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
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 0
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
The California Probate Process: A Step-by-Step Guide By Sandra McCarthy|February 4th, 2021|Probate| The probate process in California starts after someone dies. Depending on the size of the estate, the process of probating an estate can be surprisingly quick and simple to complete. For larger estates, probate may be lengthy and more complex. Here's what you need to know to start the probate process in California. Read More 10
What is a Definitive Explanation of California Probate? By Sandra McCarthy|February 1st, 2021|Probate| California Probate California probate is a simple concept, but that doesn't stop it from stirring up a great deal of trouble in families. The heirs to the estate of the acclaimed singer Prince can attest to that. He died without a will, so his assets are going through a lengthy process laid out by [...] Read More Comments Off on What is a Definitive Explanation of California Probate?
What California Probate Laws Protect the Elderly Against Financial Abuse? By Sandra McCarthy|September 21st, 2020|Probate, Estate Planning| Financial elder abuse is a serious problem in estate planning. However, sometimes fraud is also caught after or during the probate process. Therefore, if an interested party files an action for financial elder abuse, California probate law can help rightful heirs repossess the decedent's assets. Read More 4
Is It a Good Idea to Hire a California Probate Attorney? By Sandra McCarthy|September 20th, 2020|Probate| Not every asset that belongs to a deceased person becomes part of his or her estate. Not all estates must go through probate. Only some of the estates that go through probate involve complex issues that require the personal representative to hire a lawyer. In fact, hiring an attorney is usually a waste of money in uncomplicated probate cases. For most people, it makes better financial sense to hire a non-attorney professional to complete your probate forms correctly. Read More Comments Off on Is It a Good Idea to Hire a California Probate Attorney?
What Kobe Bryant Taught Us About California Probate and Estate Planning By Sandra McCarthy|September 10th, 2020|Estate Planning| When Kobe Bryant and his 13-year-old daughter Gianna died in a helicopter accident in January of 2020, fans grieved together and shared the lessons Kobe had taught them during his lifetime. However, as Kobe's wife Vanessa was forced to deal with settling her husband's estate, we learned yet another lesson from Kobe. Read More Comments Off on What Kobe Bryant Taught Us About California Probate and Estate Planning
What is a Bond in California Probate & How Do You Get One? By Sandra McCarthy|September 6th, 2020|Probate| Whether you are the executor of an estate or an interested party in a probate case, it's important to have a solid understanding of when and why the court may require a bond. In fact, even if a decedent identified in their will that they do not want bond to be posted, a judge may STILL require one! Read on to learn more about probate bonds and how they may affect you. Read More 2
California Probate Filing Checklist By Sandra McCarthy|August 23rd, 2020|Probate| The steps for filing probate in California can be overwhelming. In fact, the process can often take 8-10 months. To help out, we've provided a free California probate filing checklist for your personal use. For low-cost, non-attorney help with filing probate in California, contact A People’s Choice today. Read More 44
California Probate Without a Will By Sandra McCarthy|July 30th, 2020|Probate| Usually, the probate process utilizes a decedent's will to determine how the estate will be divided. However, when a will is missing, incomplete, or invalid, the court follows the California Intestate Succession Laws instead. Read on to learn more about how these laws work and how you can complete the process process without an attorney, even if you're missing a will! Read More 4
The California Probate Process: A Step-by-Step Guide By Sandra McCarthy|May 19th, 2020|Probate| Probate is a complex process; however, it is also very procedural. Therefore, by following our step-by-step California probate guide, you can complete the process WITHOUT hiring an attorney! Plus, by hiring the services of a registered legal document assistant such as A People's Choice, you can ensure your legal documents are completed in an accurate and timely matter. Don't settle an estate on your own - contact us today! Read More 1
Understanding California Probate Examiner Notes By Sandra McCarthy|April 28th, 2020|Probate| Understanding the role a probate examiner plays in the probate process, as well as what their notes mean, can help save you time and money during probate. In fact, maintaining an active role in the note process can buy you time to obtain any supplemental materials the court requires to settle the estate as quickly as possible. Read More 2
California Probate Help – Do It Yourself and Save Money By Sandra McCarthy|April 24th, 2020|Estate Planning| California probates completed by attorneys almost always come with statutory fees based on the size of the estate. Therefore, anyone looking for a cheaper way to file probate on a friend's or family's estate should look into working with a legal document assistant. Contact A People's Choice today for more information on how we can help you complete the probate process for a flat fee. Read More 2
How to Deal With Creditors and Debts in California Probate By Sandra McCarthy|September 3rd, 2018|Probate| California has specific laws and rules about the process required to deal with creditors and debts in California probate. It is the estate’s executor or appointed representative's responsibility to notify all creditors of the probate proceedings. This notification allows creditors to make and file formal claims against the probate estate. It is important to note that creditors and interested parties usually have a limited amount of time to file a claim. Read More Comments Off on How to Deal With Creditors and Debts in California Probate
Get Started with Your California Probate By Sandra McCarthy|April 10th, 2018| Get Started with Your California Probate logiform Click Here ONLY If You Cannot See Form Learn About Our Refund Policy Under California law, all customers who hire our services are required to execute a mandatory Contract for Services. This contract, under California Business and Professions Code Section 6410 [...] Read More Comments Off on Get Started with Your California Probate
California Probate Timeline (a Video) By Sandra McCarthy|March 20th, 2018|Personal, Probate| California probate can be broken down into separate phases, 1) preparing the initial petition and attending the hearing; 2) handling debts; 3) itemizing property and 4) distributing assets. This video explains the California probate timeline. Read More Comments Off on California Probate Timeline (a Video)
California Probate Blog And News By Sandra McCarthy|February 26th, 2018| Read More Comments Off on California Probate Blog And News
California Probate Code 850 Petition By Sandra McCarthy|June 1st, 2017|Probate| A California Probate Code 850 Petition allows litigants to seek the transfer of real property into or out of a trust. This type of application is commonly called a Heggstad Petition. If the decedent failed to transfer all of his/her assets into a trust before dying, a California Probate Code 850 Petition (or Heggstad petition) [...] Read More Comments Off on California Probate Code 850 Petition
Common Errors in California Probate By Sandra McCarthy|January 16th, 2017|Probate| It is common for people to make errors when attempting to probate their loved one’s estate. A People’s Choice recommends having a professional legal document preparer draft all probate documents to make sure the paperwork is accurate and properly completed. Below is an overview of the common errors in California probate that can easily be [...] Read More Comments Off on Common Errors in California Probate