What are "Letters" in a Probate?Has a bank representative told you that you need “Letters” in order to access a decedent's bank account? Contact me to find out if that...
What are “Letters Testamentary” in California Probate?The gathering of assets in a probate gains momentum once “Letters Testamentary” are received from the probate court. The Letters...
What are “Letters of Administration” in California Probate?The gathering of assets in a probate gains momentum once “Letters of Administration” are received from the probate court. The Letters of...
What to Do With a Safe Deposit Box Immediately after Death You may have reasons to want access to a safe deposit box immediately after the death of a loved one. For example, many people may leave...
What Does it Mean if a Person Died “Intestate”?Before a probate case in California can be filed, a determination must be made as to whether the person who passed away died “intestate”...
What Does it Mean if a Person Died “Testate”?Before a probate case in California can be filed, a determination must be made as to whether the person who passed away died “testate” or...
How Many Death Certificates Do I Need? The question about the number of death certificates needed often comes up during funeral arrangements. As a part of their services, many...
Funeral Disputes - Who Decides? Occasionally a family may have a disagreement about what type of funeral to hold for the person that has passed away. Of course it’s...
Who are the Beneficiaries in a Probate? Beneficiaries are part of probates only when a will has been admitted to probate. Beneficiaries are people or organizations named...
Who are the Heirs in a Probate? In general terms, an heir is a close relative who may be entitled to the decedent’s property or money after a death. Usually an heir is...
What is an Administrator of an Estate?You may have heard the term "administrator of an estate" if you are involved in a probate. The term is used if someone dies without a...
Do-It-Yourself ProbateShould you handle your own probate case in California? It’s possible to go through the probate process in California without an attorney,...
What is an Executor of an Estate?If you are participating in a probate, you may have heard the term “executor of the estate”. This term is used when a decedent left...
Should You Hire an Attorney for Probate? Pros and Cons. California probate can often be very expensive. After reviewing the costs, you may be tempted to handle your probate case yourself...
Probate Costs in CaliforniaIt’s overwhelming. Someone close to you has died and you’re trying to cope with your grief. In addition to your emotional struggles, you...
How to Lower the Costs of a California ProbateYou are dealing with the emotional toll of a death in your family and you realize you need to open a probate case. You are shocked when...
Filing a Petition for Probate in CaliforniaEvery probate case begins by filing a "Petition for Probate" with the correct California court. All courts in California require that...
An Overview of the Entire California Probate ProcessProbate is a court case. The purpose of a probate case is to collect assets, pay debts and distribute the property to heirs or...
When is Probate Required in California? Probate is generally required in California when a person who has passed away owned property worth more than $150,000. However, if the...
