Forming a church in California

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Forming a church in California involves more than defining your purpose and beliefs. To so do correctly and legally to avoid potential tax consequences, there are several steps to be taken. Although every situation is different, what follows is a basic approach. Legal Structure:Once you have a clearly articulated purpose and beliefs of your church, whether nondenominational or part of a larger organization, you must determine an operational structure. An Unincorporated Association is generally simple and flexible but offers less liability protection and are generally not eligible for federal tax-exempt […]

California Housing Crisis – Builder’s Remedy

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The California Housing Accountability Act (“HAA”): Also known as the “anti-NIMBY law,” is a state law that was enacted in 1982 to help promote the development of new housing and combat local resistance to new housing projects. The HAA establishes that cities and counties in California must approve housing developments that meet certain zoning and planning requirements unless the proposed development would have a specific, adverse impact on public health, safety, or welfare. The law requires cities and counties to provide a comprehensive set of procedures for the processing and […]

Conflict of Interest Policy

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A conflict of interest refers to a situation where an individual or entity has competing interests or obligations that could potentially compromise their impartiality, objectivity, or ability to make decisions in the best interest of another party. It occurs when personal, financial, professional, or other interests conflict with the duties, responsibilities, or obligations the person or entity holds. Types of Conflicts: Conflicts of interest can undermine trust, transparency, and fairness in decision-making processes. Organizations and individuals often establish conflict of interest policies and procedures to identify, disclose, and manage conflicts […]

Private Cemeteries

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Occasionally, we work with a church that has its private cemetery dedicated on its property and is looking to sell. Although not always the case, these cemeteries usually consist of cremated remains. Public vs. Private:Most people know a cemetery when they see one, but the California Health and Safety Code defines a Cemetery as either of the following: Ownership Transfers:When transferring ownership of a private cemetery, fifty percent or more, the Cemetery and Funeral Bureau in the Department of Consumer Affairs must be notified and provided with the name and […]

Service Animals

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Service animals are protected under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which ensures equal access and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in public places, including places of worship. As a general principle, service animals are permitted in public places such as restaurants, stores, and hotels as service animals are exempt from locations with no-pets policies. In some instances, a service animal may be excluded if it is not under control, poses a direct threat to the health or safety of others, or is not housebroken. However, such exclusions are […]

Perfecting Mechanics Liens

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The mechanics lien is a powerful legal tool that provides a security interest in the property itself. If the property owner fails to pay the amount owed, the lien gives the claimant the right to enforce the lien through a foreclosure process, whereby the property may be sold to satisfy the debt. A mechanics lien in California is a legal claim placed on a property by contractors, subcontractors, or suppliers who have provided labor, materials, or services for the construction or improvement of that property but have not been fully […]

Simplified Probate

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Probate is the legal process of administering a deceased person’s estate. It involves identifying and gathering the assets of the deceased person, paying any debts or taxes owed by the estate, and distributing the remaining assets to the heirs or beneficiaries. In General:Probate typically begins with the filing of a petition in the probate court, usually in the county where the deceased person lived. The court will then appoint an executor or administrator to manage the estate. If the deceased person had a will, the court will generally appoint the […]

Banking Beneficiaries

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Bank account beneficiary rules govern the designation of individuals or entities who will receive the funds in a bank account upon the account holder’s death. The specific rules and procedures can vary depending on the jurisdiction and the type of bank account involved. Trust Account:A type of bank account held within a living trust, also known as a revocable trust or inter vivos trust. The account is established in the name of the trust, and the trustee has the authority to manage and control the funds in the account on […]

HIPAA

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The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, “(HIPAA”) is a federal law enacted in 1996 to provide privacy and security protections for patients’ medical information. The primary purpose of HIPAA is to ensure the confidentiality and integrity of personal health information (PHI) while allowing for the flow of health information needed to provide quality healthcare and for other important purposes, such as healthcare operations and research. Covered Entities:HIPAA sets standards for the protection of PHI and applies to covered entities, which include healthcare providers, health plans, and healthcare clearinghouses. It […]

RLUIPA

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As a result of Congressional Hearings wherein Congress found that churches, particularly those of minority religions and start-up churches, were disproportionately affected, and often were actively discriminated against, by local land use decisions. Furthermore, it was determined that zoning authorities were frequently placing excessive burdens on the ability of congregations to exercise their faith in violation of the Constitution. This resulted in the passing of the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act (RLUIPA) to protect religious institutions from unduly burdensome or discriminatory land use regulations. Purpose:RLUIPA provides that “No […]

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