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James P. Hurlbutt
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James P. Hurlbutt
Law Office of James P. Hurlbutt
134 N. Akers St.
Visalia, CA 93921
Phone: (559) 738-9646 | Fax: (559) 738-9645
http://www.hurlbuttlaw.com
25 Years Experience in Tulare County
Legal Topic
Wills, Trusts & Estates
Preferred New Clients
I prefer to work with:
Decedents Estates
Estate Planning for the Elderly
Medi-Cal Planning
Estate Planning for the Disabled
Family Trusts
Trust Administration
Estate Litigation
Powers of Attorney
Wills
Contested Wills
Conservatorship
Advance Directives
Business Transactions
Business Litigation
Business Formation
Partnership Formation
Commercial Litigation
Corporate Law
Real Estate
Quiet Title
Sub-Categories
Estate Planning
- Drafting Trusts
- Drafting Wills
- Estate Administration
- Estate Planning
- Living Trusts
- Living Wills
- Probate
- Asset Protection
- Guardianship
- Power of Attorney
- Business Succession Planning
- Special Needs Trust
- Revocable Trust & Irrevocable Trust
Bar Admissions
CA, Dec 1980
Bar Number: 93988
Other Court Admissions
California and U.S. District Court, Central District of California; 1982, U.S. District Court, Eastern and Northern Districts of California; 1988, U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit
Association Memberships
Tulare County Bar Association; State Bar of California
Continuing Education
I stay current with all the MCLE courses on estate planning, taxes related to estate planning and elder law.
Example Cases
We specialize in: Estate Planning,
Wills, Trusts & Probate, Medi-Cal Planning for long-term care, Business Transactions and Business Entity Formation, and Business Litigation.
Education
Degree:
J.D.
School:
University of California at Berkeley School of Law (Boalt Hall)
City:
Berkeley
State:
CA
Year:
1980
Focus and Accomplishments:
Member, Moot Court Board
Degree:
B.A.
School:
Santa Clara University
City:
Santa Clara
State:
CA
Year:
1977
Focus and Accomplishments:
Major: History
Minor: Spanish
Number of Attorneys
1
State Licensed In
California
Firm Focus and History
We are an Estate Planning and General Business Practice law firm located in California's agriculturally rich Central Valley. The goal of our firm is to offer friendly, unintimidating legal services in a professional environment.
We serve English and Spanish-speaking clients from Tulare, Kings, Fresno, and Kern Counties and beyond, including clients from Visalia, Tulare, Hanford, Exeter, Porterville, Dinuba, Kingsburg and Delano.
Attorney James P. Hurlbutt practiced at two of Visalia's most well-established law firms before opening his solo practice on July 1, 2004. Our well-trained staff, which includes certificated paralegals, works as a team to provide each client with timely, cost-conscious legal work.
We strive to listen carefully to the concerns and desires of each client, then we take time to carefully explain the legal process, options, and documents specific to the situation. In addition, off-site appointments are available for clients who may have difficulty traveling to our office.
We are sensitive to the fact that attorney time is expensive. In order to keep legal fees reasonable for our clients, we utilize certificated paralegals who are trained to manage many aspects of our cases, thereby reducing attorney time and lowering the hourly rate clients are charged. In addition, we offer various payment options, including acceptance of Visa and Mastercard.
Previous Employment Summary
2001 - 2004: McCormick Kabot Jenner & Hurlbutt
1981 - 2001: Hurlbutt Clevenger Long Vortmann Rauber & Nelson
Activities and Awards
Mr. Hurlbutt currently serves on the Tulare County Bar Association Fees Arbitration Committee and as Chairman of the Lawyers Referral Service Board of Directors. He is a community leader, having served on boards of many community organizations and as president of Kaweah Dalta Hospital Foundation, the Visalia Rotary Club, and the Visalia Chamber of Commerce. He currently serves on the Tulare County Library Foundation Board.
What is your opinion regarding clients educating themselves on legal issues?
I explain everything in laymens terms and make sure the client understands the legal process or document they are signing.
Are you willing to review documents prepared by clients?
Yes.
Are you willing to coach clients who want to represent themselves?
I will not coach clients who want to represent themselves in court.
Why did you decide to be a lawyer?
I enjoyed talking about the law with my father, and I followed in his footsteps. I was always on the debate team and enjoyed public speaking.
What work experience and education helps you be a better lawyer?
I attend seminars for the California Advocates for Nursing Home Reform to keep up on the elder law issues and Medi-Cal planning.
Why did you decide on your primary area of practice?
I was a litigator for 17 years, and then changed my focus to Estate Planning in 1998 to 1999. Over the years I have developed my knowledge in additional specialty areas of Medi-Cal Planning and Estate Planning for the Elderly.
What do you like best about your career?
I enjoy helping people, particularly elderly folks.
Tell us about your law firm:
Kimberly Elliot: Paralegal Kimberly Elliott received her certificate in Paralegalism from College of the Sequoias in May 2008, along with certificates for Law Office Clerk/Receptionist and Legal Documents Clerk. Prior to that, Kimberly completed a two-semester internship with our office, becoming acquainted with our clients and gaining experience in the areas of Probate, Trust Administration and Conservatorships. Since completing her Paralegal studies, Kimberly continues enhancing her legal knowledge and skills by attending state-mandated continuing education for Paralegals. Born and raised in Enumclaw, Washington, near Seattle, Kimberly has lived in Visalia since 1998, with short stints in Orlando, Florida, and Coronado Island in San Diego. She enjoys do-it-yourself home projects, and camping and hiking with her husband, Justin, and son, Hunter.
Stefane Kennemer: Legal Secretary Stefane Kennemer has more than a decade of legal office experience in Tulare and Kings Counties. With the perfect combination of warmth and professionalism, Stefane greets clients, answers our busy phones, maintains the office calendar, and works closely with Attorney Hurlbutt to prepare and finalize legal documents for clients. Stefane has lived in Visalia all her life, except during the years she earned her Associate of Arts degree from Mesa Community College in Phoenix, Arizona. Outside the office, Stefane and her husband, Brian, own and operate a window tinting business in Visalia. When she's not working, Stefane enjoys spending time with her three children, Whitney, Sky and Kenneth.
Karen Hurlbutt: Office Manager Karen Hurlbutt has 11 years of legal experience, first as a paralegal, then an office manager. Karen has a Bachelors Degree in Journalism/Public Relations from California State University, Fresno and a Paralegal Certificate from the American Bar Association-approved Paralegal Program at College of the Sequoias in Visalia, CA. Before setting up this solo practice office for her husband, she worked as a legal research assistant at the Tulare County Law Library, then as an independent paralegal for several local attorneys. Now, Karen handles all aspects of managing the law office, including client billing, payroll, administration and maintenance of our computer network, and office supply procurement.
Jalissa Espinoza: Office Assistant Jalissa Espinoza joined our staff in 2008 through the work experience program at El Diamante High School. She keeps our files organized and up to date and makes daily trips to the courthouse to file and record legal documents on behalf of clients. Jalissa's two years of participation in her high school's videotaped news program sparked her interest in photo journalism and film editing. Jalissa plans to continue her education at College of the Sequoias before transferring to a 4-year college.
What are your strengths and style?
I am empathetic and diplomatic with people.
I am friendly and approachable.
Personal Interests:
I enjoy reading, history, travel and skiing.
Office Manager/Assistant
Karen Hurlbutt
Fax
(559) 738-9645
Office Hours
Monday through Friday
8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
We offer off-site appointments for clients who are unable to travel to our office.
Emergency After Hours
No
Foreign Languages
Spanish
Fixed-Price Services and Fees
I work on an hourly rate.
Hourly Rates
Attorney: $220
Paralegal: $85
Free Initial Consultation?
No. $220 per hour by the quarter hour.
Typical Retainer
It depends on the case.
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