San Fernando Valley Probate & Estate Administration Law Blog

Creating a last will and testament can be a tedious process. It can be difficult to consider what happens to your property and assets once you pass. As part of your last will and testament, you may want to choose an estate administrator or executor who will take care of matters once you pass. The estate administrator you choose will be responsible for seeing your estate through the probate process, so it is critical you select someone who will do well in this role. What is the executor’s role in the probate process exactly?

The probate process is designed to take care of the estate and finalize matters that are listed in the last will and testament. The executor gathers all of the property and assets in the estate and has them evaluated. This includes term life insurance policies, homes, vehicles, furniture, antiques, retirement plans, stocks and other assets. Once the estate’s value is determined,any expenses left behind, such as past due taxes, are then paid out of the estate. The remaining property and assets are then distributed to the beneficiaries who are named in the will. The estate administrator is responsible for finding the beneficiaries and ensuring they receive the inheritance they are entitled to.

At first glance, California probate may appear simple enough. However, when things go wrong, your case can go from being straight-forward to being so complicated you could be in court for years to come. Having the advice of an experienced California probate attorney is vital to ensuring that your case is managed the right way from start to finish.

Going through a California probate case can be a frustrating and confusing process especially when you have no idea what to expect. The good news is that there are steps you can take which can make the process easier and more understandable. Here are some tips on how to successfully complete your California probate case.

Probate is a term that can cause people in California a lot of confusion and anxiety. The process can be expensive and take a long time to complete. However, we at the Law Offices of Alice A. Salvo recognize that the purpose of the probate system is to afford protection to all parties involved. Perhaps an explanation of the process can help it seem less confusing or intimidating. 

According to FindLaw, the process of probate usually starts with a will in which the decedent names an executor of the estate, to whom the responsibility of managing the decedent's affairs will fall. If there is no will, or if the will does not name an executor, the court appoints an administrator who carries out essentially the same duties.