In Rolling Hills Estates, California, probate is the process through which a Court determines if a will is valid or not.

As part of this process, the Rolling Hills Estates, California probate court will determine the validity of the will, inventory the decedent's assets and debts, and then, finally, distribute the estate according to the will, assuming it is found to be valid.

Wills usually name the person who is to serve as executor of the estate. If no executor is named, the Rolling Hills Estates, California court will appoint an executor. This is usually the person who stands to gain the most if the will is found to be valid.

The executor is the person responsible for initiating the probate proceedings. The person who would inherit the most from the will is appointed, because they have the greatest inducement to move the process along as quickly as possible, so they can get their inheritance.

Duties of the Executor in Rolling Hills Estates, California

The executor has many duties concerning the will. First, they have to actually initiate the probate proceedings, which must be completed before the will is effectuated.

Additionally, the executor has to make sure that the decedent's relatives and other people named in the will have notice of the testator's death, usually through the filing of a copy of the official death certificate.

Executors are also required to make available an accounting of the testator's debts and assets, so their affairs can be wound up, along with a list of everyone who is named in the will, or otherwise stands to inherit.

Furthermore, the executor is required to take a leading role in proving the validity of the will. The executor obviously has an incentive to see the process through, since they cannot inherit until probate is complete.

How Can A Rolling Hills Estates, California Lawyer Help?

Because this process can be fairly complicated, it is not a bad idea to consult with a good probate lawyer in Rolling Hills Estates, California, especially if you find yourself as the executor of an estate and don't know how to proceed.