Probate Tips for California Residents
California probate court will come into play for your beneficiaries regardless of whether you leave behind a will or not. So does that mean there is no point in preparing your estate while you are still alive? Hardly! Here are a few things you need to know about probate court in California so that you can plan accordingly.
- Your executor is named in your will – If you don’t have a will, the court will appoint someone to handle matters. Isn’t it better to make this choice for yourself and your family?
- Probate ensures taxes get paid – If you use estate planning to avoid probate, an accountant will have to help your family determine if any of the inheritance is taxable. Probate court will take care of this beforehand.
- Probate is on the record. That means anyone can go to the public records office and find out what you left for your family. It could potentially make them a target for a con artist or a thief.
- Probate may drag on – When this happens, not only do court fees pile up, but the stress on your family increases as well. It is better to have a well-defined estate plan so that there is no in-fighting regarding your assets.
Southern California’s Experienced Estate Planning Attorneys
Before you say it isn’t worth it to pay for legal help while estate planning, think about how much it may cost your family if you don’t. Then call Petrov Law Firm at 619.344.0360 for affordable estate planning in southern California.
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