You Need Not Hire an Attorney, Although You Might Want To While some states require that an each party to a real estate transaction retain a lawyer to represent their interests at the closing, California does not.
Some states require that an attorney handle real estate transactions, but California is not one of them. However, just because the law doesn't necessitate an attorney, you may want to protect yourself and use their services anyway.
In California, having a real estate attorney representing YOUR interests is recommended but optional.
Why avoid probate in California? What are the costs of letting your heirs go to probate? For the first $100,000 of the estate value, both parties are entitled to 4%. For the next $100,000, they receive 3%. For the following $800,000, they receive 2%. For the next $9 million, they receive 1%.
A: In California, the timeframe for transferring property after death can vary depending on several factors, such as whether the estate goes through probate, utilizes a trust, or qualifies for a simple transfer process. Generally, the process can take between 7 months and 12 months from the time the petition is filed.
The document needs to state the following: The name of the person who died. The date and location of the death. That 40 days have passed since the death. That probate has not been initiated. That the estate value does not exceed $166,250. A description of assets to transfer. Names of other successors.
In some cases, the probate process in California can take as little as nine months, but that is rare. It typically takes anywhere from half a year to eighteen months, and complicated cases may take as long as two years or more. However, having an idea of how long a case may take helps you understand the process.
It is here that it is determined if probate is required. If the total of all assets of the estate is below $166,250 or if there aren't any assets that require a complex transfer, the estate may not require a probate in California.
Not all estates need to go through formal probate. Depending on how the property is owned, and the type and amount of property, you may not need to go to court or you may be able to use a simpler court process.
California law says the personal representative must complete probate within one year from the date of appointment, unless s/he files a federal estate tax. In this case, the personal representative can have 18 months to complete probate.