Sacramento, CA Probate Lawyers

If you’re grieving a death in the family, let us first say before anything else how very sorry we are for your loss. Death can be so hard; we understand how losing a loved one causes enough pain and stress without the added burden of involving the legal system. However, if they passed away having organized their affairs in a certain way – even if they have a will – their property may have to go through a California court process known as probate before you or their other beneficiaries can receive possession of their assets.

The bad news is that probate can be complicated; the good news is that you do not have to face probate alone. Our compassionate Sacramento probate lawyers have the knowledge and experience necessary to provide you with the legal support you need to successfully navigate and resolve probate. Equal Justice Law Group can simplify your next steps and make a difficult time easier on you and your loved ones. Call today to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation and learn more about what we can do to serve you.

What Is Probate?

Probate, or estate administration, is the legal process California courts use to ensure a deceased person’s will is legitimate. This allows them to distribute the property (“estate”) in question to the designated heirs based on the will’s instructions. If the will is found to be invalid, or if the person did not leave a will behind, the courts will distribute the estate by following California intestate (state-based succession) laws.

Generally, probate will not need to occur if the deceased person had a comprehensive estate plan or a trust, owned all of their assets jointly, had transfer-on-death/payable-on-death beneficiary designations on all of their accounts, or owned less than $184,500 worth of “countable” assets on or after April 1, 2022. 

Without any of these prior preparations in place, their estate will likely have to go through probate. The probate process tends to be time-consuming, tedious, and expensive, involving plenty of paperwork – it’s the last thing that most people want to have to deal with after the death of a loved one. Any mistakes can prolong a resolution or even lead to lawsuits, in some cases. 

Most people have never heard of probate before the death of their family member, yet they are forced to navigate it during a time when they should be free to mourn. That’s why working with a lawyer can be enormously beneficial; a local attorney who is familiar with probate can explain how the process works and take care of everything for you so you can focus on moving forward with your life. The Sacramento probate lawyers at Equal Justice Law Group know how to guide you through the probate process. We can protect you from personal liability and help you administer your deceased loved one’s estate as quickly and efficiently as possible. 

What Can Our Sacramento Probate Lawyers Do For You?

If you have been appointed as your deceased loved one’s estate executor, you have many legal tasks to complete before probate can be closed. Equal Justice Law Group can explain your legal duties and then handle (or help you handle) all of those tasks, including:

• Filing a probate petition and the deceased person’s will with their county court
• Paying filing fees
• Applying as representative or executor if the will did not establish one
• Notifying the heirs and beneficiaries of the deceased’s estate
• Dealing with disputes over the will’s validity, if any arise
• Securing their assets and appraising them 
• Notifying creditors of the deceased
• Paying creditor claims, filing tax returns, and paying any outstanding taxes
• Gathering financial documents and other paperwork for the court to review (final accounting)
• Closing the estate and distributing the remaining assets to the heirs and beneficiaries
• And more.

Depending on the size and scope of the deceased person’s estate, this process can take anywhere from a few months to a few years to complete if there are no complications (which our attorneys can help prevent).

Call Equal Justice Law Group To Help You With Probate

If you’re going through a legal process, you should have legal counsel, and that’s especially true when it comes to the confusing, detailed nature of probate. Our knowledgeable Sacramento probate lawyers have been simplifying probate for clients for over 20 years. We can save you time, money, and stress; we will help you meet deadlines on time and avoid unnecessary fees. Contact our firm today to schedule your free, no-obligation consultation. You can meet our caring team members, ask questions, learn about your options (without legal jargon), and get the right expectations. We have offices in Sacramento, Jackson, and El Dorado Hills for your convenience. Call now.