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Handle the California probate process, from deciphering a will to tackling taxes. If you need to wrap up the affairs of a deceased family member or friend in California, you may find yourself wading through the process of probate. But did you know? You can save big on attorney fees by handling the probate process yourself.

How to Probate an Estate in California is the only book that provides all the forms, tips and step-by-step instructions you’ll need to settle a loved one's estate -- all written in plain English. You may even be able to handle the whole process by mail without setting foot in the courthouse.

With this easy-to-follow guide, you'll learn how to:

read a will

determine who inherits property if there is no will

handle probate paperwork

collect life insurance and other benefits

transfer community property to a surviving spouse or domestic partner

pay bills and taxes, and

distribute property left through trusts.

Even if you hire a lawyer to do the probate paperwork, this book demystifies the process so that you can make informed decisions and communicate intelligently with the attorney about the estate -- and save cash in the process. Why spend over $13,000 on a lawyer to probate a $500,000 estate, when you can do almost all of it on your own?

This edition contains important legal and tax updates, as well as instructions about new required forms.

How to Probate an Estate in California