You can often clear a California conviction for several hundred to a few thousand dollars, depending on the crime and whether you hire an attorney. If you handle the paperwork yourself or use a legal document preparation service like Laguna Legal, your out‑of‑pocket cost will usually be far lower than hiring an attorney, which commonly […]
You can often expect a California expungement to take about 2 to 3 months from filing to final court action, though some cases run shorter or stretch to 4+ months if the court or district attorney takes longer. If your case is simple and uncontested, the process usually completes in roughly 90 days. This post […]
Recording a grant deed in California is an important step to make sure your property ownership is officially transferred. To record a grant deed, you need to submit the properly completed documents to the county recorder’s office where the property is located, along with any required fees. Our experience shows that many people find the […]
Protecting your home from title fraud is important, especially here in California, where cases have been rising. You may have seen ads for title lock services that promise to stop thieves from stealing your property title. But these services are not true insurance and often don’t prevent fraud — they mostly monitor your deed and […]
Getting your criminal record cleared in California might seem complicated, but the process is more straightforward than many people think. We help clients navigate this system every day, and we’ve seen how much relief expungement can bring to people’s lives. The expungement process in California involves filing a petition under Penal Code 1203.4 and having […]
If you are buying, selling, or transferring real estate in California, you may come across the term “grant deed.” So, what is a grant deed in California, and why does it matter? A grant deed is a legal document used to transfer property ownership, and it is commonly used in real estate transactions across the […]
Yes, California allows transfer-on-death deeds for real estate. This option became available in 2016 when the state passed a law creating the Revocable Transfer on Death (TOD) Deed as a legal document. A TOD deed lets California property owners transfer their homes to beneficiaries without going through probate after death. This means your loved ones […]
The recent wildfires in Los Angeles have devastated many homes and properties, leaving affected residents wondering how to manage their financial obligations. If your property was damaged or destroyed in these fires, you may be eligible for significant property tax relief through various programs offered by Los Angeles County. Property owners can file a “Property […]
Property taxes in California can increase dramatically when a home changes ownership due to Proposition 13 rules. When a property transfers to a new owner, the county assessor typically reassesses it at its current market value, which often leads to higher tax bills. However, several legal strategies exist to avoid triggering this reassessment when preparing […]
The Internal Revenue Service has announced significant increases to gift and estate tax exemptions for 2025. These changes will impact high-net-worth individuals and their estate planning strategies. The federal estate tax exemption will rise to $13,990,000 per individual in 2025, up from $13,610,000 in 2024. For married couples, this exemption doubles to $27,980,000, providing substantial […]
