Navigating California Probate
Probate can be both time consuming & costly
If you pass away in California with assets valued above $208,000, those assets may be required to go through the State’s Probate Court system unless you have established a living revocable trust (see below). A judge will determine how your assets are distributed, who will manage the process, & which debts are to be paid.
[Source: Judicial Council of California]
According to several California estate attorneys, court related costs may range from approximately 4% to 7% of the total estate value. For example, on a $1 million property, fees could approach $70,000. The process may also take between 9 & 18 months & sometimes longer if complications arise. During that period, heirs may be unable to sell, rent, or significantly alter inherited property until probate is completed.
