Riverside County, CA Consumer Law

Free Tools and Information for Riverside County, CA Consumers

California Inheritance Law & Probate Procedure

• California PROBATE COURT FINDER:
  
  • Probate Court for Riverside County: Key information about your local probate court (District Court in California) for Riverside County.
• How Probate Works in California: How to handle the probate of an inheritance at Riverside County's probate court.
  • Here are links to:
    • California Probate Forms and the
    • California State Probate Court Website.
• Small Estates Procedures in California: Learn how to use California's Small Estate procedures that can save you time and money.

  • In Colorado, there's an Affidavit procedure for estates that are less than $70,000. This limit only applies to assets that would otherwise pass through probate, so excludes all joint tenancy property and all assets that pass by beneficiary designation, like life insurance and payable on death accounts. There is a ten-day waiting period.

    You can get the forms required here.

    Colo. Rev. Stat. Ann. 15-12-1201

    There's also a summary probate procedure for estates whose value is less than the value of personal property held by the decedent as trustee (so living trust assets don't count), exempt property allowance, family allowance, costs of administration, funeral expenses, and medical expenses for last illness.

    Colo. Rev. Stat. Ann. 15-12-1203

• California Estate Taxes:

  • California, like most states, does not impose an estate or inheritance tax. Only a few states do.

• Avoiding Probate in California. Find out what property bypasses probate death and goes directly to beneficiaries. such as:
  • Transfer on Death Deeds (TODDs)

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California Wage & Hour Law

• California Minimum Wage:  

  • The minimum wage in Colorado is $14.42 an hour. Because this is higher than the federal minimum wage of $7.25, employees in Colorado must be paid at least $14.42 an hour. 

    Riverside County Minimum Wage

    The minimum wage in Riverside County is $14.42 an hour, the state minimum wage. However, cities and counties in California are free to adopt their own higher minimum wage, and dozens of cities and counties across the country have done so. To find out whether Riverside County has passed its own minimum wage law since we last updated, visit https://rivco.org/.

    Riverside Minimum Wage

    The minimum wage in Riverside, California, is $14.42 an hour, the state minimum wage. However, cities in California are free to adopt their own higher minimum wage, and many have done so. To find out whether Riverside has passed its own minimum wage law since we last updated, visit the city's website at https://riversideca.gov/. 

• Overtime Pay: Every state has rules about weekly maximum hours and overtime. Learn about the overtime laws in California and whether they apply to you.
• Wage Claims: If you're being unlawfully underpaid, you need to learn how to file a "Wage Claim" in California. 
• Tips : Every state has special pay rates for tipped workers. Find out the rules for tipped workers in California.

  • In California, your employer may pay you a minimum wage of $11.40 an hour, as long as you earn enough in tips to bring your total hourly pay up to the full minimum wage, $14.42 an hour. If you don’t earn enough in tips to bring your compensation to the full minimum wage, your employer must make up the difference. 

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Bankruptcy & Debt

• MEANS TEST CALCULATOR
  • for Riverside County, California (applies the state and county income and expense standards into your means test calculation. Updated with the latest median income and expense standards for April 1, 2024)
• California BANKRUPTCY EXEMPTION FINDER: Search detailed listings of bankruptcy exemptions under California law and Federal law, for use in filing out Schedule C, when you file for bankruptcy. 
  • Federal Exemptions available in California?:  

    • No. Colo. Rev. Stat. § 13-54-107

  • California Homestead Exemption

    • Real property, mobile home, manufactured home, or house trailer you occupy to $250,000; $350,000 if owner, spouse, or dependent is disabled or age 60 or older; sale proceeds exempt 2 years after received (husband & wife may double)

  • California Vehicle Exemption

    • Motor vehicles or bicycles used for work to $12,000; to $25,000 if used by a debtor or by a dependent who is disabled or age 60 or older

• California BANKRUPTCY COURT ESSENTIAL INFO: Get information about using your local bankruptcy court.
• FREE BANKRUPTCY FORMS:
  We'll tell you which bankruptcy forms you need and where to find them.

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California Unemployment Benefits

• Benefit Amounts in California: Learn how unemployment works, how much you'll get, and for how long.
  • Minimum: 
    • $25 per week
  • Maximum: 
    • $781 per week
  • Duration: 

    • In California, you can receive unemployment benefits for a maximum of 26 weeks under state law. 

• Eligibility: >Whether you qualify for unemployment.
• How to Apply: How to apply for unemployment in California.
  • Colorado Department of Labor and Employment 
    • 800-388-5515
• Unemployment Office Near Me? How to find your local unemployment office.
• COVID-19 Benefits: We tracked the rise and fall of COVID-19 unemployment benefit payments.

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Democracy In California, Riverside County, Riverside 

• Elected Representatives: Find out the websites and phone numbers of those representing you at the Federal, State, County, and City levels of government.
• How to Vote: Learn how to register and where and when to vote in Riverside County, CA.
• Gerrymandering in California: Has your state been gerrymandered? Find out how to end gerrymandering and have voters pick politicians, not vice versa.
• Tracking Issues: Organizations that track legislation you care about 

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Find a Lawyer in Riverside County, CA

• Our Lawyers by Zipcode section allows users to find a local lawyer using the best online resources, including on topics we don't cover.
• DUI, Criminal Defense
• Auto Accidents & Personal Injury
• Immigration

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