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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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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A Lesson in Prenups: Dr. Dre and Nicole Young’s Struggle After Filing for Divorce

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

Dr. Dre and estranged wife Nicole Young's current divorce battle is an unfortunate reminder of the importance of proper legal documentation. If you are married or in a domestic partnership, protect yourself in the case you must file for divorce. Be sure to complete your legal forms with a registered legal document assistant like A People's Choice, and keep them in your possession at all times.

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What You Are Entitled To in a California Divorce

By Sandra McCarthy|September 16th, 2020|Divorce|

If you are in the process of divorcing your spouse in California, you should know what property you are entitled to keep in your possession. California is a community property state, so anything purchased or earned during the course of a marriage should be split 50/50. Read on to learn more about what constitutes community property and how it is divided.

Involved in a California Divorce? Here’s What You Should Know

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

For those in the process of or considering getting divorced, one of the major questions you'll face is what assets you'll be entitled to. Between shared property, pension plans, and even debt, your portion may or may not be what you had in mind.

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.

California Divorce Residency Requirements: Where to File for Divorce in California

By Sandra McCarthy|August 31st, 2020|Family Law|

What are the residency requirements for filing divorce in California, and do you meet them? If not, what happens? Luckily, there are some simple solutions to typical residency requirement issues with California divorce. Read on to learn more, then contact A People's Choice to learn how we can assist you with completing and filing your divorce paperwork!

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Modifying Child Support Orders in California

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

If you've experienced a change in personal circumstances that affects your ability to pay child support, you may want to modify your current child support order. Read on to learn what the court considers when modifying child support orders, and how A People's Choice can help.

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Divorce Mediation: Everything You Need to Know

By Sandra McCarthy|May 21st, 2020|Family Law|

Are you considering a getting a divorce in California? If so, you may want to consider divorce mediation! Divorce mediation is a low-cost, fast way to settle issues and finalize a judgment. Additionally, it's a great option for parties who are amicable and willing to compromise.

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California Divorce Timeline – How Long Will My Divorce Take?

By Sandra McCarthy|May 21st, 2020|Divorce|

The California divorce timeline varies case by case. For example, an uncontested divorce may be finalized within several months, while an uncontested divorce can take years to terminate. Read on to learn about the average California divorce timeline and how the specifics of your case may affect the duration of your divorce.

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Divorce for Men in California: Your Complete Guide

By Sandra McCarthy|May 10th, 2020|Divorce|

Don't believe the advertisements divorce law firms often use to instill fear. Many attorneys want to make you fear that the worst will happen to you unless you hire them. If you believe what you read in advertisements on Internet forums, many horrible things can happen to men during the divorce process. Most of what they share are the worst-case scenario. with this in mind, you might benefit from some simple divorce advice for men. It's important to recognize that divorce will not ruin you financially. In addition, you probably do not even need a lawyer. All you need is a certified legal document assistant to handle your divorce forms.

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How to Mediate a Divorce in California: Guide and Checklist

By Sandra McCarthy|April 28th, 2020|Divorce, Family Law|

Divorce mediation is a great alternative for couples looking to save money and resolve their conflicts in an amicable way. Looking for more information on divorce mediation in California? Read on for a complete guide and checklist, and contact A People's Choice for more information.

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Pros, Cons, and Alternatives: California’s Courts Self-Help Center

By Sandra McCarthy|April 27th, 2020|California Courts|

Many people who try to use the California courts self-help centers end up calling a registered legal document assistant service instead. Read on to learn how these self-help centers can help you, and whether a service such as A People's Choice's may be better suited for your situation.

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Ventura County Divorce Forms Legal Assistance

By Sandra McCarthy|April 15th, 2020|Divorce|

A People's Choice is the only Ventura County divorce service that has offered low-cost divorce help since 1980. If you are considering terminating your marriage through divorce, legal separation or annulment, you will find that we offer the lowest fees and most comprehensive services for divorce document preparation in Ventura County.

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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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What is a Change of Venue in California?

By Sandra McCarthy|July 4th, 2019|California Courts|

A judge cannot hear a case without it satisfying two basic requirements: 1) the court has jurisdiction over the defendant and 2) it is proper venue. Proper venue means that the right court is hearing the case. With this in mind, there may be particular reasons that the statutorily "right" court is the wrong court to decide a case. For example, a party may request a change of venue if they fear they will not receive a fair hearing.

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Divorce Bifurcation – Become “Single” Before Divorce is Finished

By Sandra McCarthy|June 29th, 2019|Family Law|

Are you waiting to complete your California divorce case? Is your divorce case taking longer than expected to get a divorce Judgment? At a minimum, divorce in California takes at least six months to complete. It is not uncommon, however, for a divorce case to take months or even years to complete. When a divorce is taking too long, a couple can file for divorce bifurcation in order to become "single" before their divorce is finished.

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Importance of a Custody Order For Unmarried Parents

By Sandra McCarthy|January 1st, 2019|Family Law|

Many unmarried parents are raising children together, but what happens to the children if they split up? When a married couple divorces, the must settle child custody, visitation, and child support issues before they can finalize a divorce. But there is no requirement for an unmarried couple to go through the courts to end their relationship. Furthermore, there is no requirement for the couple to settle custody, visitation, and child support issues as part of their break up. In this regard, a custody order for unmarried parents becomes critical. Even if the split is amicable and the couple is in total agreement about all of the child-raising issues, it is important that they get a custody order from the court.

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How to Sue in Small Claims Court to Settle Disputes

By Sandra McCarthy|October 21st, 2018|California Courts|

Small claims courts are a low/cost, quick alternative to civil courts to settle civil disagreements. The rules of small claims court are simpler and the process is quicker and less expensive than a regular civil court. Examples of when you may want to sue in small claims court include: (1) Your landlord did not return your security deposit; (2) An auto repair shop did not fix your car properly; (3) You loaned money to a friend who refuses to pay you back; (4) You purchased a new HDTV that had a manufacturing defect, and the store will not return it; or someone hit you, broke your nose, and (5) You want them to pay for your medical bills.

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The California One Day Divorce Program

By Sandra McCarthy|July 11th, 2018|Family Law|

Are you looking to get a California one day divorce? Yes, it's true, counties throughout California have launched a one-day divorce program. This pilot program was created to help divorcing couples, who meet specific criteria, do so in one day. Be aware, however, the coined phrase "California one day divorce" is NOT what it seems. Let me be clear. You cannot get a divorce in California in one day. So what is the California one day divorce program all about?

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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

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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