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Prob. Code § 8200 requires that when a person dies, the person in possession of the Will, must deliver (aka deposit) the Will to the Court within 30 days. For more information on depositing an original Will, see ?Depositing an Original Will? below.

You can write up your own will, hire a lawyer to write a will for you, or you can use a California Statutory Will form, which is a simple will for people with relatively small estates. The California Statutory Will form lets you appoint an executor to make sure your wishes are carried out.

In California, you don't need to have your will notarized to make it valid. In most states, you can use a notary to make your will self-proving. When a will is self-proving, the court can accept your will without needing to contact your witnesses to validate it.

Steps to Write a Will if You Live in California Select the Assets to Include. Identify and list all the assets that you want to distribute through your will. Name Your Beneficiaries. Assign a Guardian for Children. Choose an Executor. Create Your Will. Sign the Will with Witnesses Present. Secure Your Will.

In California, the process of creating a Will can cost somewhere in the range of $400 to $700. These are estimates that depend on three factors: the method of execution, complexity of the estate, and attorney fees (if you choose to work with one.)

Minimum Estate Value for Probate in California Generally, if the estate is valued at $184,500 or more, it may be subject to full probate. However, estates valued under this threshold may qualify for simplified probate procedures, such as a small estate affidavit or summary probate.

A will that was executed under undue influence, coercion or fraud will be invalidated by a court.

In California, the testator must sign and date a written will. The testator must be of ?sound mind? and at least 18 years old when signing the will. Being of sound mind means that the testator has the legal capacity to reason, think, or understand the will.

Avoiding the probate process Joint tenancy ownership ? If you have assets such as bank accounts or a home or vehicle, adding one or more names to the account or title will allow that individual (or those individuals) to take full ownership of the asset after your death without having to undergo probate.