Best Probate Lawyers in Inglewood, CA

FAQs

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

  The non-emergency contact number for the Inglewood Police Department is 310-412-8771.

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

  The Inglewood Records Division maintains all arrest records and police reports in Inglewood. You can request a copy of a police report either in person or by mail. If requesting via mail, make sure to fill out this form first: https://www.cityofinglewood.org/DocumentCenter/View/14107/Request-for-Records. Include a valid photo ID and a check or money order for $12.50 made payable to the Inglewood Records Division at 1 West Manchester Boulevard. This is also the same address you're going to look for if you're requesting it in person.

• When is probate necessary in Inglewood?

  A probate is necessary in Inglewood when an individual who died after April 1, 2022, has an estate value in excess of $184,500. This applies whether the decedent has a will or not. If the person died before April 1, 2022, probate is required if their asset's value is $166,250 and above.

• Will your assets be probated in Inglewood when you die if they are placed in a trust?

  Inglewood probate won't be necessary as long as the decedent's assets are in a trust. A trust is a legal agreement between you and your beneficiaries. This establishes how a trustee will manage your assets. When you put your assets in a trust, you transfer ownership to the trust. As long as the trust is set up correctly, assets don't need to go through probate and will be passed to your designated beneficiaries automatically after your death.

• Do small estates need to go through probate in Inglewood?

  Inglewood categorizes assets as small estates if their value is under $184,500. If the decedent's estate is less than $184,500 and doesn’t include real estate, you must present an Affidavit for Collection of Personal Property to the institution that manages the assets. If the decedent's estate is less than $184,500 and includes real estate, you will need to go through the Petition to Determine Succession of Real Property for the transfer of the deed of the real estate to take place.

• Can a probate be rejected in Inglewood?

  Yes. A probate in Inglewood can be rejected depending on technical errors in filing or problems with the estate itself. Some of the common reasons why a probate is rejected include subsequent documents filed as a new case filing; filing a proposed order before a ruling or submitting a modified order after a ruling; and small errors in the case number.

• Can you refuse an appointment as executor or administrator of assets in Inglewood?

  Yes. Individuals appointed as executors or administrators of assets in Inglewood have the right to reject the role given to them. If they want to step down from their roleYes. Individuals appointed as executors or administrators of assets in Inglewood have the right to reject the role given to them. If they want to step down from their role, they need to file a petition with the court in order to resign and have a new executor or administrator appointed. If the decedent named another alternate executor in the will, then he or she will be appointed next. If there are none, the next of kin may be chosen to fill the role. The court may also appoint a professional third party in cases where there is really no one available to take over the role of executor or administrator., they need to file a petition with the court in order to resign and have a new executor or administrator appointed. If the decedent named another alternate executor in the will, then he/she will be appointed next. If there are none, the next of kin may be chosen to fill the role. The court may also appoint a professional third party in cases where there is really no one available to take over the role of executor or administrator.

• 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.