About Us
Fiduciaries can fill many roles. They are often appointed by courts to be conservators, trustees, personal representatives, guardians of estates or as agents under powers of attorney. In addition, they may be contacted by personal or family attorneys to assist their client in one of these roles.
The Professional Fiduciary Association of California has compiled a very informative webpage that adequately describes the fiduciary's abilities and responsibilities. Please click here to be taken to PFAC's article on fiduciaries.
The Perine & Dicken Family
Ronald J. Dicken - Partner
Mr. Dicken is a California Licensed Professional Fiduciary (license # 56) and a National Certified Guardian. He also holds certifications as Public Guardian-Conservator and Veteran Service Officer. Mr. Dicken is a member of the Professional Fiduciary Association of California, the National Guardian Association, State Public Guardian-Conservators Association and the Association of Veteran Service Officers.
He has over 25 years experience in handling estates for conservatorships (Probate – Estate & Person and LPS), guardianships and trusts, including personal/family trusts, Settlement and Special Needs Trusts. His experience has led him from Deputy Public Guardian-Conservator/Veteran Service Officer to Department Head as the Public Guardian/Veteran Service Officer for Kings County, California, to his partnership in Perine & Dicken.
Mr. Dicken is a graduate of the Kentucky School of Mortuary Science and Muscatine College in Muscatine, Iowa and a Viet Nam Veteran serving in the United States Navy.
Patricia R. Dicken - RN, MA, Partner
Ms. Dicken is a California Licensed Professional Fiduciary (license # 49), a National Certified Guardian and a Registered Nurse. Ms. Dicken is a member of the Professional Fiduciary Association of California and the National Guardian Association.
She has over 35 years experience in the health/mental health field and for the past 10 years her experience has involved all aspects of conservatorships (Probate – Estate & Person and LPS), guardianships and trusts, including personal/family trusts, Settlement and Special Needs Trusts. Her experience includes Director of Provider/Health Services, Division Manager for Alcohol, Drug & Prevention Services, Deputy Director for Managed Care and Deputy Director for Clinical Services for the Tulare County, California Health and Human Services Agency. Ms. Dicken has served as a private consultant with conflict attorneys completing in-home evaluations for children involved in Dependency Hearings.
Ms. Dicken is a graduate of Sister’s of Charity Hospital School of Nursing and Canisius College in Buffalo, New York, St. Ambrose College in Davenport, Iowa and holds a Master of Arts in Marriage, Family & Child Counseling from University of San Francisco. She is a Viet Nam Veteran serving in the United States Navy Nurse Corps.
Karen M. Steele - Partner
Ms. Steele is a California Licensed Professional Fiduciary (license # 55) and a National Certified Guardian. She is an Associate Member of the Professional Fiduciary Association of California and a member of the National Guardian Association.
She has 5 years experience in all aspects of conservatorships (Probate – Estate & Person), guardianships and trusts, including personal/family trusts, Settlement and Special Needs Trusts. Ms. Steele has experience as an elementary school teacher having served as a Mathematics Coordinator and Science Coordinator for the Tulare City School District in California.
She obtained her undergraduate degree from St. Mary’s College in Moraga, California and her Master of Arts in Education from California State University, Fresno.
Chris Kennedy – Office Manager
Chris Kennedy is a California Licensed Professional Fiduciary (license #423) and National Certified Guardian, and has worked as a professional fiduciary in trust and conservatorship management.
Chris brings a solid business background to Perine & Dicken, having owned and operated a successful retail business and served as a regional sales manager and national account representative for a leading security firm for over twenty years.
Originally from Iowa, Chris earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration from Coe College (Cedar Rapids, IA), and is a member of the Visalia County Center Rotary Club.
Ralph W. Weber, EdD – Associate Fiduciary/Case Manager
Dr. Weber holds a Certificate in Fiduciary Management for Trustees and has served as a Case Manager for three years.
He is a retired university professor and taught twenty-four years in the California State University system. He earned bachelors and masters degrees from California State University, Fresno and his Doctorate of Education from the University of Utah.
Jane Garcia Dicken, Case Manager
Retired from the City of Visalia Parks & Recreation Department, Jane brings to Perine & Dicken over 28 years experience in public administration.
She has worked in a variety of programs, including directing the City’s Retired Seniors Volunteer Program and Young Volunteers in Action Program, helping others explore career paths, administering USDA lunch programs, and helping young people discover their true potential. Along with being bilingual, Jane has the ability to discover and meet the needs of people of all ages and backgrounds.