Mediation and Child Custody: Process Description and Preparation Tips

By Sandra McCarthy|September 3rd, 2020|Family Law|

Sometimes, mediation for child custody agreements is mandated by the court. During mediation, parties will typically have the opportunity to present their concerns to the mediator and to the other parent. Then, the mediator will provide both parents with the necessary tools to reach an agreement on contested issues. However, there are tips that parents can use to reach this agreement more quickly. Read on to learn more about mediation for child support in California, and how you can prepare for it.

Modifying Spousal Support in California: What You Need to Know

By Sandra McCarthy|August 23rd, 2020|Family Law|

If you're considering submitting an order for a change in spousal support, there are some factors you may need to prove beforehand. More specifically, to increase, reduce, or terminate support, you must prove a significant change in personal circumstances. These circumstances may include loss of a job, remarriage, or retirement.

How to Get a California Ex Parte Child Custody Order

By Sandra McCarthy|December 4th, 2017|Family Law|

The purpose of requesting a California ex parte child custody order is to allow a judge to hear and make a decision on a legal issue on short notice rather than on the court’s regular calendar. Learn the court requirements to get a California ex parte child custody order approved.

Divorce Advice for Men Fighting for Custody

By Sandra McCarthy|October 11th, 2020|Divorce, Family Law|

Divorce is not easy for men OR women; however, battling for child custody can be even more difficult for fathers. For example, many people automatically assume a mother will be granted sole physical custody of their child after a divorce. As a result, it's important for men to learn how to increase their chances of acquiring custody, granted that it is in the child's best interest.

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Spousal Support

By Sandra McCarthy|April 15th, 2014|

California Spousal Support Navigate Financial Agreements With Professional Support Determining alimony or spousal support can be complicated and emotional. Trust A People’s Choice to provide the professional insight you need to navigate the process with ease. Learn more about your options regarding California spousal support on this page. Start The Process [...]

What is the Adoption Process in California?

By Sandra McCarthy|April 25th, 2020|Adoption|

Adoption legally establishes a parent-child relationship between two people who are at least 10 years apart in age. Adoptive parents have a legal responsibility to support their adopted children financially and provide care for them until they reach adulthood. Adopted children have the right to inherit from their adoptive parents even if the parents do not leave a will. For this reason, California law makes it possible to adopt a child or an adult. With this in mind, you are probably searching for more information about the adoption process in California. Here's what you need to know.

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How the Court Calculates What You Get In a California Divorce

By Sandra McCarthy|September 20th, 2020|Divorce|

If you are involved in an uncontested divorce, you may not know what to expect when it comes to dividing property. Plus, it can be hard to understand exactly how the court will determine monetary amounts for child and spousal support. Therefore, we've outlined in this article exactly how the court will calculate what you get in a California divorce. Read on to learn more.

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Stepparent Adoption of an Adult in California: Process and Forms

By Sandra McCarthy|September 1st, 2020|Adoption|

Once a child becomes an adult, they no longer require parental consent to agree to adoption by a stepparent. Thus, stepparents often adopt their adult children after a biological father refused to relinquish his parental rights over that child as a minor. Further, stepparent adoption is common for adults with life-long disabilities. Read on to learn about the process and forms required for stepparent adoption of an adult in California.

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What You Need to Know About Divorce Alimony

By Sandra McCarthy|November 22nd, 2020|Divorce|

In California, spousal or partner support can be temporary or permanent. “Permanent alimony” can go on indefinitely. On the other hand, "temporary alimony" is awarded as a transitional stop-gap until the spouse receiving the alimony can get on their feet. Couples that are divorcing amicably can also agree to the amount and duration of the alimony in their marital settlement agreement. Alimony obligations usually have a pre-set end date. Sometimes, however, the obligation to pay divorce alimony is open-ended meaning the court retains the ability to modify or extend the support indefinitely.

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What Can You Do When Your Divorce is Taking Too Long?

By Sandra McCarthy|August 5th, 2020|Family Law, Divorce|

While all divorces take at least six months to finalize, divorce does NOT have to be a lengthy process. Believe it or not, some divorces can be delayed due to a lack of urgency by your attorney! On the other hand, disputed matters such as child support and alimony can also slow down the process. However, when you work with a legal document assistant, we have no reason to delay, as all of our services are a flat fee! Reach out today to learn how we can help you speed up your divorce finalization.

Long Term vs Short Term Marriage in Divorce and What You Need to Know About the 10 Year Rule

By Sandra McCarthy|September 19th, 2017|Family Law|

Learn what issues are influenced by a long term vs short term marriage in divorce, particularly the impact on a California spousal support order.

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Timeline for Divorce: Dates You Need to Know

By Sandra McCarthy|September 20th, 2020|Divorce|

Divorce can be a long, drawn-out process; however, it's important to keep track of certain dates for every divorce. For example, the date of separation is important in helping the court calculate spousal support and the division of property. Read on to learn more about dates you need to know for a successful divorce.

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What is Community Property in California?

By Sandra McCarthy|June 14th, 2020|Divorce|

Fear of the financial hardships brought on by divorce is one of the factors that makes people stay in unhappy marriages until they become certain that divorce is the only option. Every couple that gets a divorce must divide their community property, and not all states have the same rules about how to divide a couple’s property in a divorce. California is a community property state, which means that each spouse gets an equal share of the net value of the couple’s community property in California. You do not need a lawyer to fight for your fair share of the community property in California. By law, you are already entitled to half of it. Therefore, unless you and your spouse cannot reach an agreement about some other issue, such as child custody, there is a good chance that you can finish your divorce without a lawyer. All you need is a registered legal document assistant to prepare your divorce documents.

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Protected: Interview – Earnings Withholding Orders

By Sandra McCarthy|November 28th, 2020|

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What Is My Wife Entitled to in a Divorce in California?

By Sandra McCarthy|August 17th, 2022|California Courts, Divorce, Family Law|

If you're thinking about (or are in the process of) divorcing your wife in California, you know navigating a divorce can be a demanding and perplexing time in your life. Establishing who obtains what assets and child support go to whom is stressful, to say the least, but recognizing what you are entitled to [...]

Conservatorship of a Minor in California: Everything You Need to Know

By Sandra McCarthy|December 16th, 2021|Probate|

Life isn't perfect. That's why sometimes, someone may need extra help and require another person to lend a hand. And sometimes, that person is a minor. In some states, that's where the conservatorship of a minor comes in. In California, when an adult is subjected to protective care following incapacitation, we call it "conservatorship." But [...]

Family Law Motions & RFO’s

By Sandra McCarthy|April 16th, 2014|

Family Law Motions and Requests For Orders (RFO's) A motion or request for order is the formal process of requesting the court for a specific ruling, action or other decision. In family law proceedings, a party can request the court intervene on certain issues when an agreement cannot be reached. Motions can be filed for [...]

California Custody Laws: What You Need to Know

By Sandra McCarthy|February 4th, 2021|Family Law|

If you are in the process of getting a divorce in California and share children with your spouse, it's imperative that you become familiar with California custody laws. Read on to learn more about the different types of custody, how they compare, and what they mean for you.

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Common California Family Law Request For Orders

By Sandra McCarthy|May 24th, 2015|Family Law|

It is not uncommon for parents to have to return to court post-divorce to have existing court orders modified due to a change of circumstances. For example, California family law courts routinely hear cases requesting a modification of child custody and spousal support, in addition to a move-away order. If you are looking to [...]

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Key Points to Include in Your Separation Agreement

By Sandra McCarthy|September 20th, 2020|Divorce|

If you're involved in an uncontested divorce in California, you may be able to finalize your divorce without hiring an expensive attorney OR appearing in court! Plus, you have the power to begin drafting a separation agreement right NOW! After determining your plans for the key issues listed in this article, contact A People's Choice for help completing and filing your agreement to reach a final judgment quickly and easily.

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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

QDROs and Retirement Division	Price
QDRO	$499
Joinder only	$350
QDRO with Joinder	$825

QDROs and Retirement Division	Price
QDRO	$499
Joinder only	$350
QDRO with Joinder	$825

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