Norris Law Firm

The fact is, you already have an estate plan whether you know it or not. In California, the assets of people who pass away without wills go to specific relatives spelled out by law, regardless of the wishes of the deceased or the requirements of the survivors. This is called intestate succession. In California we currently have extremely high property values that can result in very hefty taxes when properties change ownership, even within families. In addition, the court-allowed fees for probating a will with high-priced property can be surprisingly high. The fees for probating an estate worth $200, 000 can exceed $7, 000.