Skilled Monterey County Probate Attorneys Helping You Navigate Or Avoid Probate

Last updated on June 25, 2024

Probate is the formal process of determining if there is a valid will and distributing the assets of the estate to the heirs. Probate is often time-consuming and expensive. Our probate attorneys at R.S.C. Law Group, Inc., aim to help you complete this process as cost-effectively as possible.

If you are thinking about creating an estate plan, we can help you by explaining how probate law in California works as well as offering options to avoid probate. The use of trusts can greatly simplify the probate process and potentially save you and your family a great deal of time and money. To learn more, contact us in Monterey County at 831-275-0987 for a free consultation.

What Happens During The Probate Of A Will?

After a death, if there is a will, the executor of the will needs to file the document with the court. Intestacy occurs if there is no will, and the assets of the estate will be distributed according to California’s intestate laws.

The court will review the will to ensure it is valid and then issue letters to the executor or administrator, which give them authority to mail notices, take care of the bills of the decedent, and file and pay their final income taxes. After all the costs of the estate are taken care of, they will distribute the remaining assets to the beneficiaries.

What About Estate Taxes?

They also need to determine if the estate will owe federal estate tax. With the value of real property in Monterey County, this is becoming more of a possibility with many estates. If there are items, like real property or a business, that will be transferred during probate, a formal appraisal is needed to determine their value.

Reach Out Now For Trusted Probate Guidance

Our attorneys, based in Monterey County, will take the time to explain all of your options before a crisis develops to ensure that your estate passes cost-effectively and efficiently and that your family does not face the additional stress and surprise of an expensive probate during this time.

Please call us at 831-275-0987 to make an appointment for a free initial consultation to discuss your probate needs with a lawyer.