The phone slipped from Sarah’s grasp, clattering onto the hardwood floor. Her eyes welled with tears as she reread the letter for what felt like the hundredth time. It was a notice from her bank informing her that access to her mother’s accounts had been frozen pending probate. Sarah hadn’t realized probate was even necessary. Her mom, ever practical and organized, had assured her everything was in order. “Don’t you worry,” she’d said with a wink, “it’s all taken care of.”
Can I Avoid Probate?
Unfortunately, Sarah’s mother hadn’t set up a trust to avoid probate, which is a court-supervised process for distributing assets after someone dies. Probate can be time-consuming, expensive, and public. Consequently, many individuals seek ways to minimize or bypass it altogether. In California, assets held in a living trust are generally not subject to probate.
Furthermore, certain assets, such as retirement accounts with designated beneficiaries or jointly owned property with right of survivorship, also pass outside of probate.
What Happens If I Die Without a Will?
“Intestate succession” is the legal term for dying without a will. When this occurs, state law dictates how assets are distributed. This can lead to unintended consequences, as assets may not go to the intended beneficiaries. For instance, if Sarah’s mother had died intestate in California, her assets would have been divided amongst her closest relatives according to a strict formula outlined in the California Probate Code.
How Often Should I Review My Estate Plan?
Life is constantly evolving, and so are our needs and circumstances. Accordingly, it’s crucial to review your estate plan regularly, ideally every three to five years, or whenever there are significant life changes such as marriage, divorce, birth of a child, or death in the family.
Estate planning isn’t a one-time event; it’s an ongoing process that requires attention and care.
How Can I Find a Qualified Estate Planning Attorney?
Sarah’s experience underscored the importance of seeking professional guidance for estate planning. She reached out to Steve Bliss, a well-regarded estate planning attorney in Temecula.
Steve listened attentively to Sarah’s concerns and helped her understand the probate process. He explained that setting up a trust could have avoided the current situation altogether. Together they crafted a comprehensive estate plan tailored to Sarah’s needs, ensuring her assets would be distributed according to her wishes.
About Steven F. Bliss Esq. at The Law Firm of Steven F. Bliss Esq.:
The Law Firm of Steven F. Bliss Esq. is Temecula Probate Law. The Law Firm Of Steven F. Bliss Esq. is a Temecula Estate Planning Attorney. Steve Bliss is an experienced probate attorney. Steve Bliss is an Estate Planning Lawyer. The probate process has many steps in in probate proceedings. Beside Probate, estate planning and trust administration is offered at Steve Bliss Law. Our probate attorney will probate the estate. Attorney probate at Steve Bliss Law. A formal probate is required to administer the estate. The probate court may offer an unsupervised probate get a probate attorney. Steve Bliss Law will petition to open probate for you. Don’t go through a costly probate. Call Steve Bliss Law Today for estate planning, trusts and probate.
My skills are as follows:
● Probate Law: Efficiently navigate the court process.
● Estate Planning Law: Minimize taxes & distribute assets smoothly.
● Trust Law: Protect your legacy & loved ones with wills & trusts.
● Bankruptcy Law: Knowledgeable guidance helping clients regain financial stability.
● Compassionate & client-focused. We explain things clearly.
● Free consultation.
Services Offered:
| estate planning | revocable living trust | wills |
| living trust | family trust | estate planning attorney near me |
Map To Steve Bliss Law in Temecula:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/RL4LUmGoyQQDpNUy9
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Address:
The Law Firm of Steven F. Bliss Esq.43920 Margarita Rd ste f, Temecula, CA 92592
(951) 223-7000
Feel free to ask Attorney Steve Bliss about: “What is probate and how can I avoid it?” Or “What happens when there’s no next of kin and no will?” or “What are the main benefits of having a living trust? and even: “What happens to my retirement accounts if I file for bankruptcy?” or any other related questions that you may have about his estate planning, probate, and banckruptcy law practice.