The Monthly Grapevine™
420 Beatrice Ct., Ste G1
Brentwood, CA 94513
O ice: 925.634.0880
Text: 925.628.2256 info@MonthlyGrapevine.com
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Bring Your Dream To Life
At Carey Bros. Design & Build Remodeling, the heart
of our success lies in the passion, expertise, and dedication of our team. Each member, from our designers and draftspersons to estimators, project managers, craftspeople, and administrative staff, brings a wealth of experience and a deep understanding of the remodeling process. We work together seamlessly, ensuring that every detail of your project is executed with the utmost care and precision.
When you partner with us for your remodeling project, we understand that it’s not just about renovating a space—it’s about bringing your vision to life. Our team begins by listening to your needs, desires, and priorities. We take the time to fully understand what you want, ensuring that we are aligned with your vision from the start. Whether it’s a complete home transformation, a kitchen update, or a bathroom remodel, our approach is always grounded in a commitment to making your dream a reality.
The journey toward a successful remodel begins with a deep understanding of both your functional
needs and aesthetic preferences. Once we have a clear picture of your goals, we move to the next crucial stage: developing a conceptual design that reflects your vision while staying mindful of your budget. Our designers work collaboratively to craft solutions that blend form and function, ensuring that the designs not only look great but also meet your everyday needs.
As the design starts to take shape, we present it to you for feedback. This stage is a vital part of the process, as it allows us to refine the design based on your thoughts and suggestions. We’re committed to getting the details right, and we make revisions as needed to ensure the final design is exactly what you envisioned. Once you’re completely satisfied, we prepare a detailed estimate that covers every aspect of the project, so you have a clear understanding of what to expect.
Our skilled craftsmen and project managers take charge of bringing the plans to life. Throughout the construction phase, we maintain a high level of attention to detail, ensuring that the project progresses smoothly and stays on track. We understand that remodeling can be disruptive, so we work diligently to complete the job on time and with minimal impact on your daily life.
But our commitment to you doesn’t end when the project is completed. We stand behind our work with a 5-Year Written Guarantee, offering you
BRING YOUR TO LIFE!
ongoing support and peace of mind. Our goal is not just to deliver a finished project, but to build lasting relationships with our clients. We want you to feel confident in the quality of our work long after the last nail is hammered.
At Carey Bros., we approach every project with a deep sense of care and responsibility. We know that a successful remodel is about more than just creating beautiful spaces—it’s about creating spaces that enhance the way you live, work, and relax. By focusing on collaboration, communication, and craftsmanship, we ensure that every project we undertake is not just a remodel, but a true transformation. So, whether you’re looking to renovate a single room or embark on a largerscale project, trust that our team is here to guide you through every step of the process. With Carey Bros., your vision will become a reality, built with the quality and care you deserve.
Transfer-onDeath Deeds to bypass Probate
If you lack the assets for a living trust or prefer not to invest time and money into one then a transfer-on-death (TOD) deed may be a valuable tool for you, it allows a homeowner to pass their family home directly to beneficiaries without the need for probate. It can be change while you are still living and become permanent once you pass. This can simplify the transfer process and help families avoid the often lengthy and costly probate proceedings. Many people may believe that if they have a Will the property will not go through probate, this is patently wrong. Your heirs will go through probate and pay the state a hefty sum to make a difficult period in your family lives more difficult.
The probate process in California can be expensive. The fees for Probate are based on the gross value of the assets and are a tiered rate according to the value of the estate, so if you have a house worth $500,000 but there is a $480,000 loan on the property you would potentially owe the state
$13,000 for the probate tax leaving the heirs with $7000. In addition there are attorney fees, Executor fees, filling fees, and miscellaneous court fees!
The process for a probate is not quick and can easily take a year or more. If there are disputes, problems or a backed up court system, it can take much longer delaying closure for the family and draining money from the estate for expense such as a mortgage, other loans and credit cards.
While TOD deeds can be beneficial, they come with specific conditions that must be met for the transfer to be effective without probate. The property must be valued at less than $1 million and The beneficiary must intend to make the property their primary residence.
Given the high real estate prices in California, these conditions may limit the usefulness of a TOD deed for many homeowners. If this is the case then I recommend looking into a living trust and avoiding probate
To enhance the reliability of TOD deeds the California Senate introduced several safeguards and terminology to better protect older or vulnerable homeowners:
• The notarization of a TOD deed requires the signatures of two witnesses (excluding the beneficiary).
• Revoking a TOD deed will necessitate signing a new document in
the presence of a notary.
• Upon the homeowner’s passing, the beneficiary is required to notify the homeowner’s heirs.
The purpose of this article is to help get you thinking and start a conversation with your family and appropriate legal counsel to consider your options. While these Transfer on Death deeds remain a relatively simple and cost-effective option for transferring property, California homeowners considering a TOD deed should be aware of the guidelines and rules. I am not an estate planner nor an attorney. This article is not meant as tax or legal advice. The examples I have given are merely illustrative and should not be relied upon.
Given the potential ramifications, especially if the beneficiary is a minor, it is advisable to consult with a tax consultant and/or estate planning attorney. This professional guidance can help ensure that your estate planning objectives are met effectively and securely for your specific circumstances.
Patrick McCarran is a local Realtor and Broker. Call/text 925-899-5536 • pmccarran@yahoo.com • CallPatrick.com Independently owned and operated. Equal Housing Opportunity. In association with Realty One Group Elite DRE#0193160.
RODENT
Ongoing Events
AFTER SCHOOL ACADEMY
Tuesdays-Thursdays, 1:30-6:30pm, Village Community Resource Center, 633 Village Drive, Brentwood or Byron Community Library Club, 3926 Main St., Byron. Literacy and homework support for K-5th Grade. Info 925-626-7892 or jose@vcrcbrentwoodca.org.
AL-ANON MEETING - BRENTWOOD
Friday, 8pm, Brentwood United Methodist Church, 809 2nd Street, Brentwood. Support Group for families and friends of Alcoholics. No need to register, info call Trisha 510 910-1389
AL-ANON MEETING - DISCOVERY BAY
Monday, 12:15pm, Delta Community Presbyterian Church, 1900 Willow Lake Rd., Discovery Bay. Support Group for families and friends of Alcoholics. No need to register, info call Charlie (925) 858-5382.
AMERICAN LEGION AUXILIARY
1st Tuesday, 5pm, Legion Hall, Basement, 757 First St., Brentwood. Info Dolly 925-890-7357.
AMERICAN LEGION POST 202 MEETING
2nd Wednesday, 6:30pm, Veterans Hall, 757 First St., Brentwood. Info AML202.org or 925-516-2141.
ANIMAL RESCUE RECON DOG ADOPTIONS
Saturdays, 10am-1pm, Pet Food Express, 5829 Lone Tree Way, Antioch. Info 925-392-7654 or animalrescuerecon.com.
BETHEL ISLAND LIONS CLUB
1st and 3rd Wednesday, 7pm, Scout Hall, 3090 Ranch Ln., Bethel Island. Info Dave 925-595-1451.
BRENTWOOD ALZHEIMER’S CAREGIVER SUPPORT GROUP
2nd Thursday, 7-8:30pm, Brentwood. Please call 800.272.3900 to register for the meeting.
BRENTWOOD LIONS CLUB
1st Wednesday, 6:30pm, BW Community Center., 35 Oak St., Brentwood. Call for more info 925-587-3783. www.lcobw.com
BYRON DELTA LIONS CLUB
1st Friday, 10am, St. Anne’s Catholic Church, 2800 Camino Diablo Rd., Byron. Info Kathy 925-980-6696.
CANCER SUPPORT COMMUNITY
Tuesdays, 1-3pm, 3505 Lone Tree Way., Suite 3, Antioch.
DASH ADOPTIONS
Fridays, 5-8pm at Petsmart, 5879 Lone Tree Way, Antioch. 1st & 3rd Sunday, 12-3pm, Petco, 5481 Lone Tree Way, Brentwood. Info 925-219-0151 or deltaanimalssafehaven.org.
DELTA SHADOW BOXERS PARKINSON’S SUPPORT GROUP
1st Wednesday, 2-5pm. Merrill Gardens., 2600 Balfour Rd., Brentwood. Info Sue 925-550-2756
DISCOVERY BAY CORVETTE CLUB
1st Thursday, 7:30pm. Discovery Bay Yacht Club, Bilge Room Info Tim Denham 408-210-3814.
DISCOVERY BAY LIONS CLUB
1st Tuesday, 6:30pm, Discovery Bay Yacht Club. Info Rita Caruso 925-640-5746, www.discoverybaylions.com.
DISCOVERY BAY PICKLEBALL CLUB FREE TRAINING
1st Saturday, 11:00am, (weather permitting) Discovery Bay Community Center 1601 Discovery Bay Blvd, Discovery Bay.
DELTA GROUP SIERRA CLUB
2nd Friday, 5pm, Oakley Tavern, 3685 Main St., Oakley. Covers Antioch, Pittsburgh, Bay Point, Oakley, Brentwood, Bethel Island, Discovery Bay, and unincorporated areas of ECCC. Info Joeandlu@comcast.net.
DELTA WOMEN’S SOCIAL CLUB
2nd Thursday, 11:30am. Info Gloria 925-513-8731.
DIG - DELTA INFORMAL GARDNERS
4th Monday, 7:30pm, Brentwood Methodist Church, 809 Second St., Brentwood. Info Bob 925-642-0080 or deltainformalgardners.org.
DELTA QUILTERS GUILD
For information REGARDING meetings & events, go to deltaquilters.org
DOFBWOW (Daughter’s of Faith Becoming Women of Wisdom)
2nd & 4th Thursday, 6:45pm, via Zoom. Contact True Free Love Ministry via email truefreeloveministries@gmail.com.
GFWC - BRENTWOOD WOMENS CLUB
3rd Wednesday, 11:30am,Contact Sedar for more Info 925-550-4486.
GRIEF SUPPORT GROUP
Thursday, 5pm, Immaculate Heart of Mary Library, 500 Fairview Avenue, Brentwood. Info Mary Ann Smith 925-240-1706 or Linda Quilici 925-308-7799.
HELPING ONE WOMAN
3rd Tuesday’s, 6-8pm, Brentwood Community Center 35 Oak St., Brentwood. Email: howdiscoverybay@gmail.com
HALO ADOPTIONS
Saturdays & Sundays, 12-3pm (cats), Petsmart , 5879 Lone Tree Way, Antioch. Saturdays and 4th Sunday (dogs), 12-3pm, Petco, 5481 Lone Tree Way, Brentwood. Saturdays and Sundays (cats), 2nd Sunday (dogs) 12-3pm, Pet Food Express, 5829 Lone Tree Way, Antioch.
HOSPICE OF THE EAST BAY
Informational Session and Training. Info 925-887-5678 or volunteers@hospiceeastbay.org.
HOW OVER-EATERS ANONYMOUS MEETING
Thursdays, 10-11am, Brentwood Professional Plaza, Fellowship Hall, 8385 Brentwood Blvd., Suite B, Brentwood. AA Big Book Discussion. Info Peggy 925-200-2281
MINISTRY OF CARING ( Summer Schedule 6/4-8/27) Wednesday, 10:30-11:30am, will be changing meeting location during summer, Veterans Park, Balfour Rd., Brentwood. Widow/widower Grief Support Group.
Info Mary Ann Smith 925-240-1706 or Connie Conover 925-392-8037
