Are digital signatures binding for your church? Under California’s UETA and the federal ESIGN Act they are, if four conditions are met. Here’s what church boards need to know before signing real estate contracts electronically.
Understand what conflicts of interest look like in church leadership, and how a clear disclosure policy protects both the board and the congregation.
Special use appraisals exist because churches and other nonprofit properties can’t be valued like ordinary real estate. Here’s how the appraisal methods actually work, who’s qualified to perform one, and what they cost.
The current 2026 California homestead exemption amounts, how automatic and declared protection differ, and why it isn’t the same as the homeowners’ tax exemption.
The full California probate process explained step by step, from filing the petition through final distribution, plus the key terms every executor needs to know.
Tenants often ask for a First Right of Refusal in a lease. It sounds harmless, but it can depress a property’s appraised value, scare off buyers, and create legal disputes over price. Here’s what churches need to know before granting one
California follows the “American Rule” — each side generally pays its own attorney’s fees unless a statute or contract says otherwise. Here’s when you can recover yours.
California’s Statute of Frauds requires certain real estate agreements to be in writing to be enforceable. Here’s what it covers and where the exceptions apply.
What is escrow? It’s the neutral third party that holds documents and funds until both sides of a property sale meet their conditions. Here’s how the process actually works, from opening escrow to closing.
What defines a church matters more than most congregations realize — the answer changes depending on whether the IRS, the courts, or your local zoning code is asking. Here’s how each one actually decides.
