Clergy-Penitent Privilege in California
What clergy-penitent privilege actually covers under California law, who can waive it, and where the line sits against mandatory child-abuse reporting requirements.
Blog
Eminent Domain: 5 Things Churches Must Know
Eminent domain gives the government the power to take private property for public use — and church property isn’t exempt. Here’s how just compensation is calculated, why churches are especially hard to appraise, and what to do if your church is approached.
Cell Towers at Churches
Considering a cell tower lease at your California church? Learn the key risks — from lost tax exemptions to UBIT — before you sign.
Digital Signatures for Churches
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.
Conflicts of Interest in Church Governance
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: Rules for Valuing Church Property
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.
Homeowner’s Exemption in California
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.
What Is Probate
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.
First Right of Refusal: 5 Hidden Risks for Churches
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
Recovering Attorney’s Fees in California
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.
