California Probate Administration
Navigate the complex California probate court system with expert, compassionate legal guidance to settle your loved one's estate efficiently.
What We Do:
- Petition for Probate & Letters Administration
- Asset inventory & professional valuation
- Creditor notice and claim management
- Mandatory publication & court notices
- CPA coordination for estate tax returns
- Final distribution petition and accounting
- Direct representation in probate court
Understanding the California Probate Process
When a California resident passes away with a will or without any estate planning, their estate must typically pass through a court-supervised process called **probate**. Probate is designed to validate a will (if one exists), identify and inventory properties, pay debts and taxes, and distribute the remaining assets to heirs.
Why Probate is Avoided in California
California probate is notorious for being exceptionally slow (typically taking 12 to 18 months), fully public (anyone can view your assets and debt registries), and very expensive. Attorney and executor fees are mandated by state statute as a percentage of the *gross* estate value, not net, meaning a $2,000,000 home can cost upwards of $66,000 in court-mandated fees.
Steps of Probate We Handle for You
Managing an estate during a time of grief can be incredibly overwhelming. Our firm acts as your legal concierge to execute every court requirement seamlessly:
- 1
1. Petition for Probate
We prepare and file the initial petitions to open probate, request the court appoint you as Executor or Personal Representative, and publish notice in local papers as required by law.
- 2
2. Inventory & Appraisal
We work with court-appointed probate referees to inventory, catalog, and appraise all estate assets to establish their exact market value at the time of death.
- 3
3. Creditor Resolution
We notify known creditors and manage claims filed against the estate, resolving outstanding debts in compliance with strict California Probate Code timelines.
- 4
4. Distribution & Closeout
We file the final court petition, draft the final accounting, secure court approval to distribute assets to the rightful beneficiaries, and officially close the estate.
Need Assistance with an Estate?
Whether you are an executor who has been appointed to manage a probate estate, or a family member needing to understand your legal rights, our attorneys are here to shoulder the burden.