Adrienne K. Miller

read moreI have built my firm on integrity and experience. I have nearly 20 years of experience in the areas of estate planning and probate. I am pleased to say my clients come from Simi Valley, other Ventura County communities, San Fernando Valley communities, other Los Angeles county communities, and throughout California for their estate planning needs. I also represent families and estates in probate courts in Ventura and Los Angeles Counties as well as several other California probate jurisdictions.

read moreWhen someone dies and an estate plan is in place, the business of managing that estate falls to the "Successor Trustee" or "Executor." This area of law is "Trust Administration" or "Estate Administration." Usually it is a good idea to consult with an experienced estate planning lawyer, such as me, after the death of a loved one to make sure you are aware of the steps necessary to wind down the deceased person's affairs. I can provide you with a checklist of tasks that must be accomplished when someone dies and help you each step of the way, if needed.

read moreIf you or someone you know has a child or other family member who has special needs and receives government assistance, a Special Needs Trust may be something to consider. A Special Needs Trust, or SNT, is a trust designed to preserve a person's eligibility for government assistance programs that are based on a person's finances. These are known as "need-based" programs, and include Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Medi-Cal. A Special Needs Trust allows the person to receive government assistance, but still benefit from an inheritance.

read moreI love practicing law in Simi Valley and providing my community with personal, attentive, and experienced legal services, with integrity and effective representation. In 2006 I started my own practice in Simi Valley, and my practice now serves all of Ventura County and Los Angeles County, as well as other California Counties. The focus of my practice is in the areas of Probate and Estate Planning. Over the years, I have prepared hundreds of estate plans and estate plan amendments, which include wills, trusts, powers of attorney, health care directives, grant deeds, etc.

read moreIf you own a small business or are thinking of starting one, you need to know which type business works best for you to achieve your goals. For example, you may choose to operate as a "sole proprietorship, " an LLC, a partnership, or a corporation (S Corp or C Corp). I can help you understand the different types of business entities, the pros and cons of each, the documents necessary to properly form and maintain your business over the years. I will help you set up the best business organization that meets your needs and helps you succeed.

read moreThe information you obtain at this site is not, nor is it intended to be, legal advice. You should consult an attorney for advice regarding your individual situation. We invite you to contact us and welcome your calls, letters and electronic mail. Contacting us does not create an attorney-client relationship. Please do not send any confidential information to us until such time as an attorney-client relationship has been established.

read moreWithout proper estate planning, the Probate Code dictates what happens to your property after your death. At the basic level, creating an estate plan can help you avoid probate and allow you to leave your assets to the people you choose. Additionally, proper estate planning can minimize the tax liability of passing on your estate, which is especially crucial for estates valued at over $11 million. However, even small and medium-sized estates still benefit greatly from proper estate planning. The cost of preparing an estate plan is typically a fraction of the cost of probate.

read moreProbate is a court process that can be time-consuming, and inconvenient. An experienced probate attorney, like me, can make the process smoother and easier for you and your family. At the heart of my probate practice is the goal of easing the burden of this process, considering that often my clients are still grieving the passing of a loved one. Let me help you through this difficult process. Please call me at 805-624-4431 or send me an email. When someone has not properly planned for what happens with property and/or financial accounts after death (such as through a "living" trust), then probate is often required.