Probate administration is the Court Supervised process of gathering the assets of a deceased person who died without a trust, paying their debts, and distributing what is left to their heirs. The court appoints a personal representative to administer the estate. If the deceased person left a will, the named executor will file a petition with the probate court for "Letters Testamentary" which will allow the executor to administer the estate. If there was no will, any person entitled to letters (see California Probate Code Section 8461) will file a petition to be appointed administrator of the estate.
After the petition is approved, the personal representative is responsible for:
- gathering the decedent's assets
- obtaining valuations for certain assets
- selling or re-titling real property
- selling or distributing personal property
- accounting for all assets of the estate and debts paid
- filing the decedent's tax return, and any estate tax returns
We handle all types of probate cases including cases in which decedent's will does not name an executor, the decedent left no will, the executor named in the will refuses to start the process, and cases in which parties are attempting to probate fraudulent and coerced documents.
Exemptions from Probate
Some of a decedent’s property is exempt from the probate process. The following are typically considered exempt from probate, and pass directly to beneficiaries:
- Proceeds from a life insurance policy
- Retirement accounts with valid beneficiary designations
- Bank accounts held in joint tenancy
- Property held in a trust
- Joint tenancy real property
- Other assets with beneficiary designations
While these forms of property are typically exempt from the probate process, they may nevertheless still be subject to estate taxes.
Avoiding Probate
You can avoid probate altogether by implementing a trust-based estate plan. See our estate planning section and contact our office at (818) 957-8800 to get started.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is probate?
Probate is the court-supervised process of validating a deceased person’s will, identifying assets, paying debts and taxes, and distributing the remainder to beneficiaries. In California it is handled through the County Superior Court for the county in which the deceased person resided.
Is probate always required in California?
Not always. Estates that fall under California’s small-estate limits, assets held in a living trust, jointly owned property, and accounts with named beneficiaries can often pass without probate. The limit regarding what constitutes a small estate changes periodically.
How long does probate take in Los Angeles County?
Most California probates take roughly 9 to 18 months, though cases with disputes, complicated assets, or creditor issues can take longer. We work to keep your case moving as quickly as the court allows.
What does the personal representative (executor or administrator) have to do?
The personal representative gathers and values estate assets, notifies heirs and creditors, pays valid debts, files required court paperwork and tax returns, and distributes what remains. We guide personal representatives through every step so nothing is missed.
Does the executor get paid?
Yes. California law provides standard statutory compensation for executors based on estate size, plus reasonable extraordinary fees in some cases. We can explain how this applies to a specific estate.