Probate is the legal process of administering a deceased person’s estate. It involves identifying and gathering the assets of the deceased person, paying any debts or taxes owed by the estate, and distributing the remaining assets to the heirs or beneficiaries.
In General:
Probate typically begins with the filing of a petition in the probate court, usually in the county where the deceased person lived. The court will then appoint an executor or administrator to manage the estate. If the deceased person had a will, the court will generally appoint the person named as the executor in the will, assuming they are willing and able to serve. If there is no will or the named executor is unable or unwilling to serve, the court will appoint an administrator.
Simplified Probate:
In some cases, it is possible to transfer an estate without going through the full probate process. Here are some of the simplified procedures that may be available:
- Small Estate Affidavit: In many states, including California, a small estate affidavit may be used to transfer an estate with a value below a certain threshold. The affidavit is a sworn statement by the person who is entitled to the property, such as a surviving spouse or child, that they are entitled to receive the property and that the estate is below the value threshold.
- Transfer on Death Deed: Some states allow for a transfer on death deed, which allows a property owner to designate a beneficiary to receive the property upon their death. The beneficiary must file an affidavit of acceptance with the county recorder’s office after the property owner’s death.
- Joint Tenancy: If property is owned in joint tenancy, it will pass automatically to the surviving joint tenant upon the death of the other joint tenant. This is a common way for spouses to own property.
- Beneficiary Designations: Certain types of assets, such as life insurance policies, retirement accounts, and bank accounts, allow for the designation of a beneficiary who will receive the assets upon the owner’s death. This can help avoid probate for those assets.
Small Estate:
In California, as of September 2021, a small estate is defined as one with a total value of $166,250 or less. If the estate meets this threshold, it may be eligible for simplified probate procedures under California law. Here are the basic steps for probating a small estate in California:
- Determine whether the estate qualifies as a small estate. This involves adding up the value of all the assets in the estate, including real estate, personal property, and financial accounts. If the total value is $166,250 or less, the estate may be eligible for simplified probate procedures.
- File a petition for probate. If the estate qualifies as a small estate, the next step is to file a petition for probate with the Superior Court in the county where the decedent lived. The petition should include information about the decedent, their heirs and beneficiaries, and the assets in the estate.
- Provide notice to interested parties. Once the petition is filed, notice must be given to all interested parties, such as heirs and beneficiaries. This can be done by mail, publication, or personal service.
- Obtain court approval of the petition. If no objections are raised, the court will review the petition and may approve it without a hearing.
- Collect and distribute assets. Once the petition is approved, the personal representative can collect and distribute the assets in the estate according to the decedent’s will or California intestacy laws.
- Close the estate. Finally, the personal representative must file a final report with the court and request that the estate be closed.
Note:
It’s important to note that these simplified procedures may not be appropriate or available in all cases. Additionally, it’s always a good idea to consult with an attorney to make sure you are taking the appropriate steps to transfer an estate and to ensure that all legal requirements are met.
Please see our other related articles
Wills and Trust
Holding Title to Property
Community Property
Probate
Disclaimer: Every situation is different and particular facts may vary thereby changing or altering a possible course of action or conclusion. The information contained herein is intended to be general in nature as laws vary between federal, state, counties, and municipalities and therefore may not apply to any given matter. This information is not intended to be legal advice or relied upon as a legal opinion, course of action, accounting, tax, or other professional services. You should consult the proper legal or professional advisor knowledgeable in the area that pertains to your particular situation.
