If someone dies with no estate planning documents, their estate is required to go through probate. Probate is a court-supervised process that can take a significant amount of time to complete. No one should have to pay for the cost of probate for someone’s estate....
In cases where there is a will but no trust or where the decedent dies with no estate planning documents, the deceased person's estate must pass through the court-supervised probate process. You should never have to pay from your pocket to probate an estate. The...
Executing an estate can be challenging, especially if you have never done it before. There’s a lot to do and a lot to learn. While you can receive some compensation for your time, you only have so much time in the day. So the longer it takes to execute the estate,...
A distant relative has named you executor, and you’re ambivalent about this position. On the one hand, you’re honored to be trusted with the responsibility. On the other hand, you know very little about being an executor, which overwhelms you a bit. You may wonder...
Many parents name one of their children as the executor of their estate. Executing a will can be complicated, especially during an emotional time. But what if you also don't have the time or ability to carry out their final wishes? If you don't have the time or...
Probate law in California can be confusing even to the most versed estate planners. Many estates in California are worth millions and can take years to sort out after someone’s death. Thankfully, estates that are valued below $166,250 are considered “small estates.”...
When California residents pass away, their family is often left to deal with their personal financial affairs that will still remain after the fact. This is especially true for people who die unexpectedly. Those who die intestate, or without a will, often risk having...
Selling a house under California probate is much different than selling a house in a private sale. Understanding the process can make it easier to navigate. There are specific parameters that must be followed in some cases, which are based on California Probate Code...
Ancillary probate is a probate process that is necessary when a deceased real estate or personal property owner has property in other states. The regulations of the state(s) where the property is located will typically determine what will happen with the property when...
Both the executor (or administrator) of an estate and its beneficiaries generally want to finish probate as quickly as possible. However, there are certain situations that delay the process. It could take over a year to sort through everything, depending on what's...