What happens when a parent dies without a will in California? Learn how intestate succession, probate, inheritance, real estate, bank accounts, and estate administration are handled.
Learn how much probate costs in California, including attorney fees, executor fees, court costs, probate referee fees, and other expenses. See how a properly funded living trust may help your family avoid costly probate.
Probate can be time consuming and costly, but proper estate planning can help many California families avoid it. Learn how living trusts, beneficiary designations, property ownership, and other strategies can help protect your assets and simplify the process for your loved ones.
Probate is the legal process used to settle a person’s estate after they pass away. During probate, the court validates a will if one exists, appoints someone to manage the estate, ensures debts and taxes are paid, and oversees the distribution of assets to the rightful beneficiaries.
When someone dies without a valid will, California’s Probate Code determines how their estate is distributed. The rules are rigid and based solely on legal relationships, not emotional bonds, financial need, or personal history.
Estate planning is not an area where the lowest price delivers the best outcome, nor is it one where cost alone guarantees quality. The most effective plans are built with judgment, experience, and restraint.
