As an experienced Probate Attorney, Benjamin Graff represents estate executors, beneficiaries, and heirs in Temecula and surrounding communities in all probate matters. He provides attentive, personal representation and is dedicated to resolving your legal issues in the most cost-effective manner possible. Temecula Probate Attorney Benjamin Graff will guide you through the entire probate process and provide skilled legal counsel concerning fulfilling the duties of the executor, filing required legal notices, responding to claims against the decedent’s estate, and transferring property to the designated beneficiaries. Mr. Graff provides experienced and compassionate legal services to help you reach your end goal of closing the estate. Settling a deceased loved one’s estate is never easy. We understand every situation is unique, and we are prepared to represent your interests at every step of the probate process. Temecula Probate Attorney Benjamin Graff will thoroughly explain your rights and obligations while addressing your concerns. Contact Graff & Associates at (951) 775-2364 and schedule your appointment with Temecula Probate Lawyer Benjamin Graff. Because you may be dealing with unexpected questions, emotional turmoil, and complex tax and financial issues, our probate law firm is prepared to handle the legal process in an efficient way. Probate a Will in Temecula, California Probate is the court supervised process of settling the estate after a person dies. Following directives outlined in the Will, probate organizes the estate’s assets, determines and pays liabilities, identifies beneficiaries, and transfers remaining assets to the beneficiaries. If you are the executor of a decedent’s estate, Probate Lawyer Graff will help you navigate the probate process and offer assistance on the proper way to probate a Will, also called testate succession. If there is not a valid Will, Mr. Graff works diligently to help you settle the estate through a process known as intestate succession. Temecula Probate Attorney Graff prepares requisite notices in addition to all court forms. He handles creditor notices and all additional statutory requirements to ensure the estate is distributed to the beneficiaries in a timely manner. He also represents beneficiaries to ensure the executor is correctly performing mandatory legal duties. In the event of a Will contest or probate dispute, Mr. Graff is an experienced probate litigation lawyer who is qualified to represent your interests in court. Why Avoid Probate? Although the state requires probate for certain assets, there are many disadvantages to having an estate go through the probate process. As a knowledgeable Estate Planning Lawyer, Mr. Graff offers services designed to help clients avoid probate through comprehensive estate planning methods. The disadvantages of probate include: Cost: The probate process is costly. Established by the state, the high fees involved with probating a Will depend upon the current value of the decedent’s estate. Time: Because the court must approve each step, probate may take several years. The average probate takes one to two years to be resolved, and it may take longer when there are disagreements among beneficiaries, heirs, or with the executor. Privacy: All probate records are open to the public. Through the court system, information such as assets, income, and debts become public record. Complexity: Depending on the nature and location of assets, probate may become complicated when assets are out of state. The heirs and beneficiaries will not gain title to the estate until after probate closes. Assets Not Subject to Probate Temecula Probate Attorney Graff helps clients understand which assets must be included in probate. The following assets are not subject to the probate process: • Property Held in a Trust Account • Insurance Policies • Annuities • Jointly Titled Property • Retirement Accounts • Certain Bank Accounts with “POD” designations As an experienced Temecula Estate Planning Attorney, Mr. Graff encourages clients to establish a solid estate plan which can organize the assets to avoid probate. Assets not included in the probate estate are passed to the beneficiary specified in those accounts. In situations involving a Trust or Living Trust, the property will pass to the successor trustee. Contact our Knowledgeable Probate Lawyer Today Temecula Probate Lawyer Benjamin Graff provides skilled legal assistance in all probate law matters. Please schedule an in-depth consultation by calling (951) 775-2364 to discuss your circumstances today. Mr. Graff works diligently to ensure the process is completed in an accurate and expeditious manner. Graff & Associates can also be reached by email. Please complete our Probate Case Evaluation Form, and our experienced Probate Attorney will contact you.