Thoughtful. Practical. Professional.
Elder Law | Trusts & Estates
Welcome to the Law Office of Kathleen Day-Seiter where we are friendly, patient and professional, giving each case the attention it deserves. We take time to understand each client situation and work closely with our clients to develop the best plan possible.
We focus on estate planning, trust administration, and probate. We also focus on all issues related to the elderly and disabled through long-term care planning, public benefits, and veterans benefits.
Additional languages spoken at our office: German and Spanish
ELDER LAW
Attorneys who work in elder law offer more to their clients because of their specialization. We understand the unique needs of the senior population and are aware of the myths related to competence and aging. We understand the physical and mental difficulties that often accompany the aging process. Because of our specialized knowledge base, we are able to thoroughly address the legal needs of our clients.
ESTATE PLANNING
Creating an estate plan is one of the greatest gifts you can give to your loved ones. A thoughtful plan can give peace of mind to you and the people you care about. A trust will help you transfer your wealth to the people you care about. In addition, a trust, a power-of-attorney for finances, and an advance health care directive can help to avoid a conservatorship or probate proceeding, both of which are expensive, time-consuming, and place an emotional burden on family members.
TRUST ADMINISTRATION
Trust administration requires the trustee to follow the terms of the trust and the laws of the state in the process of managing trust assets and/or transferring property. Regardless of the size of the estate, the trustee has a fiduciary duty to the beneficiaries. Proper trust administration has many steps. We will work with you every step of the way to avoid any pitfalls associated with the management of trust assets.
SPECIAL NEEDS PLANNING
For people with disabilities, a proper plan should be set in place for their lifetime financial and personal care. To maintain such ongoing care, planning for persons with disabilities is centered around a properly designed and administered trust, called a special needs trust (SNT). An SNT can preserve public benefits, provide supplemental financial support, establish a long-term management team, provide a safe and clean living arrangement, and provide avenues for enjoying all recreational activities to enhance the quality of life.
While an undergraduate at the University of California at Riverside I realized I wanted to work with adults and seniors in a helping profession. I was fortunate to study at the School of Social Welfare at the University of California at Berkeley where I received a Masters of Social Welfare with a specialization in gerontology. I worked as a medical social worker for over twenty years.
I received my Juris Doctorate from Rutgers University - Newark with the intent to practice elder and trust & estate law. I had the pleasure of serving as law clerk to the Honorable John E. Selser, Judge of the Superior Court of Passaic County, New Jersey for the 2005-2006 court year. I was admitted to the New Jersey State Bar and the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey in 2006 and to The State Bar of California in 2008.
I am on the Aging Services committee at the University of California, Berkeley School of Social Welfare. I am a past-president of the board of the Oakland Lacrosse Club and Artemis Rowing, both non-profit athletic clubs for juniors and The Oakland Nature Friends.
I am an active member of the Northern California National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA) chapter where I currently serve on the board and the Planning
Committee for the California NAELA Summit. I was a part of San Francisco Legal Assistance to the Elderly as a volunteer attorney for five years and was a volunteer attorney with the Contra Costa Senior Legal Services for four years. I am a member of the Alameda County Bar Association in the Trusts and Estates Section, Women’s Section, and Elder Law Section.
While in Kehl, Germany (my husband’s hometown via-a-vis de Strasbourg), where we lived for six years, I founded the Rhinegold Women’s Investment Club and learned German.