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what-happens-to-debts-of-a-deceased-person Nothing about the death of a loved one is easy. Not only do you have to deal with your grief and sense of loss, but it also won’t be long before you find yourself trying to straighten out their finances and learning what debts they still owe. Figuring out the finances and making sure all outstanding debts are paid is stressful, time-consuming, and confusing. The first thing you need to figure out which of your loved one's debts have to be honored and which became irrelevant when your loved one passed.

Are You Responsible for the Debts?

While very few debts simply disappear when a loved one has passed, it’s unlikely that you’ll have to dip into your own bank account to pay them off. The only time you’ll have to dip into your own money is when you co-signed on a loan with the loved one. The money from any outstanding debts your loved left behind comes out of their estate. Shortly after your loved one’s passing, public notices are issued. At this point, any creditors you’re loved one owed money to will have to contact you or the lawyer you’re using and alert you to the amount of the debt that’s still owed.

The Estate Enters Probate

Many people mistakenly assume that they’ll collect their inheritance within days of their loved one’s passing. That’s never the case. When you’re loved one passes, everything is put into probate. At this point, the person who has been assigned to act as executor of the will step in and starts managing the estate. If you’re the executor it’s in your best interest to obtain the help of an experienced probate lawyer. The first thing that happens is that all of your loved one's assetsthey acquired during their life are collected and valued. In this situation, the only assets that matter are the ones that have monetary value, such as houses, vehicles, investments, jewelry, life insurance policies, and bank accounts. Trinkets and non-valuable belongings can be distributed according to the will. If there’s not a will, the items can simply be divided between family members and friends. The executor of the will (or the probate lawyer you’ve enlisted) contacts all of the creditors who are still owed money. The creditors have a time frame during which they are allowed to file a claim. If the claim is valid, the debt is paid via actual cash your loved one left or via the liquidation of their assets. Ideally, there will be enough money to pay off all debts. If there isn’t, high priority debts are the first to be paid. Examples of high priority debts include:
  • Mortgages
  • Bank loans
  • Student loans
  • Funeral expenses
  • Medical expenses
  • Unpaid taxes
what-is-required-at-the-time-of-signing-a-bail-agreement One of the first big decisions you’ll have to make following your arrest is which bail bond company you want to work with. If you decide that Bail Bonds in Orange County is best for you, the next step is signing a bail agreement. The bail agreement is nothing more than a simple contract that lays out the limits of your bail, explains that you need to attend your court appearances, and outlines the payment plan we’ve designed for you.

The bail agreement uses simple language and is very clear.

Having everything you need at the ready when we present your bail agreement means we can go to work posting your bail so you can go home right away. Not having everything leads to a significant delay.

Here’s what you’ll need to have on hand when you sign your bail agreement

The first thing is 10% of your bail. This is our fee. In exchange for paying us 10%, we pay the court 100% of your bail. Remember, this is a fee. When your case reaches its conclusion, we keep the 10% fee. Additional things you’ll need include:
  • Driver’s license or state ID number
  • Social security number
  • Proof of employment (if applicable)
  • Current address
  • Collateral (when applicable)
finding-out-if-a-person-has-an-arrest-warrant Whether you’re looking because you’re worried an arrest warrant has been filed against you or because you need to know about a person you’re dealing with, everyone has their own reasons for needing to know how to go about finding out if a person has an arrest warrant. The most common reasons to find out if a person has an arrest warrant include:
  • You want to know if the police are going to knock on your door
  • You’re worried about what might happen if a traffic cop pulls you over
  • You need to run a background check on a potential renter/employee

When you’re on probation, the courts will let you know what requirements you have to meet, but no one is going to hold your hand and remind you of those requirements every single day. It’s up to you to remember what you are and aren’t...

legal-consequences-of-rioting These days, it seems like every time you turn on the news, you encounter a story about a riot. Major cities throughout the United States are dealing with the fallout from riots. While everyone knows that riots are frightening and illegal, few of us understand what the legal ramifications are of getting caught in the middle of a riot. If you’re upset about something, you have the right to start and/or participate in a protest. The catch is that for the protest to remain legal it has to be peaceful. You aren’t allowed to do anything that could be perceived as violent nor are you allowed to encourage others to participate in committing violence. The moment you do either of those things, you’re violating the law. If you incite a riot in California you’re breaking California Penal Code 404.6 PC. You’ll violate this law whenever you:
  • Are actively engaged in a riot
  • Engage in acts of violence or force during a riot
  • Commit an act that results in property damage or results in burned property
should-you-bail-your-buddy-out-of-jail You love your best buddy and have no hesitation about going out of your way to help them whenever they ask, but getting asked to post bail is different from agreeing to help them move. When your best friend calls and asks you to help cover their bail, there are a few things you need to consider before you agree.

Can You Afford it?

When you post cash bail for your buddy, you’ll get all of the money back… eventually. The refund doesn’t happen until your buddy’s case has been resolved. How long it takes to resolve the case depends on if your buddy plans on fighting the charges or pleading guilty right away. If your buddy is determined to prove their innocence and the case goes before a jury, a full year could easily pass before the court returns your money. Going through a bail bonds company like Bail Bonds in Garden Grove is easier on your budget. We only charge 10% of your buddy’s bail. The catch is that we don’t refund the 10%. Whether you post cash bail or secure a bail bond, you and your buddy need to discuss if they intend to repay you and how long it will take. As much as you love your buddy, you should never put yourself in a position where helping with their bail makes it impossible for you to pay for your housing or buy groceries. You weren’t the one who got in trouble so you shouldn’t have to put yourself in financial peril.

Do you Trust Your Buddy?

Bail isn’t given freely. It’s a privilege that comes with terms and conditions. The only way the bail system works is if your buddy agrees to uphold the conditions of their bail, which includes attending all of their court appearances. If they fail to do that you will either lose the cash bail or anything you used as collateral when you secured a bail bond.

Only Work with a Reputable Bail Bond Company

If you decide to help secure a bail bond for your buddy, you want to work with a company that understands the bail process, has a solid business reputation and is willing to work with you. That’s exactly what you’ll get when you turn to Bail Bonds in Garden Grove for help. We’re a family-owned bail bonds business with decades of experience. Our services include:
  • 24/7 Bail bond service
  • 20% Discount
  • Phone approvals
  • 0% Interest payment plans
  • Free consultations
  • No hidden fees
  • No collateral required for working signers
  • Habla Espanol
which-bail-bonds-business-should-you-choose If you need a bail bond, you want to quell your first instinct of going with the first company you contact. It’s possible that you’ll connect with a truly outstanding family-owned bail bonds business that offers everything from zero interest bail to a reasonable payment plan. It’s also possible you’ll get scammed by a company that doesn’t have your best interests at heart or who doesn’t fully understand the bail bonds process. When you’re choosing a reputable bail bonds company, there are a few things you need to keep in mind.

The Company Should be Treasure Trove of Information

No bail bonds company should expect you to know everything. They should have a phone or online system that allows you to connect with a representative who not only answers all of your questions but also explains how the process works and explains the different payment services they provide. The person you speak to should be patient, kind, and not try to force you to sign a contract until you’re convinced you’re making the right decision. No reputable bail bonds agency will ever tell you that you have to act quickly. This isn’t use it or lose it business deal. You are free to take your time and consider all your options.

Good Bails Bonds Companies are Discrete

You’ve been arrested. You need help coming up with bail money. You don’t need this information spread all over the state. Good bail bonds businesses, the kind you want to work with, always promise discretion.

They Have Been Positively Reviewed

You should hold the bail bonds company you’re considering to the same standards you would any other type of business. Make sure they’re properly bonded and licensed. Check out reviews and customer testimonials. There’s nothing wrong with taking a little time to dig into the business’s background. If you find something that concerns you, ask the bail bonds expert about the problem during the consultation.

Customer Service is Important

Somehow, bail bonds companies have gotten a reputation for being operated by rude people who are only interested in making money. That’s not the case at all. Customer service is just as important to a bail bonds business as it is to any other business. If you contact a bail bonds business and you get the impression that they’re not really that interested in you or if you’re treated badly, hang up the phone and call another bail bonds agency.

Do you need bail?

Contact Bail Bonds in Garden Grove. We’re a family-owned bail bonds business that has been serving the area for several decades. Our top-rated services include:
  • 24/7 Bail bond service
  • 20% Discount
  • Online payments
  • 0% Interest payment plans
  • Phone approvals
  • No hidden fees
  • No collateral for working signers
  • Free consultations with a bail bonds expert
can-employers-force-you-to-submit-to-a-covid-19-test If you’re confused about what your employer can and can’t require of you during this pandemic, you’re not alone. Every other day it seems like some new rules and requirements and expectations seem to intrude on our rights. In many cases, getting a straight answer feels impossible. Finding out if you have to submit for a Covid-19 test each time you go to work is a perfect example of how many people don’t know what they can and can’t fight. Some lawyers freely admit that they’re not sure how legal this topic is. For a long time, it was common knowledge that employers couldn’t legally require employees to undergo any medical examination that didn’t directly impact their work. COVID-19 has changed things. Based on what the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has stated, it’s likely that you do have to adhere to your employer’s wishes and be screened for COVID-19. The catch is that when your employer requires that you get the test, they have to do so in a way that stays in line with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Your employer isn’t allowed to simply declare that you take a COVID-19 test. There are some strict rules that they have to follow. These rules include:
  • Adhering to both federal and California confidentiality laws
  • Stick to reliable tests
  • Understand the possibility of false/positive and false/negative tests and have a plan of action in place
elder-abuse-in-california Society dictates that we take care of our elders. The idea is that they cared for us when we were too young to fend for ourselves, and now it’s our turn to return the favor. The problem is that some people don’t behave the way that society dictates and commit a crime that’s called elder abuse. California’s elder abuse laws are designed to protect state residents that have passed their 65th birthday. Most victims are older and no longer able to completely care for themselves. Elder abuse in California includes:
  • Emotional abuse
  • Financial abuse
  • Physical abuse
  • Neglect

You should never get behind the wheel after you’ve been drinking. If you plan on drinking, you should plan on walking home or getting a ride from a sober driver. In the past, a DUI arrest could have a huge and negative impact on your life....

are-you-eligible-for-bail Getting arrested is terrifying. The goal is to make the process scary enough that you never want to go through it again. When most people are arrested, their biggest source of fear is that they simply don’t know what will happen. While they’ve heard of bail on television, they don’t understand how the bail process works or if they’re even eligible for it. If you’ve been charged with a minor crime, you’ll likely find out whether you’re eligible for bail at the same time you’re booked. The booking officer will tell you that you’re being released on your own recognizance or how much your bail bond cost before you’re free to go home. Both situations are the most common. In extreme cases, the only thing the booking officer will be able to tell you is that you’ll learn more at a bail hearing. If a bail hearing is required you and your lawyer will appear before a judge. The judge will listen to what both attorneys have to say. They’ll also look at your criminal record and how strong a connection you have with the community. Based on what they learn, the judge will determine your bail amount. They will also layout the conditions of your bail. If you need help covering the cost of your California bail, contact the family-owned bail bond business, Bail Bonds in Buena Park. We’ve put together a whole range of services that are designed to make bailing you out of jail and back in your own home as simple as possible. We offer:
  • 24/7 Bail bond service
  • 20% Discount
  • Phone approvals
  • 0% Interest payment plans
  • No hidden fees
  • No collateral required for working signers
  • Habla Espanol