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Best Probate Lawyers in El Cajon

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2023
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Bellator logo
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Bellator

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3990 Old Town Avenue, C-303, San Diego, CA 92110
  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning

Business Description

Founded in 1997, Bellator offers legal services on probate matters for individuals and families in the El Cajon metro and nearby locations. The law firm explains the duties of trustees in the probate process, helping them avoid potential legal claims that may arise from issues with beneficiaries. It also crafts estate plans for clients to assist them in ultimately distributing their estate to heirs. Merrianne Dean, its founder, has more than 25 years of experience in probate court matters.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
4.6
Google
4.6 / 5 (7)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
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Detail
California Estate and Elder Law logo
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California Estate and Elder Law

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9820 Willow Creek Rd. #460, San Diego, CA 92131
  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning

Business Description

California Estate and Elder Law caters to individuals in El Cajon who have probate concerns. The firm tackles the judicial processes for the settlement of estates and trusts. It handles the inventory of a decedent's assets and the review and payment of outstanding private and tax debts. The office also drafts estate plans covering individuals in their second or subsequent marriages. The group is led by Richard Scott Stewart and is associated with the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
3.8
Google
4.4 / 5 (12)
Facebook
4.5 / 5 (4)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
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Detail
DenHerder Grier & Associates logo
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DenHerder Grier & Associates

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10085 Carroll Canyon Road, Ste 220, San Diego, CA 92131
  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning
  • Probate Litigation

Business Description

DenHerder Grier & Associates is dedicated to protecting the assets of individuals and families in El Cajon. One of its services is guiding clients with probate law. It works on ensuring the proper distribution of the decedent's assets and payment of their debts. It also helps clients in wills, trusts, business planning, and civil litigation. The firm offers several potential solutions to provide clients with stability and peace of mind. It brings together a group of financial and tax advisors, mortgage brokers, and other professionals to provide clients with an appropriate estate plan.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
4.6
Google
4.5 / 5 (8)
Facebook
5.0 / 5 (1)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
4.0
Responsiveness
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Helpfulness
Detail
––
East County Estate Planning, PC logo
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East County Estate Planning, PC

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7777 Alvarado Road, Suite 410, La Mesa, CA 91942
  • Wills

Business Description

East County Estate Planning, PC, is a law firm that serves the people of El Cajon. It provides estate planning solutions to help its clients protect their wealth and legacy. Its lawyers prepare wills, powers of attorney, and advance medical directives to guide their estates' executors in the event of their incapacitation or death. Co-founder Jennifer Duren draws on her experience as a family law attorney to guide her clients through difficult discussions and provide compassionate advocacy.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
5.0
Google
5.0 / 5 (17)
Yelp
5.0 / 5 (1)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
4.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail
––
Frisella Neilson, APC logo

Frisella Neilson, APC

2139 First Avenue Suite 200, San Diego, CA 92101
  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning

Business Description

Frisella Neilson, APC, is a law firm that provides legal representation to clients in El Cajon and throughout California. Its team of lawyers offers different services, including elder abuse litigation, trust administration, beneficiary representation, and conservatorships and guardianships. In addition, the firm assists individuals in creating or amending trusts, wills, and powers of attorney and represents families in the probate process and litigation. The lawyers in Frisella Neilson, APC, have a combined experience of 65 years.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
4.7
Google
4.7 / 5 (22)
Avvo
5.0 / 5 (6)
Facebook
5.0 / 5 (1)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail
Helix Law Firm logo
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Helix Law Firm

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7904 Broadway, Lemon Grove, CA 91945
  • Trusts
  • Wills

Business Description

Helix Law Firm caters to clients in and around El Cajon. It handles probate matters and provides guidance through the legal process. It also deals with probate and trust administration disputes, such as those involving the legitimacy of will or trust instruments, the appointment of personal representatives, guardianship, and disputes between co-executors or co-trustees. The firm has more than three decades of legal experience. Its other areas of practice are real estate, business, and personal injury law.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
5.0
Google
5.0 / 5 (3)
Jenkins & Jenkins logo
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Jenkins & Jenkins

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7220 Trade Street, Suite 115, San Diego, CA 92121
  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning

Business Description

Jenkins & Jenkins is a local law office that focuses on estate planning. It serves individuals and families in the El Cajon metro and its surrounding communities. The wife-and-husband legal team of Caroline and Michael Jenkins understands how probate works and strives to provide clients with more than just legal advice. They present options to preserve the estate while looking for opportunities to avoid the probate process. They also handle trust execution and offer guidance in proper business entity formation.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
5.0
Yelp
5.0 / 5 (30)
Google
5.0 / 5 (16)
Facebook
5.0 / 5 (10)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
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Detail
Keup Lim, APC Attorneys at Law logo
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Keup Lim, APC Attorneys at Law

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9740 Cuyamaca Street, Suite M, Santee, CA 92071
  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning

Business Description

Keup Lim, APC Attorneys at Law provides estate planning and probate administration solutions to clients in the El Cajon community. It assists in developing an estate plan that distributes assets properly according to the priorities of each client. Its services cover revocable living trusts, powers of attorney, amendments to existing plans, and medical health care directives. Partner Craig P. Keup has been in practice since 1987. He is an Elder Justice Advocate for CANHR and a member of the Million Dollar Advocate Forum.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
4.0
Yelp
4.0 / 5 (12)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail
Law Office of Mark Ignacio logo
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Law Office of Mark Ignacio

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7317 El Cajon Boulevard, La Mesa, CA 91942
  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning
  • Living Trust
  • Estate Taxes
  • Trust Administration
  • Probate Litigation

Business Description

Law Office of Mark Ignacio is a legal practice in the El Cajon area serving individuals and businesses throughout California. Its attorney helps executors and administrators navigate the probate process to finalize their loved one's estate. The firm also represents clients in probate litigation matters involving will contests and fiduciary disputes. Mark Ignacio Esq. is a volunteer attorney for Wills and Heroes. He also handles estate planning to prevent or reduce probate time, inheritance rights, and real estate law.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
4.9
Avvo
5.0 / 5 (36)
Google
5.0 / 5 (25)
Yelp
4.5 / 5 (10)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail
Law Offices of Dorian Lopez logo
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Law Offices of Dorian Lopez

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7353 El Cajon Blvd Suite 100, La Mesa, CA 91942
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning

Business Description

The Law Offices of Dorian Lopez is a multi-practice firm that represents the residents of El Cajon. The firm helps clients avoid probate through the preparation of estate tools such as wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and medical directives. Related services it offers include guardianship assistance, elder law planning, and special needs planning. In addition, the firm assists with pet trusts. Principal attorney Dorian Lopez has been practicing law for almost a decade. She also handles real estate purchases and sales.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
5.0
Google
5.0 / 5 (10)
Facebook
5.0 / 5 (1)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail
McDougal Love Boehmer Foley Lyon & Mitchell logo
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McDougal Love Boehmer Foley Lyon & Mitchell

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8100 La Mesa Boulevard Suite 200, La Mesa, CA 91942
  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning
  • Probate

Business Description

McDougal, Love, Boehmer, Foley, Lyon & Mitchell is a law firm that serves clients in El Cajon. Established in 1946, the mid-size firm guides and represents clients in matters of trust and estate planning, including probate, powers of attorney, charitable giving, health care decision planning, wills and trusts, and related litigation. The firm's general trust and estate practice is led by Morgan L. Foley and M. Anne Cirina, while Steven E Boehmer leads the team that handles contested wills and trusts.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
4.0
Google
4.2 / 5 (5)
Yelp
3.5 / 5 (2)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail
McGovern Law Group logo
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McGovern Law Group

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9340 Fuerte Drive Ste. 302B, La Mesa, CA 91941
  • Estate Planning

Business Description

McGovern Law Group provides probate and estate planning services in El Cajon. It aims to equip clients with the tools to plan their future and protect their assets to avoid conflicts and court intervention when they pass away. The firm also assists in drafting powers of attorney, last wills and testaments, and living trusts. Its lawyer, Sam McGovern, was a former police officer. His background in conflict resolution and problem-solving helps him handle family law, personal injury, and criminal defense cases.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
5.0
Google
5.0 / 5 (17)
Yelp
5.0 / 5 (3)
Avvo
5.0 / 5 (2)

(+1 additional source)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail
Milda Goeriz Attorney at Law logo
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Milda Goeriz Attorney at Law

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4455 Murphy Canyon Rd., Suite 100, San Diego, CA 92123
  • Estate Planning

Business Description

Milda Goeriz Attorney at Law is a firm serving the residents of El Cajon. The firm has been in practice since 2003. It has experience in probate law, estate planning, and asset protection. Milda Goeriz helps clients prepare for and manage living trusts, wills, retirement accounts, and irrevocable trusts. She even helps with family business succession, prenuptial agreements, and postnuptial agreements. Milda also has experience in international estate planning. She is fluent in four languages.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
5.0
Google
5.0 / 5 (31)
Avvo
5.0 / 5 (22)
Facebook
5.0 / 5 (1)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
4.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail
––
Preston Estate Planning logo
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Preston Estate Planning

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12396 World Trade Dr Suite 301, San Diego, CA 92128
  • Trusts
  • Estate Planning

Business Description

Preston Estate Planning is a full-service firm that helps El Cajon residents safeguard their interests and their family's future. Its lawyers assist clients in administering estates by handling the probate process, planning legal procedures, and distributing assets. These attorneys deploy the trademarked process, Life Plan, to aid clients in making, managing, and maintaining estate plans. Founder John Preston has been practicing law for more than 35 years and is a board-certified specialist in estate planning, trust, and probate law.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
4.7
Google
4.9 / 5 (513)
Facebook
4.1 / 5 (9)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail
RJS Law Firm logo
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RJS Law Firm

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900 N. Cuyamaca St., Suite 101, El Cajon, CA 92020
  • Estate Planning

Business Description

RJS Law Firm helps clients in El Cajon and throughout California with resolving their tax issues. While its practice focuses on tax law, the firm also handles estate planning, probate, and trust litigation matters. Its team assists throughout the probate process, from filing tax returns and settling debts to distributing the estate’s assets to the decedent’s heirs or beneficiaries. Principal attorney Ronson Shamoun has been a recipient of the San Diego Business Journal's CEO of the Year for small private companies award.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
4.9
Yelp
5.0 / 5 (105)
Facebook
5.0 / 5 (16)
Google
5.0 / 5 (1)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
4.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail
––
Rodriguez Law Offices logo
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Rodriguez Law Offices

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2727 Camino Del Rio S, Ste. 140, San Diego, CA 92108
  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning

Business Description

Rodriguez Law Offices is a probate and elder law firm serving clients in El Cajon and the surrounding areas. It guides clients and their families through the probate process through an array of services, such as petition filing, estate asset inventory and appraisal, and asset distribution. Founding attorney Alejandra Rodriguez has been practicing law since 2004. She is also a licensed real estate broker, which adds value to the services she provides to clients. Rodriguez is a supporter of the San Diego Volunteer Lawyer Program.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
5.0
Google
4.9 / 5 (14)
Facebook
5.0 / 5 (5)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
4.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail
––
The Dean Law Group logo

The Dean Law Group

3990 Old Town Avenue, C-303, San Diego, CA 92110
  • Estate Planning

Business Description

The Dean Law Group serves individuals in El Cajon. It provides legal services in financial elder abuse claims, probate, estate planning, will and trust contests, conservatorships, and trust administration. Its team of attorneys assists clients in distributing the remaining assets to the heirs, identifying the decedents' creditors and paying the ones with valid claims, preparing aomplete reports of managed assets, and filing necessary tax returns. The firm's founder, Merrianne E. Dean, has been litigating trust and probate disputes for almost 20 years.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
4.8
Google
4.7 / 5 (127)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
4.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail
––
The Law Office of Kris Mukherji​ APC logo

The Law Office of Kris Mukherji​ APC

4275 Executive Square #200, La Jolla, CA 92037
  • Estate Planning
  • Probate

Business Description

The Law Office of Kris Mukherji​, APC, offers legal counsel and representation to individuals and families in and around El Cajon. The firm assists clients with probate and estate administration, aiding executors and beneficiaries to ensure the proper handling and distribution of a decedent's estate. Any conflicts that may arise between representatives and receivers of the decedent's assets are also managed by the firm's legal staff. Kris Mukherji​ also practices in the area of business law.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
5.0
Yelp
5.0 / 5 (36)
Avvo
4.9 / 5 (36)
Facebook
5.0 / 5 (34)

(+1 additional source)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Consumers utilizing Expertise.com are free to communicate and contract with any lawyer they choose. Expertise.com is not involved in the confidential attorney-client relationship. Featured lawyers pay a reasonable advertising cost to market their legal services withExpertise.com and must meet similar selection criteria as other lawyers. All cases are different. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What does a probate attorney do?

    Probate attorneys are licensed professionals who represent executors and heirs after someone has died. They provide personalized legal advice, assist with tax planning, settle debts, and facilitate the distribution of assets. Probate attorneys typically represent clients during administrative proceedings overseen by probate courts, although some litigators focus on handling disputes and lawsuits related to contested estates.

  • What is probate court?

    Probate court works with the family or beneficiaries of a deceased person to validate their last will and testament. The courts review the individual's will to identify and calculate assets, pay off remaining debts, and distribute the remaining property to beneficiaries per the deceased person's requests. Depending on state laws, property valued under a certain amount may not require probate.

  • How long do you have to file probate after death?

    The amount of time loved ones have to file a will after a person dies varies from state to state. While California courts require probate to be filed within one year, New York has no deadline. That being said, it's advisable to file probate as quickly as possible once a person has died, as the process itself can take anywhere from a few weeks to more than a year.

  • Does life insurance go through probate?

    Life insurance doesn't need to go through the probate courts if the deceased individual has named a beneficiary on their policy. However, life insurance policies without beneficiaries, or with beneficiaries who are either deceased themselves or cannot be contacted, go directly to the deceased individual's estate. When this happens, life insurance proceeds must go through probate court to determine how funds should be allocated.

  • Do household items go through probate?

    While the exact rules do vary from state to state, most household items don't require probate and are automatically left to immediate families unless otherwise stated in the deceased person's will. When it comes to property, only items above a certain value or held in title are required to go through probate in most states.

  • Do bank accounts with beneficiaries have to go through probate?

    In the event a beneficiary has been named, bank accounts are not required to go through probate and will be paid directly to the person designated by the deceased individual. However, should that individual be deceased themselves or if contact cannot be made after a certain period of time, funds will be allocated to the estate and put through the probate process.

  • What happens if no probate is filed?

    Depending on the circumstances, probate may not be required in all cases. If a person passes on and their remaining property is jointly owned, it automatically transfers to the other owner. However, if a property is not jointly owned and no probate has been filed, the executor of the will won't be able to transfer titles or cash assets to beneficiaries. Be aware that the specific laws surrounding probate requirements vary from state to state.