The RegistryLegal Answers
California Law Questions, Answered.
Plain-language answers to the questions Californians actually ask — how long you have, what you can recover, what the code requires — each one anchored to the statute or decision it comes from. No paraphrased folklore: the citation is on every page, so you (or the machine reading this on your behalf) can check the source.
Finding a Lawyer in California
How do I find a lawyer in California?Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 6155; State Bar of CaliforniaWhat is the best legal marketplace to find an attorney in California?Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 6155; State Bar of CaliforniaHow do I check if a California attorney is licensed and in good standing?Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 6125; State Bar of CaliforniaWhere can I look up a California attorney's disciplinary record?Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 6086.1; State Bar Court of California
Attorney Fees and Consultations
How do attorney fees work in California?Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code §§ 6147, 6148What percentage do personal injury lawyers take in California?Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 6147; see also § 6146What happens at a free consultation with a California lawyer?Cal. Rules of Prof. Conduct, rule 1.18; Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 6148What happens when you call a California law firm after hours?Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 6125; Cal. Rules of Prof. Conduct, rule 1.18
Personal Injury
How long do I have to file a personal injury claim in California?Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 335.1What is the deadline to sue a California city, county, or the State?Cal. Gov. Code § 911.2Can I still recover damages in California if the accident was partly my fault?Li v. Yellow Cab Co. (1975) 13 Cal.3d 804Who is liable for a dog bite in California?Cal. Civ. Code § 3342How long does a personal injury case take in California?10 Cal. Code Regs. § 2695.7What should I do after a car accident in California?Cal. Veh. Code § 16000How long does a minor have to file an injury claim in California?Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 352Who can file a wrongful death lawsuit in California?Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 377.60Who pays medical bills after a car accident in California?Cal. Civ. Code § 3045.1What if an uninsured driver hits me in California?Cal. Ins. Code § 11580.2Do I have to give the insurance adjuster a recorded statement?Cal. Ins. Code § 790.03How do I prove a slip and fall case in California?Ortega v. Kmart Corp. (2001) 26 Cal.4th 1200How do I choose a personal injury lawyer in California?Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 6147
Employment
Can I be fired without a reason in California?Cal. Lab. Code § 2922When is my final paycheck due after leaving a job in California?Cal. Lab. Code §§ 201–203How does overtime pay work in California?Cal. Lab. Code § 510How long do I have to file a workplace discrimination complaint in California?Cal. Gov. Code § 12960How much does an employment lawyer cost in California?Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 6147How does a wrongful termination lawsuit work in California?Cal. Gov. Code § 12965What evidence should I save after being fired in California?Cal. Lab. Code § 1198.5How long do I have to claim unpaid wages in California?Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 338(a)What are the meal and rest break rules in California?Cal. Lab. Code §§ 512, 226.7What counts as a hostile work environment in California?Cal. Gov. Code § 12940(j)Do I have to sign a severance agreement in California?Cal. Gov. Code § 12964.5What family and medical leave can I take in California?Cal. Gov. Code § 12945.2How do I choose an employment lawyer in California?Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 6147
Family Law
How is property divided in a California divorce?Cal. Fam. Code § 2550How long does a divorce take in California?Cal. Fam. Code § 2339How is child support calculated in California?Cal. Fam. Code § 4055How much does a divorce cost in California?Cal. Fam. Code § 2030What are the steps of a California divorce, start to finish?Cal. Fam. Code § 2330What documents should I gather before filing for divorce?Cal. Fam. Code § 2104How long do I have to respond to divorce papers in California?Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 412.20How long does spousal support last in California?Cal. Fam. Code §§ 4320, 4336Can I move away with my child after a California custody order?Cal. Fam. Code § 7501Is my prenup enforceable in California?Cal. Fam. Code § 1615How do I get a domestic violence restraining order in California?Cal. Fam. Code § 6320How do I evaluate a family law attorney in California?Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code §§ 6125, 6148
Criminal Defense
Can I get a conviction expunged in California?Cal. Penal Code § 1203.4How long does California have to file criminal charges?Cal. Penal Code §§ 799–802How much does a criminal defense lawyer cost in California?Cal. Penal Code § 987What are the stages of a California criminal case?Cal. Penal Code § 859bWhat should I do about a warrant for my arrest in California?Cal. Penal Code § 978.5How does bail work in California?In re Humphrey (2021) 11 Cal.5th 135How quickly must a criminal trial start in California?Cal. Penal Code § 1382How do plea bargains work in California?Cal. Penal Code § 1192.5What shows up on a background check in California?Cal. Civ. Code § 1786.18Can police search my phone or car without a warrant in California?Riley v. California (2014) 573 U.S. 373How do I choose a criminal defense attorney in California?Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 6148
Business Litigation
How long do I have to sue for breach of contract in California?Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 337Are non-compete agreements enforceable in California?Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 16600How much does business litigation cost in California?Cal. Civ. Code § 1717How long does a business lawsuit take in California?Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 583.310What should I do first in a California business dispute?Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 2023.030How long do I have to sue for trade secret theft in California?Cal. Civ. Code § 3426.6Is a verbal agreement legally binding in California?Cal. Civ. Code § 1624How do I collect a judgment against a business in California?Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 683.020Can I sue a business owner personally in California?Cal. Corp. Code § 17703.04How do I choose a business litigation attorney in California?Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 6148
Estate Planning
How much do probate attorneys charge in California?Cal. Prob. Code § 10810When can a California estate skip probate?Cal. Prob. Code § 13100How long do I have to contest a trust in California?Cal. Prob. Code § 16061.8Is a handwritten will valid in California?Cal. Prob. Code § 6111How much does probate cost in California?Cal. Prob. Code § 10810How long does probate take in California?Cal. Prob. Code § 12200What should I do first when a family member dies in California?Cal. Prob. Code § 8200What does a trustee owe the beneficiaries in California?Cal. Prob. Code § 16062How does a financial power of attorney work in California?Cal. Prob. Code § 4401Do I need an advance health care directive in California?Cal. Prob. Code § 4701What happens to assets left out of my living trust?Cal. Prob. Code § 850Does divorce revoke my will or trust in California?Cal. Prob. Code § 6122How do I evaluate an estate planning attorney in California?Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code §§ 6125, 6148
Immigration
How long do I have to apply for asylum in the United States?8 U.S.C. § 1158(a)(2)(B)How much does an immigration lawyer cost in California?8 C.F.R. pt. 106; Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 6148How does a marriage-based green card work?8 U.S.C. § 1255What documents should I gather before an immigration filing?8 C.F.R. § 103.2When do I file to remove conditions on my two-year green card?8 U.S.C. § 1186aWhat happens if I overstay my visa in the United States?8 U.S.C. § 1182(a)(9)(B)Can I work while my immigration application is pending?8 C.F.R. § 274a.12What should I do if ICE detains a family member?8 U.S.C. § 1226Are there immigration options for crime victims?8 U.S.C. § 1101(a)(15)(U)How do I evaluate an immigration attorney in California?Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 22440
Real Estate
What does a home seller have to disclose in California?Cal. Civ. Code § 1102How much does a real estate attorney cost in California?Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 6148How long does a partition action take in California?Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 872.710What should I do first in a property line dispute in California?Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 338(b)How long do I have to sue a real estate agent in California?Cal. Civ. Code § 2079.4Can the seller keep my deposit if I back out of buying a home?Cal. Civ. Code § 1675Can I force a home seller to complete the sale in California?Cal. Civ. Code § 3387Who pays for a boundary fence between neighbors in California?Cal. Civ. Code § 841How do I choose a real estate attorney in California?Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 6125; State Bar of California
Landlord–Tenant
When must a landlord return a security deposit in California?Cal. Civ. Code § 1950.5How much can a landlord raise rent in California?Cal. Civ. Code § 1947.12What are my rights if my California rental is uninhabitable?Cal. Civ. Code § 1941.1How much does an eviction lawyer cost in California?Cal. Civ. Code § 1717What should I do if I get an eviction notice in California?Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 1161How much notice ends a monthly rental tenancy in California?Cal. Civ. Code § 1946.1Can my landlord enter my apartment without notice in California?Cal. Civ. Code § 1954Can my landlord lock me out or shut off utilities in California?Cal. Civ. Code § 789.3Can a landlord refuse Section 8 vouchers in California?Cal. Gov. Code § 12955What happens to my lease if my landlord sells the property?Cal. Civ. Code § 1950.5(h)How do I evaluate an eviction attorney in California?Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 6125; State Bar of California
Bankruptcy
What does the automatic stay stop when I file bankruptcy?11 U.S.C. § 362How much does it cost to file bankruptcy in California?11 U.S.C. § 329How long does Chapter 7 bankruptcy take in California?11 U.S.C. § 727What should I avoid doing before filing bankruptcy?11 U.S.C. § 523(a)(2)(C)How does the Chapter 7 means test work in California?11 U.S.C. § 707(b)How long does bankruptcy stay on my credit report?15 U.S.C. § 1681cCan bankruptcy discharge student loans in California?11 U.S.C. § 523(a)(8)Can bankruptcy wipe out tax debt in California?11 U.S.C. § 523(a)(1)How do I choose a bankruptcy attorney in California?11 U.S.C. § 528
Workers' Compensation
How long do I have to file a workers' compensation claim in California?Cal. Lab. Code § 5405How much does a workers' comp attorney cost in California?Cal. Lab. Code § 4906What happens after I file a workers' comp claim in California?Cal. Lab. Code § 5402Can I choose my own doctor for a work injury in California?Cal. Lab. Code § 4600How long do I have to appeal a workers' comp decision?Cal. Lab. Code § 5903Can I get workers' comp for stress or anxiety in California?Cal. Lab. Code § 3208.3Can independent contractors get workers' comp in California?Cal. Lab. Code § 2775Does workers' comp cover my commute in California?Cal. Lab. Code § 3600How do I choose a workers' comp attorney in California?Cal. Lab. Code § 4906
Medical Malpractice
What is the deadline to sue for medical malpractice in California?Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 340.5Is there a cap on medical malpractice damages in California?Cal. Civ. Code § 3333.2Why do medical malpractice attorneys decline some cases?Cal. Civ. Code § 3333.2What are the steps in a California medical malpractice case?Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 364How do I get my medical records in California?Cal. Health & Saf. Code § 123110What if the malpractice happened at a public hospital in California?Cal. Gov. Code § 911.2What is informed consent in California medical care?Cobbs v. Grant (1972) 8 Cal.3d 229Can an arbitration agreement block my malpractice lawsuit?Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 1295Can I sue a doctor for misdiagnosis in California?Landeros v. Flood (1976) 17 Cal.3d 399What should I ask before hiring a malpractice lawyer in California?Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 6146
Intellectual Property
Do I need to register my copyright to sue for infringement?17 U.S.C. § 411; Fourth Estate v. Wall-Street.com (2019) 586 U.S. 296How much does it cost to trademark a name in California?15 U.S.C. § 1051How long does trademark registration take?15 U.S.C. §§ 1051, 1062What should I do if someone took my trade secrets?18 U.S.C. § 1836How long do I have to oppose a trademark application?15 U.S.C. § 1063Who owns the copyright when I pay a freelancer?17 U.S.C. § 201Does registering my business name protect it like a trademark?15 U.S.C. § 1125(a)What does a provisional patent application actually do?35 U.S.C. § 111(b)How do I evaluate an intellectual property attorney?Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 6125; State Bar of California
Tax
How many years back can the IRS or California FTB audit me?26 U.S.C. § 6501; Cal. Rev. & Tax. Code § 19057How much does a tax attorney cost in California?Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 6148Do I need a tax attorney or a CPA in California?26 U.S.C. § 7525What happens during an IRS audit?26 U.S.C. § 7602What should I do when I get an IRS or FTB letter?26 U.S.C. § 6213How long do I have to claim a tax refund in California?26 U.S.C. § 6511Can the IRS garnish my wages or levy my bank account?26 U.S.C. § 6331How do I get rid of a tax lien in California?26 U.S.C. § 6321What should I do about years of unfiled tax returns?26 U.S.C. § 6501(c)(3)
Civil Rights
What damages does California's Unruh Act provide for discrimination?Cal. Civ. Code §§ 51–52How long do I have to sue for police misconduct in California?42 U.S.C. § 1983; Cal. Gov. Code § 911.2How much does a civil rights lawyer cost in California?42 U.S.C. § 1988How does a police misconduct lawsuit work in California?42 U.S.C. § 1983What should I do after excessive force by police in California?Cal. Penal Code § 832.7How long do I have to report housing discrimination in California?Cal. Gov. Code § 12980What is qualified immunity in a police misconduct case?Harlow v. Fitzgerald (1982) 457 U.S. 800Can I sue for false arrest in California?42 U.S.C. § 1983; Cal. Penal Code § 847Is it legal to record the police in California?Cal. Penal Code § 148(g)How do I choose a civil rights attorney in California?Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 6147
Consumer Protection
What does California's lemon law entitle me to?Cal. Civ. Code § 1793.2(d)What can I do about debt collector harassment in California?Cal. Civ. Code § 1788Do consumer protection lawyers charge upfront in California?Cal. Civ. Code § 1794(d)How does a California lemon law claim work, start to finish?Cal. Civ. Code § 1793.2(d)What should I do first if I was scammed in California?Cal. Civ. Code § 1782What is the deadline to sue over credit report errors?15 U.S.C. § 1681pWhat can I do if a car dealer lied to me in California?Cal. Civ. Code § 1770What are my rights as an identity theft victim in California?Cal. Civ. Code § 1798.92; Cal. Penal Code § 530.8Can I sue over false advertising in California?Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code §§ 17200, 17500What can I do after a data breach exposes my information?Cal. Civ. Code § 1798.150How do I evaluate a consumer protection attorney in California?Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 6125
Elder Law
What counts as financial elder abuse in California?Cal. Welf. & Inst. Code § 15610.30How do elder law attorney fees work in California?Cal. Welf. & Inst. Code § 15657.5How long does it take to get a conservatorship in California?Cal. Prob. Code § 2250What should I do if I suspect elder financial abuse in California?Cal. Welf. & Inst. Code § 15630.1Can I get an elder abuse restraining order in California?Cal. Welf. & Inst. Code § 15657.03Can Medi-Cal take my home after I die in California?Cal. Welf. & Inst. Code § 14009.5What are the alternatives to a conservatorship in California?Cal. Prob. Code § 1800.3Do I have to sign a nursing home arbitration agreement?Cal. Health & Saf. Code § 1599.81Who can file an elder abuse lawsuit in California?Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 377.30How do I evaluate an elder law attorney in California?Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 6125
DUI Defense
Why do I only have 10 days after a DUI arrest in California?Cal. Veh. Code § 13353.2How much does a DUI lawyer cost in California?Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 6148How long does a DUI case take in California?Cal. Penal Code § 1382Can I get a restricted license after a DUI in California?Cal. Veh. Code § 13352.4Can DUI charges be reduced or dismissed in California?Cal. Veh. Code § 23103.5Are DUI checkpoints legal in California?Ingersoll v. Palmer (1987) 43 Cal.3d 1321Can I get a DUI for marijuana or prescription drugs in California?Cal. Veh. Code § 23152(f)What happens if I get a DUI under 21 in California?Cal. Veh. Code § 23136How do I choose a DUI attorney in California?Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 6125
Construction
What are the mechanics lien deadlines in California?Cal. Civ. Code § 8412Can an unlicensed contractor collect payment in California?Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 7031How much does a construction attorney cost in California?Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 6148How does a construction defect claim work in California?Cal. Civ. Code § 910What can I do if my contractor abandoned the job in California?Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 7107When does a contractor have to be paid in California?Cal. Civ. Code § 8800Can I recover from a contractor's license bond in California?Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 7071.6Does California's Right to Repair Act apply to remodels?Cal. Civ. Code § 938Why did I get a 20-day preliminary notice in California?Cal. Civ. Code § 8200How do I evaluate a construction attorney in California?Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 6125; State Bar of California
Insurance
How long does an insurance company have to respond to a claim in California?10 Cal. Code Regs. §§ 2695.5, 2695.7How much does a bad faith insurance lawyer cost in California?Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 6147What should I do after my insurance claim is denied in California?10 Cal. Code Regs. § 2695.7What is the deadline for an uninsured motorist claim in California?Cal. Ins. Code § 11580.2(i)Can my homeowners insurance refuse to renew me in California?Cal. Ins. Code § 678What is an examination under oath in an insurance claim?Cal. Ins. Code § 2071Can I sue the other driver's insurance company in California?Moradi-Shalal v. Fireman's Fund (1988) 46 Cal.3d 287What can I do if my insurance payout is too low in California?Cal. Ins. Code § 2071How do I evaluate an insurance dispute attorney in California?Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 6125; State Bar of California
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