Legal Solutions for You,
Your Family & Your Business
Find a Lawyer >
Wills, Trusts & Estates lawyers serving Yolo County, CA >
William D. Kopper
Back to Search Results
William D. Kopper
William D. Kopper, Attorney at Law
417 E Street
Davis, CA 95616
Phone: (530) 758-0757 | Fax: (530) 758-0757
Working to Solve Your Problems
Legal Topic
Wills, Trusts & Estates
Preferred New Clients
I prefer to work with clients who need estate plans and clients who need help with trust and estate administration.
Sub-Categories
Taxes
- Estate Taxes & Gift Taxes
- Power of Attorney
- Tax Planning
- Charitable Giving
- Drafting Trusts
- Drafting Wills
- Estate Administration
- Estate Planning
- Living Trusts
- Living Wills
- Probate
Legal Topic
Family Law
Preferred New Clients
I strive to resolve family law cases with the least emotional trauma to my clients and with the least expense. I have completed a number of family law mediations where I help clients settle their differences outside the litigation process.
Sub-Categories
Family Law
- Mediation/Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)
- Name Changes
- Restraining Orders
- Child Abuse
- Domestic Violence
- Elder Abuse
- Adoptions
- Child Support
- Custody
- Paternity
- Visitation
- Civil Unions
- Domestic Partnerships
- Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transsexual, Transgender Rights
- Living Together/Cohabitation
- Marriage
- Power of Attorney
- Prenuptial & Postnuptial Agreements
- Advanced Health Care Directive
- Healthcare Power of Attorney
- Healthcare Proxy
- Tax Planning
- Grandparent Rights
- Termination of Parental Rights
Legal Topic
Divorce
Preferred New Clients
I strive to resolve family law cases with the least emotional trauma to my clients and with the least expense. I have completed a number of family law mediations where I help clients settle their differences outside the litigation process.
Sub-Categories
Divorce
- Alimony/Palimony/Spousal Support
- Annulment
Bar Admissions
CA, Dec 1980
Bar Number: 95405
Specialty Certifications
Family Law; Estate Planning, Trust & Probate Law
Other Court Admissions
California; Federal Court -- Eastern District of California
Association Memberships
California State Bar, Yolo County Bar Association
Continuing Education
I take more that 30 hours of continuing legal education each year. I must take at least fifteen hours each year in my two areas of Specialty--Family Law and Estate Planning, Trust & Probate Law. In 2005 I completed an extra 32 hours of mediation training.
Papers and Publications
"Employee Benefits: Valuing and Allocating The Community Interest in Survivor Benefits," Summer 1992 issue of State Bar Family Law News.
Example Cases
I litigated a significant grandparent visitation case that was the subject of a published appellate decision in the Third District Court of Appeals. This case resulted in a very satisfactory result for my clients.
Education
Degree:
L.L.M.
School:
University of Pacific
City:
Sacramento
State:
CA
Year:
1992
Focus and Accomplishments:
Masters in Tax
Degree:
B.A.
School:
University of Chicago
City:
Chicago
State:
IL
Year:
1970
Honors:
Dean's List
Focus and Accomplishments:
I graduated with a degree in Biology with an emphasis in Ecology.
Degree:
J.D.
School:
University of California, Davis
City:
Davis
State:
CA
Year:
1980
Honors:
I received an award for the best Moot Court Brief.
Focus and Accomplishments:
My emphasis in law school was on legal research and writing.
Number of Attorneys
1
State Licensed In
California
Firm Focus and History
I have worked as a sole practitioner in the City of Davis for twenty of my twenty-five years of practice. My practice has been mostly devoted to family law and estate planning. I have handled a large number of complicated family law cases, and completed approximately 2,000 estate plans. I have a good relationship with the Yolo County court and judges, as well as the other attorneys who practice in Yolo County.
Previous Employment Summary
Other than the twenty years I have been a sole practitioner, I was in a partnership with Robert Black for five years. At one point in time, our firm consisted of three attorneys.
Activities and Awards
I am a past President of the Yolo County Bar Association.
What is your opinion regarding clients educating themselves on legal issues?
I try to provide my clients with as much information as possible. A well-informed client is a client that can make better decisions, and can help guide the case. A client that does not have sufficient information is a client that is more likely to be disappointed with the out-come of the legal process.
Are you willing to review documents prepared by clients?
I often review documents that are prepared by clients. However, sometimes it is cheaper for the client to have me prepare the documents, rather than go through the process of repeatedly obtaining my review and revising the documents. Whether attorney review of client prepared documents is economical depends upon the document, and the client's understanding of the process.
Are you willing to coach clients who want to represent themselves?
I am reluctant to coach clients who represent themselves in court, except for small claims actions. I have found that I cannot teach a person how to present a case in court in a few minutes or even a few hours. I believe that if a person has to litigate a matter in court, the person is generally better off hiring an attorney if they can afford the cost. This is especially true if the other side has an attorney.
Why did you decide to be a lawyer?
At the time I went to law school I was on the Davis City Council. I thought that Law would be interesting to study because it was related to the policies and activities I was involved in as a City Council member. I served two terms on the Davis City Council and one two year term as Mayor of Davis.
What work experience and education helps you be a better lawyer?
Spending a lot of time thinking about one's cases makes one become a better lawyer. Keeping up on current developments in the law is also important.
Why did you decide on your primary area of practice?
I like working with people rather than corporations. Both of my major specialties provide a lot of contact with families and individuals who need legal services.
What do you like best about your career?
I like the personal contact with my clients best.
Tell us about your law firm:
Kristin Rauh is an extremely talented paralegal. She is great with people and has a broad understanding of the law. Kristin won the typing competition at the State Fair when she was in High School. That should tell it all. Jan Scott has two years of law school at Hastings, and was trained as a mediator. She has great skills and is greatly appreciated by the family clients who she works with.
What are your strengths and style?
I believe that my greatest strength is thorough research and preparation of my cases.
My style is low key. I meet my client's needs in the easiest way possible.
Personal Interests:
I like to hike, swim, and read. I have a lot of family in Europe and have spent a great deal of time in European countries.
Office Manager/Assistant
Kristin Rauh
Fax
(530) 758-0757
Office Hours
Monday through Friday
9:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Emergency After Hours
Yes
Foreign Languages
None
Fixed-Price Services and Fees
Living Trust with pour-over will, deed, power of attorney, and advance health care directive (single and couples): $900-$1,100, depending on the degree of complexity.
Will with advance health care directive and power of attorney (single and couples), $350
Prenuptial Agreement, $750
Hourly Rates
$250
Free Initial Consultation?
We do not offer free consultations.
Typical Retainer
$2,000 to $5,000
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.
