If a family member or loved one has passed away, their assets may go through probate or estate administration. In the absence of a court-led process, it may fall upon the successor trustee to manage and distribute these assets if they were owned through a well-planned and properly-funded living trust.
In California, probate durations largely depend on the size and complexity of the estate, as well as local court rules and schedules. Typically, probate can take a year to complete with several years required if the estate presents complex issues. Executors or trustees of estate plans are encouraged to engage an attorney to fulfill their procedural, tax filing, and accounting requirements and to avoid time-intensive and costly mistakes.