California Probate Representation
Court-supervised estate administration, handled start to finish.
Probate is a legal process with real deadlines.
When someone passes away in California without a funded trust — or with assets outside of one — probate is typically required to transfer title, pay valid debts, and distribute what's left. It's a court-supervised process governed by the California Probate Code, with fixed procedural steps, statutory fees, and mandatory creditor notice periods.
Ryan represents executors, administrators, and beneficiaries through every stage — from filing the opening petition to obtaining Letters, through inventory and creditor claims, all the way to final accounting and distribution.
The full arc of a California probate.
Every probate looks different in its details, but the core work is the same — and Ryan handles it all.
Petition for Probate & Letters
Preparing and filing the opening petition, obtaining the order, and issuing Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration that authorize you to act.
Court Appearances
Representing the personal representative at hearings in the Contra Costa (and other Bay Area) probate courts as the estate moves forward.
Probate Referee Coordination
Working with the court-appointed probate referee to value non-cash estate assets for the inventory and appraisal.
Creditor Notices (§ 9100)
Serving required notices on known and reasonably ascertainable creditors and opening the statutory claim period so debts can be properly resolved.
Asset Inventory (Form DE-160)
Preparing and filing the Inventory and Appraisal — the formal record of what the estate owns and what it's worth.
Final Accounting & Distribution
Preparing the final report and accounting, obtaining the court's approval, and distributing assets to the heirs or will beneficiaries.
When probate is required — or worth opening.
If any of these situations apply, probate is likely on the table. Ryan can confirm after a short call.
- Named executors of a will who need to open probate
- Family members when there's no will (intestate succession)
- Estates valued over $208,850 without probate avoidance in place
- Anyone named a personal representative by the court
- Beneficiaries seeking to move an estate forward that's been stalled
- Families dealing with real property titled in the decedent's sole name
- Estates with disputes between heirs, competing wills, or will contests
- Out-of-state executors needing California local counsel
The four phases of a California probate.
Most California probates run 9–18 months. Here's how the work typically sequences.
File Petition + Obtain Letters
Prepare and file the petition for probate, attend the first hearing, and obtain Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration.
Inventory + Creditor Claim Period
Identify and appraise assets for the Inventory and Appraisal; serve required creditor notices and run the 4-month claim period.
Asset Management + Interim Matters
Manage, sell, or preserve estate assets as needed; handle interim petitions, tax matters, and any disputes along the way.
Final Accounting, Court Approval, Distribution
File the final report and petition for distribution, obtain the court's order, distribute assets, and close the estate.
Probate questions, answered.
Straightforward answers to the questions executors and families ask most.
How long does probate take in California?
Most California probates take 9 to 18 months from opening petition to final distribution. The mandatory 4-month creditor claim period sets a floor; real property sales, contested matters, and court calendars can extend the timeline.
How much does probate cost?
California sets statutory probate fees based on the gross value of the estate — with percentages stepping down as the estate gets larger. Both the attorney and the personal representative are entitled to those statutory fees. Extraordinary services (sales of real property, litigation, tax work) can be separately compensated on court approval.
What if there's no will?
When there's no will (called "intestate"), California's default statutes dictate who inherits — usually spouse and children first, then parents, siblings, and more distant relatives. The court appoints an administrator (typically a close family member), and probate proceeds under the same rules, just without a will to follow.
Can probate be avoided after someone dies?
Sometimes, yes. Assets held in a funded revocable trust, jointly-titled assets, and accounts with valid beneficiary designations pass outside probate. Small estates under $208,850 can often use simplified procedures, and community-property assets between spouses have their own streamlined path. But once an asset is titled in the decedent's sole name and the estate crosses the threshold, probate is generally the route.
What are an executor's duties?
An executor (or administrator) is a fiduciary — responsible for locating and preserving assets, giving notices, paying valid debts and taxes, keeping clean records, reporting to the court, and distributing what remains per the will or intestacy rules. Executors can be held personally liable for mistakes, which is why most hire counsel to stay within the lines of the California Probate Code.
Trusted by Bay Area families.
Real feedback from Ryan's Yelp and Avvo profiles. Swap these with live quotes before launch.
Ryan walked us through probate after my mother passed. He filed everything on time, explained each step, and the court approved our final accounting without a hitch.
Professional, responsive, and genuinely cares about the outcome. We felt listened to from the first call. I've already referred three friends to Ryan's office.
As an out-of-state executor, I needed someone local who could handle the California court work. Ryan was responsive, thorough, and kept the process on track from start to finish.
Ready to protect your family's future?
Book a free discovery call over Zoom. Ryan will walk you through what probate will look like for the estate you're handling.
Legal Disclaimer
This page is a form of advertisement. Any communication herein does not create an attorney-client relationship. Likewise, no communications herein should be considered legal advice. For any client to enter into an attorney-client relationship with my office, a separate written agreement is required.