Probate is the court-supervised process of settling someone's estate: proving the will, identifying assets, paying debts and taxes, and distributing what remains. In California it is also public, often slow, and can be expensive.
A typical California probate takes many months to well over a year, and statutory attorney and executor fees are set by law as a percentage of the gross value of the estate, not the equity. In a high-value area like the Conejo Valley, those fees add up quickly.
Not every estate needs full probate. California offers simplified procedures for smaller estates below a dollar threshold that the Judicial Council adjusts periodically, and assets held in a living trust, or with valid beneficiary designations, generally pass outside probate entirely.
This is why so many local families use a living trust: it keeps the estate private and out of court. If you are facing a probate now, or want to avoid one later, we can walk you through the options.
This article is general information, not legal advice, and does not create an attorney-client relationship. Estate and business law change and depend on your specific situation. Speak with Donald W. Flaig before acting.