Types of Guardianship for Minors in California By Sandra McCarthy|March 30th, 2021|Family Law| When establishing guardianship for minors in California, it is important to understand the different options available and how each affects the legal rights of all parties. Read on to learn more about informal and legal guardianship, how to obtain each, and how A People's Choice can help. Read More 241
California Living Trust Checklist By Sandra McCarthy|March 4th, 2021|Estate Planning| With our living trust preparation checklist, a DIY trust is possible! Plus, by working with a registered legal document assistant such as A People's Choice, you can avoid high attorney's fees for help drafting your trust. Read on for our complete California living trust checklist and to learn more about the necessary actions that come along with writing a trust. Read More 6
Should I make a California living trust? By Sandra McCarthy|February 25th, 2021|Living Trust FAQs| Many individuals choose to create a living trust so their estate can avoid probate upon their death. Oftentimes, probate is an expensive and complicated process that your family has to take care of after you pass. Plus, if you create a living trust, you can make it revocable. In other words, you have the option [...] Read More 0
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 [...] Read More Comments Off on California Proposition 19: How Will Estate Planning Change in February 2021?
Intestate Succession in California: What Happens When There’s No Will? By Sandra McCarthy|February 11th, 2021|Succession, California Courts| Intestate succession in California is a critical legal process that comes into play when an individual passes away without a valid will. Governed by specific state statutes, these laws dictate the distribution of a decedent's property to surviving heirs. This guide offers a comprehensive overview of how California's intestate succession laws function, outlining the [...] Read More 51
Revocable Trusts in California: An Estate Plan for Every Budget By Sandra McCarthy|February 7th, 2021|Estate Planning| When you hear about trusts in the context of estate planning, you probably think about trust fund babies and about sums of money that are so big that they cannot logically belong to individuals, much less to young people. Surprisingly, revocable trusts, also known as living trusts, can also offer many benefits to the 99%. If the value of your property is high enough that you do not qualify for any of the California simplified probate alternatives, then you could probably save your family members a lot of money by setting up a revocable trust. The good news is that revocable trusts in California do not have to be expensive to set up! You can save yourself a lot of money by having a California non-attorney legal document assistant prepare your revocable trust documents, instead of an estate planning lawyer. Read More Comments Off on Revocable Trusts in California: An Estate Plan for Every Budget
What Is A California Legal Document Assistant? By Sandra McCarthy|February 7th, 2021| California Legal Document Assistant vs. Paralegal What is a Legal Document Assistant (LDA)? On September 30, 1998 former Governor Pete Wilson signed California State Senate Bill SB1761, regulating the legal document preparation profession in the State of California, and creating a new formal title, Legal Document Assistant. Today, the legal document assistant profession [...] Read More 0
What is a Living Trust and How to Easily Set It Up in California By Sandra McCarthy|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. Read More 0
What happens at the first hearing in probate court? By Sandra McCarthy|January 26th, 2021|Probate Column 1, Probate FAQs| Although only about 20% of all probate filings get approved at the first hearing, if your case is one of the lucky ones and all goes well, the Order for Probate will be approved. At that point, the Court Clerk can issue the Letters. "Letters" is the document of authority that starts the probate timeline [...] Read More 2
Filing a California Heggstad Petition By Sandra McCarthy|January 13th, 2021|Probate| A Heggstad petition is used to legally declare that property listed on a trust schedule is nevertheless a trust asset, despite being formally omitted from the trust. If you need to transfer property to beneficiaries and want to save the estate from being fully probated, you may want to file a California Heggstad petition. Read More 32
How to Obtain Conservatorship in California By Sandra McCarthy|December 2nd, 2020|Probate| One of the first steps of obtaining conservatorship in California is understanding the process. Then, you must complete complicated petition documents. Need help with this step? Be sure to contact A People's Choice for low cost, attorney-free assistance. Read More 44
Our California Estate Planning Services By Sandra McCarthy|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 Problems Walt Disney’s Grandson Faces With Inheritance & Probate Court By Sandra McCarthy|September 20th, 2020|Probate| Did you know that one of Walt Disney's grandchildren has been fighting for over 15 years to collect his inheritance? Read on to learn why the court is holding his money, and how YOU can prevent issues with probate court. Read More Comments Off on The Problems Walt Disney’s Grandson Faces With Inheritance & Probate Court
Which Probate Fees Go To Executors? By Sandra McCarthy|September 16th, 2020|Probate| Did you know personal representatives are entitled to financial compensation for administering their loved one's estate? Read on to learn just how much executors are paid, and how it affects the estate and beneficiaries. Read More Comments Off on Which Probate Fees Go To Executors?
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. Read More Comments Off on Stepparent Adoption of an Adult in California: Process and Forms
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. Read More 111
The Downside of Holographic Wills in California By Sandra McCarthy|August 25th, 2020|Estate Planning| Holographic wills are estate planning documents that the testator writes and signs completely by hand. Furthermore, testators are not required to sign these documents in front of witnesses. As a result, probate courts often deem holographic wills invalid! That said, if you choose to create a holographic will, there are several elements you MUST include to ensure your estate is distributed according to your wishes. Read More Comments Off on The Downside of Holographic Wills in California
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. Read More Comments Off on Dying Without a Will in California
How a California Durable Power of Attorney Can Help You Plan for the Future By Sandra McCarthy|August 16th, 2020|Estate Planning| Did you know that a durable power of attorney is different from a power of attorney document? Believe it or not, a California durable power of attorney helps you plan for your future under different circumstances. Read on to learn more about the benefits of a durable power of attorney, what it means, and how A People's Choice can assist with your estate planning needs. Read More Comments Off on How a California Durable Power of Attorney Can Help You Plan for the Future
How to Access a Safe Deposit Box in California Following a Loved One’s Death By Sandra McCarthy|August 12th, 2020|Estate Planning, Probate| When a loved one dies with a safe deposit box, it's important to check what's inside! Often, people store wills, trusts, or other important estate planning documents in their safe deposit boxes. If your loved one's belongings are located at a financial institution, be sure to bring a key, proof of death, and a driver's license when requesting access. Read More 16