I don’t have much, why do I need a trust?

In California, any assets above $208,550 are subject to probate if they are not funded to a living trust. In today’s economy, many of us who think we don’t have much find out we exceed that threshold when we start checking.

If you own a home, regardless of how much you paid, its value may exceed the threshold. Add up the value of your home, vehicles, bank accounts, and personal property such as jewelry, art, and furnishings, any retirement accounts, and insurance policies. You may be surprised by the combined value.

But, I have a will

A will alone isn’t enough to guarantee your assets will be distributed as you wish. Even though you trust your executor to follow your wishes, a will is first subjected to the probate court. Debts and taxes are paid first. If cash to pay these claims isn’t available, the court may order assets sold to cover debts. Anyone who has a claim to your estate can contest the will, and the probate court may not rule in the manner you wish.

A living trust is not public information, but a will is. A living trust legally bypasses probate court and protects your assets.

We Help You Legal also assists with a pour-over will, which is the document that transfers any assets not already included at the time of your death to your trust. Reach out for more information about living trusts at the San Luis Obispo or Paso Robles offices.

What if I want to change something?

When you transfer property into a trust, the property belongs to the trust, but with a revocable trust, you are the trustee and still have the ability to buy, sell, refinance, or give assets away. As long as you are alive, you can add assets to the trust, remove them from the trust, and add or remove beneficiaries.

Think of a revocable trust as a set of instructions for your successor trustee to follow after you pass away. Upon death, the trust becomes irrevocable, and the trustee is legally obligated to follow your wishes. The trust lets you:

• Decide who receives which assets and when, such as immediately or upon reaching a certain age.
• Hold assets in trust for vulnerable beneficiaries, helping provide long-term financial stability.
• Choose someone you trust to handle your estate without court interference.
• Avoid court fees, additional taxes, and lengthy court processes.

Your trust and estate plan

Along with assisting you with the legal documents needed for your living trust from either the San Luis Obispo or Paso Robles office, We Help You Legal also assists with estate planning, including:

• Power of Attorney for Healthcare Management, which establishes your wishes for medical care and end-of-life decisions, appoints someone you trust to act as your agent to carry out your healthcare decisions.
• Power of Attorney for Financial Management for appointing you agent to manage your finances and property on your behalf if you become unable to do so.
• Final arrangements that establish your wishes for your final rites, where you would like to be laid to rest, or your wishes for your ashes.

Local, experienced services

We Help You Legal has been assisting California’s Central Coast with legal documents since 2001. With offices in San Luis Obispo and Paso Robles, the team of expert LDAs is ready to assist with living trusts, estate plans, and:

• Divorce.
• Adoptions.
• Guardianships
• Custody matters.
• Probate.
• Powers of attorney.
• Corporations and LLCs.
• And much more.

We Help You Legal is a “self-help” legal document assistance company that provides document preparation without the high cost of an attorney. We Help You Legal, Inc. is not a law firm. We cannot represent you in court, advise you about your legal rights or the law, or select forms for you.

Call today!

The post Does a living trust still give me control of my assets? appeared first on We Help You Legal, Inc..

The dependent adult can be a child who has reached legal age but still needs care, an adult relative for whom the trust grantor is a legal guardian, or any adult who is dependent on the care of others. The reasons for naming a dependent adult as a beneficiary in a sub-trust of a revocable living trust include:

• Maintaining privacy. Living trusts are not public information, and asset distribution is managed privately. Privacy preserves personal dignity and is an additional safeguard to protect the dependent person from exploitation.
• Preserving government benefits, such as SSI and Medicaid, can be critical to well-being. A living trust can ensure the dependent adult remains eligible for these benefits, while still having other life needs met. The living trust packet supplied by the San Luis Obispo living trust service assists with collecting and recording all of the benefits being received.
• Providing continuous managed support by specifying detailed guidelines for the trustee to follow. Specific guidelines ensure that ongoing care and needs are met if the dependent adult cannot manage for themselves or isn’t capable of making sound healthcare or financial decisions.
• Planning for caregiver death by ensuring the dependent receives uninterrupted care and support if the caregiver dies. Just as a living trust can designate guardians for minor children in the event of parents’ deaths, it can also designate guardians for dependent adults.
• A living trust helps shield vulnerable adults from creditors, lawsuits, and predators.

Additional considerations include providing lifetime asset management, addressing unique living needs, and legally avoiding the delays and costs of probate.

A living trust provides a comprehensive and flexible way to ensure continued financial support and quality of life after the caretaker’s death.

The San Luis Obispo living trust legal document assistance services offered by We Help You include a downloadable Living Trust Package, estate planning services, and assistance with completing all of the legal documents necessary to establish a trust and an estate plan.

The living trust packet assists with gathering all of the information to establish the trust, including creating sub-trusts for minor beneficiaries and special needs sub-trusts for beneficiaries with special needs.

The Legal Document Assistants (LDA) at We Help You Legal assist with completing the trust documents, including the Certification of Trust, and a Pour Over Will, stating that all property at the time of death is transferred into the trust.

We Help You Legal’s estate planning assistance includes:

• Revocable living trust
• Certification of Trust
• Pour of Will.
• Power of attorney for healthcare management, which establishes personal wishes for medical care and end-of-life decisions, appoints a person you trust to carry out the healthcare decisions, and includes a HIPAA Release Authorization.
• Power of attorney for financial management to appoint one or more persons to manage finances and property in the event of incapacitation.
• Final arrangements, establishing disposal of your remains, such as cremation, or organ donations, location of burial or scattering ashes, and preferences for ceremonies and funeral.

We Help You Legal is a legal document assistance service that helps with completing documents for a variety of matters, including divorce, adoptions, name changes, guardianships/conservatorships, and other matters.

We Help You Legal is a “self-help” legal document assistance company that provides document preparation without the high cost of an attorney. We Help You Legal, Inc. is not a law firm. We cannot represent you in court, advise you about your legal rights or the law, or select forms for you.

We Help You Legal, Inc.
3594 Broad St #100
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
(805) 221-7300

The post How a living trust protects dependent adults, considerations from We Help You Legal appeared first on We Help You Legal, Inc..

A revocable living trust is a trust that can be revoked or amended anytime during the trustor’s (you) lifetime.

Any life event, including birthdays, is a reminder that it’s time to update a revocable trust. These events include a child turning 18, going to college, graduation from college, the birth of a child, serious illness or death of a parent or child, a divorce, or marriage of any beneficiary of the trust, and many other events. The accepted frequency to review a trust is every three to five years, but life events don’t necessarily follow a calendar, so why not use birthdays as reminders?

The legal document assistants (LDAs) at We Help You Legal have been assisting individuals with living trusts in their Paso Robles and San Luis Obispo offices since 2001. Along with assisting people in updating their living trusts, We Help You Legal assists with the documents for creating living trusts and estate plans.

What’s the best way to get started?

• The first step to updating a trust is to review it and identify assets that need to be added or updated, assets that may need to be removed, changes to beneficiaries and asset distributions, and any other changes, including guardianships, trustees, and changes to Advanced Health Care Directive, and powers of attorney.
• Gather all important documents such as insurance policies, retirement accounts, deeds, investment accounts, and records of assets such as personal property.
• Obtain all of the necessary forms, or, to simplify the process, contact a local LDA service for assistance.
• The Paso Robles living trust assistance service also has a downloadable living trust packet available that helps make the review and update process easier.

The forms for creating a new living trust are the same used for updating one. The difference is that only changes are recorded for updating the trust. Creating a new living trust required organizing and documenting all new information.

The downloadable living trust package from We HelpYou Legal includes a questionnaire that collects important information, including:

• Naming executors to manage the estate.
• Naming beneficiaries who receive property from the estate.
• Designating specific distributions of estate property.
• Preparing trust transfer of deeds for real property
• Creating sub-trusts for minor beneficiaries and special needs beneficiaries.
• Certification of Trust that states the generalities of the trust.
• Funding new properties, bank accounts, or investments into the trust.
• Pour over Will stating that all property at the time of death shall be transferred to the trust.
• Name guardians to care for the children.
• Forgive debts to others.
• Establish care for pets.

Reviewing a living trust is also a good time to review the overall estate plan, or create an estate plan if it’s needed. An estate plan includes:

• Revocable Living Trust.
• Certification of Trust.
• Pour of Will.
• Power of Attorney for Healthcare Management that establishes your wishes for medical care and end-of-life decisions, appoints a trusted person (agent) to carry out your healthcare decisions.
• Power of Attorney for Financial Management that appoints a trusted person as the legal authority to manage your finances/property on your behalf if you become incapacitated or unable to manage on your own.
• Final arrangements that establish the final place of rest, whether you choose burial or cremation, and organ donations.

We Help You Legal is a “self-help” legal document assistance company that provides document preparation without the high cost of an attorney. We Help You Legal, Inc. is not a law firm. We cannot represent you in court, advise you about your legal rights or the law, or select forms for you.

We Help You Legal, Inc.
720 10th St,
Paso Robles, CA 93446
(805) 237-7770

The post Celebrate the kids’ birthdays by updating your living trust appeared first on We Help You Legal, Inc..

“So, why are there so many forms if we agree to everything?” The Legal Document Assistants (LDA) from We Help You Legal can help clear up confusion. We Help You Legal assists couples in completing the legal documents for an uncontested divorce in San Luis Obispo County.

California’s family law focuses on thorough information to support fairness, and collecting that information on specific documents ensures that everyone’s rights are protected. Every correctly completed form meets a statutory requirement for matters such as finances, spousal support, child support, and related matters, property division, and residency requirements.

The forms collect important information that the court needs to finalize the divorce, and include documentation for:

• The petition for dissolution, and proof that the appropriate spouses have been served or notified of service. The court determines that all initial forms are correct, filed with the court, and served according to the law. These determinations prevent misunderstandings, confusion, and delays.
• Financial disclosures completed and exchanged by both parties.
• Detailing the agreed-upon settlement, known as the Marital Settlement Agreement.
• Child support, custody, and visitation.
• Spousal support.
• Finalizing the divorce.

Financial disclosures

Both parties must accurately and fully exchange financial information that includes income, expenses, assets, and debts. Financial disclosure forms are filed with the court and confirm that this information was exchanged.

California is a community property state, meaning that all assets and debts incurred during the marriage are equally shared by both spouses. Financial disclosures help the court make sure that financial agreements between the spouses are fair, especially as related to child and spousal support.

Marital settlement agreement

The Marital Settlement Agreement (MSA) details all of the mutually agreed-upon terms. This is the document the divorcing couple uses to explain which agreements were reached and why.

The MSA includes an equal division of community assets and debts. It may also itemize each party’s personal property. It also includes the couple’s plan for child custody and visitation, spousal support, and the request for final judgment (Stipulation for Judgment).

Child custody and visitation

Also known as a parenting plan, the court reviews this plan with the best interest of the children in mind. The review includes:

• Verifying a detailed plan of custody and visitation is included.
• Child support calculations adhere to California guidelines, and necessary details such as medical insurance are provided.

Spousal support

If spousal support is requested, the court reviews the terms of the agreement. The amount, duration, and conditions of support are considered along with factors such as the length of the marriage, and the ages, and the earning capacity of each spouse. 

Finalizing the divorce

A final judgment, granting the divorce, is entered six months from the date the responding partner was served with the initial divorce petition.

Legal document assistance

We Help You Legal has been assisting people with a variety of matters, including divorce, from its San Luis Obispo and Paso Robles offices for over two decades. We specialize in Living Trust, Divorce, LLC/Corporation, and other legal document matters. Services include:

• Living Trusts and estate planning.
• Adoptions.
• Custody issues.
• Guardianships.
• Name changes.
• Landlord/tenant issues.
• Notary services, and more.

We Help You Legal is a “self-help” legal document assistance company that provides document preparation without the high cost of an attorney. We Help You Legal, Inc. is not a law firm. We cannot represent you in court, advise you about your legal rights or the law, or select forms for you.

However, we can direct you to the appropriate court websites or addresses to obtain court forms. We are happy to assist you with completing them and making sure filing deadlines are met.

Contact us today.

The post Why does an uncontested divorce need so many forms? appeared first on We Help You Legal, Inc..

How does a living trust keep my information private?

Trusts are confidential legal arrangements that provide a way to manage and transfer assets without minimal public exposure. For example, transferring real estate to the trust requires a change of title. Real estate titles are public information. Trusts also avoid probate court, which is a public process.

A will is subject to probate. A trust is not. Although you may need a pour-over will to designate guardians for minor children, and specify that assets are to be transferred to your trust upon your death. The pour-over will makes sure that any assets you did not transfer to your trust get transferred.

Upon your death, your successor trustee bypasses probate court and manages the trust, pays taxes and debts, and distributes assets according to your instructions.

Setting up a living trust can be a relatively stress-free process with the assistance of the Paso Robles living trust document assistants from We Help You Legal.

Why are probate hearings public?

When there is no trust, the probate court determines how assets are distributed, even when there is a will. Probate requires public hearings, and the process includes public notices and public filings that make certain information available to anyone curious enough to review the court records.

When information such as estate assets, heirs, and what they are inheriting is available to the public, including estranged relatives and scammers, they can file claims with the probate court. The probate court decides who is entitled to a share of the estate, regardless of what is specified in the will. Not only can disputes delay the court’s decisions, but they can also result in the wrong people getting a share of your estate.

What does a trust keep private?

Private information that is protected by a trust includes the total value of your estate, and other information such as:

Financial information such as investments, bank accounts, insurance policies, and cash.

Real estate holdings, including your home, rental properties, open land, and even real estate in other states.

Beneficiaries, their identities, and what they receive are private. Keeping beneficiaries private also protects their privacy.

Inheritance conditions, such as a child’s share that remains in trust until a certain age.

Business and professional interest details, such as buy-out terms or control of the company, are private.

Sensitive family circumstances that could be revealed through public access to a will and probate court remain private family matters. Provisions for prior marriage partners, unmarried partners, or family members with special needs remain private and help avoid public embarrassment.

Privacy during incapacity

A living trust also protects your privacy if you become incapacitated. A well-structured trust and estate plan includes provisions for incapacitation, such as powers of attorney for finances and health care. Whether you are temporarily or permanently incapacitated is no one’s business except yours and those you have designated to tend to your affairs.

What if I decide to sell my house after it’s in the trust?

With a revocable trust, you control what you transfer or remove from the trust. If you decide to sell your home, buy a new one, or give your vintage vehicle to your grandson, you can do so. You can even sell that vehicle, buy a new one, and transfer the new vehicle to the trust.

You remain in control of the trust until death, at which point the trust becomes irrevocable.

Assistance with your living trust legal documents

Assisting with living trust documents from their Paso Robles and San Luis Obispo offices is one of We Help You Legal’s many services. Other legal document assistance services include:

• Divorce
• Adoptions
• LLC and Corporation
• Guardianships
• Powers of Attorney
• Estate planning
• Custody matters
• And more.

We Help You Legal has been assisting individuals with legal documents since 2001.

We Help You Legal is a “self-help” legal document assistance company that provides document preparation without the high cost of an attorney. We Help You Legal, Inc. is not a law firm. We cannot represent you in court, advise you about your legal rights or the law, or select forms for you.

Call today and start your living trust!

The post It’s nobody’s business—keeping your estate details private appeared first on We Help You Legal, Inc..

Divorce, even a non-contested divorce, is not always a decision that is made easily. The emotional conflicts around the decision and the requirements to get the divorce documents completed accurately and filed on time add up to a new level of stress. With the demands of daily schedules, finding the time to complete all of the forms, double-check for accuracy, and trying to get to the courthouse to make sure everything is filed on time can seem overwhelming.

Assisting with the divorce documents is only part of what some LDAs do. Services like We Help You Legal, with offices in Paso Robles and San Luis Obispo, offer assistance for divorce documents and related matters, legal separation, annulment, adoption, name change, living trusts, power of attorney, notary services, and more.

• LDAs provide a valuable, affordable alternative for those who don’t want, or can’t afford, an attorney.
• Legal forms can be confusing. Mistakes can lead to delays. LDAs have the experience and knowledge to make sure the information is correct, complete, and filed on time.
• While they can’t provide legal advice, LDAs can offer guidance about court procedures and help remove any confusion about what needs to be done and when.
• LDAs streamline the entire process to help a client move through the entire process as smoothly and stress-free as possible.

LDAs are professionals and in California, have strict requirements to be able to register and practice, including a $25,000 bond in the county in which they have their principal place of business. According to the California Association of Legal Document Assistants (CALDA), the basic requirements to be an LDA in California include education and a period of experience under the supervision of a licensed attorney. The education includes a certificate of completion from an accredited paralegal program or a baccalaureate degree in any field. Supervision by a licensed attorney ranges from one to two years, depending on the level of education and experience. LDAs are required to renew their registrations periodically.

These requirements were enacted in January 2000. Provisions were included for LDAs who were providing legal document assistance before January 1, 1999.

We Help You Legal has been providing an important service since 2001. With offices in Paso Robles and San Luis Obispo, divorce document assistance is only a phone call away. Along with assisting with the documents for uncontested divorce, We Help You Legal assists with documents for:

• Divorce-related matters such as spousal support, child support, custody, visitation, and division of assets.
• Legal separation or annulment.
• Adoptions
• Guardianships
• Name change.
• Probate
• Living trust.
• Power of attorney.
• Landlord/tenant issues.
• Notary services and more.

We Help You Legal is a “self-help” legal document assistance company that provides document preparation without the high cost of an attorney. We Help You Legal, Inc. is not a law firm. We cannot represent you in court, advise you about your legal rights or the law, or select forms for you.

We Help You Legal, Inc.
3594 Broad St #100
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
(805) 221-7300

The post The role of legal document assistants in getting divorce legal documents right appeared first on We Help You Legal, Inc..

What is an uncontested divorce?

There are many benefits to an uncontested divorce. Some people call it a DIY divorce because, generally, it can be done without the expense of an attorney. An uncontested divorce works when the spouses agree on:

• The terms of the divorce, such as property division, child custody and visitation, and spousal support.
• One spouse files for the divorce by completing the legal documentation and filing it with the court.
• The other spouse has 30 days to respond, and if not, the divorce can be finalized by default.
• The judge reviews the agreement and issues the divorce judgment.
• Six months later, the divorce is final.

Can an uncontested divorce go wrong?

There is the possibility that things can go wrong and delay the divorce, even when both spouses agree and are parting amicably:

• Inadequate child support and custody arrangements. California requirements for child support can be confusing, and an agreement may not comply with those requirements.
• One of the spouses hasn’t lived in California or the county of filing long enough.
• The proper documents aren’t completed correctly and need to be corrected and refiled.
• Documents aren’t filed on time.

These are only a few of the things that can go wrong, even in the best of circumstances. The Legal Document Assistants (LDA) at We Help You Legal can help make sure the documents are correct for uncontested divorces from either their Paso Robles or San Luis Obispo offices.

With most people’s busy schedules, it’s easy to miss an important filing date, or simply be overwhelmed with legal paperwork. Even though an uncontested divorce is meant to be uncomplicated, understanding the terminology can be frustrating. Not having all of the required information and copies of important documentation can delay the process. Many people just don’t have the time during the week to get everything done when the courthouse is open.

Relying on the expertise of LDAs for help is a low-stress, confidential, and less expensive choice for getting an uncontested divorce. LDAs are authorized under California law to assist the public in preparing legal documents. They are required by law to be registered and bonded in the county in which they have their principal place of business. LDAs are not attorneys and cannot give legal advice, but their assistance for an uncontested divorce can be invaluable.

In addition to assistance with documents for divorce in the Paso Robles or San Luis Obispo office, We Help You Legal can assist with documentation for:

• Divorce – Assistance with an uncontested Paso Robles divorce (dissolution of marriage), when both spouses agree on divorce matters such as spousal support, child support, custody, visitation, and division of assets if applicable.
• Legal Separation – In a legal separation, certain matters can be resolved, but the couple remains legally married and cannot remarry until a divorce is completed.
• Annulment – This designation declares a marriage void and not legally valid. Certain qualifications need to be met for an annulment.
• Help to finish an existing California divorce or legal separation case.
• Help prepare a QDRO or Joinder to deal with retirement in a divorce or after a judgment has been entered.

Getting an appointment is easy and convenient, too. Just call or fill out the online appointment request.

We Help You Legal is a “self-help” legal document assistance company that provides document preparation without the high cost of an attorney. We Help You Legal, Inc. is not a law firm. We cannot represent you in court, advise you about your legal rights or the law, or select forms for you.

We Help You Legal, Inc.
720 10th St,
Paso Robles, CA 93446
(805) 237-7770

The post Making sure it’s over when it’s over—important tips for a non-contested divorce appeared first on We Help You Legal, Inc..

The following tips are not legal advice, but are simple suggestions to consider when preparing a visitation plan, also known as a parenting time plan, that is agreeable to the parents and the children. Courts are interested in children’s well-being, and a carefully thought-out visitation plan helps assure that well-being.

Some of the things to think about include:

• How far do children have to travel for visits? When parents live within a reasonable driving distance from one another, more frequent visits are feasible. For example, alternating weekends are much easier to manage for short travel times.
• What is the frequency of visits?
• How long should visits last? Is it feasible for weekend visits to start on Friday afternoons through Sunday evenings? Which parent gets the children for which holidays? How long can summer vacations last?
• Can the parents be flexible for the unplanned, such as an important family event, a once-in-a-lifetime vacation opportunity, or the visit needs to end early for a family emergency?
• What are the transportation arrangements? Do the parents alternate driving to pick up or return the children? Is a ridesharing service acceptable? Who pays for air travel? At what age are children allowed to fly alone?
• Are there scheduling conflicts between visitation and the children’s activities, such as after-school tutoring,  athletics, or weekend activities? What are the proposals to resolve any conflicts?
• When writing out the plan, focus on the children’s needs rather than the adults’ convenience. Be willing to make adjustments as the plan takes shape.

Your final parenting time plan is submitted to the court as part of the marital settlement agreement (MSA) and is reviewed by the judge.

When it comes to all of the documents that are included in the MSA, even though an uncontested divorce can suddenly seem overwhelming. Making sure all of the documents are correct and filed on time can be intimidating. We Help You Legal LDAs can simplify the entire process by completing the legal forms for you, and you can file for divorce in the Paso Robles court, or any court in your county of residence, with fewer headaches. 

An LDA is licensed by the State of California to assist with completing legal documents for a variety of matters. LDAs cannot give legal advice, but can offer non-legal tips and assistance to help make completing legal documents easier. We Help You Legal assists with legal documents for a variety of matters, including:

• Divorce.
• Adoptions.
• Custody matters.
• Guardianship/conservatorship.
• Name changes.
• Living trusts, amendments, codicils.
• Deeds.
• Healthcare directive and power of attorney.
• Landlord/tenant matters.
• And more.

With offices in San Luis Obispo and Paso Robles, assistance with divorce or any other legal documents is only a phone call away.

Call today!

We Help You Legal is a “self-help” legal document assistance company that provides document preparation without the high cost of an attorney. We Help You Legal, Inc. is not a law firm. We cannot represent you in court, advise you about your legal rights or the law, or select forms for you.

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As the trustee of your living trust, you can:

• Buy, sell, or transfer assets in the trust.
• Add or remove assets from the trust.
• Change beneficiaries.
• Modify trust terms.
• Revoke the trust entirely.

This level of control is a key advantage of revocable living trusts. You’re not giving up ownership or access to your property, you’re simply changing how it’s held legally. After your passing, control of the trust assets transfers to your named successor trustee. This person is responsible for managing and distributing the trust assets according to your instructions.

For the trust to be effective, you must properly fund it by transferring ownership of assets into the trust’s name. This typically involves changing titles on real estate, bank accounts, investments, and other property. While this process requires some effort, it doesn’t affect your ability to use or control these assets in your daily life.

Many find that the pressures of daily life make it difficult for them to focus on filling out all of the documents, making sure everything is accurate and filed on time. We Help You Legal has been assisting California residents with living trust documents in San Luis Obispo County and beyond for over 22 years.

Living trusts offer several benefits in California:

• Avoiding probate—Assets in the trust typically bypass the lengthy and potentially expensive probate process.
• Privacy—Unlike wills, trusts are not public records, keeping your asset distribution private.
• Flexibility—You can easily modify the trust as your circumstances change.
• Incapacity planning—The trust can specify how your assets should be managed if you become incapacitated. Documents such as an Advanced Health Care Directive, Power of Attorney for Health Care, and Power of Attorney for Finances help make sure that your end-of-life wishes are carried out, including the final ceremony and resting place.

While living trusts provide significant control, it’s crucial to remember that they don’t eliminate all estate planning needs. You should still consider having a pour-over will to catch any assets not transferred to the trust, and documents like advance healthcare directives and powers of attorney for comprehensive incapacity planning.

A living trust in California does give you substantial control over your assets during your lifetime and allows you to direct their management and distribution after your passing. It’s a flexible estate planning tool that, when properly established and funded, can provide peace of mind and simplify the transfer of assets to your beneficiaries.

We Help You Legal also assists with legal documentation for divorce, legal separation, annulments, adoption, guardianships, landlord/tenant matters, setting up a corporation or LLC, and more. For assistance with legal documentation for a wide range of matters, including a living trust, call We Help You Legal in San Luis Obispo or Paso Robles.

• San Luis Obispo (805) 221-7300
• Paso Robles (805) 237-7770
• Or reach out through the Contact page.

We Help You Legal is a “self-help” legal document assistance company that provides document preparation without the high cost of an attorney. We Help You Legal, Inc. is not a law firm. We cannot represent you in court, advise you about your legal rights or the law, or select forms for you.

The post Does a living trust give me control over my assets? appeared first on We Help You Legal, Inc..

When a married couple finds themselves disillusioned, disappointed, and wondering how to get back to their carefree single lives they might wonder if an annulment is the way back, or is a divorce in the cards?

An annulment could be the answer under certain conditions such as:

• Incestuous marriage when the spouses are closely related by blood. California law prohibits marriages between close blood relatives.
• Bigamous marriage when one of the spouses was already married to someone else at the time of the current marriage.
• Age of consent when either party was under the age of 18 at the time of marriage and did not obtain parental consent.
• Mental incapacity when one of the spouses lacks the mental capacity to understand the nature of the marriage at the time of the ceremony.
• Under the influence when either party was under the influence of drugs or alcohol and unable to make informed decisions about the marriage.
• Fraud or deception when one party enters into the marriage based on fraud or deception. This could include misrepresentations regarding important issues such as identity, fertility, or intentions to have children.
• Force or duress when one of the spouses was forced or threatened into the marriage.

An annulment declares a marriage null and void. When the marriage meets the right conditions, either spouse can file for an annulment, however at least one spouse must be a resident of California at the time of the filing. It’s also possible to obtain an annulment without hiring an attorney, but the filing spouse needs to be sure that all of the documentation is completed correctly and filed on time. Many individuals choose to work with a legal document assistance service, such as We Help You Legal, for assistance with documentation for annulment or divorce in San Luis Obispo County or anywhere in California.

When an annulment isn’t possible, there are options for amicable divorce such as:

• Mediation, which can be a first step towards a non-contested divorce, enabling the couple to negotiate the terms of the divorce with a professional.
• Non-contested divorce is when both spouses agree to the terms of the divorce such as the division of community property, child custody, a visitation schedule for children, and spousal support. The amount of child support is determined by the court, but it might be possible for parents to agree to shared support when child custody is shared. 
• Legal separation allows for some breathing room for the couple to work out and resolve certain matters before a divorce, or giving the marriage another try. The couple remains legally married during the separation.
• A summary dissolution is simpler than a non-contested divorce in that there is less paperwork to complete and court appearances are not required.

These options are valid choices for couples who wish to file for divorce themselves, without involving attorneys. Working with a Legal Document Assistant (LDA) is another option for couples who wish to divorce without involving attorneys. 

A Legal Document Assistant (LDA) is an experienced professional who is authorized under California law to assist the public in preparing legal documents for consumers. An LDA is not an attorney, and cannot provide legal advice, or represent individuals in court, but they can assist with the legal documentation.

The LDAs with We Help You Legal are registered and bonded in San Luis Obispo County and assist with divorce documentation. The benefits from working with We Help You Legal include:

• The documentation is completed accurately.
• Documents are prepared on time so the filing spouse can get them to the court in plenty of time.
• Much less stress than juggling work schedules and other responsibilities with completing court forms.
• No concerns about missing critical filing dates.

We Help You Legal is a “self-help” legal document assistance company that provides document preparation without the high cost of an attorney. We Help You Legal, Inc. is not a law firm. We cannot represent you in court, advise you about your legal rights or the law, or select forms for you.

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