Probate Attorney Moreno Valley CA

There are few things harder than losing a loved one. It’s even harder when that loss raises legal questions that need to be answered quickly, while you and your family are still grieving. In such situations, it’s helpful to work with a team of experienced Moreno Valley probate attorneys who can lift the burden of probate matters off your shoulders.

At Hedtke Law Group, we will serve as your guide and help you navigate the often confusing probate process, as well as the administration of an estate. With more than a decade of legal experience, our attorneys have a deep understanding of the challenges that can arise during probate. We empathize with the stressful situation you are in, and we can help you anticipate potential hurdles in advance so that together we can resolve them before they escalate into bigger problems. And because we are a small, boutique law firm, you will always have direct access to your attorney; we don’t pass off our clients to paralegals or inexperienced junior lawyers as many larger firms do.

California has an informal probate procedure that applies to the vast majority of probate proceedings. Most of the work in these cases involves legal paperwork and filings, with no need for physical appearances in probate court. No matter where you are in the probate process, we can assist you to a successful conclusion:

Opening the estate: The first step in any probate matter is to formally open the estate. As part of this step, we will gather the names and contact information of relatives and other relevant parties to formally notify everyone involved that the probate process has been initiated. If the decedent has not left a will, we will file for “intestate” probate.

Appointing a personal representative: A “personal representative,” sometimes called an “executor,” is responsible for administering the decedent’s estate – that includes paying taxes and overseeing the transfer of funds and property to appropriate parties.

Gathering of assets and preparation of the inventory: Once a personal representative has been designated, their first duty is to establish a checking account on behalf of the estate that can be used to pay estate debts and transfer funds as needed.

Notifying and paying creditors: The personal representative must also give formal notice to all of the decedent’s creditors – anyone to whom he or she may have owed money. This can include credit card companies, health care centers and other entities. Creditors will have an opportunity to claim their debts from the estate before the remaining funds can be distributed to heirs.

Distribution and closing of the estate: After all debts and taxes are paid, we will help you close the estate and distribute reaming funds to appropriate family members and any other beneficiaries.

Wills do not transfer property to anyone until the will is filed with the court and admitted to probate. If a person has not written their own will, probate is still necessary to transfer ownership of property left in their name. But without a will of your own, state laws direct the disposition of your property.

One of the great advantages of revocable trust planning is the ability to avoid probate at time of death. Bypassing the court process can dramatically reduce the time and expense of transferring property to loved ones.

The trust administration process is typically cheaper, simpler, and faster than the traditional probate process. Most clients’ families feel more in charge of the process when there is a trust administration rather than a traditional probate.

Having done many probate and trust administrations over our years of practice, we have developed a systematized approach for both. This results in greater efficiency and lower-cost administrations. We are available for both probate assistance and trust administration in Moreno Valley CA and surrounding areas.

Get in touch with us to get expert probate and estate planning lawyer in Moreno Valley CA. Call us to get free legal consultation.