Opening Probate

1. Meet with client to gather pertinent information regarding assets of estate and information regarding decedent. Open files and conduct preliminary research.
2. Prepare Petition for Probate and Attachments regarding: a. Declination of Co-Executor; b. Names, addresses and relationships of all beneficiaries and other parties entitled to Notice of the probate proceedings; c. Declaration regarding lost original Will
3. Prepare Certificate of Assignment to be filed with Petition (in Los Angeles and Riverside Counties).
4. Prepare Attorney Service Instructions for filing of documents with Court and assigning a hearing date for the same.
5. Arrange and/or confirm publication of Probate with newspaper where decedent resided.
6. Prepare Notice of Petition to Administer Estate and send to all parties with copy of Petition for Probate.
7. Prepare original Notice of Petition to Administer Estate for filing with Court.
8. Prepare Letters Testamentary (or Letters of Administration, as the case may be), Duties and Liabilities of Personal Representative and Order for Probate. Meet with client to execute the same prior to hearing on Petition for Probate.
9. Prior to Hearing, review probate notes over internet prepared by Court’s Probate Attorney/Examiner to determine any defects or additional information needed.
10. If required, prepare Supplement to Petition for Probate and meet with client to execute the same.
11. Meet with Court’s Probate Attorney/Examiner to submit Supplement (if required), Letters Testamentary (or Letters of Administration), Duties and Liabilities of Personal Representative and Order for Probate. Prepare instructions with each document for probate clerk to return certified copies of the same to our office.
12. Appear at Hearing on Petition for Probate.