California Surviving Spousal Property Lawyer

If you are the surviving spouse of someone who dies in California, you can petition the court to distribute the property directly to you without the need for a full probate proceeding. This form of expedited or mini probate is known as a spousal property petition. While a full probate proceeding takes a minimum of seven months and cost up to 8 percent of the estate, a spousal property petition can be completed in two months and cost less than $1,500.

At the law firm of Johnson, Fort, Meissner, Joseph & Palley , we represent spouses in the preparation of the spousal property petition. While it's best to file this petition as soon as possible after your spouse passes, we can help clients file these petitions years later to clear title of property owned as tenants in common in California.

Our surviving spousal property lawyers will prepare all legal documents, conduct all legal filings, and in general move the probate toward a sure and swift conclusion. We will ensure that all necessary legal steps are taken. We will keep you informed of the progress of your spousal property petition. We are always available to answer your questions by telephone or email.

Some assets such as life insurance policies do not go through the probate process, but our law firm can still help you administer them. You should prepare a list of all the decedent's life insurance policies. We should also know about any beneficial interest they had in anyone else's life insurance policies. After we have examined those policies, we will be available to help you or any beneficiary complete and file the forms. Please contact us today.

Serving the probate needs of surviving spouses in northern California, including Sacramento, Carmichael, Citrus Heights, Rancho Cordova and the counties of Yolo, Solano, Sutter, Sacramento, Placer, Yuba, and El Dorado.

For a FREE Initial Probate Consultation
Call Probate Lawyer John Palley at 888-920-5983 / 916-920-5983