Legal Guidance Through Probate
Irvine, California, Probate Attorney Serving Clients throughout Orange County
Losing a loved one is never easy. With so many emotional concerns to address, it can be comforting to be able to turn to a trustworthy lawyer for assistance with the legal matters.
At Alan L. Darnell, Inc., we work diligently to shoulder the legal process surrounding the loss of a loved one. We know your attention is focused elsewhere, on funeral planning and dealing with other family matters. We want you to be able to focus on those matters while we take care of the probate proceedings on your behalf.
Contact our office online, call 949-467-9216 or toll free at 1-866-935-7521 to discuss your probate needs with a caring attorney.
What is Probate?
Probate is a court supervised transfer of assets to the deceased person's heirs in accordance with a will, if it exists, or according to state law if there is no will. The process can become a complicated affair, especially in situations in which your loved one passed away without an estate plan, or if the will is contested by a family member or other individual.
We handle all matters associated with probate, including:
- The initiation of the probate process
- Appointment of administrator/executor of the estate
- Marshalling assets, taking inventory, and filing inventory with the court
- Ensuring debts are paid and income tax returns are filed
- Liquidating assets and converting into cash to pay debts, if necessary
- Identifying the correct heirs of the deceased
- Account to the court what was done with the assets and propose a distribution to heirs
- Gain court approval or modification of distribution
The probate process lasts at least six months, and can take more than a year depending upon the specific circumstances. We represent every client for the duration of their proceedings, and charge a set fee under probate law.
Contact Us for Assistance
Alan Darnell's background as a CPA gives us the ability to offer more than legal advice throughout the probate process. We can also assist with complicated tax issues and offer advice on asset and investment values. Contact our office to discuss your family's probate needs with an experienced and trustworthy attorney.