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D. Elizabeth Martin
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D. Elizabeth Martin
The Law Office of Spix & Martin
1505 East 17th Street
Suite 230
Santa Ana, CA 92705
Phone: (714) 835-5112 | Fax: (714) 835-8897
http://www.SpixMartin.com
Legal Services for Real People
Legal Topic
Wills, Trusts & Estates
Preferred New Clients
Wills, trusts, estate planning, real estate, housing law, discrimination, and tenant defense.
Sub-Categories
Wills, Trusts & Estates
- Nolo Document Review
- Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transsexual, Transgender (LGBT) Rights
- Charitable Giving
- Charitable Trusts
- Drafting Trusts
- Drafting Wills
- Estate Administration
- Estate Planning
- Living Trusts
- Living Wills
- Probate
- Asset Protection
- Power of Attorney
- Business Succession Planning
- Special Needs Trust
- Supplemental Needs Trust
- Revocable Trust & Irrevocable Trust
Bar Admissions
CA, Dec 1993
Bar Number: 166221
Other Court Admissions
All California State Bars.
Association Memberships
Orange County Women Lawyers Association and Orange County Bar Association.
Continuing Education
I attend continuing education seminars in areas of interest to me. I also conduct continuing education seminars in housing discrimination. I am an adjunct professor at Western State University College of Law.
Example Cases
The current focus of our practice is to provide affordable estate planning services. Estate planning doesn't have to be expensive to be effective. We assist people with small to mid-size estates by preparing cost-effective plans to meet their individual needs and goals. We handle most estate plans by providing fixed fee services so you know what it will cost up front.
FHCOC v. L'Abri was a Reasonable Accommodation case under the state fair housing law. I settled this case for the largest settlement in the nation in a companion dog case. The total settlement was $185,000.
FHCOC v. Plaza, a class action housing discrimination case, resulted in the largest a class wide monetary settlement of familial status discrimination in California.
Education
Degree:
Juris Doctor
School:
Western State University College of Law
City:
Fullerton
State:
CA
Year:
1992
Degree:
Bachelor of Science
School:
University of West Florida
City:
Pensacola
State:
FL
Year:
1984
Focus and Accomplishments:
Accounting and Criminal Justice.
Number of Attorneys
2
State Licensed In
California
Firm Focus and History
Our practice is dedicated to providing quality legal services in the most cost effective manner available. We do this by helping you plan for the future, find the right solution to your problem, comply with regulations and laws, understand your rights and responsibilities, and make informed decisions.
We value personal dignity and responsibility and take pride in our commitment to honesty and integrity. These values drive us to practice law in a responsible manner, always keeping your goals in mind as well as our ethical obligations.
Richard and I started our partnership in 2008. We have worked together on numerous housing and discrimination cases for more than 16 years before forming the partnership.
Previous Employment Summary
I worked in the non-profit sector for 16 years practicing housing discrimination law and landlord/tenant law.
Richard worked in legal aid for a few years and then went into private practice. He has practiced law for more than 25 years.
What is your opinion regarding clients educating themselves on legal issues?
The best clients are those who want to understand the law and how it applies to their situation. Well informed clients make better decisions, have achievable goals, and are happier with the outcome of their cases than those who do not have an understanding of the law.
Are you willing to review documents prepared by clients?
I am always happy to review client prepared documents and provide suggestions for improvement. However, to properly review documents, an attorney needs to have a clear understanding of each client's individual goals and needs. A review without this understanding does not insure that the documents will provide the desired result.
Are you willing to coach clients who want to represent themselves?
This can be a very cost effective way to have the advantages of legal representation without the high cost of a full time attorney. Our firm is experienced in helping clients do as much of the work themselves as they feel comfortable with. We will prepare or review documents for clients who represent themselves from filing a complaint or answer to responding to discovery.
Why did you decide to be a lawyer?
I decided to be an attorney when I was five-years-old and never had any desire to do anything else. I believe that rules and structure provide a sense of security in society when problems occur. Major problems generally arise from the failure to properly abide by the law along with the unequal application of the law.
What work experience and education helps you be a better lawyer?
I have a great deal of compassion and empathy for the way life happens to each of us. I am not from a wealthy family, but education was stressed as the only means to a better life. Many people helped me over the years to complete school and get started as an attorney. I believe in doing what I can to help others achieve their goals. No one becomes successful in life without the help of others.
I have a considerable amount of respect for my clients and do the best I can to provide information so they can set realistic goals and make informed decisions. Knowing that my clients will have to live with the outcome makes it important that they understand the pros and cons of decisions they make.
Why did you decide on your primary area of practice?
I enjoy estate planning because it is not combative. My clients are making end of life decisions because they love their family and want to protect the people close to them from having to make decisions without guidance and clarity.
Providing those you love with the legal documents that outline your own desires eliminates the guilt associated with making tough end of life decisions. We all have a right to live and die with dignity and there is no better way to insure that than by planning for the inevitable.
What do you like best about your career?
I love the flexibility I have to spend time with my family. I enjoy working with people to provide the peace of mind that comes with estate planning. I have a sense of satisfaction by providing a necessary service at a reasonable rate.
Tell us about your law firm:
We have a small practice. My partner, Richard, and I work together on all cases. We limit the number of clients we serve to insure that we can provide the personal service that is frequently lacking in other law firms.
What are your strengths and style?
I believe that making good legal decisions requires knowledge and an unemotional analysis of the pros and cons of the available options. I do not encourage litigation as a first step, but consider it the last and worst option for resolving a legal issue. With proper legal counsel, most disputes can be resolved without the court. This results in faster resolution and outcomes that are better for both parties.
I have extensive mediation experience and believe that it is always a better option than litigation. No case is too complex or too contentious for mediation if the attorneys remain business-like and have the best interest of their clients in mind. The only real winners in litigation are the attorneys who make a lot of money.
My partner is an experienced trial attorney with more than 600 jury trials. If a case cannot be resolved amicably, our firm is ready and able to handle litigation.
Personal Interests:
My partner and I love to travel and have a special interest in Central and South American history and culture. We also enjoy our family and our law practice.
Fax
(714) 835-8897
Office Hours
Monday through Friday
9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Evening and weekend hours by appointment.
Emergency After Hours
No
Foreign Languages
Richard Spix, Esq. is fluent in Spanish.
Fixed-Price Services and Fees
Estate Planning:
Bare Necessities Package: Simple Will, Power of Attorney for Finances, and Advance Healthcare Directive $550*.
Basic Trust Package: Simple Trust, Pour Over Will, Power of Attorney for Finances and Advance Healthcare Directive $1,000*
Tenant Eviction Defense: Prepare an Answer $100*
We will also negotiate fixed fees for brief services if clients wish to represent themselves in court.
*Prices quoted are for basic documents that may not be appropriate for all clients. Fees may be higher or lower depending on the complexity of the issues.
Hourly Rates
Fees vary based on the type of case and whether or not there is an opportunity to collect attorney fees from the other side.
Free Initial Consultation?
The initial telephone consultation is free. If we determine that we need to meet in person, the consultation is generally free until we have enough information to decide if we can meet the client's goals.
Typical Retainer
It varies depending on the case. We try to work with each client to set up a fee/retainer structure that meets both of our needs.
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.
