12Law Arrow 12Law Arrow  Easy Questions  
12Law Arrow 12Law Arrow Instant Legal Documents
 
 
FINANCIAL & MARITAL

Cohabitation Agreement coming soon!
Separation Agreement coming soon!
No-Fault Divorce coming soon!
Bankruptcy coming soon!
 
 

Do I Need a Probate Lawyer in Arroyo Grande, CA

Do I Need a Probate Lawyer in Arroyo Grande, CA


When the time comes to die, make sure that all you have to do is die!
 
- Jim Elliot


Probate is the process that occurs after an individual passes away. It involves distributing assets and taking care of any debts. This process happens regardless of whether or not there is a Last Will and Testament.

A probate lawyer is an estate or a trust lawyer that can help manage the filing of the last testament or will of a deceased individual. Probate attorneys can also help create a Last Will and Testament and can assist with trust planning (including Living Trusts) as well as powers of attorney and medical powers of attorney. They can assist the executor of the will with preparing and filing of all documents required by a probate court.

Some people do estate planning on their own and others get legal advice from a probate or trust lawyer. As the executor winds up an estate, they may want legal advice from an experienced lawyer who is familiar with both state law and how the local probate court works. However, not all executors feel the need to hire a probate lawyer. If the estate doesn't contain any unusual assets and isn't too large, the executor may be able to complete the task without a lawyer's help.

Several factors may help an executor decide if they need the help of a probate lawyer. Was there any probate-avoidance estate planning? Assets can be transferred to their new owners without probate court if they are held in joint tenancy, survivorship community property or transferred to a Living Trust. Probate is also unnecessary for assets for which the deceased person named a beneficiary—for example, retirement accounts or life insurance policy proceeds.

Things get more complicated when an estate includes a business, commercial real estate, or any other asset that requires special handling. You may want to consult experts if you need to manage, appraise, or sell a business.

If there's enough money to pay off debts (taxes, medical expenses, funeral costs, credit card bills, mortgages, car loans, etc.), with some left over for beneficiaries, you won't have to figure out which debts to pay. If your initial investigation reveals that there may not be enough money in the estate to pay debts and taxes, don't pay any bills before you get legal advice. State law gives some creditors priority over others.

Today, more than 99.7% of all estates don't owe federal estate tax. There's also a very small chance that the estate will owe estate taxes to the state. You may need expert legal and tax advice if the estate is large and must file an estate tax return, either with the IRS or the state taxing authority.

Many states offer small estate procedures such as summary probate and an entirely out-of-court process that requires presenting a sworn affidavit to the person or institution holding the asset.

Are family members talking about suing over the estate? Probate lawsuits tear families apart and can drain a lot of money from the estate in the process. A lawyer may be able to help the executor avoid a court battle or to deal with it if it is unavoidable.

Only you can decide if hiring a lawyer is right for you. Check out 12Law.com for listings of lawyers in your neighborhood.
 
Personalize & Print a Free CA Last Will Create This Document
Page 1
Page 2
Page 3
Page 4
Page 5
Page 6
Page 7
Page 8
Page 9
Page 10
 
Personalize & Print a Free CA Living Trust Create This Document
Page 1
Page 2
Page 3
Page 4
Page 5
Page 6
Page 7
Page 8
Page 9
Page 10
Page 11
Page 12
Page 13
Page 14
Page 15
Page 16
Related Legal Services near Arroyo Grande, CA
Bankruptcy Assistance
1172 E Grand Ave
Arroyo Grande, CA 93420
(805) 481-8778
Legal Forms,  Bankruptcy Services,  Attorneys,  Paralegals,  Financial Services,  Bankruptcy Law Att
All American Legal Documents
130 S Halcyon Rd
Arroyo Grande, CA 93420
(805) 489-6878
Paralegals, Divorce Assistance, Legal Forms, Attorneys, Family Law Attorneys, Office Equipment & Sup
Blonsley Law
209 S Halcyon Rd
Arroyo Grande, CA 93420
(805) 904-6722
Bankruptcy Law Attorneys,  Attorneys,  Foreclosure Services,  Bankruptcy Services
Hamilton Stephen D
1277 E Grand Ave
Arroyo Grande, CA 93420
(805) 473-6520
Attorneys, Divorce Assistance, Divorce Attorneys
Buchanan, Douglas
PO Box 234
Arroyo Grande, CA 93421
(805) 541-6440
Attorneys
Martin Joshua W
105 Halcyon Rd. Suite B
Arroyo Grande, CA 93420
(805) 474-5771
Family Law Attorneys, Personal Injury Law Attorneys, Civil Litigation & Trial Law Attorneys
Joshua W Martin
105 Halcyon Rd. Suite B
Arroyo Grande, CA 93420
(805) 474-5771
Civil Litigation & Trial Law Attorneys, Personal Injury Law Attorneys, Family Law Attorneys
Joshua W Martin
105 Halcyon Rd. Suite B
Arroyo Grande, CA 93420
(805) 474-5771
Personal Injury Law Attorneys, Family Law Attorneys, Civil Litigation & Trial Law Attorneys
A1 Jackson And Assiocates Law Centers
225 N Halcyon Rd
Arroyo Grande, CA 93420
(805) 474-5633
Attorneys Referral & Information Service
Stephen Chace Bass
708 E. Grand Ave. Ste. B.
Arroyo Grande, CA 93420
(805) 503-5590
Family Law Attorneys, Attorneys
We Help You Legal
716 E Grand Ave
Arroyo Grande, CA 93420
(805) 481-5551
Legal Document Assistance,  Attorneys,  Paralegals,  Divorce Assistance,  Bankruptcy Law Attorneys
Richards & Richards
621 E Grand Ave
Arroyo Grande, CA 93420
(805) 473-5151
Attorneys,  Mediation Services,  Accident & Property Damage Attorneys,  Personal Injury Law Attorney
Zimmerman Michael E
227 E Branch St
Arroyo Grande, CA 93420
(805) 489-4705
Attorneys,  Wills, Trusts & Estate Planning Attorneys,  Real Estate Attorneys,  General Practice At
Hodges John F
789 Valley Rd
Arroyo Grande, CA 93420
(805) 481-4570
Klein Theresa G
1277 E Grand Ave
Arroyo Grande, CA 93420
(805) 473-3333
Attorneys,  Child Custody Attorneys,  Criminal Law Attorneys,  Juvenile Law Attorneys,  Family Law A
Hogarty, Lisa A
405 E Branch St
Arroyo Grande, CA 93420
(805) 270-2661
Attorneys
Lisa Hogarty A
405 E Branch St
Arroyo Grande, CA 93420
(805) 270-2590
Accident & Property Damage Attorneys, Personal Injury Law Attorneys, Attorneys
Harvey James P
1303 E Grand Ave
Arroyo Grande, CA 93420
(805) 489-2300
Attorneys, Employee Benefits & Worker Compensation Attorneys
Divorce Services
1172 E Grand Ave
Arroyo Grande, CA 93420
(805) 489-1277
Divorce Assistance,  Attorneys,  Family Law Attorneys,  Divorce Attorneys,  Paralegals,  Legal Servi
Zuber William Lee
709 E Grand Ave
Arroyo Grande, CA 93420
(805) 473-1272
Attorneys,  Social Security & Disability Law Attorneys,  General Practice Attorneys,  Legal Service
CURTZE LAW OFFICES
1184 E. Grand Avenu
Arroyo Grande, CA 93420
(805) 489-1033
Corporation & Partnership Law Attorneys, Estate Planning, Probate, & Living Trusts, Family Law Attor
Rossi Richard
1015 E Grand Ave
Arroyo Grande, CA 93420
(805) 481-0009
Attorneys,  Family Law Attorneys,  Accident & Property Damage Attorneys,  Business Bankruptcy Law At
Rossi Law Offices
1015 E Grand Ave
Arroyo Grande, CA 93420
(805) 481-0009
Attorneys, Family Law Attorneys, Accident & Property Damage Attorneys, Business Bankruptcy Law Attor
12Law.com   |  NASHVILLE, TN USA   |  CONTACT US