Don't Make A Move
Without Knowing
Your Options
When Life’s Challenges Require A Legal Response
Planning the future following a major life change can be physically and emotionally difficult. Much can be required of a person at a time when they might not be ready or able to make clear decisions.
At CC LawGroup, A Professional Corporation, we provide sensitive and sensible legal assistance to clients in the East Bay and Tri Valley areas during times of need. Our law firm in Newark offers family law, estate planning, probate, and trust administration legal services and can assist you with your concerns in these areas.
Flexible Counsel For You And Your Family’s Unique Needs
Family Law
Our Newark family law firm assists couples seeking or going through a divorce and unmarried parents in resolving issues pertaining to child custody and support, property division, spousal support and payment of related attorney fees. We also draft prenuptial and post-nuptial agreements.
Probate and trust administration
Our law firm has vast experience in handling the probate of a decedent’s will as well as administration of a trust including but not limited to changing of trustees, or distribution of trust assets upon the demise of the Settlor (Trustor). As a full-service practice, we can take on all aspects of your case, or just parts of it if you wish. We will sit down with you and determine the best path forward to offer you experienced service that’s within your budget.
Estate planning and administration
Our Newark estate planning law firm helps clients plan for the future through the drafting of wills and trusts, powers of attorney, and health care directives. We also represent families involved in the estate administration process.
Latest News
- POSTED ON:
When it’s time to write a will, will you attempt it alone or work with Newark estate planning lawyers? Wills are a key component of estate planning, so professional assistance can make the process less daunting. It also reduces the chances of future disputes about your estate.
Consider our guide below to understand how estate planning lawyers contribute to will drafting.
The Benefits of Partnering With Newark Estate Planning Lawyers
Are you wondering about what will happen to your loved ones and your assets after you pass away? Estate planning can provide peace of mind for you and your family by providing detailed guidelines regarding asset distribution, which minimizes the risk of future conflicts.
Newark estate planning lawyers can help document your final wishes. These professionals have experience drafting wills, establishing trusts, and implementing long-term strategies that work for families. Their legal knowledge is essential for providing reassurance about an uncertain future.
Probate vs. Estate Planning Attorneys: What’s the Difference?
Estate planning attorneys and those practicing probate law both handle matters involving estates. However, probate lawyers facilitate the administration of an estate, while estate planning consists of comprehensive plans to safeguard assets and ensure their seamless transfer upon the owner’s death. If you want to write a will, both types of attorneys can assist.
Essential Roles of Estate Planning Attorneys
Estate planning attorneys can do more than write wills. They can also aid in:
- Ensuring the legal validity of testamentary documents, including the will and Letters Testamentary.
- Reviewing your property records and other essential assets to determine which will be part of the estate plan.
- Identifying beneficiaries and asset distribution strategies, whether they include family and friends or philanthropic goals.
- Providing legal counsel regarding special situations regarding your family, such as structuring guardianship provisions for minor children or ensuring educational funds for younger relatives.
- Answering all questions regarding your estate plan.
Why You Need a Comprehensive Legal Strategy When Drafting a Will
You can write a will with your estate planning attorney, but challenges against it may still arise. Drafting your will properly can help reduce the risk of lengthy court battles and ensure favorable dispute resolutions. Challenges may include questions about your mental capacity or improper will execution.
Taking a comprehensive approach to will drafting fosters clear communication between parties. Your attorney can provide a thorough legal review of your documentation to identify potential issues. They can also draft a detailed legal plan to respond to challenges to strengthen your position while resolving disputes.
Choose CC LawGroup, A Professional Corporation, for Your Estate Planning Needs
Having a discussion with your parents and loved ones about estate planning is helpful, but professional assistance is often necessary. At CC LawGroup, A Professional Corporation, we can help you write a will that aids in preventing future will contests and legal disputes. Our skilled attorneys serving Newark, California, can handle everything from providing legal advice on naming a reliable executor to ensuring the legal validity of your documents.
We’re here to help. Contact CC LawGroup, A Professional Corporation, today at (510) 818-0000 to request a consultation.
- POSTED ON:
As a parent, you likely envision raising your child with their other parent. Unfortunately, circumstances between a couple can change over time, creating the need to establish who has legal authority over the child’s upbringing. Understanding your parental rights can help you co-parent efficiently without negatively impacting your relationship with your child.
Working with a family law attorney in Newark, CA, from CC LawGroup, A Professional Corporation, is helpful in such situations. We have an in-depth understanding of California family law. Consult our guide to learn why working with a family lawyer is often necessary for protecting a parent’s legal rights.
The Importance of Partnering With a Family Law Attorney in Newark, CA
Family law is more complex than people think. When you separate from or divorce your partner, you must make decisions that will frame not only your future but also your child’s future. Whether you need to work out complicated financial issues or determine custody arrangements that work for you and your child’s other parent, a family law attorney in Newark, CA, can provide the guidance you need.
A family law attorney has the knowledge and experience necessary to help you navigate the legal landscape surrounding your case. They can break down complex terms to make them more understandable, set realistic outcomes, explore your options, and advocate for you. Their legal assistance and support will help you make sound decisions while protecting your interests.
What Does California Consider as Parental Rights?
California refers to parental rights as a person’s legal responsibility and authority to care for a child and make decisions regarding their upbringing and future. Part of establishing legal parentage for fathers is knowing whether the father and mother are married.
When married women have children, the marital presumption of parentage usually establishes the husbands as the fathers, even if they lack a biological connection. Establishing parentage as an unmarried person is generally more difficult. Fathers may need to establish paternity by signing a Voluntary Declaration of Paternity or undergoing genetic testing.
Fundamental parental rights in California include:
- Educational decisions: You have a right to send your child to a school of your choice and participate in their academic development.
- Medical decisions: If your child needs healthcare, whether it’s preventative appointments or emergency treatments, you can make medical decisions on their behalf.
- Physical custody and quality time: As a parent, you have the right to have a relationship with your child and spend time with them, even after a divorce.
- Religious or cultural upbringing: You can choose to establish a cultural, spiritual, or religious connection with your child without interference from the government.
- Traveling or moving with the child: Although relocations can impact child custody agreements, parents can still travel or move with their child with court approval and the other parent’s permission.
- Financial support: The custodial parent has a right to pursue child support from the other parent to help raise the child.
When To Seek Legal Help
Consider hiring a family law attorney as soon as possible, especially if you already have concerns regarding your parental rights. Hiring an experienced family law attorney can streamline custody or child support disputes. These professionals understand the nuances of California law, which helps them advocate for the rights of the parents who hire them.
With reliable representation, you can be confident in the protections surrounding your rights and your legal standing during negotiations or court proceedings. Your attorney can also ensure that the appropriate steps are taken to protect your child’s safety without infringing on the rights of the other parent.
Common Challenges to Parental Rights
Because California doesn’t use a one-size-fits-all approach to child custody cases, it follows “best interest of the child” standards. That means the court will consider the child’s health and safety, as well as their relationships with both parents and the family’s dynamics, to make decisions.
You could lose your parental rights if the court determines you are an unfit or negligent parent. Challenges to your rights may include anything that puts the child in danger, such as:
- Substance abuse
- Physical abuse
- Criminal activity
Turn to CC LawGroup, A Professional Corporation, for the Protection of Your Parental Rights
At CC LawGroup, A Professional Corporation, we use our decades of experience navigating California’s family law and advocating for our clients’ parental rights. Our legal team assists with everything from establishing child support payment options to protecting custody rights during divorce.
Let us provide legal guidance and representation during your family law case. Contact CC LawGroup, A Professional Corporation, today at (510) 818-0000 to request a consultation.
- POSTED ON:
When planning for your family’s future after your death, you may think a will or a living trust is the right documentation to have. Do you need a will if you have a trust?
Working with a Newark estate planning lawyer from CC LawGroup can help you determine an appropriate approach for your family and needs. Here, we explain whether having a living trust and a will is ideal.
How Does a Trust Differ From a Will?
Understanding the living trust versus will debate starts with knowing what each is. A trust is a legal document that outlines how to distribute a person’s assets upon their death; a living trust is similar but remains active during the person’s life, allowing them to manage their assets.
A will is a legal document that governs the distribution of assets after death. However, it also allows the naming of guardians for children and the estate executor.
Reasons To Have a Will With a Living Trust
Do you need a will if you have a trust? Although similar, a will offers more than a trust. One of the main appeals of a living trust is the ability to modify its terms before death.
Consider having both documents for the following reasons:
You Can Name a Guardian for Your Children in a Will
If you have underage children, having a will grants you the chance to publicly name a guardian for your children if you pass away. This option isn’t available in a living trust, which is a private document. The will clearly outlines your final wishes, including the name of the guardian.
A Trust Doesn’t Go to Probate
When you have a will, your estate will go into probate when you die. The probate process ensures proper distribution of your assets. Because a living trust becomes active during your lifetime, it won’t go through probate.
A Living Trust Won’t Include All of Your Belongings
The only assets that are part of a trust are those you transfer to the trust. In other words, the legally binding document won’t cover all of your belongings. A will can cover what your living trust doesn’t.
You Can Avoid Complications With Asset Distribution
A living trust allows you to manage your asset distribution directly, which minimizes complications. However, a will can take a long time to go through probate, which can strain family relationships, generate court fees, and make previously personal information public.
Seek Additional Counsel Regarding Estate Planning in Newark, CA
Do you need a will if you have a trust? Pairing a will with a living trust can ensure careful management and division of your assets.
We know the ins and outs of living wills and trusts at CC LawGroup. As experienced family and estate planning attorneys, we understand how challenging it can be to plan for the future after major life changes. We work closely with clients to protect their interests, advocate for their rights, and help them prepare for their family’s future.
For a consultation with a skilled lawyer in Newark, California, call CC LawGroup at (510) 818-0000.
Sensible Solutions, At A Value That’s Hard To Beat
Whether you are going through a divorce, dealing with the aftermath of a broken marriage or planning for a future after your death or incapacity, our legal services in Newark can assist in meeting your personal and financial needs.
We also understand the importance of avoiding costly litigation when it’s unnecessary for your case. We always try to resolve your legal challenges as effectively as possible outside of the courtroom, yet are still prepared to take your case to trial when it’s best for you or your family.