Category: Probate

A California 850 Petition is a probate court request used to resolve disputes over property ownership, often when assets were intended to be transferred into a trust but never were. You may need one when a trust, estate, or individual believes property is being held by the wrong person or entity, and...

Choosing between formal and informal probate is one of the first major decisions you'll face when managing a California estate. Because these two paths directly dictate your timeline, overall costs, and level of court involvement, understanding their distinctions early will help you map out the process and avoid unexpected legal hurdles.

Probate is not required in every California estate, but it becomes necessary when certain assets cannot be transferred without a court order. Whether probate can be avoided depends on how the estate is structured and the types of property involved. In some cases, assets move smoothly through trusts, joint ownership, or beneficiary...