The following article will cover: Quiet title action definition and purpose. The process for filing a quiet title action in California. Potential outcomes and the role of an attorney in quiet title actions. What Is A Quiet Title Action? A quiet title action refers to a legal proceeding in which one party seeks to confirm their title to a property. This typically occurs under various circumstances, such as: Presence of a lien on the property that should not be there. Incomplete transfer of title. There are multiple parties on a deed, but not all of them have signed off on the transfer. Belief of ownership interest without proper title transfer. The primary reason for a quiet title action is to resolve issues with incomplete ownership or the presence of liens that should not be on the property. Why Does Someone Need To File A Quiet Title Action In California? In California, a quiet title action…Read More
In this article, you will discover: The importance of Estate Planning. How to properly complete the Estate Planning process in California. How the Estate Planning process can benefit you and/or your family in the event of death or incapacitation. What Is Estate Planning? Estate planning is the process of making important decisions about what happens to your assets after you pass away. It is never an easy process emotionally, but avoiding doing so can cause far more harm. There are many additional considerations beyond just financial assets which need to be taken into consideration, such as: Healthcare considerations, Financial affairs decisions, Guardianship decisions for children who are still minors, And more… When all are taken into account during the estate planning process, it is called an Entire or Complete Estate Plan, which is the recommended choice to avoid complications later. Why Is It So Important To Create An Estate Plan? If you fail to complete…Read More
In this article, you will learn: What an advanced care directive is. How the advanced healthcare directive differs from other end-of-life provisions in California. What other documents besides your advanced healthcare directive you might need. What Is An Advanced Healthcare Directive And What Does An Advanced Care Directive Do? An advanced healthcare directive is when you choose someone to act on your behalf and make healthcare decisions for you, should you become incapacitated. This is primarily used in the event you are hospitalized or in hospice to ensure that the person you trust has the written authority to make important medical decisions on your behalf. How Does An Advanced Healthcare Directive Differ From A Last Will And A Testament And Durable Power Of Attorney? While in some other states, the term ‘living will’ is used as an advance directive to provide guidance regarding medical decisions, in California law, the concepts are clearly distinct. The advanced…Read More
This article covers: The types of trust you might need for your assets in California. The different types of will you should consider during the estate planning process. How different financial assets are handled during the end-of-life legal process. What Are The Most Common Types Of Trusts Used In California And What Are Their Purposes? There are five primary types of trusts commonly used in California law and estate planning: Revocable Living Trust (Common, can be changed) Irrevocable Living Trust (Infrequent, very difficult to change) Charitable Remainder Trusts Pet Trusts Special Needs Trusts Let us cover them each in turn in more detail… What Is A Revocable Living Trust? Revocable Living Trusts are the most common type of trust used in California. Revocable means that you can change it or cancel it at any time so long as you are the Settlor (creator) of the trust. These are the go-to Trusts for the majority of…Read More
Written by: Sara Bailey If you thought waiting until your 40s or later to plan for retirement was a smart idea, think again. The right financial strategy earlier in your life (and career) can position you for a more rewarding retirement in the future. These strategies from Katje Law Group will put you on a smart fiscal path that’s worth every penny. Save and Invest as Much as Possible Fresh out of college, young professionals might find they’re suddenly earning more and spending just as much. A freewheeling phase might be beneficial for your mental health, but getting down to business money-wise is crucial. Though you have a long career ahead of you, starting early is essential for saving and investing in your future. As soon as you’re able, begin contributing to your retirement and set aside cash in savings. Don’t leave your cash in the bank for too long, though; a savings account with enough funds…Read More
Katje Law group discusses the importance of Estate Planning and highlights the Probate process after a loved one’s passing, required as a result of the failure to prepare a Living Trust. Although this process may seem complex, Katje Law Group is here to help! Estate Planning can be daunting and intimidating for beneficiaries. The main benefit is that it protects your loved one’s from the burden of having to make decisions regarding asset distribution, and also allows them to avoid the Probate process. Estate Planning is a process by which an individual or family arranges the transfer of assets to their loved ones after death through prepared wills and trusts. Probate is the formal legal process overseeing the distribution of your assets after your death through an executor or administrator of the estate, which is overseen by the court. Both the estate planning and probate processes are handled professionally and efficiently by Katje Law Group, all while…Read More
Written by: Amos Faulkner If you want to improve your financial health, technology can help. A personal finance app installed on your mobile phone can help you gain control of your finances, streamlining oversight and management. However, not all finance apps are created equal. This guide explains the benefits of a personal finance app and details what to look for in an app. Benefits Of A Personal Finance App A personal finance app can be used to check account balances, monitor your spending, and reduce errors in bookkeeping and accounting. Another advantage of a personal finance app is that you can link it to multiple bank accounts, giving you oversight of your different accounts, such as your checking, savings, or investment accounts. This is also useful if you have a business. A business bank account keeps your personal and professional finances separate. If you’ve established an LLC or corporation business entity, commingling funds will mean you…Read More
Katje Law Group has released pertinent information regarding the laws that govern the real estate industry. As a reputable and compassionate law firm, Katje Law Group stays up to date on the current changes in the legal industry since certain developments can have a major effect on their clients. In recent news, there are some regulations under bill AB 832 COVID-19 Relief: Tenancy: Federal rental assistance that expired on March 31, 2022. One of the terminated statutes included actions you could take to avoid an eviction and highlighted that money had been set aside to help renters who have fallen behind on rent or utility payments. Under this statute, tenants had the option to complete a rental assistance application. Although some statutes are expiring, it is important to note that some notice requirements, rent relief, and collection of rent through small claims courts are valid until 2025. According to AB 832, Chapter 27, section 5, “Existing…Read More
Edited by Joshua Iversen, Certified Financial Planner As difficult as it may be to imagine your life being any different than it is right now, there is a chance that you may not always be able to make legal decisions on your own. That being said, to draw up all the legal documents that specify everything from the kind of care you are willing to undergo during a medical emergency to the individuals you would like to be your heirs, you must still possess the legal capacity to make those decisions. By taking care of all this legal work earlier on in life, you can save yourself and your family a considerable amount of trouble down the road. Don’t Put Off Planning Your Estate Though many of the decisions you will need to make as part of the estate planning process can seem far removed from your present circumstances, each of those decisions will serve as…Read More
Originally written by Lisa J. Gary, Esq. A power of attorney (POA) can be an important element of planning for your elderly parent’s future. It allows another person to take action on your parent’s behalf, ensuring bills get paid and medical decisions can be made in the unfortunate circumstance that your elderly parent is unable to do those things on their own or merely needs help with such tasks. Christina Jeter, Esq., of The Jeter Law Firm, PLLC, advises, “It always makes sense to have a power of attorney in place, regardless of any situation. It is better to be prepared than to have to scramble to think of what an elderly parent would really want.” Arranging a power of attorney for your parent is a good way to open up a discussion with them about their wishes and needs for the future. Jeter continues, “Having those respective POAs in place means that an elderly parent has had…Read More