Hacienda Heights Probate Attorney

Losing a loved one is one of the most difficult experiences a person can go through. Having to worry about an estate and its successful disbursement during such a time can be overwhelming. At Robert G. Petrovich, Attorney at Law, our talented Hacienda Heights probate lawyer is ready to assist you in the complexities of the probate process.

About Robert G. Petrovich, Attorney at Law

For years, the talented team at Robert G. Petrovich, Attorney at Law, has served the people of California on a range of estate planning issues. With over 35 years of litigation experience, Robert G. Petrovich has built a firm dedicated to clients’ needs. Our Hacienda Heights probate attorney can guide clients through the complexities of probate court, providing them with peace of mind and clarity on how to engage productively with the process.

Probate in California

Probate laws in California are governed under the California Probate Code. When a person dies (the decedent), their estate must go through probate, provided its assets meet or exceed a certain value threshold. This legal mechanism oversees the distribution of a decedent’s estate and involves the accounting and valuation of assets, the settlement of creditors’ accounts, and the final disbursement of assets to the estate’s beneficiaries.

Assets such as real estate, personal property, bank accounts, vehicles, and life insurance proceeds can be included in a person’s estate. Other assets, such as real estate held jointly, assets and funds in living trusts, and retirement accounts such as IRAs, can be exempt from the probate process.

There are varying requirements for estates to enter probate, depending on their overall value. These include:

• For those who died before April 1st, 2022, an estate must equal or exceed $166,250.
• For people who passed between April 2nd, 2022, and April 1st, 2025, the threshold is $184,500.
• For deaths that occurred between April 2nd, 2025, and the present, the minimum threshold is $208,850.

While these estates may seem large, it is not uncommon for probate to be required. In Hacienda Heights, the average household income alone is over $100,000. With additional assets, many families may have to engage with probate at some point in their lives.

Benefits of Probate

While many may be reluctant to engage with probate, it is a necessary step for a decedent’s estate to be administered lawfully. Probate helps prevent fraud and protect heirs and beneficiaries by giving the process the force of law. This creates transparency and accountability and mitigates future problems with an estate’s creditors, tax issues, or conflicts with other beneficiaries.

There are significant risks to not filing probate. Assets in an estate that has not undergone probate may remain inaccessible to beneficiaries. Certain legal rights may expire if deadlines are missed in the probate filing, and any transfer of assets may be declared invalid by courts at a later date.

Steps of the Probate Process

Probate cases can be complex, and when engaging with the process, it is important to understand what steps to expect. These include:

• Filing a petition. While there is no time limit for probate to begin, it should be initiated promptly after a loved one has passed. The petition must be filed with form DE-111 in the county where the decedent lived. For those living in Hacienda Heights, probate is typically filed with the Los Angeles County Superior Court.
• Notify relevant parties. This should be done immediately after the petition has been filed. In addition to relevant beneficiaries and other interested parties, a notice must be published in a public newspaper to inform creditors.
• Obtaining letters of administration. This is where the court can confer legal authority on an administrator to execute the probate process on behalf of the estate. These documents are also sometimes called “letters testamentary” when an executor is named in a valid will. Whoever is appointed is bound by a legal obligation to perform their duties faithfully and in the interest of the estate.
• Creating an inventory of assets. It is the responsibility of an executor or administrator to faithfully list and value the assets within the estate. Once this is complete, an Inventory of Appraisal must be filed with the court.
• Resolving debt and tax issues. Creditors must file a claim within four months from the time the court has issued letters of administration to make a claim for debts to be recouped. If this has been done, they must be repaid. Likewise, outstanding tax issues, including final tax filings, must be addressed on the decedent’s behalf.
• Distributing Assets. Once these steps have been completed, the administrator can make a petition to the court to finalize the process and distribute the assets to the beneficiaries.

Probate can often take between several months and over a year. The complexity of an estate, court backlogs, the time required to value assets, and the resolution of creditor and tax issues can all affect how quickly probate occurs. Having an experienced attorney by your side can mitigate time-consuming issues and provide peace of mind throughout the process.

Why Choose Robert G. Petrovich, Attorney at Law

When you hire a probate lawyer, it is critical to find one with experience in the field. Having served the community of Los Angeles County for years, our talented counsel can provide guidance on what to expect during probate proceedings and assist with estate administration.

At Robert G. Petrovich, Attorney at Law, we can assist with submitting appropriate forms, communicating with relevant parties, valuating assets, and faithfully administering other aspects of an estate. With our attorneys by your side, you can find peace of mind in knowing that a probate or estate distribution can stand legal scrutiny and be processed according to the letter of the law.

Hire A Probate Lawyer

Probate can be overwhelming, but it is important to remember you are not alone. At Robert G. Petrovich, Attorney at Law, our experienced probate lawyers are ready to assist you with sound counsel and support during this time. Contact us today to learn how we can help.