Best Estate Planning Attorneys in Baldwin Park, CA

If you are a Californian resident dealing with the passing of a loved one, then you may have heard about probate but might be wondering what it entails and how long it might take. Probate is a legal process that transfers the property of a deceased person to their heirs or beneficiaries after all the debts and liabilities are paid. Probate can be a complicated and time-consuming process, and it can take several months to complete. In this blog, we will go through how long probate might take, the reasons why it might take months to complete, and how an attorney can assist you through the process. The length of probate depends on several factors, such as the size of the estate, whether the will is contested or not, and how complex the assets and liabilities are. In California, probate usually takes about a year to complete, sometimes more, and usually not less. It often takes this long because of the complexity of the process itself, the need for court hearings, paperwork to be filed, and waiting period imposed by state laws. In addition, if the estate is large or subject to higher taxes, the probate could take up to several years. The process of probate may take months because of a few reasons. First, the court will need to locate all potential heirs, and they will have to be given time to make claims and objections before distribution can begin. Second, if the will is contested, probate may take longer as the court will need to hear all sides and decide accordingly.