Contrary to popular belief, you don’t need an attorney to file probate in Colusa County. Most people can complete the probate process without hiring an attorney. However, when you file probate in Colusa County, expect the process to take between 7-9 months to complete. In this regard, because of the many steps involved in probate, you definitely will need some professional legal help to complete the process. A People’s Choice can help you file probate in Colusa County. Contact us today to find out more information on our probate legal document preparation services.
Read on to learn more about how to file for probate in Colusa County.
Where to File Probate in Colusa County
The Colusa County probate court hears matters at the Main Courthouse in Colusa, California. In particular, you will find the courthouse at 547 Market Street. You need this address so that you know where to file. There is no reason you cannot file probate yourself at this location rather than using an attorney.
The Placer County Superior Court has online case access through its website for registered users. This online system gives users quick access to their case information and hearings.
Another convenient option per Colusa County Probate Court Local Rule 20.8, is the ability to appear at a hearing by phone. Keep in mind; however, information on the court’s website says that you must schedule a telephonic appearance by 4:00 PM the day before the hearing.
Placer County Probate Rules
Every court in California has its own local rules. It is crucial to review these court’s local rules before beginning the probate process. The local rules controlling Probate cases in Colusa County is found in Section 16 of the local rules. These particular rules provide instructions about captions, notice requirements, the wording of a probate order, requirements for the petition for final distribution and other vital instructions.
Adjudicated Newspapers for Colusa County
Probate requires notice to interested parties. As part of this notice requirement, the personal representative must arrange publication in a newspaper in Colusa County that is proper for legal publications. Keep in mind, the publication is a critical aspect of the probate process. In other words, if you do not complete this process properly, the consequences can cause unnecessary delay and added expenses. With this in mind, A People’s Choice arranges this legal publication for all our probate customers to make sure the publication is proper, timely, and complete. Contact the Court Clerk to more information about adjudicated newspapers for Colusa County.
Colusa County Probate Examiner
In Colusa County, the Probate Examiner reviews all filed legal documents before the assigned judge hears the matter on calendar. Typically is most probate cases, you will have two hearings. The first court hearing is to appoint a personal representative. In contrast, the final hearing is to approve the final distribution of assets to heirs. Before each of these hearings, the Examiner will review the documents filed and prepare “probate notes.” These probate notes address questions and concerns about the content in the paperwork.
The probate process is very procedural. Although this may be true, people who try to file probate without any professional help usually find themselves facing voluminous errors and deficiencies in their paperwork. In the event that you are in this situation, don’t be discouraged. We commend you for making an effort to file probate without any help! However, as you can see, the process is not as easy as it appears. A People’s Choice can help you respond to probate notes and get your case back on track, so you do not have to hire an attorney.
Colusa County Probate Referee
There is one Probate Referee that serves Colusa County:
Jane Dolan, 389 Connors Court, Suite A, Chico, CA 95926; Phone: (530) 342-4295; FAX: (530) 342-1994; e-mail: jdolan@sbcglobal.net
In the event the estate has non-cash assets, the Probate Referee’s job is to value these assets. By statute, they have six weeks to complete this task from the date they receive the Inventory request.
How to File Probate in Colusa County
First and foremost, you don’t need to hire an attorney to file probate in Colusa County. Read our article about how to avoid paying statutory fees to attorneys.
As mentioned above, the Colusa Probate Division hears matters regarding probate. You can file probate in Colusa Superior Court if the decedent resided in this county before passing away. You may also file probate in Colusa County if the decedent lived outside of California but owned real property in the county. Review the court’s local rules before beginning the probate process. Once you know you are in the right location, you can start.
First, the probate process starts by filing a Petition. Next, the estate Administrator or Executor must notify all “interested parties” of the probate filing. You can then mail notice of the filing to the IRS, creditors, beneficiaries, known heirs and other interested parties. With proper notice and publication complete, a hearing will take place to approve and appoint who is going to represent the estate.
Next, the estate’s representative has the task of arranging the valuation of non-monetary assets. The representative prepares a formal Inventory and submits it to the Probate Referee. The Probate Referee values the assets and completes the Inventory. As mentioned above, the probate process is lengthy. The personal representative must be vigilant in their duties and complete many steps to reach the point of being able to distribute the assets and close the case. Using the experienced probate services of A People’s Choice will make the process easy and stress-free.
Attorney Fees to File Probate in Colusa County
Most attorneys charge a statutory fee to probate an estate. Attorneys base their fees on the overall value of the estate and not directly on the amount of work they perform. At A People’s Choice, we charge a reasonable flat fee for probate legal document preparation services, often saving our customers thousands of dollars!
Closing Probate in Colusa County
You should find closing probate in Colusa County straightforward. Before a personal representative can ask the court to close the estate, it must be in the proper position to be closed. When is an estate ready to close? First, the time within which creditors can file a claim must be over. Second, the personal representative must have paid all debts, filed all necessary tax returns, and settled any disputes. If this has been done, the estate is ready to be closed, and you are ready to ask the court to distribute remaining assets to the beneficiaries.
Once you close the estate, your duties as executor are over. A People’s Choice can help you complete the closing forms and finish your probate case. Contact A People’s Choice for more information on how to file for probate in Colusa County without using an attorney. Call us today at 805-648-5540 or get started right now through our easy online probate interview. Try before you hire and see how easy it is to start without paying any money!
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