Best Probate Lawyers in Lancaster

FAQs

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

  The non-emergency contact number for Lancaster Sheriff's Station is 661-948-8466.

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

  You can get a copy of police reports for incidents related to your case in Lancaster by filling out and submitting this form here: https://prr.cityoflancasterca.org/Forms/prr. You can also make a request in person at the City Clerk’s Office on the second floor of City Hall, 44933 Fern Avenue, or by calling them at 661-723-6020.

• What is a probate referee in Lancaster?

  The California State Controller is responsible for appointing a probate referee. As a probate referee in Lancaster, his or her job is to perform reliable, prompt, and low-cost appraisals of all types of estate assets. They are required for the court's resolution of an estate. Probate referees also coordinate with an estate’s executor to appraise the value of all non-monetary assets within the estate and fill out Form DE-160. They can also be tasked with valuing the assets of an estate outside of probate, like the contents of a trust.

• Will your entire estate go through probate in Lancaster?

  No. In Lancaster, some assets and property are distributed immediately upon death and do not need to go through probate. Assets that need to go through probate are any personal property or real estate that the decedent owned in their name before passing. This can include a home, car, furniture, or household goods. Intangible assets, like stocks or savings accounts, can also be considered probate assets. Assets that a decedent did not own individually, such as jointly owned property, are not subject to probate.

• What happens when someone dies without a will in Lancaster?

  If someone dies without a will in Lancaster, the probate court will distribute the individual's assets in accordance with California’s intestate succession law. The state will decide who inherits a decedent’s property when the decedent dies without a will, following California Probate Code sections 6400–6455. The court will then proceed by appointing an administrator to oversee the decedent’s intestate estate, usually the surviving spouse or a public administrator if there are no known heirs.

• Who gets paid first in a probate in Lancaster?

  A personal representative or someone administering the estate in Lancaster must first pay the decedent's debts; expenses of administration; obligations secured by a mortgage, deed of trust or another lien; unpaid expenses; and general debts. Once all of these were settled, the beneficiaries would then be paid their distributions from the estate according to California law.

• What are the tax obligations involved in probate in Lancaster?

  The personal representative of the estate handles tax obligations before distributing assets from the estate to beneficiaries in Lancaster. The executor will need to pay estate taxes if the estates of those who died in California exceed the exemption threshold. Federal estate taxes apply to assets with an overall value of $12,060,000 and above. The executor will also need to file a final income tax return on behalf of the deceased party to resolve any existing income tax obligations. The estate itself may be subject to income tax requirements if the estate plan requires an estate sale for the liquidation of certain assets and the estate earns more than $600 in revenue from the sale.

• 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.

• What is probate real estate?

  Probate real estate is the process that happens when a realtor steps in to handle the sale or transfer of a deceased person's owned home to another individual. In some cases, the house is sold as a means of liquidating assets, and proceeds from the sale are used to pay debts or are distributed to beneficiaries.

• Can I probate a will or estate without an attorney?

  It is possible to probate a will and close an estate without hiring an attorney. However, it requires multiple steps and an understanding of the law. The first step is to petition the court to appoint a representative for the estate. Next, the executor must notify all heirs and creditors before switching ownership from the decedent to the estate. Once all debts, taxes, and final expenses have been paid, funds can be transferred to heirs. To close an estate, the executor must submit a report showing the court that all obligations and final wishes have been satisfied. While a will and estate may seem straightforward, things can get complicated quickly if multiple heirs are involved, or if disputes or disagreements arise over distribution. A probate lawyer can help navigate these disputes effectively, and take pressure off the executor when beneficiaries aren’t getting along.

• How many years can an estate remain in probate?

  If the will or proposed distribution of property is contested, an estate may remain in probate for several years. The timeline depends on how long relatives have to initiate probate, how long creditors have to come forward, and how busy the courts are. In some states, such as Florida, relatives have just 10 days to initiate probate, and the entire process takes approximately six months. In other areas, such as Massachusetts, the process can last one to two years, although the majority of probate activities occur in the first nine months. The value of the estate also affects the duration of the case. For example, California and Texas have simplified procedures for smaller estates, such as those valued at $150,000 or less.

• When is a will's probate an automatic process?

  Probate is the legal process of validating a last will and testament to ensure that the decedent's wishes are followed. A probate judge may automatically clear wills if they're accompanied by an affidavit from the decedent, a notary, and a witness. Some assets, including financial accounts with designated beneficiaries, and funds held by certain types of trusts don't have to go through probate.

• What does it mean when property is under probate?

  Real estate that's under probate is typically liquidated through the court system, which is most common when someone dies without a will. Home buyers who are interested in this type of property must follow special rules regarding deposits, which are sometimes nonrefundable, and buyer's premiums. Additionally, the court must approve the purchase price.