Protect your home and family from California probate
A free, plain-English seminar for California homeowners. If your home is worth more than $210,000, this directly affects you.
Saturday, August 29 · Doors 10:15 AM, Seminar Starts 10:30 AM · Simi Valley
Free to attend · Limited to 25 seats
No obligation · Couples welcome · Se habla Español
This seminar is for you if...
- ✓You own a home in Ventura or Los Angeles County
- ✓You have children or grandchildren you want to make things easier for
- ✓You've been meaning to sort out your estate plan for a while now
- ✓You have a will or trust, but you're not sure it still reflects your family or your wishes
If any of that sounds familiar, you'll get something useful out of Saturday morning.
What Carmen will cover
No pitch, no pressure. Just a clear look at how local families protect their homes, their children, and their peace of mind.
- Why a will alone doesn't avoid probate, and what that means for your house
- The $210,000 home rule that catches most California homeowners off guard
- What probate actually costs a family in time, money, and privacy
- The difference between a will and a living trust, explained without legal jargon
- The most common mistakes she sees in estate plans people already have
- What to do if you have children, grandchildren, or a blended family
- How to tell whether your existing plan is outdated, and what triggers a review
Then open Q&A. Ask anything. No question is too basic.
Raise your hand if you own a home
Then you have a probate question, whether you know it or not. Without a plan, the court decides the timeline, the cost, and who's in charge.
12–24 mo.
Typical length of formal probate in California
5–7%
Of the estate's value lost to court fees, attorney fees, and executor compensation
Public
Probate is a matter of public record, and it's where family fights start
Without a plan in place
- Your home may go through California probate court
- The process commonly takes many months to well over a year
- Court and administrative costs come out of the estate
- The file becomes a matter of public record
- Your family makes decisions during the hardest weeks of their lives
With a plan in place
- Your home can transfer directly to the people you chose
- Your family can act in weeks, not months
- Costs are settled in advance and far more predictable
- Your family's affairs stay private
- You made the decisions, calmly, in advance
None of this is about fear. It's about making sure the people you love aren't left guessing.
Meet Carmen B. Marquez, Esq.
Founding Attorney, CBM Estate & Trust Law
Carmen has spent more than 20 years guiding California families through estate planning with compassion, clarity, and care.
She'll lead this seminar in person and stay afterward for questions. No legal advice given on the spot, just an honest look at what protects a family and what doesn't.
Carmen B. Marquez, Esq.
Carmen B. Marquez, P.C. · State Bar of California #216536
55 Simi Valley and Glendale families have already attended one of Carmen's workshops.
Most arrive with the same questions you have. They leave knowing where their plan stands.
The details
| When | Saturday, August 29, 2026 · Doors open 10:15 AM · Program 10:30 AM to 12:00 PM |
|---|---|
| Where | CBM Estate & Trust Law 2655 First Street, Suite 110 Simi Valley, CA 93065 |
| Cost | Free |
| Parking | Free on-site parking |
| Bring | Just yourself. Spouses and partners are welcome. |
| Length | About 90 minutes, including Q&A |
| Seating | Limited to 25 guests, so registration is required |
Reserve your free seat
Saturday, August 29 · Doors 10:15 AM, Seminar Starts 10:30 AM · 2655 First Street, Suite 110, Simi Valley
We'll text you a reminder before the seminar. No spam, and you can opt out anytime.
Takes less than 30 seconds. We'll email and text your confirmation and a reminder before Saturday.
Questions people ask
Is it really free?
Yes. There's no cost to attend and nothing to purchase at the event.
Will I be sold to?
No. Carmen teaches, then answers questions. If you'd like to talk about your own situation afterward, you can schedule a consultation, but that's entirely your call.
Can I bring my spouse or partner?
Please do. Estate planning decisions work best when both people hear the same information.
What if I already have a will or trust?
Then you'll probably get the most out of it. A lot of the plans Carmen reviews were written years ago and no longer match the family, the property, or the law.
What if I can't make August 29?
Call us at (805) 915-4793 or register anyway and reply to our confirmation text. We'll let you know as soon as the next session is scheduled.
How long does it take?
About 90 minutes, including questions. Doors open at 10:15, the program runs 10:30 to noon.
Your family shouldn't have to figure this out without you
One Saturday morning, and you'll know exactly where your plan stands. Free, local, and no obligation.
Reserve my free seatSaturday, August 29 · Doors 10:15 AM · 2655 First Street, Suite 110, Simi Valley