Understanding Probate
When a person passes away, decisions must be made about their estate. The probate process is a complicated one, but it deals with every aspect of that person’s assets being passed on to heirs and debts being paid. The probate process is court-supervised, at which point a person may be appointed as an executor. If you have been named as the executor, you do not have to go through this process on your own. Rather, our probate administration attorneys in San Jose, CA, can work closely with you to ensure the process goes well.
Let us help mitigate risks and free up your time. We want to ensure you don’t miss deadlines or put your duties at risk. Steburg Law Firm offers comprehensive support during the entire legal process.
What is the Probate Process?
Probate is the legal process of transferring a decedent’s estate to the rightful heirs of the estate. The probate process involves
- Collecting and identifying the deceased person’s property,
- Paying any debts and taxes, and
- Identifying the proper heirs and distributing the estate property to them.
While the court oversees this process, in most cases the work is done by the executor or the administrator of the decedent’s estate with the help of an attorney.
If a person is named as the executor of the estate in the decedent’s will, a court hearing to establish the validity of the will must be held before he or she can legally act on behalf of the estate. If there is no will and a person wants to act as the administrator of the estate, he or she must apply to the court and be confirmed before taking any action in connection with the estate. Anyone taking actions involving the estate before formal appointment by the court may be personally liable for those acts.
Generally, the rules regarding probate are found in the California Probate Code, the local rules for each superior court in the State of California and various tax codes and regulations. Each task in the probate process must be performed in accordance with the requirements of California law and the various tax rules.
Property Not Subject to California Probate
In many cases, the decedent’s estate consists of at least some property that is not subject to probate. Life insurance, for example, usually passes directly to the named beneficiary without court confirmation. Property held in joint tenancy may also pass directly to the surviving joint tenant. Similarly, if the deceased person had created a “living trust,” assets held in the trust are usually not subject to probate. A bank account may also designate a death beneficiary. (These examples assume that there is no dispute over the named beneficiary or the manner in which title is held. If there is a dispute and a civil action is filed by an individual, the court will determine the rightful owner of the property.)
What If There is No Will?
If there is no Will, someone, typically an immediate family member who stands to inherit, will file a Petition for Probate with the court to be appointed Administrator (another name for an Executor when there is no Will). That individual will need to have decent credit as the court will require them to be bonded unless all legal heirs (first and second-degree relatives) of the decedent waive bond in writing and the Administrator resides in California.
The rules for addressing creditors are not intuitive. It is important to hire an experienced probate attorney to advise you through the entire process, but particularly through dealing with creditor claims. As Executor, you must determine the validity of creditor claims before they are paid. There are special procedures that creditors must go through in order to get paid (other than secured creditors such as mortgage holders). When creditors fail to follow those procedures, sometimes their right to collect is lost, so don’t go and pay off all of the creditors without first talking to a probate lawyer.
Summary Proceedings
In certain circumstances, some or all of the decedent’s property may qualify for a “summary probate” or “set-aside proceeding.” These procedures are less complicated alternatives to a formal probate.
For example, if all of the decedent’s property goes to the surviving spouse, a summary probate proceeding can be used where a “spousal property petition” is filed with the court seeking court confirmation that the surviving spouse owns the property. This proceeding can take as little as 30 days. In other cases, if the total value of a deceased person’s property otherwise subject to probate is less than $150,000, an affidavit procedure may be used to transfer personal property, and the transfer of real property can be confirmed through a relatively simple proceeding.
While these procedures avoid the court proceedings of a full probate, this does not mean that the estate will avoid federal estate tax, income tax, or inheritance taxes. And, even if these methods are used, the decedent’s debts must still be paid. Finally, even if a summary proceeding is available, there may be important reasons for deciding to proceed with a formal probate instead of electing a summary proceeding or a set-aside proceeding. In all cases, you should consult with an attorney before you take any steps to transfer a decedent’s property without a court proceeding.
Probate Fees In California
Will or not, the probate fees are set by the California Probate Code. All California attorneys will charge the same base rate. These are called statutory fees. Those rates are as follows:
- 4% of the first $100,000 of the gross value of the probate estate
- 3% of the next $100,000
- 2% of the next $800,000
- 1% of the next $9 million
- .5% of the next $15 million
The Executor/Administrator is entitled to the same exact fees as the attorney. For example, if the decedent’s home is appraised at $700,000, the fees are calculated as follows:
- 4% x $100,000 = $4,000
- 3% x $100,000 = $3,000
- 2% x $500,000 = $10,000
- TOTAL: $17,000
What Are the Other Costs That Are Involved in a California Probate Proceeding?
The term “costs” does not include attorney’s fees, but includes the initial filing fee, the publication fee for the publication of the notice of petition to administer estate and the probate referee’s fees. If the case involves litigation, there may be other costs for such things as deposition reporters, subpoenas, expert witnesses, etc.
Probate Administration vs Trust Administration
Probate is a court-monitored process, often required when a person does not have a will but has an estate that needs to be distributed. The process takes time, allowing for the collection of assets, coming forward of all creditors, and the allocation of assets to those who should receive them. The person appointed as the executor is responsible for making decisions for that party’s estate.
Trust administration is a bit different in that a person will establish a trust to hold their assets prior to their death. This allows the trust owner, the individual who has died, to have more control over what occurs with their assets. A trust administrator will work closely to ensure the wishes of the individual are carried out based on the instructions left.
Keep in mind that both trusts and wills, as well as situations where there is no will, will go through the probate courts. The difference with trusts is that there’s less for the courts to decide. Because this process is complex and there’s so much riding on it, we highly encourage you to reach out to our probate administration attorneys in San Jose, CA, for guidance and support. Allow us to help you ensure the best possible outcome in every situation.
Benefits of California Probate
Despite the negative image of probate, probate proceedings do provide some important benefits. There are some situations where, although formal probate is not required, it may nevertheless be advisable to elect to proceed with probate. In many cases, there are tax advantages to receiving property through probate as opposed to being received by way of joint tenancy or a gift made prior to death. Property obtained through probate almost always receives a “step-up” in the tax basis to the date of death value. This often results in a substantial capital gains tax savings on the sale of the property. Further, if there are creditors’ claims against the estate, it may be beneficial to have probate court supervision so that the validity and amount of the claims can be determined. Probate also bars creditor’s claims if they are not asserted during the “creditor’s claims period” (generally four months after the executor or administrator is appointed). In addition, probate provides court supervision which ensures that the decedent’s property will be accounted for and distributed in accordance with the decedent’s intent. Court supervision can also be helpful when the family members or the beneficiaries have difficulty getting along.
Further, the “delays” associated with probate are generally not a significant problem. Family members usually have prompt access to joint bank accounts and insurance proceeds. And, where special needs exist, the probate court will allow for preliminary distributions or a family allowance. Formal probate usually only takes six months to a year to complete but can vary greatly depending on the assets of the estate.
How to Choose the Best Probate Administration Lawyer for My Situation
A probate administration attorney will guide you through the legal process while ensuring you meet the requirements set by the court. Questions from the court, creditors, concerns about assets, and heirs with opinions can make this process complex. That is why it is so important for you to have a trusted attorney by your side.
To choose a professional to help with probate administration, focus on the following:
- Look for a highly experienced attorney who has ample experience in probate oversight
- Seek out an attorney with ample time to dedicate to your case, minimizing the risk that mistakes or delays will occur
- Choose a professional who is easy to talk to but willing to explain the legal requirements and steps to you – that helps ensure you make the best decisions
- Put the time into reviewing the attorney’s reputation to be sure they are known for the work they do
- Explore the legal options the attorney can offer when there are complexities in the case, such as disputes with heirs or missing assets
Find an attorney you feel comfortable with and put your trust in them throughout the probate process. This can take a year in some cases. You want to choose a professional you know you can rely on during that time.
Probate can be a daunting task, and professional help ensures your greatest chance at preserving estate assets and avoiding personal liability caused by a misstep during administration. Steburg Law Firm’s team of professional estate attorney’s can can guide you through the process of estate administration. Contact us today at 408-573-1122 to see how we can help resolve your case.
