California Decedent Estate Practice

Comprehensive, in-depth coverage (including forms) of probate practice and procedures, summary probate proceedings, and transfers outside of probate.

• Procedures for transferring assets when formal probate is not required
• Spouses and registered domestic partners: rights, liabilities, and special transfer procedures
• Statutory protections for family members
• Starting probate, including preparing petition, order, bond requirements, and letters
• Decedent estate administration, including inventory and appraisal, creditors' claims, sales, investments, and accounts
• Distributions and transfers
• Problems in estate administration, including will contests, suing to establish entitlement to estate distribution, and challenging representatives in court
• Compensation
• Nonresident heirs and beneficiaries
• Estate tax and income tax concepts and procedures