Real estate agent commissions in California typically run 5-6% of your home's sale price. On a $600,000 home—about average for California—that's $30,000-$36,000! For Sale By Owner (FSBO) lets you keep most of that money while still completing a legally sound transaction. Here's what you need to know.

What is FSBO?

For Sale By Owner means you sell your home without hiring a listing agent. You handle the marketing, showings, negotiations, and paperwork yourself. While it requires more effort, the potential savings make it worthwhile for many California homeowners.

California FSBO: What Documents Do You Need?

California has specific disclosure requirements for home sales. Missing even one required form can expose you to legal liability. Here are the essential documents:

• Residential Purchase Agreement: The contract between you and the buyer outlining price, terms, contingencies, and closing timeline.
• Transfer Disclosure Statement (TDS): Required by California law. Discloses known defects, repairs, and condition of major systems.
• Natural Hazard Disclosure: Discloses if the property is in a flood zone, fire hazard area, earthquake fault zone, or other natural hazard areas.
• Lead-Based Paint Disclosure: Required for homes built before 1978. Federal law mandates this disclosure.
• Grant Deed: The legal document that transfers ownership from you to the buyer.

Steps to Sell FSBO in California

Common FSBO Questions

What if a buyer has an agent? You can work with buyer's agents. Many FSBO sellers offer 2-3% commission to buyer's agents to access more buyers.

Do I need an attorney? California doesn't require an attorney for home sales. A Legal Document Assistant like BY THE PEOPLE® can prepare all required documents at your direction for a fraction of attorney fees.

Is FSBO right for everyone? FSBO works best if you have time for showings, are comfortable negotiating, and your local market is active. If you're in a hurry or unfamiliar with real estate, you may prefer professional help.

When it comes to protecting your assets and ensuring your wishes are carried out after you pass away, estate planning is one of the most important steps you can take. One of the primary goals of effective estate planning is to avoid probate—a lengthy, costly, and public court process that can burden your loved ones during an already difficult time.

What is Probate?

Probate is the legal process through which a deceased person's assets are distributed to heirs and beneficiaries. In California, probate can take anywhere from 9 months to 2 years or more, depending on the complexity of the estate. During this time, your assets are tied up, legal fees accumulate, and your family's private financial matters become part of the public record.

Why Avoiding Probate Matters

There are several compelling reasons to structure your estate to avoid probate:

• Cost Savings: Probate fees in California are based on the gross value of the estate and can range from 4-7% of the total estate value. For a $500,000 estate, that's $26,000 or more in fees.
• Time Efficiency: Assets held in a properly funded living trust can be distributed to beneficiaries within weeks, not months or years.
• Privacy: Probate proceedings are public record. Anyone can look up what assets you owned and who inherited them. A trust keeps your family's financial affairs private.
• Reduced Family Stress: Avoiding probate means your family can focus on grieving and healing rather than navigating a complex legal process.

How to Avoid Probate: Living Trusts

The most effective way to avoid probate in California is through a revocable living trust. When you create a living trust, you transfer ownership of your assets into the trust while maintaining complete control during your lifetime. Upon your passing, your successor trustee can immediately distribute assets to your beneficiaries without court involvement.

Other Estate Planning Tools

While a living trust is the cornerstone of probate avoidance, there are other important estate planning documents you should have in place:

• Pour-Over Will: Catches any assets not transferred to your trust and directs them into it
• Durable Power of Attorney: Allows someone to manage your finances if you become incapacitated
• Healthcare Directive: Specifies your medical wishes and appoints someone to make healthcare decisions on your behalf
• HIPAA Authorization: Gives designated individuals access to your medical information

Don't Wait—Start Planning Today

Many people put off estate planning, thinking they're too young or don't have enough assets. The reality is that if you own a home in California, have retirement accounts, or want to control who inherits your possessions, you need an estate plan. Without one, the state of California decides who gets your assets through the probate process—and that might not align with your wishes.

At BY THE PEOPLE, we help California families prepare comprehensive estate planning documents including living trusts, wills, powers of attorney, and healthcare directives. As a registered Legal Document Assistant, Tyler Brewer provides professional document preparation services at a fraction of the cost of hiring an attorney.

When facing a divorce in California, one of the biggest decisions you'll make is how to prepare and file your legal documents. While some people consider online services like LegalZoom, there's a significant advantage to working with a local, registered Legal Document Assistant (LDA) like BY THE PEOPLE.

Personal, Professional Service

Unlike automated online services, BY THE PEOPLE offers personalized support from Tyler Brewer, a registered and bonded Legal Document Assistant with over 15 years of experience. Tyler takes the time to understand your unique situation and ensures your documents are prepared correctly the first time.

California Family Law Expertise

Tyler specializes exclusively in California family law document preparation. This focused expertise means he stays current with California court requirements, local rules, and the latest forms—something generic online services can't match.

Avoiding Costly Mistakes

Divorce paperwork can be complex, and errors can lead to delays, rejections, or additional court costs. With BY THE PEOPLE, you have an experienced professional reviewing every detail of your documents before filing—giving you peace of mind that everything is done right.

Affordable and Transparent

Our pricing is straightforward and competitive. You'll know exactly what you're paying for upfront, with no hidden fees. Plus, you get the benefit of Tyler's personal attention throughout the process—something automated services simply can't provide.

When you need legal documents prepared—whether it's divorce paperwork, a living trust, or custody agreements—you have options. Two popular choices are online legal services like LegalZoom and working with a registered Legal Document Assistant (LDA). But which one is right for you? Let's break down the pros and cons so you can make an informed decision.

What is LegalZoom?

LegalZoom and similar online services (like Rocket Lawyer, Nolo, and others) offer automated document preparation through questionnaires. You answer a series of questions online, and the system generates legal documents based on your responses. It's convenient, available 24/7, and generally affordable for simple documents.

What is a Legal Document Assistant?

A Legal Document Assistant (LDA) is a California-registered professional authorized to prepare legal documents at your specific direction. Unlike automated services, an LDA like BY THE PEOPLE works with you personally, ensuring your documents are tailored to your situation and comply with local court requirements.

LegalZoom: Pros & Cons

Legal Document Assistant (BY THE PEOPLE): Pros & Cons

Real-World Scenario: When LegalZoom Goes Wrong

We've seen it happen too many times: Someone tries to save money by using LegalZoom for their divorce, only to have documents rejected by the court for missing local requirements. Now they're facing delays, additional filing fees, and the stress of starting over. In some cases, they've paid more trying to fix LegalZoom documents than if they'd come to us first.

When to Choose LegalZoom

Online services might work if you have a very simple situation:

• No children, no property, no retirement accounts
• Complete agreement with your spouse on everything
• You're comfortable navigating complex legal forms alone
• You have time to handle rejections and corrections yourself

When to Choose BY THE PEOPLE

Choose a registered Legal Document Assistant when:

• You have children, property, or retirement accounts to address
• You want documents done right the first time
• You need someone who knows your local court's requirements
• You want personal guidance through an emotional process
• You value working with a real, accountable professional