The Passion:

I am passionate about my law practice. I am the daughter that’s been there. My parents died way too young. My mother was 46 when she died of cancer. My father was 54 when he died of a heart attack. Both were unexpected deaths. Their deaths threw me into the world of probate and estate management for my own parents when I was in my 20s. I was at law school at the time and knew better to hire an attorney to handle what was needed for my parents’ estate.

Ever since then, I have effectively counseled clients who need to handle probate and trusts matters in Southern California. A large part of my practice is making sure that my clients have the documents in place needed to avoid the heartache I endured myself.

My  law practice is based in Southern California primarily in Los Angeles and Orange Counties. I work for a wonderful firm, Tredway, Lumsdaine & Doyle, LLP, and is located in their downtown Long Beach office at the beautiful World Trade Center. I am also available to meet with clients and handle matters out of the firm’s Downey and Irvine offices. I am routinely in my firm’s Downey office most Mondays to handle a portion of the firm’s probate matters.

Estate Planning:

I work with clients to prepare their estate plans according to their desires and appropriateness for their situation. Estate planning documents routinely include wills, revocable living trusts, durable powers of attorneys and advance health care directives.

Trust Administration:

I work with clients to set up, administer and fund their Trusts. I also represents clients who are in charge of administering a Trust of a loved one.  California law requires trustees to send out a Probate Code notification to all beneficiaries and known heirs when any portion of a Trust has become irrevocable. I assist clients in marshaling assets, working with beneficiaries, defending or initiating contests along with a myriad of other related Trust administration matters.

Probate:

I represent clients who need to open a probate estate to obtain Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration to marshal, handle and otherwise devise of decedent’s assets.

Contested Matters:

I represent clients along with other attorneys at Tredway, Lumsdaine and Doyle, LLP, to handle a variety of contested matters involving Wills, Trusts, Probate and related matters.  Contested matters include objecting to probate matters like an appointment of a personal representative, compelling accountings, petitions for removal of a personal representation among other causes of action as appropriate. Other contested matters include filing petitions to determine the validity of an instrument, to return property belonging to an estate or trust, elder abuse and other causes of action as appropriate.

Conservatorships and Guardianships:

I represent clients who need to be appointed as conservator or guardian for an incapacitated adult or minor child. These proceedings are also heard in probate court. There are two types — of the estate and of the person. Of the estate means managing the money or property on behalf of the incapacitated adult or minor. Of the person means making decisions affecting the livelihood, such as medical decisions, schooling, care giving, on behalf of the incapacitated adult or minor.