Probate Administration in Riverside

Riverside Probate Attorney With Over 30 Years’ Experience

Looking for a lawyer to assist you with probate administration in Riverside? Attorney Dennis M. Sandoval has been helping executors and administrators through probate proceedings for over 30 years. As a result of his hard work and dedication in the areas of estate planning and probate, he has earned some of the most sought after accolades in the legal field.

Attorney Sandoval has a 10.0 Superb Avvo Rating, he is AV Preeminent® Rated by Martindale-Hubbell® for demonstrating the highest standards of ethical conduct and legal ability, and he is included in California’s selection of Super Lawyers®. When looking for skillful representation with a track record of success, contact Sandoval Legacy Group, a Division of Holstrom, Block & Parke APLC.

Probate: Settling the Decedent’s Estate

When someone passes away, their estate will usually need to be probated, which is a court-supervised process that involves:

• Appointing an executor to settle the estate.
• Deciding that a will is valid.
• Paying debts, claims and taxes against an estate.
• Taking care of the financial responsibilities of the decedent.
• After all debts are paid, distributing what’s left to the beneficiaries.

In a probate case, an executor (in the presence of a will) or an administrator (in the absence of a will) is appointed by the court as the personal representative to collect the assets, pay all debts and expenses, and distributing the remainder to those with the legal right to inherit. This process is called probate administration and it is all done under the supervision of the court.

In Riverside, when a person passes away and he or she left a will, the will must be filed with the court within 30 days after the death and a copy of the will must be mailed to the executor.

The formal process of “decedent’s estate administration” requires an individual to petition the court to be appointed as the personal representative of an estate. If the court decides that the decedent left behind a valid will, the court issues a “letters testamentary” or “letters of administration with will annexed” to the executor. If the will is not admitted to probate, the court issues “letters of administration.”

For smaller estates with few assets, and no known debts, a less formal “summary” procedure may be available through the court.

Contact a Riverside Probate Attorney

Executors have a great deal of responsibility placed on their shoulders to act honorably and always in the best interests of the beneficiaries. If you have been appointed an executor of a Riverside County estate, we urge you to contact our office immediately to arrange a free one-hour consultation with attorney Sandoval to find out how we can help you through this complex process.