Estate Planning

By Sandra McCarthy|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 [...]

What Are Non-Probate Assets, and How Do They Affect Your Estate Planning?

By Sandra McCarthy|July 28th, 2021|Estate Planning, Probate|

Probate is no picnic to those who are unfamiliar with the process. For one, if you’ve been chosen as a personal representative for an estate, you’ll need a complete understanding of what a personal representative has to do with both probate and non-probate assets. And, unfortunately, California probate law doesn’t make things easier. [...]

California Proposition 19: How Will Estate Planning Change in February 2021?

By Sandra McCarthy|February 13th, 2021|Estate Planning|

Children inheriting property from their parents will face significant financial consequences once California Proposition 19 (Prop 19) comes into effect on February 16, 2021. California voters approved Prop 19 on November 3, 2020, through the Home Protection for Seniors, Severely Disabled, Families, and Victims of Wildfire or Natural Disasters Act. The law has two [...]

Comments Off

Title Insurance Problems With Transfer on Death Deed

By Sandra McCarthy|July 31st, 2019|Estate Planning|

Certain legal terms cause people to clutch their wallets in fear. With regard to income taxes, people fear the word “audit". In family law, they fear the word “alimony”. The scariest word in estate planning is “probate,” which refers to the process by which the court effectively dictates what happens to a deceased person’s property. Knowing the term "transfer on death deed" can make probate far less scary. Unfortunately, since the implementation of this new estate planning tool, people are discovering title insurance problems with transfer on death deeds.

Prepare Living Trust Without Attorney Using Legal Document Assistant Service

By Sandra McCarthy|March 26th, 2020|Personal|

As we get older, we tend to spend more time thinking about our estate plans, what we leave to our children, and our legacy. However, oftentimes the cost of preparing estate plan paperwork with an attorney pushes this item to the back burner. Looking to prepare a living trust for a fraction of the cost? Here is the story of how one woman did just that - and saved $500!

Comments Off

Benefits of a Spendthrift Trust in Estate Planning

By Sandra McCarthy|November 23rd, 2017|Estate Planning|

A spendthrift trust is a great tool to protect, preserve, and pass on wealth to beneficiaries. What makes a spendthrift trust so special? This article will explain the benefits of a spendthrift trust.

Comments Off

Help Me Decide

By Sandra McCarthy|March 7th, 2024|

Help Me Decide Use our guide to help find which type of estate plan best fits your needs.

Comments Off

What Is Probate Estate?

By Sandra McCarthy|September 20th, 2021|Estate Planning, Probate|

As a popular saying attributed to Japanese writer Haruki Murakami goes, "death is not the opposite of life but a part of it." That brings to mind the fact that although death can stop a person from living, it can’t stop the person’s legacy from thriving. This, is related to the far less poetic, [...]

Comments Off

Complete Guide: Navigating Small Estate Probate in California

By Sandra McCarthy|July 3rd, 2024|Probate|

Losing a loved one is difficult, and managing the legal and administrative responsibilities that follow can add to the emotional burden. The tasks involved in settling an estate can feel overwhelming, but you don't have to navigate them alone. In California, the process for smaller estates valued under a certain dollar amount is more [...]

What’s a Conservatorship of the Estate in California?

By Sandra McCarthy|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 [...]

How to Deal With Creditors and Debts in California Probate

By Sandra McCarthy|September 3rd, 2018|Probate|

California has specific laws and rules about the process required to deal with creditors and debts in California probate. It is the estate’s executor or appointed representative's responsibility to notify all creditors of the probate proceedings. This notification allows creditors to make and file formal claims against the probate estate. It is important to note that creditors and interested parties usually have a limited amount of time to file a claim.

Comments Off

Step by Step Guide to Letters of Testamentary in California

By Sandra McCarthy|July 3rd, 2019|Probate, Estate Planning|

After someone dies in California, an estate may have to through probate. If the estate is large and the decedent had a Will, the first step is to get Letters Testamentary in probate. Probate in California involves many steps. Although probate is complicated, you will not likely need an attorney to handle probate in California. An experienced legal document preparer can help for most estates.

Comments Off

How to Close a Probate Estate in California

By Sandra McCarthy|December 29th, 2016|Probate|

There are many steps in the California probate process, the last of which is closing the probate case. In order to close a probate estate in California, the appointed personal representative must file a petition with the probate court which reports everything he/she has done in regards to the estate. The personal representative must file [...]

Thrift Savings Plan Retirement Division in Divorce

By Sandra McCarthy|April 29th, 2017|Family Law|

A Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) is a retirement system and plan for federal employees, military personnel and reservists. Congress established the plan in 1986. The federal TSP is a defined contribution plan. This means the amount of money a plan participant receives from the plan depends on how much he/she contributed throughout his/her working years. The [...]

The California Probate Process: A Step-by-Step Guide

By Sandra McCarthy|February 4th, 2021|Probate|

The probate process in California starts after someone dies. Depending on the size of the estate, the process of probating an estate can be surprisingly quick and simple to complete. For larger estates, probate may be lengthy and more complex. Here's what you need to know to start the probate process in California.

Benefits of Restating a Trust

By Sandra McCarthy|August 12th, 2019|Estate Planning|

If you have thought at all about estate planning, congratulations! You have already saved your family lots of hassle and expense. If you have set up a living trust, even better; you are very well prepared. However, even the best-laid plans sometimes change. When this happens, you might find yourself in the position of restating a trust.

Comments Off

Is It a Good Idea to Hire a California Probate Attorney?

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

Not every asset that belongs to a deceased person becomes part of his or her estate. Not all estates must go through probate. Only some of the estates that go through probate involve complex issues that require the personal representative to hire a lawyer. In fact, hiring an attorney is usually a waste of money in uncomplicated probate cases. For most people, it makes better financial sense to hire a non-attorney professional to complete your probate forms correctly.

Comments Off

Understanding California’s Transfer on Death Deed

By Sandra McCarthy|August 26th, 2020|Estate Planning|

Are you considering using a transfer on death deed to transfer real property to a beneficiary after your death? Believe it or not, a TOD deed is not always the best option for estate planning. In fact, it works best for people without minor children, whose real estate is their only asset. Read on to learn more about whether a TOD deed is right for you.

111

Dying Without a Will in California

By Sandra McCarthy|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.

Comments Off

Probate an Estate with Lost Will

By Sandra McCarthy|November 11th, 2016|Probate|

If you have to probate an estate with lost will in California, it is not an easy task. If a will is lost, specific facts, circumstances, and state law will decide which family members inherit the decedent’s assets. For example, if the will was revoked prior to the decedent’s death, and a new will did [...]

Comments Off

Previous 1 234 5···10 Next

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)

Need a new search?

Will Documents

Trust Documents

Individual Estate Documents

Will Documents

Trust Documents

Individual Estate Documents