Severance and Contracts Attorneys Serving Yorba Linda
Protecting Yorba Linda workers' rights. No fee unless we win.
How long do I have to review a severance agreement in Yorba Linda?
Most severance agreements give you at least 21 days to review the document and decide whether to sign it. If you are 40 years or older, federal law under the Older Workers Benefit Protection Act (OWBPA) requires employers to give you at least 21 days to consider signing a waiver of your rights under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA). You generally then have seven days to revoke your signature after signing. It is wise to use this time to have an attorney review any agreement an employer offers you.
What does a severance and contracts attorney do for Yorba Linda workers?
A severance and contracts attorney helps employees understand, negotiate, and enforce agreements they have with their employers. This includes reviewing severance packages when your employment ends, making sure the terms are fair, and that you are not giving up valuable rights without proper compensation. We also help with employment contracts, non-compete clauses, and other agreements that define the terms of your work in Yorba Linda. For more comprehensive employee protection, our firm also works on broader employment law cases.
What should I do after receiving a severance offer?
If your employer offers you a severance package, take these steps:
Do not sign anything immediately. Most severance offers provide a deadline for your review.
Gather all relevant documents, including your employment contract, performance reviews, and any correspondence related to your termination.
Avoid discussing the offer with your employer until you have fully reviewed it or consulted with an attorney.
Contact an attorney who focuses on severance and employment contracts. An attorney can explain your rights and help you understand the implications of the agreement.
If you are age 40 or older, remember you have a minimum of 21 days to consider the agreement and another seven days to revoke it after signing.
Where are severance and contract claims filed in Orange County?
If a dispute over a severance agreement or employment contract in Yorba Linda leads to a lawsuit, the case is generally filed in the Superior Court of California, County of Orange. The main courthouse for civil actions in Orange County is the Central Justice Center, located at 700 Civic Center Dr W, Santa Ana, CA 92701. This community is in Orange County, not Los Angeles County, so the local court system and procedures differ from those in Los Angeles. If your claim involves other employment issues, like wage and hour disputes, the court location remains the same.
What are the deadlines for employment-related claims in California?
The deadline for filing a claim depends heavily on the specific nature of your case and against whom you are filing. Most employment-related lawsuits, including those stemming from contract breaches, generally must be filed within two years under Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 335.1. However, if your claim is against a city, county, or other public agency in Yorba Linda, a written claim must first be presented to that public entity within six months of the incident under Cal. Gov. Code § 911.2. The law allows for recovery of economic losses, such as lost wages and benefits, and in some cases, non-economic damages for emotional distress. Deadlines have exceptions and must be confirmed with an attorney for your specific facts.
What happens when Casa Legal Los Angeles represents me?
When we represent you for a severance or contract issue, we prioritize understanding your situation and goals. We review your proposed agreement, identify any unfair clauses or missing compensation, and advise you on your options. We will then negotiate with your employer on your behalf to seek the best possible terms. Our aim is to make sure your rights are protected and you receive the full compensation available under California law. We handle all communications with your employer and guide you through each step of the process. For Yorba Linda workers, whether it's a severance agreement or issues like retaliation, our focus is on securing a fair outcome for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to sign a severance agreement?
No, you are not required to sign a severance agreement. An employer offers these agreements in exchange for you giving up certain legal rights, typically the right to sue them. It is important to have an attorney review any severance package before you sign it to understand what rights you might be waiving and to assess if the compensation offered is fair.
Can a severance agreement prevent me from getting unemployment benefits?
Severance pay usually does not prevent you from receiving unemployment benefits in California. Unemployment benefits are based on your eligibility, not whether you received severance. However, the terms of your departure and any specific language in the agreement can affect your eligibility, so it is always wise to consult with an attorney.
What is a non-compete clause, and can it be enforced in Yorba Linda?
A non-compete clause is a provision in an employment contract that attempts to restrict an employee from working for a competitor or starting a similar business for a certain period after leaving their current job. In California, non-compete clauses are largely unenforceable and are generally void under Business and Professions Code section 16600, with very limited exceptions.
What is the minimum amount of severance pay I am entitled to?
California law does not mandate a minimum amount of severance pay. Severance pay is typically a matter of agreement between the employer and employee, unless it is part of a collective bargaining agreement or company policy. The amount offered often depends on factors like your tenure, position, and the employer's willingness to avoid potential legal claims.
For assistance with your severance agreement or employment contract in Yorba Linda, call Casa Legal Los Angeles at 888-585-2529. No attorney's fees unless we win — and no case costs either.
Serving Yorba Linda
Our attorneys represent clients throughout Yorba Linda and the greater Los Angeles area.
Where a Yorba Linda claim is filed
A personal injury claim arising in Yorba Linda is filed in Central Justice Center of the Superior Court of California, County of Orange.
This community is in Orange County, not Los Angeles County. A personal injury claim arising here is filed in the Superior Court of California, County of Orange rather than with the Los Angeles Superior Court.
Confirm the correct justice center for the specific incident location.
Source: Superior Court of California, County of Orange (verified August 23, 2026).
Deadlines that apply in Yorba Linda
The California filing deadlines that apply to an incident in Yorba Linda (Orange County) come from state statute, not a local rule. These are the deadlines cited most often.
2 years — personal injury lawsuit
Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 335.1 — two years from the date of injury for most personal injury and wrongful death claims.
6 months — claim against a public entity
Cal. Gov. Code § 911.2 — a written claim must be presented to the public entity within six months for claims involving death or injury to person or personal property, before a lawsuit may be filed.
Injured minors
Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 352 — the limitations period is generally tolled while the injured person is a minor, but the six-month government claim deadline is not tolled the same way.
This is general information about California law, not legal advice, and reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship. Deadlines change with the facts and with who the defendant is — a claim against a city, county, transit agency, or the state triggers a much shorter deadline, and delayed discovery, tolling, and other exceptions apply. Casa Legal Los Angeles is licensed to practice in California. Confirm any deadline with an attorney.
Sources: California Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1; California Government Code § 911.2 (verified August 23, 2026).