Modern Estate Planning Blog

One of the most common questions we receive here at the Chubb Law Firm is “How can I avoid Sacramento County probate?” It’s a hot topic because the California probate process can be long, complex, very public, and costly. Many people believe that avoiding probate is one of the main benefits of estate planning, and for a number of reasons, I’d have to agree!

California probate can tie your loved ones up in the legal system for months or even years. During that time, your loved ones will have limited or no access to property or funds that they may desperately need.

Additionally, probate court proceedings are made public, meaning that all details about the inheritance you are leaving behind to your beneficiaries are available to anyone for any reason, potentially exposing your loved ones to predators, harassment or financial scams.

If this is a situation you’d like to avoid, you may want to consider speaking with a California probate lawyer who is well-versed in the legal planning methods required to avoid probate and wrap up the estate in a quick and private manner.

For example, proper estate planning with living trusts can mean that none of your assets pass through probate.  A living trust can also grant a certain level of privacy for you and your loved ones, as assets and property held in trust are not subject to the same amount of public scrutiny as those that go through a full probate process.

If you would like to get more information about the estate planning techniques available to help you avoid Sacramento probate, or if you are currently going through the probate process in California and need help, please set up an appointment at our Folsom estate and probate law firm by calling (916) 241-9661 to discuss your options.