Cristian Arrieta | California City Business Lawyer

His expertise includes handling business partnerships, corporations, and limited liability companies; sales, mergers and acquisitions; due diligence; contracts; probate and trust administration; will contests and trust litigation; property disputes; elder law matters; and asset protection.

Cristian is a volunteer with the Ventura County chapter of SCORE – Counselors to America’s Small Business, Womens Economic Ventures, as well as Senior Concerns in Thousand Oaks.

He is a cum laude graduate of California Western School of Law, and he earned his bachelor’s degree in philosophy, cum laude, at California State University, Northridge. Cristian was admitted to the State Bar of California in 2005 and began in his practice the same year.

Born and raised in Southern California, Cristian has also lived in Lima, Peru, where he co-owned and managed an American-style food and spirits establishment and taught English. Cristian is fluent in Spanish. He and his family live in Newbury Park.

In re the estate of Susan St. Germaine, we secured a judgment against the proponent of decedent's alleged holographic will as a forgery. As a result, decedent's estate in excess of $500,000 in value was divided among decedent's heirs to the exclusion of the forger. In re the Margaret Chappell Trust, we vigorously litigated a trust amendment as the product of undue influence and financial abuse. Decedent was the victim of cancer, and the proponent of the amendment in question was decedent's friend and dispenser of medical marijuana. The parties reached a settlement. However, in the course of litigation, the proponent of the amendment appealed the probate court's ruling that a no contest clause contained with body of decedent's trust did not apply to the later amendment in question. The court of appeal affirmed the probate court's ruling, and as a matter of first impression, held that the applicable statutes require that a ""protected instrument"" either contain the no contest clause or that the instrument be in existence on the date that the instrument containing the no contest is executed and that it be expressly identified in the no contest clause.

I was able to work for a mentor who encouraged me to develop my own clients and cases. Later, I had the good fortune of being recruited by Lowthorp Richards, which has proven to be a great fit for me to continue my practice development and work shoulder to shoulder with very talented fellow attorneys. Generally, I follow a maxim, shared with me by a colleague, that the best source of referrals is the work on your desk. I've also found it very helpful to be acquainted with likeminded practitioners of various complementary disciplines, such as tax, real estate, and investments.

A good lawyer is a good listener. A good lawyer is a counselor at law in addition to a legal advocate. A good and able lawyer has an able and experienced staff, and is either a part of a partnership of experienced attorneys or a part of a strong network of the same.

In Ventura County, local knowledge makes a huge difference. In this county, integrity counts and the local bar is very well acquainted with each other. My strong repore with the local bench is of immeasurable value, especially the probate court. The result is a much more collaborative, rather than bureaucratic, approach toward problem solving.

I never charge for initial phone consultations because it helps me discern whether the case or project is the right fit for me and for my firm. Generally, I gather pertinent facts and concerns, and if it is something that my involvement will be helpful toward resolution of the prospect's legal objectives, then we usually schedule a face to face meeting to discuss details and terms of service. I never charge a fee unless my client has agreed in writing to specific terms of service and we've established an acceptable budget.

Just talk to me about your problem or concern, and I'll be able to elicit relevant information on a case by case basis. To help me avoid any conflicts of interest, it helps to have detailed information about any actual or potential opponents.

For one, I am the fluent in Spanish. Secondly, I feel very naturally able to get my head around business and estate planning objectives. In litigation, I prefer a ""surgical approach,"" i.e. get in there and get rid of the cancer so to speak. Most cases don't need to turn into World War III at the client's expense.

I flourish in a work environment that challenges me and where no two days are alike. The practice of law very much facilitates those preferences. I also very much enjoy being financially rewarded for quality, results-driven service. I feel most rewarded when I am able to achieve a client's challenging legal objectives in an efficient and economic manner for all concerned.

Hiking, friends and family, music and guitar playing, good food and spirits, and Travel.

Yes. I recently completed a ten month journey called Ventura County Leadership Academy. I've also been involved in leadership within my local Rotary Club, as well as SCORE - small business counselors, and I'm a volunteer with WEV - Women's Economic Ventures, and Senior Concerns in Thousand Oaks. Lately, I've begun my tenure as the managing partner of this firm, and in that role, I aim to have an impact on county direction and development.

• Ventura County Bar Association | Member | 2005 - Present

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