Probate

In California, Probate is the legal process that is used to gain control over a person's legal and financial affairs after they pass away, under court supervision. Probate proceedings are conducted in the Superior Court of the county in which the decedent lived and typically take at least six months and sometimes several years, depending on the complexity of the case. In general, the personal representative of the decedent's estate will collect the assets, pay debts and taxes, and distribute the balance of the estate according to the Will, or if there is no Will, in accordance with the laws of the intestate succession. The law expects the personal representative to use care and diligence in carrying out these duties. California law provides an orderly procedure to accomplish all these steps.