How To Probate An Estate In California

A Nolo bestseller, How to Probate an Estate unravels how to settle a simple California estate without an attorney. It provides all the tear-out forms and instructions necessary to: -- read and understand a will -- determine who gets property if there is no will -- transfer securities -- collect life insurance and other death benefits -- change title of real estate, securities and other possessions into the names of the new owners...and much more.

When you've lost a loved one, the inevitable legal matters can seem difficult and confusing. How to Probate an Estate in California can help. This book can help you handle a basic probate proceeding yourself with confidence, or work more effectively with a lawyer. It supplies all the information, forms and support you need. You may even be able to handle the whole process without setting foot in the courthouse. Find out how to: read and understand a will, determine who inherits property if there is no will, pay bills and taxes, complete and file all necessary paperwork, transfer real estate, securities, vehicles and other kinds of property.

Almost everyone at one time or another becomes responsible for winding up the affairs of a deceased parent, spouse or close friend. This book shows them how to handle the probate process quickly and without costly legal fees. It explains how to read a will, handle probate paperwork, collect life insurance and other benefits, pay bills and taxes and distribute property left through trusts. Includes all the necessary forms and instructions.

If you need to wrap up the affairs of a deceased family member or friend in California, you can save big on attorney fees by handling many aspects of the probate process yourself. How to Probate an Estate in California is the only book that provides forms, tips, and step-by-step instructions for settling a loved one's estate—all written in plain English. You might even be able to handle the whole process without hiring a lawyer or setting foot in the courthouse. With this easy-to-follow guide, you'll learn how to: read a will determine who inherits property if there is no will handle probate paperwork collect life insurance and other benefits transfer community property to a surviving spouse or domestic partner pay bills and taxes, and distribute property left through trusts. Even if you hire a lawyer to do some of the paperwork, this book demystifies the process so that you can make informed decisions and communicate intelligently with the attorney about the estate—and save money in the process. Why pay a lawyer tens of thousands of dollars to probate an estate when you can do much of it on your own? This new edition includes important updates on California’s small estate procedures, California Proposition 19, and federal estate taxes, as well as fresh insights from an experienced probate attorney practicing in California.

This book is guide for laymen to the probate procedures for the simple estate without an attorney. The work also covers the procedures for transfering assets outside of probate, such as, joint tenancy or community property.

This book provides all of the forms, instructions, guidance, and tips you'll need to probate an estate in California. And even if you hire a lawyer to help, this book will give you a solid understanding of the process and allow you to do much of the work yourself.

Learn the system, minimize fees When you’ve lost a loved one, the inevitable legal matters can seem difficult and confusing. Learning about probate and taking on some of the bureaucratic tasks yourself can provide clarity, peace of mind, and reduced legal fees. How to Probate an Estate in California explains how to handle a simple estate and makes clear which tasks you may be able to manage without a lawyer. Find out how to: determine who inherits property collect life insurance and other death benefits use non-court transfer procedures complete and file court paperwork pay bills and file taxes, and transfer property to heirs and beneficiaries. Whether you plan to do most of the duties yourself or expect to work with an attorney, How to Probate an Estate in California will save you time and increase your confidence when wrapping up your loved one’s estate. With Downloadable Forms We’ll show you where to find all the forms you need online—either on this book’s unique web page or on court websites (details inside).