When a loved one dies, all the assets they have earned over a lifetime must be transferred to those designated in the will or by statutory mandates if there is no will. The probate process is conducted in Superior Court in Los Angeles County if the deceased lived in Covina. The personal representative appointed by the judge assumes the fiduciary duty to administer the estate, although most individuals should consult an experienced lawyer first.
Like all procedures, probate must be executed properly. This includes filing mandatory forms with the court that confirm each step has begun or concluded. The following is an overview of the documents needed for probate in Covina, which our team could help you with if you are named a personal representative. Call Amity Law Group, LLP, to speak with a seasoned probate attorney today.
First Steps in a Probate Case
The first task an executor must accomplish, if there is a will, or a loved one if there is not, is to gather the pertinent information needed to complete probate forms. This includes the following:
- The will
- Copies of the death certificate
- Property deeds
- Vehicle titles
- The heirs’ or beneficiaries’ names and addresses
- A list of debts and a list of assets with best estimate values
The first document filed is the Petition for Probate to begin the administration process. This opens a probate case and provides the essential information the judge needs to validate the will and appoint a personal representative.
The Notice of Petition to Administer Estate is filed next to notify all interested parties that a probate case has been opened. This gives heirs, beneficiaries, and creditors the right to attend the initial hearing if they wish to object to anything concerning the case.
The court will provide the personal representative with a form titled Duties and Liabilities of the Personal Representative, a formal outline of legal responsibilities under California law. Additional forms are needed for probate in Covina as the process progresses.
Forms the Probate Court Issues
The probate judge must approve the initial Petition for Probate and, upon doing so, will issue an Order for Probate to grant the personal representative the power to administer the estate.
Because the personal representative also must deal with banks, insurers, securities brokers, and other institutions, the court will issue Letters they will present to alert the banks and other institutions that they have the legal authority to collect, manage, and disburse the estate’s assets. Along with this, a few more forms are needed for probate in Covina.
Concluding a Probate Case
Personal representatives must file an Inventory and Appraisal Form listing the deceased’s assets and their value, which can be determined by a court-approved appraiser if necessary. From this list, the representative can determine which assets to sell to satisfy creditors who file claims before distributing the remaining assets.
The Final Distribution Petition is filed when the personal representative is ready to close the estate and finish distributing the remaining assets. The flurry of documents a representative must handle because they are needed for probate will be less daunting with the help of a lawyer in Covina.
Get Help Managing and Filing the Needed Probate Documents in Covina
Most people appointed as personal representatives after a loved one dies are unfamiliar with the complex procedure. It involves collecting several necessary documents, filing forms, and following other forms issued by the court. The stress of winding up a loved one’s estate is compounded by grieving for the loss.
Let our dedicated estate planning attorneys help you navigate the process designated by the probate court. We could guide you at every step to successfully administer an estate, beginning with collecting the documents needed for probate in Covina.
