San Diego County, CA Consumer Law

Tools and Resources for San Diego County, CA Consumers

Bankruptcy & Debt

• Free California MEANS TEST CALCULATOR for San Diego County (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)
• Free 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. 
• California BANKRUPTCY COURT ESSENTIAL INFO: Get information about using your local bankruptcy court.

  California is divided into 4 federal districts with main cities in

  • San Francisco (Northern District)
  • Sacramento (Eastern Distrcit)
  • Los Angeles (Central District)
  • San Diego (Southern District)
• FREE BANKRUPTCY FORMS:
  We'll tell you which bankruptcy forms you need and where to find them.

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California Inheritance Law & Probate Procedure

• California PROBATE COURT FINDER:
  Probate Court for San Diego County: Key information about your local probate court (Superior Court in California) for San Diego County.
• How Probate Works in California: How to handle the probate of an inheritance at San Diego County's probate court.
• Small Estates Procedures in California: Learn how to use California's Small Estate procedures that can save you time and money.
• California Estate Taxes:

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

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

  California has allowed TODDs since 2016. However, it recently revised its law in 2022 and now requires a few more formalities when creating one, and for the beneficiary when claiming the property after the original dies. But it still avoids probate.

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California Unemployment Benefits

• Benefit Amounts in California: Learn how unemployment works, how much you'll get, and for how long.
• Eligibility: >Whether you qualify for unemployment.
• How to Apply: How to apply for unemployment in California.
• 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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California Wage & Hour Law

• California Minimum Wage:  

  The minimum wage in California is $16 an hour. Because this is higher than the federal minimum wage of $7.25, employees in The Golden State must be paid at least $16 an hour. 

  As of April 1, 2024, fast food workers minimum wage is $20 per hour. 

  Quite a few local governments in California have passed ordinances establishing a higher minimum wage. If you work in one of these cities or counties, you are entitled to earn the higher local minimum wage amount.

  San Diego County Minimum Wage

  The minimum wage in San Diego County is $16 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 San Diego County has passed its own minimum wage law since we last updated, visit https://www.sandiegocounty.gov/.

  Oceanside Minimum Wage

  The minimum wage in Oceanside is currently $16 an hour, the state minimum wage. However, cities in California are free to adopt their own higher minimum wage, and dozens of cities across the country have done so. To find out whether Oceanside has passed its own minimum wage law since we last updated, visit the city’s website at https://www.ci.oceanside.ca.us/. 

• 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.

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Child Custody & Family Courts in California 

• State Standards For Custody Decisions: How California Courts make child custody decisions
• Family Court for San Diego County: San Diego County Family Court information, including maps, forms and links.
• Enforcement of Custody Orders: Can you enlist local police to help enforce a custody court order?
• Child Custody Lawyers: To help you handle your child custody matters.

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California Obamacare

• Sign Up: We have the latest on how to sign up for Obamacare Insurance for 2023 in California!
• Is Health Insurance Mandatory in California? Learn about whether California imposes tax penalties for not having health insurance.
• Special Enrollment Periods: How to enroll because of a "special enrollment period."
• Rates & Providers in Your County: Information and rates for providers for San Diego County if you live in a state served by Healthcare.gov.

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Democracy In California, San Diego County, Oceanside 

• 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 San Diego 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 San Diego 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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