The paperwork does not wait for you to be ready, and some of it is on a clock.
After a deathCalifornia Probate and Trust Administration(714) 966-2646
“Well Rudy, first and foremost, I’m sorry to hear about your dad’s passing.”
Shadi Ala’i Shaffer, answering a listener’s question on Trust Talk Radio
Somebody has died. There are notices that must go out by law, accounts nobody can touch, a house in one person’s name, and a court process that may or may not be avoidable depending on what was set up years ago.
If there is a trust, the work is administering it, which is a set of duties with real legal exposure for whoever agreed to be trustee. If there is not, the work is probate, which is slower and public and is the thing planning exists to prevent.
You do not need to understand any of that before you call.
Trust Administration. What the person named as trustee actually has to do after a death: the notices, the accounting, the taxes, and the distributions. It is a legal duty with real exposure, and most people are doing it for the first time while grieving.
California Probate. The court process that handles an estate when there was no trust. It is public, it takes a long time, and the base cost is set by statute rather than by us.
“I kind of make the analogy of Disneyland. You know, it’s expensive to get in, and then once you’re in it’s even more money. Probate’s the same way.”
Of the court’s own costs: “not a penny of that goes into our pocket.”
Shadi Ala’i Shaffer, on Probate Weekly
If somebody has just died and you do not know what you are supposed to do first, start here, and start today. Some of these deadlines are short.
(714) 966-2646“You don’t have to hire me, but you do need to get this done. And by the way, attorneys make 10 times the money when a property goes through probate.”
Shadi Ala’i Shaffer, on Probate Weekly
The most-watched videos in this library, by a wide margin, are the ones about what happens after a death. There has never been a place on the site that gathers them. This is that place.
Every one of these is presented by an attorney of this firm. They were recorded between 2013 and 2021, so treat any figure in them as a starting point for a conversation, not as current advice.
Strangers wrote to her on a public legal question board, in their own words, and she answered in writing. The questions are exactly as they were typed. Her answers are from 2012 and 2013 and describe California law as it stood when they were written.
How can I become the administrator of my deceased father’s estate and assets?
“Sorry for your loss. It appears you are taking the right steps but the best way for you to get the answers you need is to get a consultation with an attorney.”
Can the children of my dead husband refused me a copy of his will?
“Hire an attorney as soon as possible. You have rights.”
If the power of attorney expires when my father passed away, who is to sign the quick claim deed to transfer my father’s home ownership and title?
“No one. PROBATE COURT now can only do this for you.”
What steps should a wife take in order to obtain a deceased husband's possessions?
“You need to hire an attorney for help. Either open a probate matter depending on the amount of assets and value left in his name alone or you may just need to do a small estate affidavit if it is just some minor items left in his name.”
As executor of my father's estate, do I owe his medical bills?
“Yes, the estate technically is responsible to pay off the debts of your father (his medical bills). You are not personally responsible however, if you are in charge of your father's estate as the Executor or Trustee, then you are responsible to making sure that his debts are negotiated and settled.”
Can I remove items from parent’s house that belong to me after they died?
“It depends. This is a bit sticky so rather than answering your question I really think it is important for you to consult in person with a Trust Attorney.”
“My father moved to California from Philadelphia at age 99 and subsequently passed away at 101.5 yrs old. He unfortunately did not have a fully executed Trust, just a will... Both Shadi A. Shaffer and Taline Arthur have done an amazing job guiding my brother and I thru this process. I cannot imagine anybody doing a better job.”
Marc W., client
“At a time of tremendous stress and grief, Shadi guided me through the entire trust process with compassion and insight. Her ability to translate complex legal concepts into language that is comprehensible to the lay individual is nothing short of a gift!”
Lisa P., client
You do not need to understand any of this before you call. Tell us what happened and we will tell you what is on a clock.
(714) 966-2646Costa Mesa and Laguna Beach. Both offices answer this number.
Costa Mesa3187 Red Hill Ave #115
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
Laguna Beach120 S Coast Hwy #100
Laguna Beach, CA 92651
You have probably been meaning to do this for a while. Most people who call us have.
Start with a conversation. Nothing gets signed that day.
