Best Estate Planning Lawyers Fresno, CA

Fresno, CA Estate Planning FAQs

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

  The non-emergency number for the local police in Fresno is (559) 621-7000.

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

  You can request a copy of a police report online through Fresno’s public records portal: https://fresnoca.govqa.us/WEBAPP/_rs/(S(bemkmsbwcjtgeducg52ywaog))/supporthome.aspx. You can also mail a written request to this address: Fresno Police Department, Attention: Records Bureau, P. O. Box 1271, Fresno, CA 93715-1271. You must state your need for the said record and include your name, the case number, the date and time, the type of incident, and a photocopy of your driver’s license. Note that you need to pay 20 cents per page if the document exceeds 10 pages.

• Who will inherit your property if you do not have a will in Fresno?

  If you die without a will in Fresno, your properties will pass on to heirs according to intestate succession rules in California Probate Code § 6400-6455. At least half of your assets will go to your children, who will equally share the inheritance with their half-siblings. The other half will go to your surviving spouse and identified beneficiaries.

• What happens to your assets if your entire family is killed in a plane crash in Fresno and you have no will?

  If you die intestate in Fresno without surviving blood relatives, your assets will go to your spouse’s family members instead, following California probate laws. If you have a named beneficiary who also dies with you, their next of kin can also receive an inheritance. Worst-case scenario: If no heirs can be found at all, the state can claim your estate.

• If you die without a will in a Fresno car crash and you have many properties, who handles the asset distribution?

  In this scenario, probate is most likely necessary, so the probate court in Fresno will appoint an administrator over your estate. The role will first be offered to your spouse. But if your spouse is distressed by the turn of events and unable to bear such a responsibility, they can decline and suggest another capable person take over.

• Will estate taxes be paid for assets worth $10 million in Fresno upon the owner's death?

  No, there should be no estate taxes if the assets have a net value of $10 million. This is because tax credits currently exempt estates worth $11.2 million or less for single decedents in Fresno. Married couples with an adequate estate plan in place would not have to pay taxes unless the value of their properties exceeds $22.4 million. Note these values may change over time—it is best to consult a probate lawyer.

• What are the options for distributing small estates in Fresno?

  It depends on the value of the Fresno estate. California Probate Code § 13150 applies to estates worth $166,250 or less in personal and real properties. In such cases, all potential successors must sign and file a petition for a hearing. While this can turn into a full probate, there are usually fewer requirements. For smaller estates worth less than $50,000, a petition can be filed with the court to clear real estate titles and initiate the property transfer process.