Know Your Rights
How social media can hurt your injury or family law case
One photo or comment, taken out of context, can undercut months of honest work on your case. Here is how to protect yourself online.
News & guides
Blog
Plain-English updates on California law, written for you, not for lawyers.
Family Law
Dads deserve better: how to stand up for your rights as a father
California law does not favor mothers over fathers. What matters is your child's best interest, and there is a lot you can do to show the court the role you play.
Know Your Rights
How lawyers charge: flat fees, hourly rates and contingency fees, explained
Lawyers charge in three main ways. Knowing how each one works helps you ask the right questions and avoid surprises before you sign anything.
Know Your Rights
How a personal injury lawsuit works in California, step by step
Most injury cases never see a courtroom, but knowing each step helps you make good decisions and know what to expect along the way.
Bankruptcy
How long does Chapter 7 bankruptcy take?
For most people, Chapter 7 takes about four months from filing to discharge. Here is what happens at each step, and what can make a case take longer.
Personal Injury
Seeking justice: who can file a wrongful death claim in California
No lawsuit can bring back someone you love. But California law gives certain family members a way to hold the responsible party accountable and protect the family's future.
Bankruptcy
Does California have a homestead exemption?
Yes. California's homestead exemption protects part of the equity in your home from creditors, both in bankruptcy and when a creditor wins a court judgment against you. The protected amount went up in 2021 and now adjusts every year.
Personal Injury
Are slip-and-fall cases hard to prove?
They can be. A fall alone is not enough. You have to show the property owner was careless, and the proof that shows it can disappear within days.
Bankruptcy
What bankruptcy can and cannot do
A bankruptcy discharge can erase credit cards, medical bills and many other debts for good. But some debts survive, and liens on your property work differently than most people expect.
Personal Injury News
The Uber ballot measure is gone. Here's what replaced it.
Uber's proposal to cap what crash victims can recover won't be on your November ballot. A narrower new law, SB 623, takes its place in 2027.
Car Accidents
California doubled its minimum car insurance. Is it enough if you're hit?
The minimum injury coverage California drivers must carry went from $15,000 to $30,000. That helps, but it still doesn't go far after a serious crash.
Know Your Rights
Hurt in California? The two deadlines that can end your case
Miss one of these deadlines and you can lose the right to any compensation, no matter how strong your case is.
Inside Your Case
Why the right expert witness can make or break your injury case
Experts shape what an insurer will pay and what a jury believes. Credentials matter, but the expert who can explain your injury in plain words is the one jurors trust.
Talk with an attorney today
Call any time, day or night. Steven Ibarra personally handles every case. Hablamos español.