Book details

How to Probate an Estate in California

eBook, Published by NOLO (23 March 2011)

£30.99

Book description

Handle the California probate process, from deciphering a will to tackling taxes

If you need to wrap up the affairs of a deceased family member or friend in California, you may find yourself wading through the process of probate. But did you know? You can save big on attorney fees by handling the probate process yourself.

How to Probate an Estate in California is the only book that provides all the forms, tips and step-by-step instructions you'll need to settle a loved one's estate -- all written in plain English. You may even be able to handle the whole process by mail without setting foot in the courthouse!

With this easy-to-read guide, you'll how to:

read a will

determine who inherits property if there is no will

handle probate paperwork

collect life insurance and other benefits

transfer community property to a surviving spouse or domestic partner

pay bills and taxes

distribute property left through trusts

Even if you hire a lawyer to do the probate paperwork, this book demystifies the the process so that you can make informed decisions and communicate intelligently with the attorney about the estate -- and save cash in the process. Why spend over ,000 on a lawyer to probate a 0,000 estate, when you can do almost all of it on your own?

The 21st edition contains important legal and tax updates, as well as newly updated probate forms. Nolo has dozens of products created just for California residents. Julia Nissley was Probate Administrator with the Los Angeles law firm of Silverberg, Rosen, Leon and Behr for many years. She is an honors graduate of the Attorney Assistant Training Program in Probate Administration at the University of California--Los Angeles School of Law, and a member of the California Association of Legal Document Assistants. Julia is a native Californian and enjoys playing tennis and riding trains with her husband, Ron. The author of How to Probate an Estate in California, Julia now operates her own form preparation service under the name Probate Direct, assisting consumers with all kinds of probate paperwork through the mail or in person.

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