Easy Probate Help
What is Probate?
Probate is a court-administered procedure for assessing and distributing the assets of a deceased individual to their beneficiaries. It can occur regardless of whether the deceased made specific bequests.
In most cases, the contents of an estate are automatically transferred to probate after death, regardless of whether a will exists or not.
Understanding Probate?
"I possess a will that distributes the decedent's estate to me. Is this all I need?"
Typically, no. The will must be admitted to probate, and the decedent's estate must undergo the probate process. However, in some circumstances, you may be able to avoid probate. In California, property can be transferred without probate if the estate is valued under a certain amount, which changes every few years.
Non-Titled Property:
If the will names non-titled property, like household items, and states their wishes for how they want those items handled, you might be able to avoid probate.
Living Trusts:
A living trust can distribute assets and property without going through probate. You can create a simple trust with the help of a self-help book, but you might want to consult an attorney if you have complicated assets or family situations.
Beneficiary Designations:
You can add a beneficiary to an account like life insurance or bank accounts. This will give a beneficiary access to gain control of those assets in order to avoid probate.
