How to Probate an Estate in California

If you need to wrap up the affairs of a deceased family member or friend in California, you can save attorney fees by handling the probate process yourself.

How to Probate an Estate in California supplies all the instructions, explanations and support you need. You may even be able to handle the whole process by mail, without setting foot in the courthouse. Learn how to:

*read a will *determine who inherits property if there is no will *handle probate paperwork *collect life insurance and other benefits *transfer community property to a surviving spouse or domestic partner *pay bills and taxes *distribute property left through trusts

The 16th edition is completely revised to provide the latest estate tax lawsill.

List of Forms

Petition for Probate Notice of Hearing Notice of Petition to Administer Estate Proof of Subscribing Witness Proof of Holographic Instrument Order for Probate Duties and Liabilities of Personal Representative Confidential Supplement to Duties and Liabilities of Personal Representative Letters Notice of Administration to Creditors Inventory and Appraisal Inventory and Appraisal Attachment Notice of Proposed Action Allowance or Rejection of Creditor's Claim Spousal or Domestic Partner Property Petition Spousal or Domestic Partner Property Order Ex Parte Petition for Authority to Sell Securities and Order Affidavit re Real Property of Small Value ($20,000 or Less) Petition to Determine Succession to Real Property (Estates of $100,000 or Less) Order Determining Succession to Real Property Declaration Regarding Property Passing to Decedent's Surviving Spouse or Registered Domestic Partner Schedule of Assets Affidavit-Death of Joint Tenant Notification by Trustee Affidavit-Death of Spouse Affidavit-Death of Domestic Partner Affidavit-Death of Spouse or Domestic Partner-Survivorship Community Property Affidavit for Collection of Personal Property Deed to Real Property Probate Case Cover Sheet-Certificate of Grounds for Assignment to District (L.A. County) Application and Order Appointing Probate Referee (L.A. County) Change in Ownership Statement (Death of Real Property Owner) (L.A. County) Affidavit or Declaration for Final Discharge and Order (L.A. County)