LOS ANGELES COUNTY PROBATE ATTORNEY?

probateHiring a Probate Attorney is the best way to efficiently transfer a house that was left in the name of a person that has died. The Probate process in California is very detailed and if you do not follow the rules, the court will not allow assets to be transferred! Also the fees for Probate are paid from the Estate Assets (bank accounts or sell of real estate in Probate process), which is always a relief for the family.

As an experienced Probate Attorney, Joseph McHugh legally represents our clients (will be assigned as the Estate’s Executor / Administrator) and help them deal with the California Probate Court system to carry out all the required responsibilities in probating an estate in California as skillfully and efficiently as possible. Call us at: (818) 241-4238

We have years of experience and are a great resource for helping clients that are “out of town” or “out of state” adult family members facing Probate Court in Los Angeles County and other counties in California.

If you are looking at this page, we are sad that you have probably lost a loved one! The death of a family member is always difficult and administering the Probate Estate of a loved one can be legally and emotionally challenging, especially if you have difficult family to deal with! It is a good thing to say “please call my attorney” and give them our phone number!

Joe and his Staff work closely with the Executor / Administrator to complete processing of a probate estate as expeditiously as possible, and we file the court required petitions and notices as well as guide and advise the Executor / Administrator regarding his or her responsibilities to discharge such duties.

The death of a family member is always difficult and administering the Probate Estate of a loved one can be legally and emotionally challenging. Joe and his paralegals work closely with the Executor / Administrator to complete the Administration of the probate estate as expeditiously as possible, and we guide and advise the Executor / Administrator regarding his or her responsibilities to discharge such duties.

Probating of an Estate provides the closing of a loved one’s Estate while dealing with the decedent’s family and other beneficiaries and this is not an easy task!

We are here to be your “Legal Guide & Back Stop” in setting up a Probate and then helping you deal with difficult family fights over an Estate. The Probate Court has its laws regarding how an estate will be distributed and it is our job to help you get through the court-ordered process.

Overview of California Probate Inheritance Laws (Without a Will or Trust…Intestate Law)

In California there is a legal intestate succession (or how does the bloodline inheritance of an estate distribute). Probate is very expensive and can take 2 years to clear thought the Los Angeles Probate courts!

This is a snapshot at how an estate is distributed through the Probate Process when someone dies without a will or trust or beneficiary designation on bank accounts:

Descendant dies with:
Intestate Beneficiaries:
Single, with Children
Children inherits entire estate
Married, with one Child or Grandchild
Spouse inherits all Community Property and splits Separate Property with children
Married, with two or more Children

Spouse inherits all Community Property & 1/3 separate property

Children split 2/3 of Separate Property

Married, with a living Child and one or more grandchildren from a Deceased Child

Spouse inherits all Community Property and 1/3 of Separate Property

Child gets 50% of 2/3 of Separate Property

Grandchildren split 50% of 2/3 Separate Property

Married, with no Children, Parent(s), Siblings
Spouse inherits entire estate
Married, with two or more Grandchildren from a deceased Child
No other living Children

Spouse inherits and 1/3 of Separate Property

Grandchildren split 2/3 of Separate Property

Married, with Sibling(s), no Parents

Spouse inherits all Community Property and 1/2 Separate Property

Siblings split 1/2 Separate Property

Single, with Parent(s) no Children, or Siblings
Parent(s) inherits entire estate
Single, with Sibling(s) no Children, or Parents
Siblings inherits entire estate

In California, Estates that require to be “Probated” through the Probate Courts are Estates that are in a person’s name and are valued at more than $184,500 for liquid and/ or Real Estate (which basically means anyone owning a house in their name!).

If you are not sure if an estate needs to go through Probate… call us for a free consultation.

Call us at: (818) 241-4238
 

For more specifics regarding Probate in Los Angeles County

 


 
After a thorough review of your Probate Case and our fees, we will structure a comprehensive Probate Plan created specifically to help you deal with the Probate Court and Estate Beneficiaries. We deal with the court and help you understand what needs to be done as you go through closing your loved ones’ estate.
 
Our Law Firm is centrally located in Burbank (Southern California) and our Probate Lawyer, Joseph McHugh, and his experienced Probate Paralegals serve many clients in Los Angeles County or “Out of Town” families too. We are very proud of the many personal and professional referrals we receive from happy clients and colleagues.
 
Call for consultation: (818) 241-4238. Or you can submit this form to request a consultation.