Estate Planning Litigation Attorney in Orange County and All of Southern California

When a loved one passes away, it is easy to become overwhelmed during a state of mourning. You are often tasked with the dissemination of that person’s will and the handling of his or her estate. That process can not only be emotionally taxing, but also confusing and stressful. At The Law Offices of K. Sean Singh & Associates, we lead the families of loved ones who have died through the complicated process of estate planning, litigation, and probate on their behalf.

When a loved one has passed away, and you are faced with the challenge of estate planning, you do not have to go through the process by yourself. We are here to offer empathetic and insightful guidance through the process of estate planning and probate. Reach out to our law firm today in Orange County, California, for legal assistance. We also provide counsel for families who live in the neighboring areas of Santa Ana, Anaheim, and Irvine, California.

Valid Wills

It is quite simple for a will to be a legally binding document. In California, there are a few requirements that must be met for a person’s will to be valid. The individual must be at least 18 years old and of sound mind. A person who is not of sound mind means that he or she does not have sufficient mental capacity to be able to understand the testimony of the will, cannot recollect the nature and situation of the property, or remember or understand the relations to those who are named in the will, whether they are descendants, a spouse, or parents. Another circumstance that makes a person not of sound mind is that he or she suffers from a mental disorder that can cause delusions or hallucinations.

In order for the assets listed in the will to be distributed among those named, there must first be at least two witnesses present at the signing of the will and must understand that it is the testator’s will.

If you or a loved one are in need of assistance for the creation of a will in California, contact us today at our office in Orange County.

Probate

Probate is the process of a court supervising the transfer of assets and property from the estate of the person who died, also known as the decedent, to his or her beneficiaries. Oftentimes, you, or a legal representative, may have to fill out court forms and appear in court to:

• prove that the will is valid;

• identify the assets of the decedent;

• pay the decedent’s debts and taxes; and

• distribute the assets based on the will’s terms.

Is Probate Necessary?

Probate is not always necessary. If the deceased did not own any property to pass on, then the process may not be needed. Another way probate can be avoided is by creating a living trust. Similar to a will, the testator will name a trustee to take control over his or her real estate, bank accounts, vehicles, and more after death. Then, the trustee must transfer ownership of the assets to himself or herself, and the assets can be handled the way the deceased intended.

This process can help loved ones avoid financial and emotional challenges in the future. We are prepared to guide you through the process. Whether you are going through probate or are looking to create a living trust, contact us for assistance.

Let a Knowledgeable Attorney Handle Your Estate

We know how challenging the process of estate planning can be, especially if a person you were close to has passed away. Our estate planning litigation attorney can lead you through the process and represent you and your family in court. Contact us today in Orange County, California, to speak to our attorney. We proudly represent residents in Santa Ana, Anaheim, and Irvine. Do not go through the taxing estate planning process, alone. Let us assist you.