Best Probate Lawyers in Hollywood

Frequently Asked Questions

• What is the non-emergency contact number for the local police station in Hollywood, California?

  To report a non-emergency matter to the Hollywood Station of the LAPD, call 877-ASK-LAPD.

• Where can I get a copy of police reports for incidents related to my case in Hollywood, California?

  To submit an incident report request, call (562) 345-4441 and schedule an appointment to pick it up in person. You may also request by mailing the LAPD’s Public Services Section or Records and Identification Bureau, Attn: Records Inquiry Non-Law Enforcement, at 12440 East Imperial Highway, Suite 120, Norwalk, California 90650.

• Why is probate in Hollywood so expensive?

  Some of the main reasons probate in Hollywood is so expensive are the rate of executor and attorney fees. These fees and the probate fee structure are mandated by California statute, and therefore cannot be negotiated. These expenses are based on the percentage of the overall value of the estate.

• What is the time requirement for concluding the probate of a Hollywood estate?

  According to California law, which is in effect in Los Angeles County where Hollywood is located, the estate’s personal representative should conclude the probate within a year from their appointment date unless a federal estate tax is filed, in which case they can complete it in 18 months. Otherwise, they should submit a status report explaining what still needs to be accomplished and the amount of time they need to do it.

• Where are Hollywood estate probate proceedings conducted?

  The probate hearings for Hollywood estates are conducted at the Superior Court’s probate department in the county in which the deceased resided at the time of their death. This department can be found in San Jose’s Downtown Superior Court. If the decedent has real property located in another state, then the executor must file in that state for that specific asset.

• Where will the assets of a Hollywood resident go if their estate underwent probate without a will?

  If a Hollywood resident did not leave a will for probate, their assets will be in the mercy of intestate succession laws. The first in line for inheritance is the surviving spouse, and then the children of the same generation. In the absence of descendants, the estate goes to the deceased's parents. If there are none, then the siblings inherit. Without surviving siblings, the estate goes to the siblings’ children. Next in line are grandparents, uncles, aunts, and cousins.

• What will happen to a Hollywood estate if it does not complete probate?

  If a Hollywood estate’s probate is not concluded within a year of the decedent’s death, penalties will be imposed and the estate will be frozen. Assets cannot be distributed to heirs, since the court must ensure that taxes and debts are paid before assets can be transferred. The beneficiaries may become responsible for the debts as the estate’s new owners. The executor may also be replaced by a court-appointed conservator. For serious cases involving mismanaging or deliberately avoiding probate, criminal prosecution may be possible.