Probate is the court that supervises the distribution of a deceased person’s property after his or her death. The deceased person’s will is then confirmed by the probate court, and the court then issues a probate court order allowing the distribution of the deceased person’s estate. Once the probate court determines who will administer the estate, a Probate Application Form is completed and must be submitted with the appropriate fees to the Probate Court before the estate can proceed. The Probate Application includes the name of the deceased person, the date of death, last known address, personal information, heirs’ information, reasons for the petition, names of agents, and other required information. The Probate Application is also filed with the decedent’s personal representative.
Probate is not the same as being intestate. Although intestate law is a part of probate, the Probate Court typically allows estates to be distributed “pursuant to the exercise of powers conferred upon the Probate Court,” which typically means that the decedent had the ability to decide who would administer the estate prior to his or her death. Although the Probate Court does have the authority to act in behalf of the decedent, it does not have the authority to give final say on issues such as who should pay funeral expenses, manage estate assets, or determine how the deceased person’s property should be transferred to beneficiaries.
In cases where there is a question as to who should make these decisions, the Probate Court may appoint an estate planner or personal representative appointed by the Probate Court. There are many Probate Attorneys available in San Diego.
Probate attorneys represent the interests of individuals who have been assigned the responsibility of handling their estates following the death of their owner. Probate involves many complex questions and the final answer may come from an attorney who has been appointed to represent that interest. In many instances, a probate application can be the first step in receiving answers to questions regarding how to deal with the estate of someone who has died. Probate attorneys are qualified to provide this type of legal assistance, and in most areas, they retain these qualifications even after a probate hearing has been completed and a decision has been reached regarding the probate.
Estate planning is not a simple task. Probate court permits a probate application to be filed if there is to be a meeting of the estate for which there will be no representatives. If this is the case, the applicant must provide documentation outlining the details of the decedent’s will and also must provide letters from important people that have been designated as agents for the decedent. These documents should include the Probate Court’s agent and should be signed by the Probate Court clerk. It is not uncommon for probate applications to be required before minor decisions regarding the estate can be made.
Probate attorneys can often provide more detailed answers to questions regarding how to handle the estate of a person who has passed away. Probate attorneys may be called on to assist in wills, to negotiate the settlement of estates, to decide on the division of property and other concerns regarding the administration of probate. Probate is the proper term for the process that occurs after the death of an individual. The court may appoint an administrator or a financial advisor to oversee the probate proceedings and to make decisions about the decedent’s property and other affairs.
Even if the Probate Court does not issue an estate plan or Probate Appraisal, it may still be possible to sell some or all of the estate for a settlement. If the decedent did not make a Will, his/her estate may be subject to Probate Appraisal. Probate attorneys can provide information about Probate and the assets that may be required for a settlement. Probate may be the proper term to describe the entire process of handling an estate following the death of a senior citizen. Click here to get a free consultation with a probate lawyer.