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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What Happens at a Probate Court Hearing and What is the Best Way to Represent Yourself?

By Sandra McCarthy|April 24th, 2020|Probate|

Want to represent yourself in probate court in California? Learn how to represent yourself in probate court without a lawyer. Plus, learn how A People's Choice can prepare all necessary paperwork so the estate can avoid paying statutory fees. Contact us today for more information.

How to Adopt an Adult in California

By Sandra McCarthy|April 23rd, 2020|Adoption|

In California, adult adoption is a legal procedure in which an older adult adopts a younger adult to create a legal parent-child relationship. Older adults may be inspired to pursue adult adoption for a plethora of reasons. For example, some people use adult adoption to help deal with complicated estate planning issues. Others may solidify [...]

California Divorce Checklist

By Sandra McCarthy|April 13th, 2020|Divorce, Family Law|

Filing for divorce can be a very stressful process. To help out, we've created a California divorce checklist to alleviate some pressure and help ensure you complete all necessary steps prior to filing divorce. Check it out now!

LegalZoom vs. Nolo vs. Rocket Lawyer & A People’s Choice – Compare Legal Document Services

By Sandra McCarthy|March 28th, 2020|California Courts|

If you're looking for a legal document preparation service, a simple Google search will present a plethora of a results - but how can you know which service is best? In this post we'll compare LegalZoom, Nolo, and Rocket Lawyer, three of the most popular legal document services, and also alert you of some of their dangers. Read on to learn more!

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What is a Criminal Certificate of Rehabilitation?

By Sandra McCarthy|August 18th, 2019|California Courts|

Sometimes it feels like the punishment for a criminal conviction does not end when you finish probation or get out of prison. When you have a criminal record, it can be hard to get prospective employers to give you a chance. People treat you like a criminal when all you want is to earn an honest living. Lawmakers have become aware of the challenges faced by people with criminal records and have begun to offer some options to help protect their rights. In California, one of these options is a certificate of rehabilitation (COR). A registered legal document assistant can help you apply for one and move on from your criminal conviction.

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What is a Joinder?

By Sandra McCarthy|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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Serving Legal Documents With No Address

By Sandra McCarthy|July 6th, 2019|California Courts|

A court will not hear a case until the defendant or the opposing party has personally received a court summons and a copy of the complaint or petition. Usually, defendants receive these documents by personal delivery, substituted service, or service by mail. Unfortunately, serving legal documents gets complicated without the defendant's address. Here's what you need to know when serving legal documents with no address.

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Representing Yourself in Family Court

By Sandra McCarthy|October 21st, 2018|Family Law|

In family law matters, many people choose to represent themselves rather than hire a lawyer. Although representing yourself in family court has the potential to be risky, many of our clients are quite successful at it. Obviously representing yourself and using a non-attorney service for document preparation can save a lot of money in attorney fees. On the other hand, for people who cannot afford an attorney, representing themselves in family court may be the only option. Here is what you need to know about representing yourself in Family court.

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Can You Trust Online Legal Services Companies?

By Sandra McCarthy|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.

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How to Register a Foreign Child Support Order in California

By Sandra McCarthy|December 30th, 2017|Family Law|

Learn how to register a foreign child support order in California. When you register a foreign child support order in California, the California court will have the power to collect and enforce the child support order of another state. Here are the steps to register a foreign child support order in California.

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Steps to Incorporate in California

By Sandra McCarthy|November 23rd, 2017|Business|

Looking to incorporate in California? Learn the steps to incorporate in California without having to hire an expensive attorney. Step 1: Choose your name...

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Joint Child Custody Tips and Solutions

By Sandra McCarthy|September 2nd, 2017|Family Law|

When exploring joint child custody solutions, there are many joint child custody options a couple can consider. First, California custody orders include both legal and physical custody. Legal custody refers to the decisions a parent makes about their child’s schooling, religious activities, and medical treatment. Physical custody refers to which parent the child resides with [...]

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How to Reconvey a Deed of Trust

By Sandra McCarthy|August 21st, 2017|Estate Planning|

People often confuse the term "Grant Deed" vs "Deed of Trust". A deed signifies the passage of property ownership from one person to another. Transferring title to real property can be completed by a Grant Deed, Quitclaim Deed, Interspousal Transfer Deed, Trust Transfer Deed or other type of deed that transfers ownership/title. On the contrary, [...]

How to Sell a Business in California

By Sandra McCarthy|July 15th, 2017|Business|

Congratulations! Selling a business in California is a huge milestone. From getting a business up-and-running, to developing customers and continued growth, selling a business in California is a true sign of success. Read on to learn more about how to sell a business in California. How to Sell a California Business [...]

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Can You File for Divorce in Another State?

By Sandra McCarthy|June 30th, 2017|Family Law|

Can you file for divorce in California when you and your spouse live in Nevada? The answer is probably not! Almost every state, except Alaska, South Dakota, and Washington have strict residency requirements to file divorce in that state. In other words, if you live in California but want to file for divorce in another [...]

Gilmore Rights and Your California QDRO

By Sandra McCarthy|March 31st, 2017|Family Law|

Gilmore rights allow a divorcing spouse to receive a share of community interest held in their spouse’s pension plan. Specifically, this means the spouse can choose to receive these benefits before the participant actually retires. Benefits become eligible at the earliest date in which the employee spouse would be eligible to retire. To enforce your [...]

Dealing With Parental Alienation

By Sandra McCarthy|September 2nd, 2016|Family Law|

Parental alienation syndrome (PAS) is a psychological condition often seen in children that have been traumatized by high conflict divorce. One of the main signs seen in children that are experiencing PAS is an unfounded hatred toward a parent for no logical reason. This article is an overview on how to identify and deal with [...]

Petition to Establish Fact of Marriage Granted After Judge Has Change of Heart

By Sandra McCarthy|July 10th, 2016|Family Law|

What do you do when you and your spouse "think" you have been married for over 30 years and then unexpectedly discover that your marriage certificate was never officially filed with the Court Clerk? Well, this is exactly what happened recently to clients of ours. Our clients, whom we will call Sam and Betty, had [...]

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How to Set Up a Special Needs Trust

By Sandra McCarthy|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 [...]

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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)	+$300
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	+$250
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

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