or a business owner preparing for growth, the time to plan is now. Legal planning isn’t about reacting to problems—it’s about anticipating them, preventing them, and giving yourself the freedom to focus on what truly matters.

Karine and the team are here to provide the clarity, care, and strategic guidance you deserve. Schedule a consultation today and let’s build the foundation for your family’s legacy and your business’s success.

Business Law

Our firm brings more than legal expertise—we bring lived entrepreneurial experience. As a woman business owner who has launched and launched several businesses, I understand the risks, resilience, and rewards that come with building something of your own. That perspective shapes how we serve entrepreneurs and businesses across Santa Barbara and California.

From entity formation and contracts to compliance, funding, and succession, we provide legal strategies that support every stage of the business lifecycle. We know first-hand the importance of clear, practical guidance that empowers you to make smart decisions and stay focused on growth.

Our flat-fee services keep planning predictable, and our hands-on approach ensures advice that’s tailored to your goals—not a cookie-cutter template.

Rooted in Santa Barbara, with connections across California, we’re proud to help businesses thrive.

Schedule a consultation today and let’s build your business on a strong legal foundation.