Can You Trust Online Legal Services Companies? By A People's Choice|October 21st, 2018|California Courts| Recently, there has been a rise in online legal services. These sites offer a range of services from document preparation for a flat fee to monthly subscription services where you can get periodic legal advice and basic legal documents prepared. These sites are gaining in popularity because they offer a faster low-cost alternative than hiring an attorney. But are they really a good idea and can you trust online legal services? How do you pick a good online legal service? Here's what you need to know if you are looking for help preparing legal documents. Read More Comments Off on Can You Trust Online Legal Services Companies?
Trust Administration – What is It? By A People's Choice|September 2nd, 2016|Estate Planning| Trust administration is not a court ordered process. It involves the transfer of property from the creator of the trust to the trust’s beneficiaries. Unlike probate proceedings, trust administration allows for the simple distribution of property to beneficiaries. Read on to learn more about trust administration. Get Trust Administration help [...] Read More Comments Off on Trust Administration – What is It?
How to Set Up a Special Needs Trust By A People's Choice|May 22nd, 2016|Estate Planning| Parents with special needs children often worry about how to secure their child’s future upon their passing. Setting up a special needs trust as part of your estate planning will allow you to leave money or property to a loved one with a disability. A special needs trust, sometimes called a supplemental needs trust, is specially [...] Read More 5
Is a Medi-Cal Asset Protection Trust Necessary? By A People's Choice|March 23rd, 2017|Estate Planning| On June 27, 2016, Governor Jerry Brown signed SB 833. The bill greatly reduces the scope of California’s Medi-Cal Estate Recovery against the estate of the deceased. Effective January 1, 2017, more Medi-Cal recipients can now leave an inheritance to their family without having to pay back the State upon their death. Basically, the new [...] Read More 3
California Child Support: A Parent’s Guide By A People's Choice|June 2nd, 2020|Family Law| According to California law, every child has the right to receive financial support from both legal parents. If the parents do not live together and the children divide their time between their parents, then the goal is for the children to have the same standard of living in both households. The amount of California child support is based on each parent’s income, how many days per year the children spend with each parent, and certain necessary expenses. You do not need a lawyer to get a court order for child support. A more affordable option is to have a registered legal document assistant prepare your child support forms. Read More Comments Off on California Child Support: A Parent’s Guide
California Estate Planning for Single Parents By A People's Choice|February 6th, 2021|Estate Planning| Every parent worries about what will happen to his or her children after the parent dies, but single parents have double the worries. If you are married, the default option is that your children will stay with your spouse. They may remain living in the same house, and your spouse will most likely continue to work to take care of them financially. As horrible as it is to think about your spouse and children having to adjust to life without you, it is even scarier to think about your children’s future without you if you are a single parent. Therefore, it is important for single parents to get started on estate planning — even single parents who are young and healthy. Read More Comments Off on California Estate Planning for Single Parents
The Importance and Purpose of Single Parent Estate Planning By A People's Choice|July 31st, 2020|Estate Planning, Family Law| As a single parent, it's important to plan for the worst to ensure your children's protection in case of an emergency. For example, a power of attorney can appoint a trusted friend or family member to handle your finances. Plus, you may want to choose a guardian for your children in the case of your incapacitation or untimely death. Read on for more tips on making these important decisions. Read More Comments Off on The Importance and Purpose of Single Parent Estate Planning
When is it Best to File Ancillary Probate in California? By A People's Choice|March 3rd, 2018|Probate| Ancillary probate in California is required if a person lives out-of-state but owns real property in California. Ancillary probate can be filed in California in the county where the decedent's real property is. The local California court can then appoint a Personal Representative to administer the assets in the state. Read More Comments Off on When is it Best to File Ancillary Probate in California?
Factors that Determine Spousal Support in California By A People's Choice|October 7th, 2018|Family Law| In a divorce or legal separation proceeding, a judge may order one spouse to pay the other alimony or spousal support as part of the separation judgment. With this in mind, what are the factors that determine spousal support? First and foremost, spousal support is based on the extent of each spouse’s earning capacity and how much is required to maintain the standard of living the pair enjoyed as a couple. Read More Comments Off on Factors that Determine Spousal Support in California
Understanding Federal Estate and Gift Tax Rates in California By A People's Choice|September 12th, 2022|Estate Planning, Probate| The federal gift tax is a tax by the government that applies to either assets left by a decedent at their death or assets given by an individual during their lifetime. In essence, whether you give your assets away while you are still living, or give them away when you die, they are subject to a tax. Gift tax applies to lifetime gifts; estate tax applies to assets left at death. Read on to learn about the federal estate and gift tax and how it may affect your estate. Read More 0
What Is a Probate Bond & When Do You Need One? By A People's Choice|July 21st, 2019|Probate, California Legal Documents| In California, the probate process often takes a long time. During the average 9 to 12 months of probate, someone must pay bills, sell assets when appropriate, and protect property from theft. The estate must trust that "someone," the executor, to handle the process wisely and well. In order to protect against mismanagement, you may need a probate bond. Learn about the options you may have as a personal representative of an estate. Read More Comments Off on What Is a Probate Bond & When Do You Need One?
Dying Without a Will in California By A People's Choice|August 16th, 2020|Estate Planning| Dying without a will in California subjects your estate to California intestate succession laws. In other words, the court will distribute your property depending on your living relatives. For example, your assets may go to a spouse or your children. However, if you want your property distributed in a certain manner, contact A People's Choice today. We can help you prepare a will or other estate planning documents to protect your assets upon your death. Read More Comments Off on Dying Without a Will in California
Estate Documents Form By A People's Choice|March 7th, 2024| A People’s Choice legal document preparation service in Ventura California can save you hundreds and sometimes thousands of dollars by preparing your California court and other legal documents instead of an expensive attorney! Read More Comments Off on Estate Documents Form
Estate Planning By A People's Choice|April 7th, 2014| Do I Need An Attorney For Estate Planning? Before you actually start to prepare your California estate planning documents, you need to learn about the different documents involved in good estate planning and how each document fits in with your overall estate goals. Keep in mind that creating your estate planning [...] Read More 0
Estate Planning By vitalinbound|February 11th, 2021| Our California Estate Planning Services Give the Gift of a Hassle-Free Inheritance Estate planning services tailored to your needs, providing peace of mind that assets will be transferred smoothly and without conflicts. Trustpilot Start My Estate Plan Talk to an Expert Trust Package [...] Read More 0
SLAT Estate Planning: A Great Option for Large Estates By A People's Choice|January 17th, 2022|California Courts, Estate Planning, Probate| There are many estate planning strategies out there, but which one is best? To be honest, it really depends on your situation. While most real estate strategies are designed to grow and successfully transfer assets, some are meant to look even further ahead to future generations. One of the latter, spousal lifetime access trust (SLAT) [...] Read More Comments Off on SLAT Estate Planning: A Great Option for Large Estates
California Wills By A People's Choice|December 7th, 2015| California Wills What is a Will? A will is a legal document that is effective at your death. This document will name your executor who is the person who will handle your assets after your death. It also permits you to name beneficiaries, set up support trusts for minor children or other dependents, and [...] Read More 1
Our California Estate Planning Services By A People's Choice|October 4th, 2020| California Estate Planning Documents: Living Trust, Will, Directive and Other Estate Planning Services Planning for your estate with properly prepared estate planning documents is important for everyone, from the single mother with a young child, to the mature couple who have the opportunity to enjoy life a little more leisurely. Start My Estate Plan [...] Read More 0
The Difference Between Annulment and Divorce: What You Need to Know By A People's Choice|July 5th, 2015|Personal, Family Law| The short 20-minute video will provide an overview of the difference between divorce legal separation and annulment in California. We discuss the legal basis needed to file an annulment in California, why some people choose to file a California legal separation proceeding and provide an in-depth discussion of the California divorce process for an uncontested divorce with a marital settlement agreement. Read More 1
6 Critical Estate Planning Tools Explained By A People's Choice|December 20th, 2021|Estate Planning| "Nothing is certain but death and taxes," as Benjamin Franklin famously said. That's why estate planning is so critical; you know life has to end eventually, so you might as well be prepared. To get started, you'll need to know about some of the best estate planning tools. There are plenty of estate planning [...] Read More Comments Off on 6 Critical Estate Planning Tools Explained