Mission Statement

Praesidio Estate Planning provides high-quality, straightforward, and comprehensive estate planning services at an affordable price to San Diego individuals, couples, and families. Founded by an attorney with a background in wealth management, Praesidio focuses not only on drafting legal documents but also on providing legal advice as part of a greater wealth management strategy.

Meet Matt

Matt Belardes, CFA, CFP, Esq.

Credentials and Education:

• Attorney - State Bar of California Lic.#326455

• CFA Institute - Chartered Financial Analyst

• CFP Board - Certified Financial Planner

• University of San Diego School of Law - Juris Doctor

• University of California, Riverside - B.S. in Business Administration

• University of California, Riverside - B.A. in Political Science: Law & Society

Current and Prior Experience:

• Capital Growth, Inc (Employed as Wealth Management Specialist)

• Wells Fargo Advisors

• Credit Suisse Private Bank

• Morgan Stanley Wealth Management

• John Hancock Financial Network

Welcome and thank you for considering us for your estate planning needs.

My path to estate planning began in wealth and investment management. As a wealth management professional, I noticed that the prohibition on non-lawyers from practicing law resulted in financial firm hesitancy to allow advisors to provide anything resembling legal or tax advice, leaving clients under-served when it came to receiving sound estate planning advice.

So, what could I do? I went to law school.

In 2008, I moved to San Diego to attend the evening program at the University of San Diego School of Law and worked during the day for the Private Wealth Management division of Morgan Stanley. After spending some time at Credit Suisse Private Bank and Wells Fargo Advisors, I chose to leave the traditional mega-corporate financial firms for a small independent financial firm, Capital Growth, Inc., where I have the flexibility to make my vision of what I believe clients deserve from a wealth adviser become a reality.

Augmenting my experience and education through the achievement of the Chartered Financial Analyst and Certified Financial Planner designations, I am committed to providing clients with the highest levels of ethical and professional standards they should expect of those from whom they seek legal, financial, and investment advice.

I look forward to working with you.

Sincerely,

Matt Belardes, CFA, CFP, Esq.