Probate is a legal procedure to distribute assets after you die. The process determines what assets and liabilities exist and settles the accounts. If you have executed a will, it will be submitted to the probate court and they will work with the administrator named in the will. If you haven’t executed a will, it will be said you died intestate and an administrator will be assigned.

Probate courts specialize in settling estates. They solve disputes and distribute assets legally. Unfortunately, the probate process can take a long time. It can also be costly and confusing. It also puts a lot of private information into the public record, which makes some people uncomfortable.

An experienced California estate planning attorney can advise you. You may want to create a living trust, which will help you avoid probate and streamline the asset distribution process.

If you have lost a loved one and are already in the process of probate, an attorney can work with you to help protect your interests and work for an expeditious settlement.