Pasadena, CA Office

Probate typically becomes an issue if a loved one passes away with assets solely in their own name, with no beneficiaries designated. The usual asset we deal with in probate cases is the family home. It’s not that someone from the State of California comes and boards up the property or prevents the family access to the home, rather, the issue is that nobody has signing authority to do anything legally with the property, such as selling or refinancing it. 

In order to address this, a family member typically files a petition for probate, asking the court to appoint them as the personal representative of the estate. As personal representative, they would then be able to deal with any assets and debts. This process in California generally takes over a year. 

However, this process is not always necessary. In California, if you are dealing with an estate that is not more than $184,500 in value, our probate attorneys can typically help you greatly expedite the process and cut out a lot of the waiting through probate alternatives. If you are not sure whether your family needs to go through probate after the death of a loved one, our probate attorneys can help. We can help you to navigate your options and determine whether you can simplify the probate process. 

The probate process differs from state to state, and having an experienced law firm by your side to help you find the most effective way through this time can eliminate a lot of grief and frustration.