General Membership

SPECIAL SBPA MEMBERS-ONLY EVENT – Thursday, June 23, 2011 starting at 4:30PM at the Santa Barbara Zoo. Click here for membership information. SBPA MCLE Luncheon Meeting, Tuesday, July 12, starting at 12Noon, at the Santa Barbara College of Law: Speaking will be John H. Parke, Esq., Allen & Kimbell, LLP, “Clarifying Clear Communication Style in the Legal World: Tools for Writing and for Speaking in the Practice of Law.” An interactive program with Mr. Parke isolating key techniques to achieve clearer, more effective communication between attorney and client, paralegal/legal professional and attorney, and in communications before the court.

CALIFORNIA ALLIANCE OF PARALEGAL ASSOCIATIONS
23rd Annual Educational Seminar June 25, 2011
Holiday Inn - Fisherman’s Wharf, San Francisco, California
Click here for information.

JULY 1, 2010 NEW RULE
ATTENTION ESTATE PLANNING, TRUST, PROBATE AND GUARDIANSHIP/CONSERVATORSHIP PARALEGALS
AMENDED CALIFORNIA RULE OF COURT 7.703 EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2010

SSeptember 24, 2011 – SBPA MCLE FULL-DAY CONFERENCE, Santa Barbara County Courthouse, click here for more information.  click here for more information.

REMINDER: In this time of extreme governmental budget shortfalls at all levels and with all agencies, be certain to check with each jurisdiction as to possible furlough days, local court rules (filing requirements, etc.), and especially the manner in which filings will be accepted. Many jurisdictions do not accept fax filings, while others impose particular requirements even for filings by mail. For quick access to all court websites for California, http://www.courtinfo.ca.gov/courts

As per our Probate Examiner, Christine Estrada, probate hearings will be heard on Thursday mornings at 9 a.m., instead of on Fridays at 9:00 a.m. Apparently, notices from the court on all cases with previously calendared hearings are being mailed; if you have any questions, you are encouraged to contact the Court Clerk’s Office. You are also welcome to contact Lori Lewis, Esq., 2010 Chair of the Probate Section of the SB County Bar Association at 805-966-1501 or by email to llewis@mullenlaw.com

New Court filing fees are now in effect!

1. The Governor has signed SB 857 and the new filing fees are now in effect. Each county will begin collection of the new fees as soon as they can update their systems. The new fees are outlined below:
   First appearance in an unlimited civil action (over $25,000.00), Family law petitions, and Probate petitions by plaintiff(s) and each defendant will increase to $395.00. This fee increase applies to all types of filings in which the previous fee was $355.00 (civil, probate, family, etc...)
2. First appearance in a limited action ($10,000.00 up to $25,000.00) by plaintiff(s) and each defendant will increase to $370.00
3. First appearance in a limited action (under $10,000.00) by plaintiff(s) and each defendant will increase to $220.00
   Note: The above fees do not include the additional fees required for Unlawful Detainer filings (additional $15.00) or the surcharges imposed in Riverside County, San Bernardino County, or the City and County of San Francisco.
4. Motion for Summary Judgment/Adjudication will increase to $500.00
5. Application by counsel to appear Pro Hac Vice will increase to $500.00
6. Adds an additional $3.00 penalty to every parking violation
7. Additional increases in various criminal penalties and traffic fines

A fee for telephonic appearances (a fee payable to the court in addition to fees paid to vendors) will be added. Fee not yet determined.

Education

2011 MCLE Conference Planning now underway; more information to come soon.

SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITY: Please see the attached application form for Santa Barbara Paralegal Association Scholarship.

VOLUNTEER and NON-PROFIT OPPORTUNITIES

Courthouse Legacy Foundation (CLF) – Do not miss this unique opportunity to learn more about our beautiful, historic Santa Barbara County Courthouse, and to support its preservation and conservation; to get involved, please visit www.courthouselegacyfoundation.org.

Call for Attorneys and Paralegals to get involved with area non-profit organizations:  information about Planned Giving Committee, Board and other service opportunities may be obtained from Vickie Hormuth at the Nonprofit Support Center
5638 Hollister Ave., Suite 200
Santa Barbara, CA 93117
v: (805) 681-1040 x 3
vhormuth@supportcenter.org