Probate is required in California for most estates of $100,000 or more where the deceased did not have a living trust, or certain assets were left out of the living trust. Summary Probate Administration is available for estates where the estate is valued at less than $100,000.

Probate is the legal process of authenticating any Will, paying the estate taxes and other debts, and then distributing the property to heirs and beneficiaries.

As probate attorneys, we can help you as an executor or personal representative, discharge your estate administration duties so that all property can be distributed as fast as possible. We can also assist you in preparing any accounting and tax returns.

Probate is expensive (statutory fees) and time consuming. Simple estates in California take an average of six to seven months to complete. It is for this reason, the attorneys with Michael T. Chulak & Associates recommend living trusts for most people who own real estate, have minor children or who have estates with gross assets exceeding $100,000.

There will be no charge for the initial consultation. Please contact us for additional information.