Best Probate Lawyers in Bakersfield, CA

FAQs

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

  661-327-7111 is the non-emergency contact number for the Bakersfield Police Department.

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

  Police reports for incidents related to probate in Bakersfield can be obtained from the Bakersfield Police Department. Residents can make in-person, mail, or online police report requests. Reports may be purchased in person at the Police Department between 8 a.m.-3 p.m., Monday through Friday.

• What are the responsibilities of a Bakersfield court-appointed administrator in the probate process?

  A court-appointed estate administrator helps Bakersfield beneficiaries navigate the probate process. He is responsible for opening the state in a Kern County probate court. In addition, he locates and notifies heirs, pays creditors, and file estate taxes. An estate administrator also distributes estates to beneficiaries and does final counting and reporting.

• How long does the probate process in Bakersfield take on average?

  On average, the probate process in Bakersfield takes about a year. Probate attorneys petition the court to admit a will to probate. If there is no will, the legal team opens the estate and appoints an administrator to represent the state. A beneficiary or another member of the family can serve as an administrator. Accounting is the largest task in probate, and the court needs to receive an accounting of any and all assets and debts within the estate.

• Do trusts go through the probate process in Bakersfield?

  Trusts do not go through the probate process because a Bakersfield resident’s trusts are separate from his or her estate. Attorneys who are familiar with estate planning are well-versed in the creation of various types of trusts. This particular knowledge enables them to advise trust administrators, assist with managing investments, and close down the trust once funds are depleted.

• Do Bakersfield courts have discretion as to the amount of probate fees to be paid?

  Bakersfield courts do not determine legal fees for probate attorneys and personal representatives because probate fees in the city and throughout California are statutory. The size of the estate or the complexity of the administration does not affect probate fees. Even though such fees are statutory, they may not be deducted from the state without a court order and approval. Relevant statutes on probate fees include Probate Code Section 10800, 10801, and 10810.

• How does a Bakersfield beneficiary determine whether a probate process is necessary?

  Bakersfield heirs and beneficiaries can determine the importance of probate for settling an estate by examining the validity of the last will and testament. The lack of a trust document can also indicate the need for probate administration. California law excludes estates from probate proceedings as long as they meet the small estate threshold. Under California’s Probate Code Section 13100, the maximum value of a small estate must not exceed $184,500.

• 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.