If the deceased person had a will, the will must be filed with the probate court in the county where the deceased person lived at the time of their death
The probate court will appoint an executor, who is responsible for collecting the deceased person’s assets, paying their debts and taxes, and distributing the remaining assets to the beneficiaries named in the will. If the deceased person did not have a will, the court will appoint an administrator to handle the estate.
The probate process can be complex and time-consuming, and it is often advisable to seek the assistance of a probate attorney. If the deceased person’s estate is small, or if they had a trust in place, it may be possible to avoid probate altogether.
Practice Areas
Estate Planning
Estate planning is the process of establishing a Trust, Will, Durable Power of Attorney, and other related documents during your lifetime.
Estate Administration
Probate
Probate is the legal proceeding supervised by the Superior Court used to transfer title to assets when a person is deceased.
Estate Litigation

Advanced Estate Planning
Families with substantial estates require additional strategies beyond a typical Estate Plan to reduce and offset Estate Tax liabilities.

Conservatorship
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The quickest way to get assistance is to contact us directly at 310-316-2400 or by emailing us at info@ledwitzlaw.com.
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Digital Assets and Estate Planning
When estate planning for digital assets, it’s important to consider the following: Identify what digital assets you have: This includes social media accounts, email accounts, online banking and investment accounts, and any other digital assets that may have financial or sentimental value.
Determine who will have access to the assets:
Common Estate Planning Mistakes
There are two common estate planning technique mistakes that we see in our office all the time.
They are Payable on Death (POD) and Joint Tenancy with Right of Survivorship (JTWROS).
Three Real Estate Mistakes that can Trigger Probate in California
Every year, during our free 3-year reviews, without fail, we find that a few of our clients have inadvertently placed a piece of real estate in danger of going through Probate
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