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.

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.

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.

7 Best Merced Probate Lawyers

Callister, Hendricks & Spencer

544 West 20th Street, Merced, CA 95340

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Trusts
Wills
Estate Planning

Callister, Hendricks & Spencer is a full-service law firm providing estate planning and administration services to individuals and families in Merced. Its lawyers bring over 45 years of legal experience to advise clients on matters involving probates, such as assistance in the execution of wills and trusts. The firm also helps clients prepare documents, navigate state and federal tax law, and handle court proceedings to finalize the administration. Jerry E. Callister, the firm's senior attorney, is a J. Reuben Clark Law Society member.

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Carmen Ramirez Attorney

712 West 23rd Street, Merced, CA 95340

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Trusts
Wills
Estate Planning

Carmen Ramirez Attorney is a practice that handles probate cases for clients in Merced and the surrounding communities. It offers estate planning services, which include creating a variety of instruments such as grant deeds, wills, and trusts. Its lawyers also prepare advanced healthcare directives and powers of attorney. Furthermore, Carmen Ramirez, the firm's lead attorney, was named Woman of the Year by the Merced County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce in 2018. She is also a bilingual who speaks English and Spanish.

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Castleton Law Firm

530 West 21st Street, Merced, CA 95340

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Estate Planning

Castleton Law Firm provides legal services for clients in Merced. The firm handles cases in several legal areas, including probate and estate planning. When working on probate cases, its attorneys are detail-oriented and efficient, helping will executors ensure that all steps are undertaken as quickly as possible so that the estate can be closed and inheritance can be distributed in accordance with the will. Other practice areas include family law, civil litigation, and criminal defense.

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Law Office of Carmen Ramirez

712 West 23rd Street, Merced, CA 95340

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Trusts
Wills
Estate Planning
Probate Litigation

Those in need of a probate lawyer in Merced can contact the Law Office of Carmen Ramirez. This firm helps executors, trustees, and family members of those who've passed away without leaving a will. Its experienced attorney provides help throughout each step of the probate process, taking on tasks such as settling debts, closing bank accounts, filing estate tax returns, and distributing assets to legal heirs in accordance with the will.

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Law Office of Karen R. Spinardi

3351 M St Ste 240, Merced, CA 95348

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Karen R. Spinardi of Law Office of Karen R. Spinardi is an estate planning attorney in Merced serving local clients. Ms. Spinardi assists with facilitating the process of transferring the decedent's assets to the legal heirs and beneficiaries. She is capable of submitting the correct petitions to the appropriate courts and she appears in court on behalf of the estate's personal representative. Ms. Spinardi has been practicing law for over 20 years.

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Murphy & Brawley, LLP

530 West 21st Street, Merced, CA 95340

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Estate Planning
Trust Administration
Probate Litigation

Mason Brawley of Murphy & Brawley is a probate attorney in Merced in practice since 2007. Attorney Brawley provides legal counsel to executors and trustees during probate administration proceedings, and he offers a wide range of estate planning services to help clients prepare for future medical expenses and provide for loved ones and beneficiaries. Areas of estate planning Mr. Brawley assists with include setting up trusts that include irrevocable trusts and special needs trusts, business succession planning, and drafting wills and living wills.

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Ronald W. Hillberg

630 Crane Avenue, Turlock, CA 95380

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Trusts
Wills
Estate Planning
Trust Administration

Serving clients in Merced and throughout its surrounding communities, Ronald W. Hillberg is an experienced probate and estate planning attorney. He works directly with the family members of those who've lost a loved one where no will was left behind, as well as with appointed will executors. Services include help with administering trusts, notifying creditors, paying debts, and identifying unnamed assets. In addition to handling probate cases, Mr. Hillberg also takes on elder law cases and offers counsel in real estate transactions.

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Best Probate Lawyers in Merced

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Probate Lawyers FAQs

Callister, Hendricks & Spencer

Carmen Ramirez Attorney

Castleton Law Firm

Law Office of Carmen Ramirez

Law Office of Karen R. Spinardi

Murphy & Brawley, LLP

Ronald W. Hillberg

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is probate real estate?

Q: What happens if no probate is filed?

Q: Do bank accounts with beneficiaries have to go through probate?

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