When you're involved in a legal matter—whether it's a divorce, custody dispute, restraining order, or civil lawsuit—properly serving legal documents is not just a formality. It's a critical legal requirement that can make or break your case. Using a registered, professional process server like BY THE PEOPLE (Brewer Family Law) ensures that your documents are served correctly, documented thoroughly, and upheld in court.

What is Process Serving?

Process serving is the legal delivery of court documents to individuals involved in a legal proceeding. In California, proper service of process is required by law to notify parties of legal actions against them, giving them the opportunity to respond. Without proper service, your case cannot move forward—no matter how strong your legal arguments may be.

Why Professional Process Serving Matters

Many people underestimate the importance of using a professional, registered process server. Here's why it matters:

• Legal Compliance: California has strict rules about who can serve legal documents, how they must be served, and what proof is required. A registered process server knows these rules inside and out, ensuring your service is legally valid.
• Avoid Costly Delays: Improper service can result in your case being delayed for weeks or months. If the court determines that service was not properly completed, you'll have to start over—wasting time and money.
• Neutral Third Party: California law requires that process be served by someone who is not a party to the case and is at least 18 years old. Using a professional process server provides credibility and eliminates potential conflicts of interest.
• Thorough Documentation: A registered process server provides a completed Proof of Service form with detailed information about when, where, and how the documents were delivered. This documentation is essential if service is ever challenged in court.
• Experience with Difficult Situations: Some individuals avoid service or become confrontational. A professional process server has experience handling these situations professionally and knows alternative service methods when necessary.

Types of Documents We Serve

At BY THE PEOPLE, we serve all types of legal documents throughout San Luis Obispo County, Santa Barbara County, Kern County, and all of California, including:

How Process Serving Works with BY THE PEOPLE

Our process serving service is straightforward and efficient:

Serving Throughout California

While we're based in Arroyo Grande and specialize in serving the Central Coast—including Arroyo Grande, Grover Beach, Pismo Beach, San Luis Obispo, Paso Robles, Atascadero, Morro Bay, Santa Barbara, Santa Maria, and Bakersfield—we can arrange service anywhere in California through our statewide network of professional process servers.

Don't Risk Improper Service

Whether you're filing for divorce, pursuing a custody modification, enforcing a judgment, or handling any other legal matter, proper service of process is essential. Don't risk delays, rejections, or dismissals by attempting to serve documents yourself or using an unregistered individual.

Trust BY THE PEOPLE (Brewer Family Law) for professional, reliable, and legally compliant process serving throughout California. Tyler Brewer's experience ensures your documents are served correctly the first time, keeping your case moving forward.

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 (Brewer Family Law), 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 (Brewer Family Law).

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.