Imagine that you have just received news that a loved one has passed away. Immediately, there is a wave of powerful and painful emotions, but, amidst the grief, you wonder: what’s going to happen to all their stuff? Their clothes, collections, furniture, vehicles, and real estate.
The last thing you want to think about at this moment is navigating the complex world of probate, but there may be no other way to ensure your family’s legacy is protected and smoothly transition their assets.
What is Probate?
Probate is a legal process that determines how a person’s assets are handled after their passing. Probate involves listing all of their assets and debts, notifying creditors and heirs, and distributing the estate.
Why is Probate so Difficult?
Undergoing a complicated legal process like probate while grieving can be overwhelming and painful, but that isn’t the only reason why some people are averse.
For one, probate is a public process, meaning your family’s private affairs become public record. Family drama and disputes often play out in the open for all to see.
Probate is also time-consuming. A typical timeline for probate is about one year, but it can be longer in certain California counties, like Sacramento. During that time, your family member’s assets will be inaccessible.
Finally, probate may be expensive, with statutory fees and expenses that add up over time, cutting into the overall value of the estate.
But don’t despair. You can take steps now to help your family avoid probate in the future through trusts, accounts with beneficiaries, and joint tenancy.
And if you’re already in probate, help is available.
Probate Help is Available
Having the right support makes all the difference—and great support starts with a great partner.
Working with a qualified probate attorney ensures your family’s interests are protected and the process runs smoothly. Below are several highly regarded California probate attorneys and firms, along with ways to find local help near you:
- Tonya Nygren – Nygren Law Office
- Heather Chubb – The Chubb Law Firm
- Alexandria Goff, Attorney at Law
- Jennifer L. Brown – Brown Legal
- The Law Offices of Daniel A. Hunt
To find an attorney near you, we also recommend visiting the California State Bar’s Lawyer Referral Service.
Can I Sell a Home I’ve Inherited?
If you’re looking to sell a home that you’ve inherited, you can work with a probate real estate specialist, like Laurel Buys Houses. We’ll work directly with your probate attorney to make sure the home sale aligns with all court requirements and ensure communication between all parties is smooth and compliant.
Explore our free resources for selling an inherited home.
Meta Description: Discover what probate is and how it works in California, as well as resources to help you through this complicated process of selling your inherited home.