September 2023 - Lonich Patton Ehrlich Policastri

What’s the Average Cost of Making a Will?

September 28, 2023/in Estate Planning /by Michael Lonich

Did you know that less than half of all Americans surveyed currently have a will? It’s easy to understand why. It can be uncomfortable to think about the end of your life or what will happen to your family when you’re no longer there to provide for them. But having your will in place is one of the most important things you can do to protect your loved ones’ future.

Everyone should have a will no matter the size of your estate. Without one, a probate court will end up making important decisions about who inherits your property or money, and who will take care of your children after your death. Having a will in place, on the other hand, ensures that your wishes are carried out.

So how much does it cost to make a will? That depends on a few different factors, such as how you choose to draft it, where you live, and the size and complexity of your estate. The following is a discussion about some of the options available to you when drafting your will and how much you can expect to pay for each.

Write a Holographic Will

A holographic will is another name for a completely hand-written will that you draft yourself. Online templates and software are available to walk you through the process and give you a better idea of what you need to include. Although this option might sound appealing at first because it’s free (aside from a small fee to have it notarized), not all states accept holographic wills as valid. Unless you have legal experience and are familiar with the laws in your state, it can also be easy to make mistakes or omit important information, which might complicate things for your designated beneficiaries.

Use an Online Legal Service

Several online services exist that will charge a fee ranging anywhere from $50 to around $200 to draft your will. Although you might have access to trained specialists to help you, these documents usually rely on you filling out an online questionnaire that might not fit your specific situation or needs.

Hire an Estate Planning Attorney

While hiring a professional is the most expensive option, it is often worth the extra money for the peace of mind of knowing that your legal document is valid and error-free. In addition to familiarity with the laws in your state, a good estate planning attorney will also be able to walk you through all your options and consider alternatives you might not be aware of, like a living will.

Depending on where you live, you might pay as little as $300 to as much as $1,000. Generally speaking, if you live in an area with a higher cost of living, attorney fees will also be higher. Attorney fees can also be affected by how complicated your needs are. For instance, if you have a large estate with a lot of assets, if you have several beneficiaries to consider, if you have a special needs child, if you own a business, if you are divorced, etc., it might take longer for you and your attorney to work through all the issues to your satisfaction, resulting in higher fees. At the end of the day, though, knowing that you and your loved ones don’t have to worry about the future is worth it.

Consult the Experts at Lonich Patton Ehrlich Policastri

At Lonich Patton Ehrlich Policastri, we have decades of experience in helping our clients draft wills to ensure their wishes are clearly set out and will stand up in court. Our estate planning attorneys can also work with you to update your will after a major life event like the birth of a child, buying or selling a house, starting a business, getting divorced, or coming into an inheritance. Call us today at 408-553-0801 to schedule a free consultation. We look forward to working with you to protect your family and your future.

Disclaimer: This article does not constitute a guarantee, warranty, or prediction regarding the outcome of your legal matter.

Can a victim of domestic violence lose their parental rights?

September 22, 2023/in Family Law /by Gina Policastri

The harrowing issue of domestic violence casts a long shadow over countless lives, including those of children who sadly end up caught in the middle of domestic abuse incidents far too often.

Many victims of domestic abuse become concerned about their parental rights. In this article, we’ll explore the legal factors associated with domestic abuse and parental rights, explaining California’s laws around domestic violence and child custody.

The definition of domestic violence in California

California’s Domestic Violence Prevention Act (DVPA) forms the bedrock of the state’s legal approach to domestic abuse. According to this act, domestic violence encompasses a wide range of abusive behaviors that occur within intimate relationships, including but not limited to:

Physical abuse
Verbal abuse
Emotional abuse
Psychological abuse
Sexual abuse
Online harassment
Economic abuse

The DVPA is designed to protect individuals in various types of intimate relationships, including married couples, domestic partners, individuals in dating relationships, cohabitants, and those who share a child in common, regardless of whether they have ever lived together.

California’s laws around domestic violence and child custody

When domestic abuse occurs within a family, one of the most pressing concerns is the well-being and safety of any children involved. In California, as in many other states, there are specific laws and guidelines in place to address domestic violence within the context of child custody and visitation arrangements.

The best interests of the child standard

In California, the primary consideration in all child custody and visitation decisions is the best interests of the child. This legal standard guides judges in determining custody arrangements that prioritize the child’s physical and emotional well-being above all else.

Domestic violence’s impact on child custody

The presence of domestic abuse within a family can significantly impact child custody proceedings. California law acknowledges that exposure to domestic abuse can be harmful to children, even if they are not direct victims of the abuse. Consequently, courts take allegations and evidence of domestic violence seriously when making custody determinations.

Rebuttable presumption against custody for abusers

California law includes a rebuttable presumption against awarding custody to a parent who has been found to have committed domestic violence within the past five years against the other parent or the child.

This means that the court will generally assume that it is not in the child’s best interests to be placed in the custody of an abusive parent, unless the accused abuser can present evidence demonstrating that it would indeed be in the child’s best interests.

Can a victim of domestic violence lose their parental rights in California?

While the presence of domestic abuse can have significant implications for child custody decisions in California, it does not automatically result in the termination of parental rights for the abuser or the victim.

The court’s primary concern is the child’s best interests, and custody determinations are made on a case-by-case basis, considering all relevant evidence and circumstances. Survivors of domestic violence are encouraged to seek legal counsel to navigate these complex legal proceedings effectively and safeguard the well-being of their children.

Protect your rights with LPEP

It is crucial for any victim of domestic abuse involved in a child custody dispute to have legal representation. At Lonich Polich Ehrlich Policastri, our attorneys are highly experienced in both domestic violence and California family law. We can help you advocate for your rights and protect your children’s safety.

Contact us here for a free consultation, or call 408-553-0801 to get started.

Disclaimer: This article does not constitute a guarantee, warranty, or prediction regarding the outcome of your legal matter.

Estate Planning for Surviving Spouses: What to Do ASAP

September 14, 2023/in Estate Planning /by Michael Lonich

If you recently lost your spouse, you are likely dealing with many emotions – grief, disbelief, and shock, to name a few. In addition to facing this incredibly difficult experience, you probably now have the responsibility of managing the estate and ensuring your financial security.

We’ll explore some of the steps you should take immediately so that your affairs are taken care of from an estate planning perspective.

1. Get several copies of the death certificate

One of the first steps you should take as a surviving spouse is to obtain several copies of your spouse’s death certificate. They will be essential as you navigate legal and financial matters in the upcoming months. You may need them for closing bank accounts, selling property, and distributing assets to beneficiaries. By having multiple copies, you will be sure to have the necessary documentation in hand when you need it.

2. Review your spouse’s estate plan

Even if you believe you know everything about your spouse’s financies, you will want to take some time to review all of their legal and financial documents. These can provide information on the distribution of assets and provide a complete picture of your own financial future.

It can also help ensure that you are prepared for any unexpected events that may arise.

3. Notifications

You will need to inform the appropriate parties of your spouse’s passing. This includes Social Security Administration, insurance providers, credit card companies, banks, credit bureaus, and anywhere else your spouse held assets, both separate and joint accounts.

Not only does this assist with a smooth transfer of assets, but it also helps prevent unauthorized access to the accounts, fraud, or identity theft.

4. Review your own estate plan

If you and your spouse had a joint estate plan, now is the time to review and update it. Many couples name their spouse for the financial and medical powers of attorney, executor, and beneficiary. If that is your situation, you will need to revise your estate plan.

You might also need to change the beneficiaries on your retirement accounts and life insurance policies. Furthermore, if you and your spouse had joint ownership of assets, you may want to update your estate plan to include “transfer on death” instructions.

5. Understand the tax implications

You should know how taxes will impact your inheritance and your shared financial assets. Proper planning can help ease tax liabilities down the road. California has protections in place for widows and widowers, often referred to as widow’s rights.

Navigating the complexities of an estate plan can be difficult, especially when you are grieving over the loss of your spouse. Working with a professional estate planning attorney can help make the task less daunting. Our attorneys at Lonich Patton Ehrlich Policastri have the experience you need. They can guide you through the process and help you understand the legal and financial documentation and tax implications.

You don’t have to go through this alone. Contact us at 408-553-0801 for a free consultation, and let us help you find peace of mind during this difficult time.

Disclaimer: this article does not constitute a guarantee, warranty, or prediction regarding the outcome of your legal matter.

You Filed for Divorce, Now What?

September 7, 2023/in Family Law /by Mitchell Ehrlich

As with most legal processes, divorce involves several steps, and it can be confusing to know what you need to do and in what order. You’ve taken the first step and filed divorce papers with the California family court. What happens now? The following is a brief outline of the process you will need to follow to get divorced in California.

Serve your divorce papers

Once you have filed divorce papers, you must ensure that your spouse is formally notified, which is known as “serving” divorce papers. Although it’s possible to serve papers by having them mailed to your spouse & your spouse acknowledging receipt formally (note that you cannot mail them yourself), this method can be unreliable. Most people choose to have a server (an adult who is not related to your case) deliver the papers to their spouse in person.

Your spouse must respond within 30 days. If your spouse chooses not to respond by the deadline, which is known as a default, you can move forward with the divorce without your spouse’s input.

Prepare your financial disclosures

You are legally required to share information about your finances (including all debts and assets as well as your salary and income) with your spouse in order to be granted a divorce. Although you do not file financial documents with the court, you do file a form acknowledging that you and your spouse have completed this step.

Come to an agreement

At this point, you and your spouse must make several decisions regarding a host of important issues: child custody and support, visitation rights and schedules, dividing the marital estate, spousal support, what happens to your home, who gets the pets, paying attorney fees, etc. There are a few different ways to arrive at an agreement during this process:

If your relationship is amicable, you can work together with your spouse in person, over the phone, over email, etc. Some couples find it helpful to work with a mediator.
If your spouse is in default and never responded to the initial divorce papers, you are free to make all the decisions on your own and notify the court in writing. The judge will still need to approve or deny your requests.
If you and your spouse cannot come to an agreement about some or all of your issues, you can ask the court for help. There will be a trial, and a judge will decide for you.

You don’t have to do it alone. Consult with family law experts.

The California court system has published a self-help guide to give you a better idea of what to expect throughout the divorce process in California. However, working with professionals who have experience with the judicial system, like the family law attorneys at Lonich Patton Ehrlich Policastri (LPEP Law) can make the entire process less stressful, especially if your divorce is complicated or contentious.

Our attorneys have been helping clients navigate the life-changing and difficult issues related to divorce for decades. We will walk with you every step of the way. Contact us today at 408-553-0801 for a free, 30-minute consultation to discuss your situation. We’re ready to help.