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James F. Miller
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James F. Miller
Law Offices of James F. Miller, P.C.
1275 East Green Street
Pasadena, CA 91106-2616
Phone: (626) 792-2910 | Fax: (626) 792-7755
http://www.jfmillerlaw.com/
Certified Specialist: Estate Planning, Trust & Probate
Legal Topic
Wills, Trusts & Estates
Preferred New Clients
We work with a variety of clients: single individuals, married couples and domestic partners for Estate Planning, Trust Administration and Probates of estates. We also handle Business Law and Real Estate Law.
Sub-Categories
Taxes
- Estate Taxes & Gift Taxes
- Power of Attorney
- Charitable Giving
- Charitable Trusts
- Drafting Trusts
- Drafting Wills
- Estate Administration
- Estate Planning
- Living Trusts
- Living Wills
- Probate
Bar Admissions
CA, Dec 1975
Bar Number: 66867
Specialty Certifications
Certified Specialist in Estate Planning, Trust and Probate Law.
Other Court Admissions
Supreme Court of California, US Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit
Association Memberships
State Bar of California.
Continuing Education
I attend classes/seminars of the State Bar of California, concerning estate planning, probate, trust administration and elder law.
Example Cases
Establishing and maintaining estate plans for married couples with children, single individuals and domestic partners.
Estate Planning and multimillion-dollar real estate transactions for a widow, and multimillion-dollar trust contest.
Education
Degree:
J.D.
School:
Southwestern University School of Law
City:
Los Angeles
State:
CA
Year:
1975
Degree:
B.A.
School:
USC
City:
Los Angeles
State:
CA
Year:
1971
Focus and Accomplishments:
Political Science.
Number of Attorneys
4
State Licensed In
California.
Firm Focus and History
The firm's focus is Estate Planning, Trust Administration, Probate and Corporate Law. We also do Pre-Nuptial and Post-Nuptial Agreements, Real Estate Law: Leases, Purchase and Sale Contracts, & Escrow Contracts. In addition, we will be happy to provide a referral to another attorney if a client has needs in an area that we do not handle.
The firm was established in 1985 in Pasadena, California, handling estate planning, trust administration and small business matters. I am a Certified Specialist in Estate Planning, Trust and Probate Law and the managing partner of the firm.
Previous Employment Summary
I worked at the law firm of Cook and Linden in Hollywood, California for ten years before starting my own firm in 1985, handling estate planning, trust administration and small business matters.
Activities and Awards
Taught undergraduate courses in business law, real estate law, business and property law and advanced real estate law in the Graduate School of Business Administration at USC, Department of Finance and Business Economics for 22 years from 1979 - 2002.
Former lecturer for California Continuing Legal Education of the Bar on real property-commercial leasing.
Current lecturer for adult education at Glendale Community College, Glendale, CA; Course Title - Death and Taxes: How to Eliminate at Least One.
What is your opinion regarding clients educating themselves on legal issues?
It is a good idea for clients to learn as much as possible on the issues affecting them.
Are you willing to review documents prepared by clients?
I do not review client-prepared documents as a rule. I will review documents prepared by other attorneys and give recommendations if changes need to be made.
Are you willing to coach clients who want to represent themselves?
I do not coach clients who want to represent themselves.
Why did you decide to be a lawyer?
I had great admiration for lawyers growing up… being able to solve problems for people always interested me.
What work experience and education helps you be a better lawyer?
1) Teaching 22 years at the college level while practicing law allowed me to hone my communications skills.
2) In the early years I was involved in a wide variety of legal matters including Family Law and General Litigation, which provided insights and helped me to analyze situations to avoid litigation.
3) Losing both parents gave me a lot of empathy for my own clients who suffer losses and are grieving.
Why did you decide on your primary area of practice?
It allows me to give advice before there's a problem rather than after, which is much more satisfying.
What do you like best about your career?
The opportunity to deal with so many interesting and different people.
Tell us about your law firm:
Karen M. Brown has practiced law for more than ten years in the areas of estate planning, trust administration and litigation, and probate law. Karen received her JD from USC.
Clifford S. Bordeaux practices primarily in the areas of business transactions, including contract negotiation, entity formation and corporate maintenance, employment and intellectual property matters. Cliff received his JD from UCLA.
Vanessa M. Ritter is the newest member of the firm. She practices primarily in the areas of estate planning, trust administration and business transactions. Vanessa received her JD from Loyola Law School.
In addition to the attorneys, we have a friendly and efficient support staff.
What are your strengths and style?
I am a good communicator with an ability to make people understand and feel comfortable about their estate planning work. I have a hands-on, personal style.
Personal Interests:
Hiking, Running, Cycling and Travel -- most recently to Nepal and Cambodia.
Office Manager/Assistant
Jo Ann Davis
Fax
(626) 792-7755
Office Hours
Monday through Friday
8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Emergency After Hours
No
Foreign Languages
Spanish.
Fixed-Price Services and Fees
Most Estate Planning services are quoted in advance for a fixed fee; other services are offered on an hourly rate with a quote beforehand.
Hourly Rates
$350.
Free Initial Consultation?
We offer a one-hour free initial consultation for estate planning.
Typical Retainer
A typical retainer is one-half of the fixed fees.
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 applicable bar associations upon joining the directory.
Directory lawyers are required to notify Nolo immediately if they become the subject of any disciplinary action by any bar association.
