If you’ve worked hard your entire life and accumulated wealth, you most likely want to leave as much of it as possible to the people you love. It’s for this reason that people create wills and trusts. Done right, a solid estate plan can eliminate the guesswork and...
Probate Litigation
Serving as the executor of your parent’s will
If your mother or father dies with assets left in their name, those assets will likely need to be probated. In the event that you're named as a parent's estate executor, you'll play a key role during the probate process. Your duties will typically include securing...
Reasons why your executor needs a probate bond
If you’re creating your estate plan in California, now’s the time to include an executor probate bond. Executors play a significant role in overseeing your estate, and you want to take steps to avoid mistakes and confusion. Executor probate bonds add an extra layer of...
Can you use alternative dispute resolution for probate issues?
In California, probate disputes can often become very emotional and involve many complexities. As an alternative to going to court, parties to a probate dispute can use alternative dispute resolution (ADR) methods to reach an amicable and efficient outcome. The...
Is it worth opening an estate bank account in California?
Executors can open an estate bank account during the probate process in California. However, they need to first start probate and receive confirmation from the court that the will is valid. Executors can't do anything with the estate until a judge gives them documents...
Post-probate procedures in California
Estate administration can be a lengthy and sometimes frustrating process in California. Successfully closing it is often the most satisfying part of the process. You should anticipate the following actions. Closing probate When the court closes probate, the executor...
Downsides of the probate process in California
California residents starting their estate plan have probably come across the term, “probate,” in their research. Many guides will talk about the importance of reducing time in probate court, however, it’s essential to completely understand the probate process. What...
What is involved in an estate inventory?
Trust assets, jointly owned real estate properties and financial accounts with named beneficiaries are usually not subject to probate. However, any California estate with additional assets worth more than $166,250 usually must complete a thorough inventory and...
Can you avoid probate in California?
There are several estate planning strategies that you could use to avoid or shorten probate in California. The benefits of a shorter probate are money savings, passing on assets faster and happier beneficiaries. Transfer-on-death assets You can set up various...
Does a retirement account have to go through probate?
Probate is a process all California estates go through even if the decedent lacked a will. However, some assets are transferred outside of probate. Retirement accounts are among them. Understanding probate The probate process allows a person’s will to be validated so...