A Plain-English Guide from The Legal Wrangler (Who Ain’t a Lawyer)

Howdy, folks. If you’ve recently lost a loved one — or you’re just trying to get your ducks in a row before you ride off into the sunset — you’ve probably heard the word “probate.” And let me tell you, for something so common, it sure does confuse a lotta people.

So let’s saddle up and break it down: simple, honest, and straight to the point.

Mojave Legal Docs prepares and files the necessary documents with the court to help you navigate probate and secure legal ownership—at a fraction of the cost of an attorney. Call 661-387-4005 for a free consultation.

Navigating the probate process can feel like taming a wild stallion—unpredictable, overwhelming, and full of twists and turns. If you’re staring down an upcoming hearing with a long list of deficiencies to clear, don’t ride solo—we’ve got your back!

At Mojave Legal Docs, we specialize in low-cost assistance for uncontested probate matters in California. Whether you need help rounding up your probate forms, wrangling court requirements, or clearing those pesky deficiencies before your next showdown in court, we offer expert guidance to keep your case on the right trail.

Why Saddle Up With Us?

• Affordable Probate Assistance – Avoid sky-high attorney fees while ensuring your paperwork is handled wi

Today, we saddled up and tuned in to Pastor Levi Lusko as he delivered a message that rode straight into the heart of responsibility, clarity, integrity, simplicity, and legacy. He reminded us of a staggering truth: 70% of Americans don’t have a Last Will and Testament. Why? The number one culprit—procrastination.

Life is like a wild prairie—you never know when a storm might roll in. Benjamin Franklin once said, “By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.” These words ring as true today as they did back then. The only guarantee in this life is its end, and when that time comes, who will steer the wagon for your loved ones? Will it be your hand guiding the reins, or will the government decide for you? Who will raise your children, manage you

In the ever-evolving landscape of entrepreneurship, there may come a time when the best decision is to hang up your spurs and close the doors of your business. Whether it’s due to market shifts, personal circumstances, or simply a change in direction, understanding the legal intricacies of business dissolution is crucial. Just as a seasoned cowboy knows when to ride off into the sunset, you must be equipped to navigate this process smoothly and in compliance with the law.

In this curated article, we’ll delve into the essential steps and considerations involved in winding down a business, ensuring you’re prepared for every twist and turn along the way. For a comprehensive overview and expert insights, be sure to check out the full article on Wolters Kluwer

In this article, we’re hitchin’ our wagons to California’s Proposition 19 and the impact it has on property tax reassessment for parent-child transfers. After reviewing many resources, we can confidently say this is the clearest article we’ve read to date! It lays out how property taxes can be affected by reassessments under certain situations, helping homeowners understand the complexities.

A big tip of the hat to Brenda Geiger, J.D. at Geiger Law Office in Carlsbad, CA, for her insightful work on this topic. Join us as we break down the key points and explore how this legislation can shape your family’s real estate planning journey.

For the full scoop, ride on over to the complete article

Are you the Successor Trustee feeling lost on how to adminster a Trust Estate? Check out this handy guide below to help steer you in the direction: 

Step 1: Round Up the Essentials
The first order of business for a successor trustee after the Trustor/Settlor/Grantor rides off into the sunset is to gather up all the necessary papers. This here includes:

• The original trust documents  (the map to the treasure)
• The death certificate (the ticket to the afterlife)
• A list of assets (what’s in the saddlebag)
• Property deeds (proof of land ownership)

Step 2: Know the Timely Trails
As the successor trustee, it’s mighty important to keep an eye on the clock. Missing key deadlines can lead to s

When it comes to transferring property in California, especially in the wild and untamed world of real estate, understanding the different types of deeds is crucial. Just like a cowboy knows their horse, you need to know your deeds. Two of the most common instruments used are the grant deed and the quitclaim deed. Each serves its purpose, and knowing when to use each can save you time and potential legal wrangling.

A grant deed is the trusty document most often used in California for passing the reins of ownership from one hand to another. This legal instrument effectively conveys a fee simple title to the grantee, ensuring that the new owner holds the title securely—like a pioneer staking their claim in the wild frontier. According to case law, a grant deed “<

In the wild west of estate planning, a revocable living trust can be your trusty steed, guiding you through the rugged terrain of asset management and inheritance. Just as a cowboy knows the lay of the land, it’s essential to understand which assets can go in your trust corral and which ones typically stay out in the open range. So saddle up and let’s ride through the essentials!

(By clicking on the “asset” link it will give you a more in depth explanation as to the pros and cons of funding your Living Trust with that asset.)

1. Real Estate: Whether you’ve got a sprawling ranch or a cozy homestead, real estate is a prime candidate for your trust. Transferring your prop

It’s a common scenario that many individuals face - diligently setting their affairs in order, only to encounter challenges when the Power of Attorney Form is needed most, especially when dealing with financial institutions. Banks often raise issues such as the form being outdated, lacking durability or required language, not formally accepted by the Agent, or even insisting on their own proprietary Power of Attorney form.

AARP recommends requesting the bank to store the Power of Attorney on file and verifying that it aligns with the bank’s approval standards.

A common question from customers is “Where should I keep my Living Trust?”  Attorney Matthew W. Odgers from San Diego, breaks down seven practices and tips on where to store your important documents. Click here to read his blog post

SAVE $100 OFF THE GOLD MINE REVOCABLE LIVING TRUST THIS MOTHER’S DAY!

• Intake Meeting
• Articles of Trust
• Certification of Trust
• Pour Over Will
• Durable Power of Attorney
• Advance Health Care Directive
• One Quitclaim Deed ($99 for each additional California Deed, plus recording fees of $125)
• Recording Fees
• Notary Fees 
• Mobile Delivery to Tehachapi, California City, Mojave, and Rosamond

Individual Living Trust for One Person  $780 ($680 through the Month of May) 

Joint Living Trust for Married or Registered Domestic Partners $880 ($780 through the Month of May) 

Our Experienced Certified Estate Planners make it ea

 A lot of people have different versions of their name – Jim for James, Peggy for Margaret, Dick for Richard, Bill for William, Bob for Robert, and so forth. Plus, there are different versions of last names. Traditionally, in the U.S., women and children take their husband/ father’s last name but in other countries it’s a different arrangement where the kids take both of their parents’ last names and then later, often times, one last name gets left behind. Other issues can arise by not using suffixes like Junior or III.

When creating an Estate Plan, sometimes people get hung up on the first question:

What is your name?

Click here to see what three atto

We have spent countless hours listening to customers contemplate on who they should choose as the Successor Trustee, especially with blended families that have different political views, social values, skill sets, and personalities, so they appoint often times appoint successor Co-Trustees.

Read below to see what these attorneys have to say on the subject of appointing Successor Co-Trustees:

IS APPOINTING MORE THAN ONE TRUSTEE A GOOD IDEA?

“As the Settlor, you have the freedom to select any individual as the Trustee, and you can even appoint multiple Co-Trustees. People often choose Co-Trustees for various reasons, such as:

·       Avoiding potential conflicts among adult child

Click here to view what Insight Law has posted about this estate planning option. 

Do you need to go through Probate? Did your mom, dad, sibling, spouse, or adult child pass away as the sole owner of a property without an estate plan? We can help you for 70% less than most attorneys, in certain situations:

The decedent does or does not have a Last Will and Testament. If the decedent has a Last Will and Testament, it is the original Will with wet signatures and is witnessed by two people, or it is a handwritten Holographic Will; you have the contact information of everyone mentioned in the Will and they are cooperative and willing to sign waivers.

If the decedent did not have a Last Will and Testament, we can still help, especially with these situations: 

Your parent passed away and you are an only adult child without a predeceased sibling.

Read California Code, Probate Code - PROB § 4458 - In a statutory form power of attorney, the language granting power with respect to estate, trust, and other beneficiary transactions, empowers the agent to act for the principal in… click to read more

We have heard many reasons why customers choose to omit a child from a Will or Trust: The child is estranged, doesn’t need the money, they have already received a substantial gift, they are already a beneficiary on a particular account or life insurance policy, or the child will squander the inheritance. Regardless of the reason why, this published information might be helpful when setting up your estate planning documents. Click here to read the article. 

A Legal Document Assistants used to be called Independent Paralegals. However, as of January 2000, only paralegals that work under an attorney may call themselves paralegals. A Legal Document Assistant often has the same educational background as a paralegal, but does not work under an attorney. An LDA is registered and bonded with a home county in California. Check out the California LDA (CALDA) website for more FAQs.

https://calda.org/What-is-a-Legal-Document-Assistant-(LDA)#WhoAre

March 29, 2024 is National Mom and Pop Business Day! Mom and Pop Businesses are essential to our economy.  Show your support to your favorite local small business by ordering a meal, a haircut, a bouquet of flowers, a service, etc… Then, share your experience on Facebook and tag Mojave Legal Docs (@mojavelegaldocs) for 20% off all Estate Planning documents during the month of March. Restrictions apply.  Click here to follow  us on Facebook. 

Go to the California’s Child support calculator here.

The State of California says, a birth certificate DOES NOT establish legal parentage when parents are unmarried. Only signing a Voluntary Declaration of Parentage or obtaining a judgment in court legally establishes parentage for the children of unmarried parents. 

Click here to learn about the process of establishing parentage. 

Click here to learn about filing options. 

Help your loved ones skip probate by using payable-on-death accounts, registrations, and deeds. You can take simple steps to ensure that certain types of property pass to your loved ones without going through probate court. Click here to continue reading.