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.
Verifying a California Attorney
How do I verify that a California attorney is licensed?Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 6125; State Bar of California licensee recordsWhat does inactive status mean on a California attorney's record?Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 6125; State Bar of California licensee recordsHow do I look up a California attorney and check their discipline record?Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 6125; State Bar Court of CaliforniaWhat is a California bar number and how do I find one?State Bar of California licensee recordsWhat is a State Bar Certified Legal Specialist in California?Cal. Rules of Court, rule 9.35; State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization
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 Law
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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