Probate
California probate law covers the legal process which handles the estate of an individual who has recently passed away. The California Probate Law Center has attorneys who specialize in probate law throughout the state of California. Each of our skilled, experienced California probate attorneys is fully capable of helping you handle each portion of the probate process. In general typical California probate process encompasses the following topics:
Petition to Open Estate
The petition to open the estate is handled in the courts, and involves opening the estate for distribution. A personal representative is named to handle the administration of the deceased’s property, and all proceedings are documented by the court as part of the public record.
Notice of Creditors and Notice of Administration
The Notice of Creditors provides any creditors who might have a claim on the account the chance to come forward with such claims. Any persons who are involved in the estate, or who may have an interest in the state are notified of the administration of the newly opened estate.
Estate Distribution
Once any creditor’s claims have been satisfied, the estate is distributed according to the terms of any will present, or if there is no established will for the deceased, the estate will be distributed according to California state law.
Petition to Close Estate
Once the distributions are made, the estate is closed – this means that no other claims can be made on the estate by any creditors or other parties who did not respond to the initial notices given.
While this process may seem simply on the surface, it is, in fact, quite complex. The representative, either an Executor of the will or an Administrator of the estate if there is no will, must follow all applicable rules and laws for every step of the probate process. This means that the representative must handle any outstanding bills, have the value of any homes or other assets properly inventoried and appraised, as well as handle the final distribution. The representative can be held liable for any portion of the process that is mismanaged, however, it is in your best interests to avoid mismanagement entirely and select a representative who is experienced when it comes to California probate law.
Our California Probate Law Center has helped people throughout the state of California successfully handle the estates of their loved ones. From start to finish, our team of experienced California probate attorneys knows exactly how to handle the filings, appraisals, notices and other aspects of the California probate court system. If you need estate planning services, please don’t hesitate to contact The California Probate Law Center today.
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