Probate, guided every step of the way.
For executors, administrators, and families across Truckee, Lake Tahoe, and Northern Nevada. Steady guidance through the probate court process so it doesn't drag on longer than it needs to.
When a loved one dies with only a will, or no estate plan at all, their assets typically need to pass through the probate court process before they can be transferred to heirs. This is also true where the loved one has made a trust but left assets outside of that trust. Probate can feel unfamiliar and time-consuming, especially while you're also grieving, but having the right guide makes a real difference.
At Donner Summit Law Firm, PC, we assist executors, administrators, and families throughout Truckee, Lake Tahoe, and Northern Nevada through every stage of the process.
What the Probate Process Involves
Probate is the court-supervised process of settling a deceased person's estate. Depending on the size of the estate and whether there's a valid will, that generally includes:
Filing a petition to open the estate and appointing an executor or administrator
Providing legal notice to heirs, beneficiaries, and creditors
Inventorying and appraising estate assets
Resolving creditor claims and paying valid debts
Filing required accountings with the court
Distributing the remaining assets to heirs or beneficiaries and closing the estate
California and Nevada each have their own probate procedures and timelines, and smaller estates may qualify for a simplified process rather than a full probate.
Serving as Executor or Administrator
If you've been named executor in a will, or appointed administrator because there wasn't one, you're taking on a fiduciary role with real legal obligations to the estate's creditors and beneficiaries. That can feel like a lot to manage on top of everything else you're dealing with. We help executors and administrators understand each step before it happens, prepare the necessary court filings, and keep the process moving so it doesn't drag on longer than it needs to.
How We Keep Things Moving
Probate has a reputation for being slow, and often that reputation is earned. Court calendars, creditor claim periods, and the sheer number of steps involved all take time. What we can control is making sure nothing sits idle on our end. We keep track of deadlines, prepare filings promptly, and keep you informed along the way, so you always know where things stand and what's coming next.
Serving Truckee, Lake Tahoe, and Northern Nevada
We handle probate matters in Northern California and Northern Nevada, including Nevada County, Placer County, and Washoe County, including estates involving vacation homes, rental property, and other assets connected to life in the Sierra.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does every estate have to go through probate?
No. Assets held in a properly funded trust, accounts with named beneficiaries, and jointly held property generally pass outside of probate. Whether probate is required depends on how the deceased person's assets were titled.
How long does probate take?
In California and Nevada, a typical probate case can often take eight months to a year and a half, depending on the complexity of the estate, whether there are disputes, and the court's schedule.
What does probate cost?
Costs vary by estate, but they typically include court filing fees, publication costs, and attorney and executor fees, which in California are often set by statute based on the value of the estate.
Can probate be avoided?
Often, yes, with proper planning ahead of time, most commonly through a revocable living trust. If you're an executor dealing with an estate that's already open, our estate planning attorney can also help make sure your own estate avoids the same process.
What if I'm named executor but don't live nearby?
That's common, and it's manageable. Many steps in the process can be handled remotely, and we are happy to assist out of area executors.
Ready to talk about probate?
Schedule a free 30-minute consultation
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