Estate Planning, Trust Administration & Probate in Los Angeles County

Start with an inventory of ownership

Before choosing a transfer plan—or sorting out an estate after a death—list each asset, how it is owned, any beneficiary designation, whether it is titled in a trust, and its estimated value as of the date of death. Include real estate, financial accounts and other significant property. These details can affect which transfer procedures may apply.

For real property, check the county recorder’s records in the county where the property is located. The property’s location and recorded ownership may matter even when the owner lived elsewhere. Gather deeds, account statements, trust documents and beneficiary records where available; flag missing or inconsistent information rather than assuming how an asset is held.

Planning while you are alive

Estate planning is different from administering an estate after someone dies. A plan may include a will, living trust, financial power of attorney and advance health care directive. A financial power of attorney addresses financial decision-making, while an advance health care directive addresses health-care decisions; they serve different roles.

A living trust plan requires coordination between the trust and asset ownership. Review how property is titled and whether beneficiary designations align with your intentions. A will does not, by itself, ensure that every asset avoids probate. Keep important documents organized and make sure an appropriate person knows where to find them.

Trust administration after a death

When a person dies with a trust, the person responsible for administering it may need to identify trust property, review the trust terms, address relevant obligations and determine how property should be distributed. The work depends on what the trust owns and how assets are titled. Assets outside the trust, or assets with separate ownership or beneficiary arrangements, may require a different transfer process.

Gather the trust and any amendments, death-related records, asset statements, deeds, beneficiary information and records of known debts. Compare the documents against the ownership inventory. Trust administration is not the same as court probate, and the presence of a trust does not establish that every asset can be handled without another proceeding.

Probate and Los Angeles County logistics

Formal probate can involve opening a court case, administering the estate and closing the estate. Usually, a probate case is filed in the county where the person who died lived. If the person lived outside California but owned property in California, a filing may be required where that property is located. Residence and property ownership are more informative than a mailing label, and not every Los Angeles County resident must file a case there.

A will may nominate an executor, but nomination is distinct from court appointment. If formal probate proceeds, the court appoints a personal representative, who inventories assets, addresses debts and reports before final distribution. For local court information, the Los Angeles Superior Court’s Stanley Mosk Courthouse probate directory separately identifies probate filing, probate records and wills services, and explains probate-note procedures. A directory entry does not determine the correct courthouse for every county resident.

The firm’s office is at 802 Grant Ave, Novato, California. Virtual consultations are available statewide, but meeting remotely does not automatically authorize remote document signing or a remote court appearance. Ask what participation and signing arrangements are appropriate for your matter.

Choose the service that fits your situation

• Estate planning — prepare or review your plan and asset arrangements.
• Trust administration — discuss carrying out an existing trust.
• Probate administration — understand the steps for a court-supervised estate.

Common questions

Does a will mean my estate will avoid probate?

No. A will records instructions and can nominate an executor, but it does not automatically avoid probate. The appropriate transfer process depends on ownership, trust title, beneficiary designations and other facts. If formal probate is needed, the court appoints the personal representative.

Which county matters if property and residence are in different places?

For a California resident, probate is usually filed in the county where the person lived. If the person lived outside California but owned California property, a filing may be required where that property is located. Real property records are held by the recorder in the county where the property sits. Review residence, title and asset records before assuming which county is relevant.