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Tracey DeMartini
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Tracey DeMartini
Law Offices of DeMartini & Lodge
2425 Porter Street
Suite 15
Soquel, CA 95073
Phone: (831) 425-3381 | Fax: (831) 425-3382
Personable & Affordable Estate Planning-South Bay Area
Legal Topic
Wills, Trusts & Estates
Preferred New Clients
I prefer to handle cases involving estate planning, probate, trust administration, and Chapter 7 bankruptcy cases. I also provide mediation services to divorcing couples.
Sub-Categories
Wills, Trusts & Estates
- Nolo Document Review
- Charitable Giving
- Charitable Trusts
- Drafting Trusts
- Drafting Wills
- Estate Administration
- Estate Planning
- Living Trusts
- Living Wills
- Probate
- Asset Protection
- Guardianship
- Power of Attorney
- Special Needs Trust
- Supplemental Needs Trust
- Revocable Trust & Irrevocable Trust
Bar Admissions
CA, Dec 2000
Bar Number: 211787
Other Court Admissions
Federal court.
Association Memberships
California Bar Association, Trusts and Estates Section of the State Bar of California, Santa Cruz County Bar Association, Estate Planning Section of the Santa Cruz County Bar Association, and Women Lawyers of Santa Cruz County.
Continuing Education
I attend a variety of continuing education programs including those focused on estate planning, tax issues, mediation, conflict resolution, bankruptcy and debt relief.
Example Cases
I routinely draft wills, trusts, durable powers of attorney and other estate planning documents for clients.
Education
Degree:
Juris Doctor
School:
Santa Clara University, School of Law
City:
Santa Clara
State:
CA
Year:
2000
Focus and Accomplishments:
Focused on estate planning, international and environmental law. President of Environmental Law Society and founding member of the Governing Board of the National Environmental Law Societies.
Degree:
B.A.
School:
San Jose State University
City:
San Jose
State:
CA
Year:
1997
Honors:
President's Scholar.
Focus and Accomplishments:
Psychology.
Degree:
M.A.
School:
Saybrook Research and Graduate School
City:
San Francisco
State:
CA
Year:
2008
Focus and Accomplishments:
Psychology; Marriage and Family Counseling.
Number of Attorneys
1
State Licensed In
California
Firm Focus and History
I focus primarily on providing clients with estate planning, bankruptcy and divorce mediation services. By utilizing my training as a marriage and family therapist, as well as working closely with a network of other professionals including Certified Public Accountants, Certified Financial Planners, and mediators, I seek to provide my clients with the highest quality services.
Previous Employment Summary
For nearly 15 years I worked as the program director of a non-profit organization dedicated to providing community awareness and educational programs. The programs dealt specifically with the prevention of domestic violence, treatment of alcoholism/drug abuse and women's empowerment.
I worked for the Journal of Wildlife Law and Policy as an editor and writer.
In 2004, I established the Law Offices of DeMartini & Lodge with Aaron Lodge in order to provide the community with viable, affordable legal and mediation services. We encouraged alternative dispute resolution, particularly mediation, as an alternative to litigation. The firm was established to utilize the partners' skills and experience in the areas of law, conflict resolution, mediation and psychology.
I worked as a bereavement counselor at Hospice of Santa Cruz County from 2007 to 2009, providing grief support to children, adolescents and adults.
Activities and Awards
I completed the certificate in human rights at Rene Cassin Institute for Human Rights in Strasbourg, France.
What is your opinion regarding clients educating themselves on legal issues?
I encourage my clients to educate themselves on legal issues and I provide my clients with resources to assist them in their education. I believe that clients need to understand the implications of the laws that impact them, and that clients can make better choices for themselves if they better understand the law. However, I also respect the wishes of clients who do not want to spend the time to educate themselves and would prefer to have an attorney take a more active role as advisor.
Are you willing to review documents prepared by clients?
I frequently review documents prepared by clients. I allow clients to participate in the process as fully as they desire. I am happy to review and discuss documents prepared by clients.
Are you willing to coach clients who want to represent themselves?
I am willing to coach clients who want to represent themselves provided that I have the time to do so, and provided that the client is a good candidate for self-representation.
Why did you decide to be a lawyer?
I became a lawyer because I believed that a law degree would provide me with an avenue to be of service to the community.
What work experience and education helps you be a better lawyer?
My background in psychology has made me a better lawyer. I believe that it is important to establish a meaningful relationship with my clients in order to guide them through the emotional challenges inherent in the legal process. Clients usually seek my services when experiencing extremely difficult circumstances or life transitions, such as the death of a loved one, divorce, bankruptcy or unresolved conflict. My experience and education assist me in providing my clients with the tools necessary for them to move forward through challenging times and to assure their long-term goals are satisfied.
Why did you decide on your primary area of practice?
I chose estate planning as my primary area of practice because I saw the stress, pain and confusion that a family incurs after the death of a loved one when the loved one's affairs are not in order. I believe that my skills as a counselor integrate well with my skills as a lawyer in assisting my client in assuring that their final concerns and wishes are communicated to their families and ultimately implemented.
What do you like best about your career?
What I like best about being an attorney is the experience of putting a client's mind at ease. I am able to assist clients through difficult life transitions and empower them with tools, information, and support, allowing my clients to turn their attention to other areas of their lives.
Tell us about your law firm:
Because I am a solo practioner, I am able to work directly with my clients from the start to the finish of their case. I also have a network of attorneys, mediators, certified public accountants, and financial advisors with whom I collaborate, and I make referrals when appropriate.
What are your strengths and style?
I have a strong ability to establish and maintain relationships with clients, and to put people at ease when discussing personal information. I am comfortable working with clients in a broad spectrum of capacities, ranging from simple guidance to full-service legal representation.
Personal Interests:
My personal interests are travel, animals, and social justice issues. I also enjoy writing mysteries.
Fax
(831) 425-3382
Office Hours
Monday through Friday
8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Evenings and weekends by appointment.
Emergency After Hours
Yes
Fixed-Price Services and Fees
I utilize both flat, fixed-price services and hourly fees. The fees depend upon the type of case and preference of the client.
Hourly Rates
$225 per hour.
WillMaker Document Review:
$125 per hour with a one hour minimum.
Free Initial Consultation?
Yes, I offer a free initial consultation if the client mentions being referred by Nolo.
Typical Retainer
No, I do not have a typical retainer.
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.
