Business Details
Estate Planning Services in Ventura, CA
Botti & Morison Estate Planning Attorneys is a California-based law firm specializing in comprehensive estate planning, trust administration, probate, and elder law services. With over 60 years of combined experience, our team of board-certified specialists and seasoned attorneys delivers tailored solutions to protect clients' assets and ensure their wishes are honored. We employ a collaborative team approach, leveraging collective expertise to guide families through complex legal matters.Our services include creating revocable living trusts, wills, advance directives, and specialized plans for long-term care, asset protection, and tax efficiency. We prioritize client education through free workshops and webinars, empowering individuals to avoid probate costs and navigate Medi-Cal planning. Recognized for our integrity and client-centric focus, we serve communities across Ventura, Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, Westlake Village, Valencia, and Bakersfield.
Services
Estate Planning
Wills
Trust Administration
Elder Law
Probate
Medi-Cal Planning
Asset Protection
Veterans Benefits
Conservatorship
Guardianship
Highlights and features
- We offer over 60 years of combined experience in California estate law.
- Our team includes a Board Certified Specialist in Estate Planning, Trust & Probate Law.
- We provide free educational workshops to simplify complex estate planning processes.
- Our collaborative team approach ensures comprehensive, personalized legal solutions.
- We specialize in Medi-Cal planning and asset protection strategies.
Associations and certifications
- State Bar of California
What people say
Painless process
Excellent advice
Thorough expertise
Helpful workshops
Peace of mind
Services
Estate Planning
We create customized estate plans using revocable living trusts, wills, and advanced directives to avoid probate and ensure asset distribution aligns with client wishes. Our services address tax efficiency, guardianship for minors, and incapacity planning. Clients benefit from strategies that minimize legal costs and protect beneficiaries, with options for simple will packages or complex irrevocable trusts.
Trust Administration
Our team guides trustees through post-mortem trust administration, including asset inventory, debt resolution, and beneficiary distributions. We ensure compliance with California law while maintaining fiduciary responsibilities. Services include tax filings, creditor notifications, and dispute resolution, providing a streamlined process for managing estates outside probate court.
Medi-Cal Planning
We help clients qualify for Medi-Cal benefits while preserving assets through specialized trusts and gifting strategies. Our planning addresses nursing home costs, asset exemptions, and recovery rules. By leveraging tools like irrevocable trusts, we protect estates from government reimbursement claims while securing necessary care funding.
Probate Litigation
The firm represents beneficiaries and fiduciaries in contested wills, trust breaches, and executor misconduct cases. We resolve disputes through negotiation or court advocacy, focusing on asset protection and adherence to decedent wishes. Services include will contests, conservatorship challenges, and enforcement of trust terms.
Conservatorship
We establish conservatorships for incapacitated adults and guardianships for minors, managing personal and financial decisions under court oversight. Our process includes petition preparation, court representation, and ongoing compliance support. We prioritize client dignity while ensuring legal authority to act in the conservatee's best interests.
People
Christopher E. Botti
Founding Attorney
Board Certified Specialist in Estate Planning, Trust & Probate Law with 30+ years' experience. Graduated from Whittier Law Review, focusing on complex estate strategies and tax-efficient wealth transfer.
Karen Dion
Attorney
30-year expert in estate planning and asset protection, known for empathetic client service and expertise in Federal Bankruptcy Court strategies to safeguard assets through trusts and legal instruments.
Chris Michail
Attorney
Specializes in California trust law and tax planning, with deep experience in trust administration and intergenerational wealth transfer solutions for high-net-worth clients.
Questions
What is the difference between a will and a living trust?
A will directs asset distribution after death but requires probate, while a living trust avoids probate by transferring assets directly to beneficiaries.
How can I reduce estate taxes?
Credit shelter trusts and irrevocable life insurance trusts help minimize federal estate taxes by leveraging exemptions and removing assets from taxable estates.
What happens if I die without a will?
California's intestacy laws will dictate asset distribution, potentially leading to unintended beneficiaries and court-appointed administrators.
How does Medi-Cal asset planning work?
Specialized trusts and asset transfers help qualify for Medi-Cal coverage while protecting property from state recovery after long-term care expenses.
Can I contest a trust or will?
Yes, disputes over validity or administration can be litigated, though we prioritize negotiating amicable resolutions to preserve family relationships.
Videos
