Preventing Mechanic’s Liens
How churches and property owners can prevent mechanic’s liens through contractor vetting, Preliminary 20-Day Notices, joint checks, and conditional/unconditional lien releases.
Category Archives: Legal Guides
Protecting Property: A Guide to Deed Fraud Prevention and Detection
Deed fraud, often referred to as “property theft” or “title theft,” has emerged as a significant threat to property owners, particularly in urban areas with high real estate values.
Perfecting a Mechanics Lien
How to perfect a mechanics lien in California. Learn about preliminary notice requirements, filing deadlines with the county recorder, lien enforcement through foreclosure, and the difference between conditional and unconditional lien releases for contractors and suppliers.
Evicting Church Tenants: Critical Rules in California
Evicting church tenants in California means following strict commercial unlawful detainer rules. Learn the process and the self-help traps to avoid.
Clouds on Title And Ways They Threaten a Sale
Clouds on title are one of the most overlooked threats to a property’s marketability. Here’s what actually creates one, the difference between marketable and merely insurable title, and how to clear a defect before it costs you a sale.
Clergy-Penitent Privilege
Although informally referred to as the Priest-Penitent Privilege, the following applies to all clergy, i.e. a priest, minister, religious practitioner, or similar functionary of a church or of a religious denomination or religious organization. In general, any conversation had with or amongst religious leaders (assuming that they are acting in their religious capacity) cannot be brought into court. Each religion may have its own internal governance concerning the preservation of confidence which goes beyond that of the California Evidence Code. Confidential Communications:California defines a “penitential communication” as a communication made in […]
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.
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.
Statute of Frauds in California Real Estate
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.
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