Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Probate
When is probate required and how does it work?
Probate generally refers to the formal court supervised administration of a decedent’s estate.
If I sign a will, such as a “pourover will”, doesn’t that mean there has to be a probate when I die?
No. Whether probate is required depends on the total value of assets which are not payable or transferable on death.
What does probate cost and how long does it take?
In most probates, the attorney who represents the personal representative of the estate, as well as the personal representative...
I need to file my father’s will for probate but it’s in his safety deposit box and the bank won’t let me get it out. What can I do?
If you have the key to the box and a certified copy of the death certificate, California law allows you to...
My parents signed a living trust but they did not re-title the family home in the trust name before they died. Will probate be required?
In many instances, no. A court can make an order finding that the home is in fact an asset...
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FAQ Categories
- Living Trust
- Living Trusts and Probate
- Funding a Living Trust
- Bank Accounts
- Powers of Attorney
- Conservatorships and Guardianships
- Alternatives to Conservatorships and Guardianships
- Medicare and Medi-Cal (Medicaid)
- Probate
- Taxes
- Disqualified Beneficiaries
- Joint tenancy, Community Property, Domestic Partnerships