How to Probate a Will Without a Lawyer: Complete DIY Guide By Sandra McCarthy|October 10th, 2023|Probate| Navigating the intricacies of the legal world can often feel daunting, especially when dealing with matters as sensitive as a loved one's last wishes. The question of how to probate a will without a lawyer is increasingly prevalent as individuals seek ways to streamline the process and retain more control. Probate is the formal process [...] Read More 0
Do I Need a Probate Lawyer in California? By Sandra McCarthy|August 24th, 2022|California Courts, Estate Planning, Probate| Wondering, "Do I need a probate lawyer in California to make my life easier?" The answer is sometimes "yes," but it really depends on your case. Read More 4
Sales of Real Property in Probate: What You Need to Know By Sandra McCarthy|October 20th, 2021|Probate| Probate administration can be stressful, costly, and generally not fun. It comes when people are already grieved over losing a loved one, and it can involve jumping through a lot of administrative hoops. Therefore, when people are planning the proper distribution of their assets in their estate plans, they often try their best to [...] Read More 0
California Probate Law: Key Terms & Tips to Navigate the Process By Sandra McCarthy|September 22nd, 2021|California Courts, Probate| Navigating the intricacies of California probate law can be a complex and daunting task. Probate law governs the legal process of transferring property and assets after a person's death, and it includes everything from validating wills to paying off debts and distributing remaining assets to heirs or beneficiaries. In California, this process is guided [...] Read More 0
What Is Probate Estate? By Sandra McCarthy|September 20th, 2021|Estate Planning, Probate| As a popular saying attributed to Japanese writer Haruki Murakami goes, "death is not the opposite of life but a part of it." That brings to mind the fact that although death can stop a person from living, it can’t stop the person’s legacy from thriving. This, is related to the far less poetic, [...] Read More 0
What Does Probate a Will Mean? By Sandra McCarthy|September 6th, 2021|Probate| Just like birth, death is a constant in the cycle of human life. Every living thing will die someday and as of now, no one has figured out a way to live forever (even though a lot of people want to). So, as much as we would like to live forever, it’s smart to [...] Read More 0
Probate Estate Planning: What You Need to Know By Sandra McCarthy|August 16th, 2021|Probate| Losing a loved one is hard. Not only is there sorrow; there’s also the struggle of dealing with the belongings of the person who died. In general, this legal process of administering someone’s estate when they die is called a “probate.” The hassle of going through the probate court is further complicated when [...] Read More 0
Uniform Probate Code: A Helpful Beginner’s Guide By Sandra McCarthy|August 11th, 2021|Probate| Uniform Probate Code: A Helpful Beginner's Guide California isn't a uniform probate code state. However, there are many other states that follow this code, which regulates how probate works. Whether or not you live in a UPC state can affect any probate process you’re tied up in, as well as your own estate planning. [...] Read More 0
What If the Executor Does Not Probate the Will in California? By Sandra McCarthy|August 9th, 2021|California Courts, Estate Planning, Probate| Most of us have no idea when we’re going to die. To live life to the fullest during the time they have, some people choose to spend their resources lavishly and give no thought to what will happen when they’re gone. However, the same thing cannot be said of examples of people who [...] Read More 0
How Long Does Probate Take in California? By Sandra McCarthy|August 4th, 2021|Estate Planning, Probate| If you know anyone who has gone through the California probate process, then you may have noticed that it can take some time. The real question is, how long does probate take in California? The answer is, inconveniently, that it depends. The duration of probate is contingent upon several factors, including the estate’s complexity, the [...] Read More 2
What is a Probate Lawyer and Why You Don’t Need One to File Probate By Sandra McCarthy|August 2nd, 2021|Probate| It is very hard to deal with the loss of a loved one. There are many memories and emotions to process right after they are laid to rest. In the midst of all that, the last thing anybody wants is to have to encounter the stress of the probate process. In some cases, a [...] Read More 2
What Are Non-Probate Assets, and How Do They Affect Your Estate Planning? By Sandra McCarthy|July 28th, 2021|Estate Planning, Probate| Probate is no picnic to those who are unfamiliar with the process. For one, if you’ve been chosen as a personal representative for an estate, you’ll need a complete understanding of what a personal representative has to do with both probate and non-probate assets. And, unfortunately, California probate law doesn’t make things easier. [...] Read More 6
Understanding Probate Records in California By Sandra McCarthy|July 2nd, 2021|Probate| Probate in California can be a difficult process. It can branch out into various topics that can cause a lot more confusion than clarity. With so many different subsections of probate to process, let’s start one topic and break it down. Probate records. These are used in all states of the country to bring [...] Read More 0
Purchasing Probate Property in California By Sandra McCarthy|June 25th, 2021|Probate| When a property owner dies, what happens to their property? In most cases, their estate must go through probate before the property can be transferred to any heirs. This leaves many surviving relatives wondering how to probate real estate in California. Real estate subject to probate must go through the probate process before it [...] Read More 0
How to Find Probate Records Online – Find Your Records Quickly By Sandra McCarthy|May 21st, 2021|Probate| How to Find Probate Records Online? Is it Possible? If you know anyone who has been mired in a probate case, you may have heard them talk about the horrors of probate. Probate gets a bad rep because of how expensive and time-consuming it can get, but it has existed in America since 1784, [...] Read More 0
Definitive Explanation for California Probate Court By Sandra McCarthy|May 5th, 2021|Probate| The loss of a loved one brings immense grief and pain to family, friends, and relatives. At this difficult time, the last thing anybody wants to think about is what assets and debts a loved one left behind. However, it is very useful to go to court and complete this pertinent task through probate [...] Read More Comments Off on Definitive Explanation for California Probate Court
The Most Effective Way to Navigate California Probate and Family Court By Sandra McCarthy|April 23rd, 2021|Probate, Family Law| Losing a loved one is a sad and difficult time. It doesn’t help that while you’re dealing with your grief, you may also have to deal with the deceased person’s estate through a legal process known as probate. Legal matters are probably the last thing on your mind, but it is often up to [...] Read More Comments Off on The Most Effective Way to Navigate California Probate and Family Court
How Long Do You Have to File Probate After Death in California? By Sandra McCarthy|April 2nd, 2021|Probate| How Long Do You Have to File Probate After Death? If you know someone who has been through probate in California, you probably noticed it can take a while. But how long do you have to file probate after death? How long does this sometimes complicated process take? In some ways, this hinges on the personal [...] Read More Comments Off on How Long Do You Have to File Probate After Death in California?
California Family Probate Court: The First Things You Should Know about By Sandra McCarthy|March 24th, 2021|Probate| Anyone who has experienced a death in the family has probably heard the mysterious term "family probate court” get thrown around. But what exactly does it mean? When a loved one passes away, they leave behind a lifetime of finances. Their final bills and debts must be settled, bank accounts closed, and property distributed. [...] Read More Comments Off on California Family Probate Court: The First Things You Should Know about
Can You Clear Out a Home Before Probate in California? By Sandra McCarthy|March 13th, 2021|Probate| A death in the family can be very emotional. It’s a time of mourning and grief, but also cherishing memories and coming to terms with your loved one’s passing. It’s only natural that you might want to collect sentimental items from their home as soon as possible. Unfortunately, you can’t do that in California. [...] Read More 4