Is it Helpful and a Good Idea to Hire a Divorce Paralegal?

By A People's Choice|October 7th, 2020|Divorce|

What is a divorce paralegal, and how can one actually help with your legal proceedings? The answer might surprise you. Learn the limitations of paralegals and why a legal document assistant may be the better option to assist with your divorce paperwork.

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Keeping Up With California Courts’ Probate Rules During Coronavirus

By A People's Choice|September 21st, 2020|Probate|

Since early 2020, the California court system's response to coronavirus has resulted in a plethora of modifications to existing probate rules. However, these requirements vary greatly amongst county courts. As a result, individuals administering an estate should consult their local Superior Court's website for more information.

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What is a Joinder?

By A People's Choice|July 6th, 2019|California Courts, Family Law|

Legal proceedings can be a complicated process. Sometimes, unexpected people and parties have an interest in the legal process. When this is the case, you must add them to the legal proceedings before you can fully resolve the case. You will use a joinder to do this. So what is a Joinder, and how does it affect a legal matter?

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How to File Emergency Probate in California

By A People's Choice|September 8th, 2019|Probate|

Most people never face an emergency when going through the probate process. There are certain situations, however, that lead to probate emergencies and the need to file emergency probate. This special petition is known as a Petition for Letters of Special Administration. If the Petition is approved, the Court Clerk will issue Letters of Special Administration. Letters of Special Administration are temporary Letters of authority that can be approved by the Probate Judge for a specific purpose on an ex parte basis (without a hearing).

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Requirements for a California Nonprofit

By A People's Choice|April 28th, 2019|Business|

Decided to start a California nonprofit for religious, charitable, scientific, literary, or educational purposes? You must take specific steps to make sure you satisfy the requirements for a California nonprofit formation. Once you create a California nonprofit corporation, you can apply for tax-exempt status (501 (c) 3) with the IRS.

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How to File a QDRO After Divorce

By A People's Choice|March 30th, 2018|Divorce, Family Law|

It is not necessary to divide all retirements plans in a divorce. However, if the court has ordered the division of a retirement account, or the parties have agreed to divide one or more retirement account, it will be necessary to file a QDRO after divorce. Here are the steps on how to file a QDRO after divorce.

California Estate Planning Blog And News

By A People's Choice|February 26th, 2018|

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Our Legal Document Services

By A People's Choice|May 1st, 2014|

Our California Legal Document Services A People’s Choice is one of California’s leading Registered Legal Document Assistant Services. Our services are specially designed for people who find themselves dealing with California courts or California legal issues and are seeking inexpensive, low-cost or cheap options for professional self-help legal document preparation service and guidance. [...]

The Effects of Cohabitation and Spousal Support

By A People's Choice|June 11th, 2017|Family Law|

Spousal support is based on one spouse’s obligation to provide financial help to their low wage earning spouse. Spousal support can be paid both during and after divorce to help maintain the marital standard of living of the supported spouse for a specified period. People commonly believe spousal support is paid for the lifetime of [...]

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Breaking a Lease Due to Domestic Violence

By A People's Choice|March 25th, 2017|Estate Planning|

Unfortunately, many domestic violence victims believe they cannot break their lease and move away from their abuser. Civil Code section 1946.7 allows breaking a lease due to domestic violence in California. Under this statute, a survivor of domestic violence can provide his/her landlord with a 14-day notice of his/her intent to break the lease agreement. [...]

CALPERS Pension Retirement Division in Divorce

By A People's Choice|May 27th, 2016|Family Law|

The California Public Employees Retirement System (CALPERS) provides lifetime monetary benefits to employees and their spouses. If you have filed for divorce, you may be wondering how you or your spouse’s CALPERS pension may be affected. Depending on your marital settlement agreement, you may receive up to half of your spouse's CALPERS retirement. Below is [...]

What is a Living Trust and How to Easily Set It Up in California

By A People's Choice|February 3rd, 2021|

A living trust allows a person to put their property under the control of a trustee who holds legal title to the property on behalf of a beneficiary. Many individuals choose to create a living trust so their estate can avoid probate upon their death. However, in some cases, a trust may not provide adequate legal protection. If you're wondering if a living trust is right for you, read on to learn more.

How to Divorce in California

By A People's Choice|July 6th, 2015|Family Law|

Divorce is something you can’t avoid especially when in a toxic marriage relationship. You can seek divorce if your marriage or domestic partnership has hit a dead end. It’s believed that 50% of marriages end up in divorce in the world. Recent reports suggest a lower percentage, however. What are the steps for how to [...]

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How to Mediate a Divorce in California: Guide and Checklist

By A People's Choice|April 28th, 2020|Divorce, Family Law|

Divorce mediation is a great alternative for couples looking to save money and resolve their conflicts in an amicable way. Looking for more information on divorce mediation in California? Read on for a complete guide and checklist, and contact A People's Choice for more information.

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California Divorce Residency Requirements: Where to File for Divorce in California

By A People's Choice|August 31st, 2020|Family Law|

What are the residency requirements for filing divorce in California, and do you meet them? If not, what happens? Luckily, there are some simple solutions to typical residency requirement issues with California divorce. Read on to learn more, then contact A People's Choice to learn how we can assist you with completing and filing your divorce paperwork!

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Annulment

By A People's Choice|February 11th, 2021|

How to File For Annulment in California Although most marriages end through divorce, there are some couples that may end their relationship through an annulment. Unlike divorce, an annulment returns the couple to the status of unmarried persons. In California, you may be able to file the paperwork to annul your marriage without [...]

How to Probate a Will Without a Lawyer: Complete DIY Guide

By A People's Choice|October 10th, 2023|Probate|

Navigating the intricacies of the legal world can often feel daunting, especially when dealing with matters as sensitive as a loved one's last wishes. The question of how to probate a will without a lawyer is increasingly prevalent as individuals seek ways to streamline the process and retain more control. Probate is the formal process [...]

What Is a Durable Power of Attorney for Healthcare in California?

By A People's Choice|August 28th, 2022|California Courts|

This article helps you understand how a durable power of attorney for healthcare works and how to establish one.

What’s a Conservatorship of the Estate in California?

By A People's Choice|August 10th, 2022|California Courts, Estate Planning, Family Law, Probate|

It happens every day: while driving on a highway, someone gets into a ghastly accident and sustains an injury. The accident impairs their cognitive and physical ability, and they can no longer oversee their estates and finances. What happens if, God forbid, this person is your spouse or relative? You may decide you need [...]

What Is a California Professional Corporation?

By A People's Choice|July 18th, 2022|Business|

California is a unique state in many ways, including how corporations are handled. For professionals such as lawyers, doctors, psychiatrists, family therapists, and psychologists, a California professional corporation is the best way for a group to provide services within their profession. But what is a California professional corporation exactly, and how can it help [...]

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Will Documents

Description of Will Documents (Notary fees additional)	Price
Will (individual)	$200
Codicil to Will	$125
Will package (individual) includes Will, Healthcare Directive and Financial Power of Attorney	$250
Will package (couple) includes 2 Wills, 2 Healthcare Directives and 2 Financial Powers of Attorney	$399
Other Services	Call for Quote

Trust Documents

Description of Trust Documents (Notary fees additional)	Price
Revocable Trust or Restatement of Revocable Trust (Individual) Trust or Trust Restatement only (you must have an existing revocable trust)	$300
Revocable Trust or Restatement of Revocable Trust (Couple) Trust or Trust Restatement only (you must have an existing trust)	$400
Revocable Trust or Restatement of Revocable Trust Package (Individual) Includes Trust, Pour-over Will, Certificate of Trust, Healthcare Directive, Financial Power of Attorney and estate folder	$499
Revocable Trust or Restatement of Revocable Trust Package (Couple) Includes joint trust, 2 Pour-over Wills, Certificate of Trust, 2 Healthcare Directives, 2 Financial Powers of Attorney and estate folder	$650
Special Needs Trust Designed for beneficiaries with physical or mental disabilities.	$700
Irrevocable Medi-Cal and/or VA Planning Trust	$700
Trust Transfer Deed and Preliminary Change of Ownership (California property)	$200 ($50 discount w/trust pkg)
Trust Transfer Deed (Out-of-State property)	$275 ($50 discount w/trust pkg)
Trust Transfer Deed (Timeshare)	$275 ($50 discount w/trust pkg)

Individual Estate Documents

Description of Individual Documents (Notary fees additional)	Price
Will	$200
Healthcare Directive	$125
Financial Power of Attorney	$125
Codicil to Will	$125
Trust Amendment	$200 and up
Trust Transfer Deed and Preliminary Change of Ownership (California property)	$200
Trust Transfer Deed (Out-of-State property)	$275
Trust Transfer Deed (Timeshare)	$275
Other Services	Call for Quote

Conservatorships Services We Offer	Price
Standard Conservatorship of Person AND/OR Estate (1 Petitioner) with or without Dementia Orders (Documents Only)	$1500
Limited Conservatorship for Developmentally Disabled (Documents Only)	$1200
Add-on Fees for Emergency Ex Parte Conservatorship (limited or standard)	+$450
Additional co-petitioner fee to any Conservatorship Petition	+$200
Add-on Fees for application for notice waivers and order	+$300
Add-on Fees for case management through Petition phase. Services include scheduling of any associated hearings, facilitating filing of documents with the court and other management services typically required to complete your Petition request	+$750
Standard preparation time is 10-14 business days. Rush preparation of all documentation is available for additional fee	$350+

Estate Administration Services	Price
Trust Administration (1 real property) each additional property +$200	$499
Probate Transfer by Affidavit (non-court, for estates with personal property only. This process cannot be used for estates with real property. Property must be valued under $166,250/$184,500)	$225
Simplified Probate Proceeding to Transfer Real Property Not Exceeding $55,425/61,000 (up to 2 Petitioners; 1 real property)	$649*
Simplified Probate Proceeding to Transfer Real Property Not Exceeding $166,425 (up to 2 Petitioners; 1 real property)	$799*
Spousal Property Petition (1 real property)	$749*
Heggstad Petition (1 Petitioner, 1 real property)	$1500**
No frills Probate Petition Documents Only for California Probate with Order of Probate and Letters of Administration or Letters Testamentary (document prep only with instructions. No court filing or additional support services.)	$750**
Phase 1 California Probate Petition (Full Service with court filing assistance, arranging publication, notices and case management) up to Order of Probate and Letters of Administration or Letters Testamentary	$1500**
Most Popular Full service, complete California Probate, facilitation of court filings, arranging publication, administrative notices, and ongoing case management services	$3900**
Probate Phase 2 or Phase 3 Full Service	$1500.00+/phase
Report of Sale and Petition for Order Confirming Sale Real Property (for matters with limited authority)	$1500.00 +costs
Notice of Proposed Action (up to 5 notices)	$250
Supplements to Petitions	$250 min. and up
Other Probate Services	Call for quote

*In these alternative small estate probate proceedings, if estate has more than 1 real property or 2 Co-Petitioners, additional fees will based on the following: +$75/each Petitioner over 2; +$150/each additional real property over 1. **In full probate proceedings, the following additional fees will apply, if applicable: +$250/each additional real property over 1; +$250/co-Petitioner; +$100/each beneficiary over 5. Fee covers all standard documents for routine proceeding but does not cover specialty services that may be required in some proceedings. Fees are based on all heirs waiving bond, waiver of accounting by all beneficiaries, and all creditors paid in full prior to filing Petition for Final distribution. Phase 3 Petition for Final Distribution may have add-on fees based on extraordinary actions or requests by the administrator prior to distribution. Annual surcharge fee of $500 will be assessed for each year or partial year the case remains open after 12 months.

Business Services We Offer	Price
General Corporation Includes standard minutes, bylaws, resolutions, stock certificates and corporate folder. Secretary of State fee: $100.00	$275
S-Corporation (Includes S-Corp election) Includes standard minutes, bylaws, resolutions, stock certificates and corporate folder. Secretary of State fee: $100.00	$310
LLC Includes Operating Agreement and corporate folder. Secretary of State fee: $70.00	$399
Professional Corp Includes Bylaws. Secretary of State fee: $100.00	$499
Non Profit Corporation Includes standard minutes, bylaws and corporate folder. Secretary of State Fee: $30.00	$499
501(C)(3) Non Profit Federal Tax Application	$599
Dissolve Corporation	$200
Walk Through Service with Secretary of State (turn around time 7-10 days)	$165
Registered Agent for Service (Annual) Click here to sign up.	$175
IRS S-Corp Election only	$50
Obtain Tax ID Number	$50
Statement of Information	$50
Fictitious Business Name Includes facilitating processing and publication (filing fee and publication fees vary from county to county).	$175
Basic Partnership Agreement	$300
Business Sales Agreement	$300
Copyright Standard Application	$150
Other Business Services	Call for Quote

Agreements	Price
Marital Settlement Agreement only	$275+
Stipulation and Order	$350+
Stipulation/Order with Paternity petition	$624
Pre or postnuptial Agreement (basic)	$299
Nuptial Agreement with complex, custom clauses	$999

Paternity Matters	Price
Paternity Petition only	$300
Stipulation and Order only	$350
Paternity Petition with Stipulated Judgment	$575
Paternity Petition with Request for Order/Motion for custody, visitation, support	$875

Marriage and Domestic Partnerships Proceedings	Price
Short term Marriage/Domestic Partnership (no personal property, children or real property)	$499
Marriage/Domestic Partnership with personal property (NO children, includes written Agreement)	$624
Marriage/Domestic Partnership with children (Includes written Agreement)	$624
Marriage/Domestic Partnership with 1 real property (Includes written Agreement	$775
Summary Dissolution (Please check qualifications for Summary Dissolution)	$499
Termination of Domestic Partnership through Secretary of State (Please check qualifications for Secretary of State procedure)	$499
Petition Only OR Response to Dissolution	$200-$300
Application to Serve by Publication	$275

NEW "DOCUMENTS ONLY" SERVICE for Marriage and Domestic Partnerships Proceedings. Budget option for documents only. Services do not include any case management or filing services.	Price
Preparation of standard dissolution or legal separation documents for short-term marriage or domestic partnership (no personal property, children or real property, with filing instructions). Includes all standard documents from Summons to Judgment.	$250
Preparation of standard dissolution or legal separation documents for marriage or domestic partnership (with filing instructions.) Includes all standard documents from Summons and Petition through Judgment based on parties signing a drafted Marital Settlement Agreement (does not address any separate or community real property.)	$400
Preparation of standard dissolution or legal separation documents for marriage or domestic partnership (with filing instructions.) Includes all standard documents from Summons and Petition through Judgment based on parties signing a drafted Marital Settlement Agreement which addresses separate or community real property division.)	$550

Motion/Contested Matters (does not include preparation of Orders After Hrg)	Price
Custody or Visitation Motion (RFO)	$475
Custody, Visitation and/or Support Motion (RFO)	$575
Emergency Custody or Visitation Motion (RFO) Includes request for temporary orders.	$900 min. (incudes RUSH processing)
Emergency Custody, Visitation, Support Motion Includes request for temporary orders.	$975 min. (includes RUSH processing)
Custody, Visitation and Support Motion with Paternity Petition	$875
Ex Parte to Terminate Child Support at 18	$250
Motion for Change of Venue	$575
Motion for Gillmore Election	$775
Other specialty motions	$575+ requires quote
Motion for Bifurcation and Final Judgment documentation	$825
Restraining Order- civil or domestic (no children)	$400 min.
Restraining Order (with children)	$575 min.

Guardianship Services	Price
Guardianship Affidavit or Power of Attorney (non-court)	$175
Guardianship of Person AND/OR Estate (1 Petitioner)	$1200
Add-on Fees for Co-Petitioners (per additional petitioner)	+$200
Add-on Fees for additional Minor(s) per minor	+$400
Add-on fees for Temporary ExParte Guardianship Request	+$300
Terminate Guardianship of Person and/or Estate	$399
Other Guardianship Services	Call for Quote

Expungement Services	Price
California Expungements	$399; +$200 ea. addtl. (same case #)
Felony to Misdemeanor reduction	$399
Criminal Prop 47 Resentencing or Reduction	$399; +$200 ea. addtl. (same case #)
Motion to Terminate Probation Early	$575
Petition to Seal Record	$499
Petition for Certificate of Rehabilitation	$399; +$50 each additional felony

Name Change Services	Price
Adult Name Change (individual)	$399
Combo Adult Name Change with 1 child – If more than one child, add $100.00 for each additional	$450
Name change for Minor Child – If more than one child, add $100.00 for each additional	$399
Name change after Divorce (Certified copy of Order extra)	$100

Title Transfers	Price
Grant Deed, Quitclaim Deed, Affidavit Death of Joint Tenant, Trust Transfer Deed, Transfer on Death Deed or other California deed Includes preparation of Preliminary Change of Ownership Report	$200
Warranty or Out-of-State Deeds (Non-California Deeds)	$275
Timeshare Deeds	$275

Other Matters	Price
Claim for Exclusion of Reassessment (parent/child or grandparent/grandchild)	$125 (discounted to $100 if prepared with deed)
Promissory Note secured by Deed of Trust	$325
Request for Special Notice re Deed of Trust	$125
Order copy of last transfer document/deed	$30

Civil Complaints and Answers	Price
Small Claims Package Includes preparation of claim, submission of documents to court, scheduling of hearing and arranging service of process	$250 plus $25 each defendant over 1
Civil Complaint Limited with 1 cause of action Each additional cause of action	$250 +$75
Response to unverified Civil Complaint with affirmative defenses	$250
Response to verified Civil Complaint with affirmative defenses	$350 (1 cause of action)

Other Civil and Misc. Matters	Price
Propounding Discovery Interrogatories, Request for Admissions, Production of Documents	$500 up
Responding to Discovery Interrogatories, Request for Admissions, Production of Documents	$500 up
Motion to Set Aside Default Judgment	$575
Civil Restraining Order	$499; $25 each addtl. protected person
Renew Judgment	$350
California Sister State Judgment	$300
Other Collection Proceedings	Call for quote
Expungement	$399
Other Services	Call for quote

Copyright Services	Price
Federal Copyright Application	$150
Government Filing Fee	$45-$65

Copyright Services	Price
Federal Copyright Application	$150
Government Filing Fee	$45-$65

Adoption Services We Offer	Price
Uncontested Stepparent Adoption - one minor child (for each additional minor child add $150)	$499*
Petition to Terminate Parental Rights of unknown father	$599
Petition to Terminate Parental Rights (Willful Failure to Support or Abandonment)	$599
Adult Adoption - 1 adoptor & 1 adoptee (add $150 if there are 2 co-adoptors)	$599
Independent Adoption	$650*
Other Adoption Services	Call for Quote

Grandparent Visitation	Price
Petition for Grandparent Visitation within existing Active Family Law Case	$850
Petition for Grandparent Visitation without Active Family Law Case	$1000

Misc. Documents/Services	Price
QDRO	$499
Joinder only	$350
QDRO with Joinder	$825
Preliminary or Final Disclosure Package	$375
Application and Order to Serve by Publication	$275
Guideline Support Calculations (3 report variations)	$150
Trial Brief for family law trial (summary of issues only)	$500 min. (depending on issues)

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