Homeowners and their heirs can benefit greatly from the professional services of a probate lawyer in San Diego. The probate process involves the estate of a person who has passed away, during which time claims are resolved and any property that was left in the deceased’s will is distributed according to his or her final wishes, pending approval from a probate court. During this process, the court interprets the instructions of the will and considers the best interests of heirs and other claimants, with a valid executor acting as the estate’s personal representative. States like California have some especially tricky laws. If this sounds complicated, you can probably imagine why firms like Janathan L. Allen, APC, that provide an array of financial and legal advisory services, are in such high demand.
Why Trusts Are So Important for California Property Owners
California has some interesting property rules regarding the probate process, and it’s easy to make missteps that can result in very serious consequences down the road. Anyone who has property valued at more than $100,000 will leave their heirs with a lengthy court probate process, and there are many people who have more than $100,000 in assets. This is why a reputable legal or financial advisor would most likely tell you that it’s in your best interest to put a trust in place. Anyone who owns a home or condo in San Diego will likely accrue more than $100,000 in personal assets as they pay off their mortgage, if they haven’t done so already, so every homeowner should ideally have a trust.
Plan Ahead and Name Your Executor
If you own a home or other possessions that are valued at more than $100,000 now or will reach that value in the future, and you want to make sure that your assets go to your intended heirs after you pass on, you will need to name a trustworthy executor as soon as possible. The executor needs to be someone you can count on to handle complex decisions and tasks. This person will be responsible for managing all the major aspects of the probate, such as distributing the estate after the court order, filing tax documents, paying bills and preparing an inventory. Both you and your executor should be able to rest much more easily, however, with assistance from a probate lawyer in San Diego to help with all these complicated tasks.
For assistance with the probate process or for estate planning services, please contact us at 866-631-3470 to schedule a complimentary, initial consultation with one of our experienced attorneys.