PROBATE

Local Santa Clarita Probate Attorneys

Losing someone you love is awful – and the last thing you want to manage is the paperwork and all the questions. Don’t panic; our probate lawyers are here to help.

Probate is the process of resolving someone’s assets in the event that they pass away without a will, or “intestate.” It can also happen when someone dies with a will (or multiple wills) that include just part of their estate. If any assets are left out, you’ll need to determine the path forward by the probate process.

Assets, debts, hearings, inventories: the process is full of language and procedures that you probably don’t manage in your everyday life. That’s where the Odom Law Group APLC comes in with our probate attorney experience.

We’ll take care of the probate legal jargon, and you’ll be just fine.

What does Probate for me?

The idea behind probate is simple: make sure that a person’s final wishes are executed as closely as possible, that their commitments are resolved, and that their possessions and assets end up in the right place. That includes accounts, property, vehicles, valuables, investments, you name it.

In the event that you are working with a will, the probate process ensures that it’s both legitimate and properly executed – all as overseen by the court. It also ensures that you, if you’re the chosen personal representative or Executor, are administering the estate in appropriate compliance with the terms of the will.

That means you’ll be responsible for a mix of duties – here are some examples.

  • Filing an initial petition for probate
  • Gathering a person’s assets and possessions to prepare an
    inventory
  • Giving notice to known creditors, managing claims, and settling
    debts
  • Organizing documents, attending hearings, and managing key
    communications
  • Arranging preparations for final accounting for the estate
  • Distributing assets as deemed appropriate by the court

If that sounds like a lot of responsibilities, that’s because it is. Fortunately, while it might not be a part of your everyday life, it’s definitely part of ours: at Odom Law Group, APLC, our expert local Santa Clarita probate lawyers can guide you through the steps to navigate probate like, well, a pro.

santa clarita probate attorney help
santa clarita probate attorney help

What does Probate mean for me?

The idea behind probate is simple: make sure that a person’s final wishes are executed as closely as possible, that their commitments are resolved, and that their possessions and assets end up in the right place. That includes accounts, property, vehicles, valuables, investments, you name it.

In the event that you are working with a will, the probate process ensures that it’s both legitimate and properly executed – all as overseen by the court. It also ensures that you, if you’re the chosen personal representative or Executor, are administering the estate in appropriate compliance with the terms of the will.

That means you’ll be responsible for a mix of duties – here are some examples.

  • Filing an initial petition for probate
  • Gathering a person’s assets and possessions to prepare an
    inventory
  • Giving notice to known creditors, managing claims, and settling
    debts
  • Organizing documents, attending hearings, and managing key
    communications
  • Arranging preparations for final accounting for the estate
  • Distributing assets as deemed appropriate by the court

If that sounds like a lot of responsibilities, that’s because it is. Fortunately, while it might not be a part of your everyday life, it’s definitely part of ours: at Odom Law Group, our local Santa Clarita probate attorneys can guide you through the steps to navigate probate like, well, a pro.

ODOM LAW GROUP, APLC  |  Legal expertise to charge into the future with confidence.

Probate in California

The probate process has a bit of reputation – and not necessarily in a good way. It’s notorious for being lengthy, expensive, and complicated. We’d have to agree on most of that. Here are a few things you should expect from the start.

  • The probate court may appoint an adult family member, trusted friend, or professional third party as executor, in the event that no one is named (or the named person is for some reason too young or incapable).
  • Probate in California is a public, court-supervised procedure. It’s not optional. Anyone can view the details of the process, including asset information, heirs, creditors, and the details of debts.
  • It’s fairly standard to assume that probate in California will take at least 18 months. For a large estate, it can take quite a bit more time – even several years.
  • The cost of probate in California is based on a fixed percentage of the estate. These fees are set, by law, in the California Probate Code and calculated based on your estate’s gross value.

Knowing that you have an entire probate legal team to rely on during the probate process can make a huge difference. You’ve got this!

At Odom Law Group, APLC

Odom Law Group, APLC, knows the probate process in California inside and out, and we’re here with the support you need to get it all settled – we’ll resolve each and every detail, together.

Our team works to move forward as smoothly as possible with you. Some of our specialties include:

  • Analyzing and identifying potential issues
  • Identifying estate assets and beneficiaries
  • Coordinating needed appraisals of property
  • Evaluating estate tax implications
  • Evaluating and collecting proceeds from insurance policies whenever needed
  • Filling out and filing necessary probate forms
  • Providing counsel and advice to the executor
  • Assisting with sales of real property
  • Negotiating any disputes (if they arise) between beneficiaries, or between the executor and beneficiaries

 

About Our Legal Practice

At Odom Law Group, APLC, our work is rooted in real-world impact. We erase the line between partnership and professionalism: as your advisors, our practice is personal. During your probate journey, we’ll be by your side to answer questions, offer insight, and set you up for success. Leverage our legal expertise to charge into the future with confidence.

We’re proud to practice in trust administration, probate, retail store representation, business law, estate planning, trademarks, real estate law, and mergers and acquisitions. You’ll find outstanding experience, a deeply sophisticated practice, and industry-leading knowledge with our attorneys: we’re here to meet any challenge you might face.

You’ll also find a group of people who care here: about you, your future, and your goals. Give us a call any time. We’re always here to talk – but first, we’re here to listen.

Reach Out

Probate lawyer services are just one facet of our expertise at Odom Law Group, APLC. If you’re ready to learn more about our team, let’s chat!

Contact Odom Law Group, APLC at (661) 367-1699 or email us at info@odomlawgroup.com. We can’t wait to meet you.