Probate & Trust Administration Attorneys in San Ramon, California

Guiding You Through Estate Administration

When a loved one passes away without a proper estate plan, the court may need to be involved in the distribution of the estate. In California, your estate may go through probate if you own real property that is not in joint tenancy, such as a house, or if you have other property, such as bank accounts, that exceed $150,000 in value. If you are required to probate an estate, seeking out the advice of an experienced attorney may allow you to focus on more important issues, such as your family and friends.

Following someone’s passing, you may also need help appropriately accounting for and distributing the property per the decedent’s wishes. These tasks can be stressful and time-consuming, and they often lead to family disputes. Having an attorney help you with the process may help you avoid being in the middle of the dispute and allow you to maintain positive relationships.

During these difficult moments, turn to the skilled attorneys at Claassen Marrs, P.C. We work with clients across the Bay Area in their cases of probate, trust administration, and other related issues. Contact us today in either San Ramon or Walnut Creek, California, to arrange a consultation.

Probate

Probate is a public process that occurs when someone’s estate does not pass by other means, such as through a trust or by direct beneficiary designation. During probate, the executor of the estate is appointed by the court to administer the estate and ensure estate assets are properly distributed.

Disputes often arise during the probate process. Families frequently fight over who should be the executor, how the estate should be distributed, and the true desires of the decedent. If you’ve been named the executor of the decedent’s estate, you’ll be tasked with making — and presenting to the court — an account of every transaction that occurs following the decedent’s death. This can be a very cumbersome and expensive process, but you don’t have to do it alone.

If your loved one did not leave a proper estate plan, our team at Claassen Marrs, P.C. can help guide you through the probate process.

Trust Administration

If someone has passed away with a trust in place, it is the job of the trustee to manage and distribute the estate per the wishes of the person or persons who created the trust. This process is not nearly as expensive or complicated as probate, but having someone guide you through the process can still be very helpful. The administrator of the estate must properly account to the beneficiaries of the estate how the estate assets are distributed.

The administrator must also address disputes between beneficiaries. Having an attorney walk you through each step may help alleviate the stress caused by the administration process.

Here for You in Your Time of Need

After the loss of a loved one, you deserve to focus solely on grieving. If a legal problem involving their estate is preventing you from properly moving forward, let our team of attorneys help.

At Claassen Marrs, P.C., we’re well-versed in the laws surrounding probate and trust administration in California. Set up a consultation with us today to learn how we can help you fulfill your loved one’s final wishes. From our offices in San Ramon and Walnut Creek, California, we proudly serve clients throughout the Bay Area.