Los Angeles Probate Lawyer

Losing someone you love is difficult enough without discovering that their home, accounts, or other property cannot simply be passed to the people they left behind. Our probate lawyer in Los Angeles can help you understand what happens next, from identifying and valuing assets to addressing debts and distributing the estate. 

Stonewood Law Group P.C guides clients through the legal and practical steps involved when probate is necessary, helping them understand what needs to happen and why. Our process can be completed fully remotely, which can be especially helpful when family members are spread across different locations.

Call (213) 457-0497 today. With a multilingual team, we communicate in English, Spanish, Hebrew, and Armenian.

What Happens to an Estate During Probate

Once probate begins, an estate has to move through a series of legal and administrative steps before beneficiaries receive what they are entitled to. Understanding that sequence and having experienced legal counsel at your side can make an unfamiliar process a little more manageable. 

Identify and Value the Estate

The first task is determining what the deceased person owned and which assets actually need to pass through probate. That can include real estate, financial accounts, business interests, vehicles, and personal property.

California probate generally requires non-cash assets to be formally valued through the Probate Referee process. In Greater Los Angeles, where a single estate may include a valuable home, investment property, or business interests, those valuations can have significant consequences. 

An accurate inventory and appraisal can help establish the estate's value and provide a basis for later administration.

Address Debts Before Distributing Assets

An estate does not necessarily pass everything to beneficiaries immediately. Outstanding debts, taxes, and other obligations must be identified and addressed before the remaining property can be distributed. California establishes procedures and deadlines for creditor claims. The personal representative has to manage those requirements while keeping the estate moving forward. 

This is one reason probate can become more complicated when an estate involves substantial assets, multiple creditors, or property that needs ongoing management.

Determine How Much Court Oversight Is Needed

Probate is court-supervised, but that does not mean every action necessarily requires a separate trip before a judge. California's Independent Administration of Estates Act can give a personal representative greater authority to manage estate property, including certain real estate transactions, subject to the applicable requirements and rights of interested parties.

That distinction can matter for a family dealing with a property that needs to be maintained, sold, or otherwise managed while the estate is being settled.