Source: https://dljlawfirm.com/about-us/faqs/
Timestamp: 2019-04-21 20:59:45+00:00

Document:
Probate is a court with a specific jurisdiction within the California superior court system. Specifically, probate courts adjudicate four main types of cases: Conservatorships, Decedent’s Estates, Guardianships and Trust matters. Generally, probate will refer to Decedent’s Estate issues unless specified otherwise. Probate is a court with a specific jurisdiction within the California superior court system. Specifically, probate courts adjudicate four main types of cases: Conservatorships, Decedent’s Estates, Guardianships and Trust matters.
Decedent’s estates concern the collection of the decedent’s assets (primarily the assets title in the Decedent’s name.), liquidation of decedent’s assets, payment of decedent’s debts and liabilities, and distribution to decedent’s beneficiaries as specified primarily in Prob. Code §§ 6401 & 6402.
Generally, probate will refer to Decedent’s Estate issues unless specified otherwise.
Is probate required in California?
It depends. There are two key factors for determining if a probate is required for a decedent’s estate. First, probate is primarily concerned with assets that are title in the decedent’s name without beneficiary designations. If the asset was title in the Decedent’s name at the time of her death, then you might have to go to probate court. Secondly, probate is only required for decedent’s estate that are above the Small Estates threshold.
What is the threshold for probate in California?
The threshold for probate in California is $150,000. Thus, if the gross value of the decedent’s estate is below $150,000, a full probate administration is not required, and these estates are defined as Small Estates. Small Estate have an expedite administration method and schedule pursuant to Prob. Code § 13100 et. seq.
Small Estates are estates whose total gross value is under $150,000. For estates of this size, a small estates affidavit can be used to transfer title to the property. A Small Estates affidavit is authorized pursuant to Prob. Code § 13100 et. seq. In order to use a Small Estates affidavit, the signatory must declare 1) that he or she is successor of the decedent’s estate as defined by Prob. Code § 13006, 2) 40 days has elapsed since the decedent’s passing, 3) no other person has a superior right to the decedent’s property, 4) no probate has been opened, and 5) the current gross fair market value of decedent’s real and personal property (excluding the property described in Prob. Code § 13050.) is less than $150,000. All of the above must be declared under penalty of perjury and subject the declarant to liability if any of the above is not true.
How to administer small estates in California?
Small Estates are generally administered pursuant to small estate affidavits. However, please be aware that a small estate affidavit that you find online may not apply to all assets. For example, the DMV has its own small estates affidavit. Additionally, small estates affidavits are generally not available for real property above $50,000. This would require the filing of the appropriate petition in probate court if the gross fair market value of the real property is between $50,000 and $150,000. Though this petition is an expedited process, knowledge of the petition and the probate process are essential for prompt resolution.
How to settle a small estate in California?
Please see see the F.A.Q. entitled How to administer small estates in California?
What assets need to go through probate in California?
Technically all of the decedent’s assets must be administered though probate court if the decedent’s estates is above the small estates threshold. However, the probate court is primarily concerned with assets titled in the decedent’s name such as real property, bank accounts, 401k, life insurances, investment accounts, etc.
What type of assets are subject to probate in California?
Please see the F.A.Q. entitled What assets need to go through probate in California?
How long do you have to file for probate in California?
Pursuant to Prob. Code § 8000, probate may be commenced at any time after a decedent’s death. However, there are several reasons why you may not want to delay with the commencement of probate proceedings. For example, if you are named the executor in the decedent’s will, you may have waived your right to act as executor absent a showing of good cause pursuant to Prob. Code § 8001. Additionally, creditors such as the mortgage holder to the decedent’s real property, may commenced foreclosure proceedings if they learn of the decedent’s passing. It is definitely recommended to administer decedent’s estates as soon as possible.
There are five key aspects to the process of administering decedent’s estates through probate.
First, the initial petition must be filed with the probate court and the appropriate notices must be provided. If the decedent left a will then there are additional requirements.
Second, after the personal representative is appointed, she must collect all of the decedent’s assets and appraise the estate.
Third, the personal representative must gather the debts and liabilities of the Decedent’s estate and serve the creditors with the appropriate notice that the decedent’s estate is being administered.
Fourth, the personal representative must, depending upon the terms of the will, liquidate the assets of the estate and pay all legally binding debts.
Fifth, the estate must be closed. Closing of the estate consist of preparing and filing an accounting for all actions taken by the personal representative. Filing and preparing a petition to closed the decedent’s estate, obtaining the order closing the estate, distributing the proceeds of the decedent’s estate to the decedent’s heirs, obtaining and filing receipts of payments to the heirs of decedent’s estate, and ultimately closing decedent’s estate.
How long does it take to go through probate in California??
According to the California Courts, the judges that supervise the California Superior Court system, probate of a will or decedent’s estate can take 9 months to a 1½ years or longer. Typical, probate takes longer when the beneficiaries are not on the same page or the personal representative’s paperwork does not conform to the requirements of law. Therefore, experienced counsel is vital to promptly recover funds and close the probate.
Can you avoid probate with a will in California?
No. despite this common misconception, a will does not avoid probate court. The only difference of having a will is that you get to choose who your beneficiaries are as opposed to the State of California’s intestate succession statutes. Secondly, the will must be proven which can greatly delay matters because some beneficiaries might object to the validity of the will. In this event, there is now a lawsuit that must be concluded before the estate can be administered. Please see The DLJ Law Firm article entitled 3 Reasons Why a Will is Ineffective.
Do you have to go through probate if you have a will?
Yes. Please see The DLJ Law Firm article entitled 3 Reasons Why a Will is Ineffective.
What happens if you die without a will in California?
If you die without a will in California, your estate will be administered pursuant to Prob. Code §§ 6400 et. seq. These statutes dictate the devise of your estate whether you agree with it or not. For example, the decedent’s children are first in line whether you have a relationship with your children or not. The second in line is your parents and your third in line are your siblings. Again, whether you like it or not. This is one of the reason why having a living trust is so important.
Attorney and personal representative fees are set by statute and as such, attorneys in California have no control over how much we can charge to represent the decedent’s personal representative. The attorney’s fee schedule is set in Prob. Code §§10810 et. seq. and California attorneys have no ability to charge more than this amount.
How much does it cost to probate a will in California?
Please see the F.A.Q. entitled How much does it cost to probate a will in California?
What are the probate fees in California?
How much does an executor or administrator get paid in California?
How many witnesses do you need for a will in California?
Pursuant to Prob. Code § 6110(C)(1), for a will to be valid in California it must be witnessed by at least two persons each of whom (A) being present at the same time, witnessed either the signing of the will or the testator’s acknowledgment of the signature or of the will and (B) understand that the instrument they sign is the testator’s will. However, beware that there are also witness requirements specified in Prob. Code § 6112.
Do you need a notary for a will in California?
No. California wills cannot be notarized, they must be witnessed. Please see the F.A.Q. entitled How many witnesses do you need for a will in California?
Can a will be notarized in California?
Are pourover wills subject to probate in California?
It depends. Technically, all California wills are subject to probate. (Please see Prob. Code § 8000.) However, whether a pourover will is subject to probate depends on whether all of the decedent’s assets are titled in the trust. If they are, there would be no need to probate the pourover will. However, if they are not, then the pourover will would need to be admitted to probate court, but not necessarily in the same manner as a regular will. Please see The DLJ Law Firm’s article entitled Close Encounters of the Probate Kind: A Study in Heggstad for more details.
It depends. If the handwritten will satisfies the requirements of Prob. Code §6111, then the answer is yes. However, if the handwritten will does not satisfy the requirements of Prob. Code §6111, then the answer would be no.
Is a holographic will valid in California?
Please see the F.A.Q. entitled Is a handwritten will legal in California?
Are probate cases public record in California?
Yes, unless the records are filed under seal which only occurs in rare cases where good cause is shown.
How do I find probate records in California?
Probate records are generally not available online, though you can usually find a register or list of filed documents online. To obtain the probate records, you generally need to go to the records department in the particular courthouse where the case was probate. Enclosed are links for your reference.
Can a living trust be changed?
Generally, yes. A revocable living trust can be changed at any time by the creator of the trust. These changes can lawfully be made as long as the creator has capacity and was not pressured by undue influence to change the living trust. Once the creator of the living trust passes away or is incapacitated, the living trust becomes irrevocable and can only be changed in certain circumstances.
Does estate have to go to probate court?
It depends on at least two key factors. First, how the property was titled. Remember, for probate we are primarily concerned about assets titled in the Decedent’s name. If the asset was title in the Decedent’s name at the time of her death, then you might have to go to probate court. Second, if the total value of the Decedent’s estate was over $150,000. This is the threshold amount for probate court. For estates under this amount, there are other simpler methods available since they are not eligible for probate. For estates of $150,000 or more, a probate would be necessary.
According to the California Courts, the judges that supervise the California Superior Court system, probate of a will or decedent’s estate can take 9 moths to a 1½ years or longer. Typical, probate takes longer when the beneficiaries are not on the same page or the personal representative’s paper does not conform to the requirements of law. Therefore, experienced counsel is vital to promptly recover funds and close the probate.
How much are attorney’s fees for probate?
Attorney’s fees are set by statute and as such, attorneys in California have no control over how much we can charge to represent the decedent’s personal representative. The attorney’s fee schedule is set in Prob. Code §§10810 et. seq. and California attorney’s have no ability to charge more than this amount.
How much are the personal representative’s fees?
The personal representative’s fees are set by statute and as such, personal representatives in California have no control over how much they can charge to administer the decedent’s estate. The personal representative’s fee schedule is set in Prob. Code §§10810 et. seq. and personal representatives have no ability to charge more than this amount.
Can an attorney charge me a retainer for probate?
Generally, no. A retainer in the sense of legal fees is not allowed because all attorney’s fees must be approved by the probate court. Additionally, no beneficiaries, personal representatives or attorney can be paid until there is a signed order from the probate court. As such, a California attorney has no ability to charge a retainer fee for his legal fees. However, an attorney can charge a retainer fee for the court costs of probate. However, this amount is reimbursable from the estate proceeds as these costs were incurred for the benefit of the estate.

References: § 13100
 § 13100
 § 13006
 § 13050
 § 8000
 § 8001
 § 6110
 § 6112
 § 8000
 §6111
 §6111