Probate and Trust Administration

Dealing with the loss of a loved one can be overwhelming.  As you cope with your grief, you also have to think about how the estate is to be distributed per your loved one's will or trust.  If you have been nominated to be the executor of a will or trustee of a trust, you will most likely be bombarded with demands from the beneficiaries, creditors and even the government.  The Grossman Law Firm, A.P.C. guides executors, trustees, administrators, heirs and beneficiaries through the complex process of probating a will and administering a trust. 

Contact our San Diego probate & trust litigation attorneys today at (951) 683-3704 or (866) 540-0000 for a free 30 minute telephone consultation. 

Probating a Will

Many people are confused about how a will is probated.  Probate, which refers to the legal process dealing with the administration of the estate, can be time consuming, especially if you are unfamiliar with the California Probate Rules.  The law mandates court supervision before property passes to the heirs and beneficiaries. The probate process consists of the following steps:

• The will is submitted to the appropriate probate court
• The court appoints the executor
• Estate assets are gathered
• Notice is given to all heirs and creditors
• Debts of the estate are paid
• An accounting is filed with the probate court
• Money and assets of the estate are distributed according to the will

As the executor or administrator, you may be faced with various challenges, such as real estate that must be sold, pending legal claims against the estate, tax issues and unsatisfied beneficiaries who threaten to sue.  A knowledgeable California probate attorney can help you overcome these obstacles and can provide the expert legal advice that is needed when probating a will.


Administering a Trust

Probate court can often be avoided with a trust.  A trust goes beyond the details of a will by describing how and when the assets should be distributed.  If you have been nominated the trustee of a trust, you now have an immense responsibility, which includes the following duties:

• Taking control of the assets in the trust
• Informing the beneficiaries and Internal Revenue Service (IRS) that you are the trustee
• Being accountable to the beneficiaries
• Appropriately investing the trust's assets
• Managing and investing the assets in the trust according to trust's instructions
• Making vital tax decisions that can impact the trust's assets

 

The Grossman Law Firm, A.P.C. can help you properly administer the trust.  We understand that family dynamics can cause strife among the beneficiaries, which is why we provide assistance with trust administration to prevent conflict over the trust estate and keep you, the trustee, out of trouble.


How We Can Help

The Grossman Law Firm, A.P.C., located in Riverside and Temecula, California, focuses our practice to areas relating to wills and trusts.  There are different plea and notice requirements relating to this area of law. Our experienced trust administration and probate attorneys are at the probate courts on a regular basis.  We are able to help families quickly and efficiently transfer the estate assets from one generation to the next. 

In addition to providing expert representation, Scott Grossman has produced an educational video that discusses probate and trust administration in California.  He has also authored several books to help his clients, including the following:

The Insider's Guide to California Probate and Trust Administration - What every Californian should know about probate and trust administration after the death of a loved one is addressed in this book.  Whether you are an executor, administrator, trustee, or beneficiary you need the information in this book!

 
Contact our San Diego probate attorneys at (951) 683-3704 or (866) 540-0000 for a free consultation regarding trust administration and litigation in California.  Do not delay in seeking legal advice.  Waiting too long can cost you time, money and frustration.


The Grossman Law Firm, A.P.C. represents clients in San Diego, Riverside, Temecula, Murrieta, Hemet, Redlands, Chino, Ontario, San Bernardino, Palm Springs, Indio, Palm Desert, Riverside County and San Bernardino County.

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Blog for Probate and Trust Administration

• San Diego Probate Lawyers Explain Why They Don’t Take Every Case
• What a San Diego Probate Lawyer Can Do for You in California Probate
• San Diego Probate Lawyers Explain CA Creditors Claims Procedure
• Review Your Estate Plan For 2012, Says San Diego Probate Lawyer
• From San Diego Probate Lawyers: Why Deal With Trust Administration?
• Refinancing Can Complicate the Execution of Your California Estate
• The Spousal Property Petition: Avoid Full California Probate
• Why You Want the Right Attorney for Your California Probate Case
• California Baby Boomers Should Accept That They Are Not Eternal
• Is the California Trustee’s Work Adequately Compensated?
• Second Marriages Often Wreck the Execution of an Estate Plan
• Formal Creditor Claim Not Necessary to Pay Utility Bills in California
• Paying Bills, Investing, and Collecting Funds for a California Estate
• The Finishing Line: Filing for Discharge from California Probate Duty
• Confronting the Will with Reality under California Probate Rules
• How Do You Clear Title to California Real Property in Joint Tenancy?
• Putting a Value on Tangible Personal Property in California
• Putting a Value on Things Under California Probate Law
• Valuing a Decedent’s Stocks and Bonds in California Can Be Tricky
• Which Assets Go Through California Probate and Which Do Not?

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Library for Probate and Trust Administration:

• San Diego Probate Lawyer And Executor Fees For California Probate   
  How much is a California executor and a probate attorney typically paid out of a probate estate? San Diego probate lawyers at The Grossman Law Firm explain.
• No Short Cuts for Riverside Trustees, Says San Diego Probate Lawyer   
  The San Diego trust lawyers at The Grossman Law Firm discuss how to best serve your beneficiaries while protecting yourself from liability.
• Circumstances Where California Probate Is Not Necessary   
  When can you avoid probate, and how is the inheritance process completed without it? The San Diego probate attorneys at The Grossman Law Firm explain.
• Is California Probate Ever Necessary When There is Already a Trust?   
  Could an estate need to go through probate even when there is already a will or trust? Read more from the San Diego probate lawyers at The Grossman Law Firm.
• Finding the Right California Probate or Trust Administration Attorney   
  The Grossman Law Firm offers things to know and pitfalls to avoid in selecting a qualified attorney for your San Diego trust administration or probate case.
• San Diego Probate: How it’s Supposed to Work and What Can Go Wrong   
  The California trust attorneys at The Grossman Law Firm describe the probate process and what can happen to stall it out or cause problems.
• What Are The Duties of a California Trustee?   
  The duties of a trustee are many, and the expectations of beneficiaries are high. Order our free book on California probate and trust administration.
• Creditors May Want to Get Involved in the Distribution of a California Estate   
  San Diego attorney Scott Grossman describes how creditors should be notified under California probate law to file their claim against the decedent’s estate.
• Be Careful What Property You Distribute to Minors in California   
  Minors are frequently involved in the distribution of a decedent’s estate. San Diego probate lawyer Scott Grossman describes what the California law authorizes.
• The California Probate “Inventory and Appraisal Form”   
  San Diego attorney Scott Grossman describes how to fill out the Inventory and Appraisal Form, a central piece of the decedent’s estate probate process.
• Why Do Californians Hold so Many Assets in Joint Tenancy?   
  Many people in California place property in joint tenancy with one or two trusted persons. Find out why with San Diego probate attorney Scott Grossman.
• How Do You Prepare a Schedule of Assets in California? (Part 2 of 2)   
  California probate attorney gives more details on how to prepare a Schedule of Assets. Order attorney Grossman’s free book on probate and trust administration.
• How Do You Prepare a Schedule of Assets in California? (Part 1 of 2)   
  A schedule of assets is a detailed inventory of the decedent’s assets. San Diego probate administration attorney Scott Grossman shows how to prepare one.
• Having Left This World, You Still Need to Pay Your Taxes in California   
  Probate administration attorney Scott Grossman in San Diego describes how to file a final income tax return and order our free book on California probate law.
• In California Probate, Pour-Over Wills Might Be the Answer   
  What happens if a California living trust has been set up, but some of the assets are still in the decedent’s name? Attorney Grossman explains Pour-Over Wills.
• California Probate: How Are Securities Transferred to Heirs or Beneficiaries?   
  Securities are found in many estates left by decedents. How to transfer title to the rightful new owners is explained by California probate lawyer Grossman.
• Have You Ever Heard of Totten Trust Accounts in California?   
  Among the several tools that people use to avoid California probate, Totten trust accounts may not ring a bell. Attorney Scott Grossman describes how they work.
• You Can Decide to Change Ownership from Separate to Community in California   
  California lawyer Scott Grossman describes how spouses or domestic partners can change the character of property ownership. Call him to discuss your situation.
• What Constitutes a Valid Will in California?   
  How a will is written and signed determines if California law considers it valid. San Diego probate lawyer Scott Grossman outlines the legal requirements.
• Attorney Scott Grossman Is Your Guide to California Probate   
  Attorney Scott Grossman gives a short overview of what California probate entails. Search our website for more information and contact us for a free discussion.

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Frequent Questions for Probate and Trust Administration:

• How much does the trustee get paid in California trust administration?

• How do I invoke the creditors claim procedure to limit and eventually stop creditors from filing new claims against the California trust I am administrating?
  
• What is probate in San Diego?
  

• How can we place our property into a California trust?

• Our car was registered under my name and my late husband's. How do I clear title now that he has passed away?
• I am about to inherit a house in California, but it comes with a mortgage loan. What should I do?
• Do we have to pay "death taxes" in California?
• A long-time California friend I took care of has passed away. How do I find out if I am a beneficiary in his will?
• How does my will remain valid if I still have many years to live?
• Under California Probate, what is community property with right of survivorship?
  
• Our deceased mother owned a country house. How can we find out what it is worth?
• How can I find out if my deceased mother's property is "community" or "separate?"
• I am taking care of our father's succession. How do I deal with his motor vehicles?
• What could happen if I don't leave any instructions regarding my California succession?
• What do the terms "gross estate" and "net estate" mean in California?
• What is a probate referee in California?
• How long does probate take in California?
• What assets go through probate in California?
• I intend to write a Will. Should I consult a lawyer?
• My mother had a trust and also a joint tenancy account with my brother.  Can I make him account for the money he took from the joint tenancy account?

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Case Results for Probate and Trust Administration:

• Difficult San Bernardino County probate successfully concluded
• San Bernardino probate and trust administration of same estate
• Beneficiary of a Probate Estate Receives Proceeds

Awarded: Confidential

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Videos about Probate and Trust Administration:

• Hire A California Probate Specialist for the Same Cost as a General Lawyer
• San Diego Probates Pay the Same for Certified Specialist

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Web Resources for Probate and Trust Administration:

• California Probate Code

  Description: Official site for California legislative information.

• Riverside County Superior Court

  Description: All Riverside County Courts including the Probate Courts in Riverside, Hemet, and Palm Springs

• San Bernardino County Superior Courts

  Description: Information on the San Bernardino County Superior Courts including the Redlands Probate Court

• San Diego County Superior Court

  Description: Website of the San Diego County Superior Court including the San Diego probate court and the North County probate court in Vista.

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