Estate Probate and Estate Administration
Helping you stay compliant with California probate laws
There are two ways to go to probate court. You either have a will, or you do not. If your loved one left a will, you follow the will's instructions. If not, the intestacy provisions of California's probate code take over.
At the law firm of William Bachrach, we know that most people do not understand probate law. We know that going through probate court while dealing with your loss is difficult at best. We assist heirs by guiding them through the probate process. If your loved one has passed on, and you are unsure of what happens next, contact William Bachrach to talk to a lawyer with experience in probate law.
Probating a Will in Three Basic Steps
California statutes specify the matters that are overseen by probate court. These include the following:
1) Decedent's debts are paid
2) Decedent's final taxes and estate taxes are paid
3) Remaining assets are distributed to beneficiaries
The three steps listed above take place whether there is a will or not. Having a will expedites the process and can reduce probate expenses. Because the decedent left instructions in a will, there is usually less room to argue over who gets what.
Our Probate Services
We prepare all the estate documents that the probate court requires. We do this as quickly and as efficiently as possible. We work with the estate representative to move the estate through the probate system. The representative must appear in court and sign the papers. We take care of the rest.
Occasionally, we can help the representative avoid probate. One way of avoiding probate is to establish a trust.
Contact attorney William Bachrach to learn more about California probate laws.
William H. Bachrach, a Professional Corporation
1939 Harrison Street
Suite 612
Oakland, CA 94612-3533
Phone: (510) 465-1906 • Fax: (510) 465-1932
William H. Bachrach serves clients throughout the Bay Area and Northern California including the cities of Martinez, Walnut Creek, Berkeley, Piedmont, San Francisco, Oakland, San Leandro, Hayward, Emeryville and El Cerrito.
Alameda County ▫ Contra Costa County
