Do you need to file probate in Plumas County? In the first place, make sure you understand what money-saving options you have to file probate in Plumas County. First, you do not need to hire a probate attorney. Given that California offers other low-cost legal help options, people like you can avoid burdensome attorney fees. In this regard, A People’s Choice has helped thousands of people complete probate and can help you prepare all the required forms to file probate in Plumas County. Remember, you can save yourself thousands of dollars in attorney fees using our non-attorney probate services. Furthermore, A People’s Choice helps you manage the probate process and prepares all required paperwork. As you proceed through the probate process, we provide you with step-by-step instructions on how to complete probate in Plumas County. Read on to learn more.
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How to Complete Probate in Plumas County
A family member typically files probate on behalf of the estate. The probate process starts by preparing and filing a comprehensive petition for probate with the local court in the county where the decedent last resided. Next, the court clerk will schedule a hearing and the personal representative must arrange for the required publication and notice. If all the paperwork is in proper order, the personal representative will receive Letters of authority at the hearing as the first steps of the extended probate process. As part of this first part of the process, the personal representative provides notice to all interested parties of the estate. During the administration process, the personal representative is responsible for paying all decedent’s and outstanding debts. At that point, the personal representative can ask to close the estate to distribute the remaining assets to the beneficiaries and heirs.
If the decedent died intestate, the decedent’s assets will be distributed to heirs according to California’s intestate succession laws.
Although there are many steps involved in the probate process, A People’s Choice completes most of our probate cases within 8-10 months. If a probate dispute arises through the process, you may want to consult with an attorney. An attorney can represent you on a limited matter and help settle disputed issues and claims. Since most of the probate process involves filling out paperwork, there is no need to pay $300-$400 an hour for an attorney to handle the routine paperwork.
Steps to File Probate in Plumas County
Generally speaking, the paperwork includes filing the probate petition, taking an inventory and appraisal of the estate, notifying creditors, beneficiaries and heirs,, and winding down the probate matter. Provided that the estate requires probate, probate is the process that allows the court to supervise winding up a deceased person’s estate. Primarily, the probate process consists of the following steps:
- Prepare the Petition for Probate
- Notice interested parties and arrange for publication
- Attend Hearing.
- Court issues Letters of Authority
- Ask for appointment of Probate Referee.
- Prepare and process Inventory and Appraisal
- Approve and reject creditor claims
- Pay debts and taxes
- Petition for Final Distribution
- Attend Hearing on Distribution
- Distribute Assets
- File Receipts
- Close case
As you can see, this process encompasses paying the decedent’s outstanding debts and taxes and ends with the distribution of the remaining assets to beneficiaries and heirs. Most probate matters are finished within a year of filing.
As mentioned above, attorneys charge statutory fees to probate an estate. In other words, the attorney’s fee is not proportionate to the amount of work performed on behalf of the estate, but rather the gross value of the estate. For example, an attorney will receive more money for probating an estate valued at $750,000 vs. $450,000 even though they are not performing any more work. Keep in mind, the estate’s gross value does not take into consideration any outstanding debts and loans the decedent has. Contact us today for find out how much money you can save by working with a legal document preparer to probate your loved one’s estate.
Where to File Probate in Plumas County
The Superior Court of California County of Plumas hears probate matters at the following address:
Plumas Superior Court
520 Main Street
Quincy, CA 95971
Plumas County Probate Rules
Plumas County does not have the probate rules set out in a separate chapter in their local rules. Therefore, it is essential to read all of the pertinent court regulations to make sure you understand any special requirements for probate cases in Plumas County.
Adjudicated Newspapers for Plumas County
One of the steps in the probate process is publishing notice of the filed probate petition. One of the newspapers that can help with this process is:
Feather Publishing Co., Inc.
287 Lawrence St., Quincy, CA 95971
(530) 283-0800
Plumas County Probate Examiner
There are no assigned probate examiners for Plumas County probate cases. Refer to the tentative rulings that may address paperwork deficiencies or whether the court is requiring personal attendance at the hearing.
Plumas County Probate Referee
Susan L. Jeffers is the assigned probate referee for all Plumas County probate matters. You can contact her at:
P.O. Box 994761
Redding, CA 96099-4761
Phone: (530) 605-0204
FAX: (530) 605-4361
e-mail: sljeffers@sbcglobal.net
It is the probate referee’s job to value all the non-cash assets in the estate. In particular, the referee references the value of each asset on the Inventory and Appraisal form that the personal representative prepares. As soon as the referee values all the assets and completes the Inventory, the personal representative must file the Inventory with the court.
Essential Tips When You File Probate in Plumas County
Probate includes winding up the affairs of a deceased person’s estate and distributing assets to lawful beneficiaries and heirs. It involves taking an inventory and appraisal of the decedent’s assets and liquidating any to pay off taxes and debts.
The Plumas County Court hears probate matters on the 2nd and 4th Monday for the month. Also, before the hearing, the court publishes tentative rulings for all pending cases on the court’s website. To request a hearing on any matter on the Plumas County calendar with a tentative decision, you must call the Court at 530/283-6305 by 12:00 noon on the court date before the scheduled hearing. In addition, the personal representative or other interested party must give notice to all other parties of their intent to attend the hearing. In this regard, if no one notifies the clerk they want to appear at the hearing personally, there will be no hearing, and the judge will make the tentative ruling a court order.
Keep in mind, If you do attend the hearing in person and want an official court reporter, you must pay the $30.00 court reporter appearance fee (for under one hour) before the hearing begins.
Contact A People’s Choice for personal help and information on how to file probate in Plumas County. Using our specialized non-attorney probate services will surely save thousands of dollars, allowing the beneficiaries and heirs to receive more of their inheritance. Please also visit our new probate website ProbatebyME.com dedicated to California probate and estate administration matters.
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