Paula S. Hall
The Law Offices of James F. DeMartini
115 West First Street
Cloverdale, CA 95425
Map
Phone: (707) 894-5000 | Fax: (707) 894-3127
http:///www.cloverdalelaw.com
Personal Attention; Estate Planning/Administration
Legal Topic
Estate Planning
Preferred New Clients
I welcome clients in all stages of planning to tailor their estate plans to meet their needs, goals and values, as well as anticipate potential problems that can lead to disputes. I assist grieving families navigate the maze of legal issues following a death and avoid disputes.
Sub-Topics
Probate & Estate Administration
Bar Admissions
CA, Jun 1998
Bar Number: 196134
Other Court Admissions
All California Courts.
Association Memberships
California State Bar, Sonoma County Bar Association, Collaborative Council of the Redwood Empire (CCRE) and International Academy of Collaborative Practitioners (IACP).
Continuing Education
I attend continuing legal education seminars on Estate Planning, Probate/Trust Administration, Family Law, Collaborative Law, Mediation and stay current by reading.
Papers and Publications
"Beware of Mass Marketed Trusts," Cloverdale Reveille.
"Why Do I Need an Estate Plan?" Cloverdale Reveille.
Example Cases
I help clients and families navigate the maze of legal issues to plan their estates. I tailor their documents to their specific needs and family values. I make certain that the documents are drafted clearly to avoid potential conflict. I have assisted families with a disabled member to protect assets with a Special Needs trust. Following a death, I strive to provide families with achieve a smooth administration of the estate, including the tax issues.
Education
McGeorge School of Law, University of the Pacific
J.D.
Sacramento
CA
1997
Dean's List and Traynor Honor Society.
Taxation.
University of California, Davis
M.A.
Davis
CA
1990
Dean's List.
German.
University of California, Davis
B.A.
Davis
CA
1989
Dean's List.
German/Medieval Studies.
Number of Attorneys
2
State Licensed In
California.
Firm Focus and History
I joined the Law Offices of James F. DeMartini in 2001. Our firm blends heavy civil litigation, with transactional services in business and estate planning, and includes estate administration and probate, as well as collaborative family law. Jim DeMartini has been an attorney since 1977.
My practice focuses on estate planning and administration, and probate, as well as collaborative family law and business law.
Previous Employment Summary
Before becoming an attorney, I worked as a legal assistant in Davis, California, for an attorney who specialized in estate planning and administration. As an attorney, I worked in San Francisco for the estate planning firm of Bancroft & McAllister. When the commute became too much, I joined the Law Office of Kim Marois as an associate in estate planning and administration.
Activities and Awards
I do Pro Bono work for Legal Aid. I am actively involved in the Collaborative Council for the Redwood Empire (CCRE).
What is your opinion regarding clients educating themselves on legal issues?
I encourage clients to educate themselves on legal issues. The information assists them in making educated decisions.
Are you willing to review documents prepared by clients?
I am willing to review documents prepared by clients and assist them in making certain the documents meet their goals and needs.
Are you willing to coach clients who want to represent themselves?
There may be situations where I could coach a particular client in self-representation. However, I prefer to help clients avoid litigation by working collaboratively with each other.
Why did you decide to be a lawyer?
I worked as a legal assistant during college. I witnessed the satisfaction the attorneys got from assisting their clients in planning and administering their estates. Consequently, I decided to become a lawyer myself to help people get through intricate legal issues smoothly during emotional times. I enjoy problem solving.
What work experience and education helps you be a better lawyer?
I try to be approachable and make my clients feel comfortable meeting with an attorney. For many, it is their first time. I try to avoid conflict. I feel that this characteristic helps me recognize and avoid potentially volatile situations for my clients. I enjoy the challenge of working out solutions that will help the family. As a mother of three children, I understand the importance of family. Family relationships are a priority. I work to plan and administer estates smoothly to protect the family relationships, as well as preserve the assets, for all members, including disabled family members. My experience as a family law attorney gives me a deeper understanding of how such family relationships can disintegrate and how to preserve them.
Why did you decide on your primary area of practice?
As a legal assistant in an estate planning and probate firm, I witnessed the clients' happiness and sense of accomplishment in completing their estate plans. I also experienced their relief in a smooth probate or trust administration. Consequently, I wanted to help clients' achieve that same satisfaction in my own practice. I enjoy helping individuals and families plan for their futures, providing them with security and peace of mind.
What do you like best about your career?
Estate administration is a difficult period for most people. I welcome the challenge of helping my clients get through it as painlessly as possible. I enjoy working closely with my clients to tailor their estate plans to preserve their assets for their family and support their family values.
Tell us about your law firm:
I am a solo practitioner. I personally attend to my clients, with the support of my staff.
What are your strengths and style?
I feel that I am approachable and at the same time knowledgeable and professional. I try to inform my clients regarding the law and help them understand it, so that they can make the best decisions possible. I try to anticipate potential problems and solve them before they become conflicts. I feel it is important for my clients to understand their estate plans. I try to make it easy for them.
Personal Interests:
I am actively involved in the lives of my three children. However, I could not do what I do without the support of my husband.
Office Manager/Assistant
Elaine Reese is the office manager. Tina Graska is the legal assistant.
Fax
(707) 894-3127
Office Hours
Monday through Friday
8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Emergency After Hours
Yes
Foreign Languages
German.
Additional Offices
Windsor
Windsor, CA
(707) 838-0124
Fixed-Price Services and Fees
I generally charge a flat fee of $500 to $1,000 for a Will package, which includes Wills, Powers of Attorney and Advance Health Care Directives. For married clients who need a revocable trust, I usually charge $2,000 for a complete estate planning package, including trust funding. I generally charge $1,750 for a single person's estate plan. However, these fees may fluctuate depending upon the complexity of an estate plan. I generally charge by the hour for trust amendments and restatements. The price for the estate plan is customarily set at the first meeting.
Hourly Rates
$225.
Free Initial Consultation?
Yes, I offer a 1/2 hour free consultation.
Typical Retainer
I do not have a typical retainer. The amount of the retainer is determined by the complexity of the representation.
Nolo's Licensing Check
Attorneys have passed a licensing check. Nolo has confirmed that every member attorney has a valid license and is in good standing with the state agency that licenses lawyers upon joining the directory.
Directory lawyers are required to notify Nolo immediately if they become the subject of any disciplinary action by any state licensing agency.
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