As the Executor or Administrator of the estate of a recently deceased loved one, your role in the probate process will require you to navigate the often complex California probate laws and procedures. Moreover, you will likely need to do so during a time of heightened emotions and grief that follow the death of someone close to you. Retaining the services of an experienced California probate attorney from the Schomer Law Group to assist you throughout the probate process is the best way to avoid making costly mistakes.
Understanding Probate
If you have never before served as an Executor or Administrator, the prospect may seem rather daunting. This is particularly true if the size and/or type of assets involved disqualifies the estate from any of the California small estate alternatives to formal probate. Although we typically think of probate as the process by which a decedent’s estate assets are passed down to the intended beneficiaries and/or heirs of the estate, probate also serves additional purposes, such as:
- Identifying and valuing the estate assets
- Authenticating the decedent’s Last Will and Testament
- Litigating any challenges to the Will or the estate
- Notifying creditors of the estate and allowing them to file claims
- Reviewing and approving or denying claims
- Managing and selling estate assets when necessary
- Calculating and paying gift and estate taxes
As the Executor or Administrator you are responsible for ensuring that all of the steps in the probate process are complete. The complex financial and legal concepts that are frequently part of the probate process can increase your odds of committing an error. Even a relatively harmless error made during the probate of an estate can result in the loss of both time and money. Moreover, you could be held personally liable for any damages suffered by the estate as a result of your error. To dramatically reduce the likelihood of making an error during the probate of an estate, it is best to work closely with an experienced probate attorney during your role as Executor/Administrator.
Why Choose Schomer Law Group?
The probate attorneys at Schomer Law Group have a wealth of education and experience relating to the probate process, all of which can make your job of administering an estate easier. We belong to the American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys (AAEPA), a national organization dedicated to promoting excellence in estate planning by providing its exclusive membership of attorneys with up-to-date research on estate and tax planning, educational materials, and other important resources to empower them to provide superior estate planning services. Our membership within the AAEPA also provides us with a wealth of resources at our disposal to ensure that an estate is probated efficiently and expediently.
Contact the Los Angeles Probate Attorneys at Schomer Law Group
If you have been entrusted with the responsibility of overseeing the probate of a loved one’s estate, it is in the best interest of both you and the estate to have an experienced estate planning attorney by your side to provide you with advice and guidance throughout the probate process. At the Schomer Law Group, we are dedicated to helping our clients successfully navigate the often complex probate process and we would be honored to help you do so as well. Contact the California office today by calling (310) 337-7696 or (562) 346-3209 or by filling out our online contact form.
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