Probate in California - Sacramento Probate Lawyer
Wills are not a pleasant subject, but they are a necessary one. The consequences of dying without
a will can be far greater than most people expect. With a little foresight and planning, you can
help your loved ones avoid all the unpleasantness and expense that can result when your estate
ends up in probate court either for lack of a will or because your will is invalid. Regardless of
whether in Citrus Heights, Elk Grove, Folsom, Galt, Isleton, Rancho Cordova or Sacramento, a
consultation with a Sacramento County probate attorney can assure you that you are leaving
behind a valid Last Will and Testament that will save your family additional heartache and loss.
Why You Need a Will
When you die, you leave behind your assets in an ‘estate’. Your estate includes all of your
possessions, including real estate, belongings, bank accounts, trusts, insurance policies - anything
with any value. You also may leave behind debts and responsibilities that must be cleared up
before any other actions are taken.
Every state has laws that determine how possessions and assets are divided if a person dies
without leaving a will. Depending on your state, they may be called intestate succession laws,
rules of descent or distribution or statutes of descent. In California, the intestate succession laws
can be found in the California Probate Code. They define which family members may inherit
portions of your estate. If there are no surviving relatives, your estate goes to the state itself.
If you die without a will, this is how the state will decide how your property is to be divided.
The Probate Court will appoint a person to receive all claims against the estate, pay off any
outstanding debts, settle the taxes and see to the distribution of all remaining assets. It will cost
money, and could take a long time before those assets are freed up for distribution. In the
meantime, part or all of your assets may be frozen just when your family needs them most.
Can you help me speak to a Sacramento probate attorney
You’ve all seen do-it-yourself will kits advertised. There is no legal requirement that your will be
drawn up by a lawyer or probate attorney, but there are a number of good reasons for doing it
that way. One of the most important of these is that a probate attorney is familiar with the
underlying tax codes and estate laws that support your will and can advise you on estate
planning and other important aspects of your will.
Consult a Rancho Cucamonga Probate Attorney
You can make it easier for your family and loved ones, and ensure that your money goes where
you want it to go. A Sacramento probate attorney can help you draw up a valid Last Will and
Testament that will meet all the requirements of California probate law.
