Wills, Trusts & Estates

I enjoy meeting clients in all areas of the spectrum of estate planning and administration. I am happy to meet with clients to discuss wills and trusts and options for planning.
I am happy to assist the surviving spouses, executors and trustees in their understanding of the estate or trust administration process. Often I meet with the adult children of a deceased parent to assist them in the administration and understanding of the trust or estate administration process.

• Estate Taxes & Gift Taxes
• Power of Attorney
• Property Taxes
• Tax Planning

• Drafting Trusts
• Drafting Wills
• Estate Administration
• Estate Planning
• Living Trusts
• Probate

CA, Jun 1997
Bar Number: 188000

All California courts

Ventura County Bar Association, American Bar Association

In 2005, I completed Level 1 of Mediation Skills Training from the Conflict Management Institute in Santa Barbara, California. This training focused on collaborative negotiation, transformative mediation, and conflict resolution skills.

I attend the estate planning section classes sponsored by the Ventura County Bar Association and the CPA/Lawyers Society of Ventura County. I enjoy the estate planning recent developments sponsored annually by the Continuing Education of the Bar. My continuing education credits are always current.

Estate Planning: A couple hears about "living trusts" from their neighbor and they want to know what that is and if they need one. I will educate them on the effects of title on how their assets will be distributed on their death. I will explain to them the probate process and compare it to the trust process. I will explain the effect of advanced health care directives and durable powers of attorney.

Probate: A son calls me and tells me that his mother passed away and what does he do with her house. I meet with the son and explain the process of administering the estate. I explain the time-lines and the legal requirements.

Probate Sales: Son wants to sell his deceased mother's house. I refer to him several real estate agents who are familiar with probate sales to assist him. I explain to him the advantages and disadvantages of court-confirmed sales. I explain how the civil code section on disclosures affects his sale. I tell him about Proposition 58 which established property tax relief for transfers from parents to children.

Advanced Health Care Directives: "My wife is going in for surgery tomorrow. She told me that if something goes wrong and she slips into a coma that she does not want heroic measures used to keep her alive." I meet with the couple and give them Advanced Health Care Directives. I explain what they mean and how they are used. I help them fill them out and provide extra copies for their families and doctors.

Trusts: A widow wants to make some changes to her trust. I review the trust and advise her on the types of amendments that she can make.

Small Estates: Daughter's father has passed away and she wants to close his account at the local bank. I tell her that as long as his estate is under $100,000 that she can have the funds distributed to the beneficiaries as long as forty days have passed and she has a certified copy of his death certificate. I work with the client and the bank to have the money distributed.

Trust Mills: A couple comes to me with a huge notebook and a "fill in the blank" type trust that they bought at a seminar in the Valley. I help them understand what it says and means and make sure that it meets their needs and has been adequately funded.

Updates and Reviews: Congress is constantly tinkering with the tax laws. It has been a few years since their trust was drafted and the couple wants to make sure that their trust still meets their planning needs. I review the documents and advise.

2

California

My firm was established by Arthur W. Taylor (UC Berkeley roommate of U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice Earl Warren) who passed the bar in 1931 and was a small town general practitioner until his death in 1981. Mr. Taylor's practice was primarily probate, but occasionally he would help in a landlord dispute or a breach of contract. Sometimes his payments for services were a flat of strawberries or a box of oranges. In 1978, John Scoles joined the firm and worked with Art until Art's death in 1981. I met John in 1988 when he hired me as part-time office assistant.

We currently have 2 attorneys, one office manager, one assistant and one black lab named Geena. Our practice areas include real estate, business law, and all aspects of estate planning and administration.

I've worked in my present office since 1988. My duties have included receptionist, office manager, payroll, human resources, and legal research.

Director of Santa Clara Valley Legal Aid (2000- present)

Recipient of the 2001 President's Pro Bono Service Award from the State Bar of California for Distinguished Pro Bono Service

2001 and 2003 Volunteer Lawyers Services Program award recipient

Probate Bar superior court volunteer assisting propria persona appearances

Katie Prentice

(805)-524-5094

Weekdays 8:30 - 5:50, weekends by appointment. I understand we all have busy lives and balance work, children and families. I will work with your schedule when possible. I check my voice mail on the weekends and am happy to return calls.

Yes

Generally a flat fee for estate planning, depending on complexity of case.

$200

I will meet with potential estate planning clients to determine their needs and wants. There is generally no charge for our initial meeting and other cases would be decided on a case by case determination.

No