When someone dies without a will in California, their estate is distributed under the state’s intestate succession laws. This system determines who inherits based on legal relationships, not personal wishes, and the probate court oversees the entire process. Most estates pass to a spouse, children, or close relatives, but the order of...

Losing a loved one can be hard. But when you add in having to deal with their estate it can get extremely difficult and often overwhelming – especially if it goes to probate. Probate is the settling of an individual’s estate by a court-appointed executor. Although it can be simpler if the estate fits...

Sometimes the individual who was responsible for causing you injury may pass away before you have the opportunity to bring suit for damages. So what can you do if this happens? You have the option of bringing suit against a deceased person’s estate. However, in the state of California, this is not always the...

Probate in California is the court-supervised process used to settle a person’s estate after death, including validating a will, paying debts and taxes, and distributing assets to heirs. Whether probate is required, how long it takes, and how involved the court becomes all depend on the size of the estate, how assets...

How can I avoid probate in California? Avoiding probate in California is not only the goal of many regular folks but of celebrities as well. Most people have heard of a last will and testament – – the most common estate planning tool that has several purposes including but not limited to the disposition...

If you have recently been named as an executor, you may want to seriously consider hiring a probate lawyer to help you with the daunting task of administering your loved one’s estate. In fact, according to traditional probate advice, hiring an attorney is often one of the first things you should do...

Q: What happens when multiple wills are presented for probate?

More than a month after the death of one of the most notorious mass murderers of our time, the late Charles Manson is making headlines again due to a large fight over who is entitled to his remains and belongings.

The Manson estate...

The process of settling an estate is commonly referred to as “probate.” It requires an understanding of not only the will that your loved one left but also an itemization of their assets and liabilities as well as an appreciation for the probate laws and process in California. Every estate is unique, and what...

You may assume that estate planning is a non-confrontational process, and it usually is. When someone creates an estate plan, the process of developing it deals only with one (or potentially two) person—so there is little occasion for conflict. When loved ones actually take steps to fulfill a decedent’s wishes after they pass, fights...

An executor is someone who is named in a will to carry out your final wishes and settle your estate. He or she will pay your outstanding bills, pay for funeral expenses, and distribute your property as you describe in your will. It is important to know the duties of an executor or personal representative...