Probate Attorneys Helping Clients with Probate Estates In Los Angeles and Orange County
We are Torrance Estate and Trust Planning Attorneys who cover the areas of Los Angeles and Orange County. Each of the attorney’s in this father-daughter law office, Rodney W. Wickers, Christina M. Wickers and Alexandra L. Admans, have been named on the SuperLawyers list as a top rated Trusts and Estates Attorneys in Southern California. The practice areas for the attorneys include all types of Probate actions including complex to and simple estates, probate administration, creation of trusts, trust administration, probate of wills, conservatorship matters. The attorney’s also are advocates for their clients all the way through trials and even appeals, when necessary. All family dynamics are different, and we work towards cooperation among the parties, when possible. Should there be a dispute, we are ready to give clients the legal advice so that the client can make well educated decisions in their Estate cases.
Probate is the judicial process that allows property to transfer from the decedent to his or her heirs.
The probate court is a special jurisdiction court and each district of that Superior Court or Central Division of that Superior Court has jurisdiction to hear the Probate. The specific location of the Court depends on the location of the Estate and or the Decedent.
How Long Does a Probate Estate Take to Complete?
The Probate process is generally anticipated to be approximately one year. The Court will set a Status Conference shortly after that period of time and require the Administrator or Executor to report to the Court on the status of the Estate and ask the administrator or Executor to provide the Court with an estimate of completion. If the Probate is not closed within a year, the Court usually anticipates a more complicated Estate involving more assets, or out of state property.
The Probate Case May Require Emergency (Ex Parte) Orders
In some circumstances it is necessary to obtain special instructions (Prob. Code 17200) or emergency orders from the Court. There are many different scenarios that may occur that would make this type of hearing an appropriate step. On behalf of our clients, the attorney’s petition the Court for special instructions, when appropriate. At times we assist people with urgent matters, which the Law Office of Rodney W. Wickers, will prepare the paperwork and attend what is called an ex parte hearing to obtain emergency orders from the Court. Because the Lawyers in our office work in Torrance, the Estate and Trust Planning practice prepares for and attends hearings for special instructions or emergency orders from both Los Angeles Superior Courts and Orange County Superior Courts.
Protect Yourself With an Estate Plan So that Your Intentions are Preserved
It is always best to plan ahead by creating a wills or trust to insure that the intentions of the drafter, sometimes called a “Testator” or “Settlor”, are preserved, made clear and followed. Importantly, the Durable Power of Attorney and Health Care Directive can insure you have the representation you need at a time when you are unable to speak for yourself. In a Durable Power of Attorney you can appoint someone to act on your behalf, if you lack capacity, or if some other condition is met, so that they can manage your finances and property. Additionally, the Health Care Directive is a great tool to allow doctors and relatives know about your end of life choices and desires, which must be followed, absent a court order. Having a will, trust, power of attorney and health care directive will empower your family and friends to follow your directions and provide for the ones you love in difficult times.
When a Probate Estate or Trust Includes an Active Business
Sometimes Trust res or Probate Estate property includes a business which must continue or needs to be sold. Our business practice area enables us to empower clients solve the needs of the business in light of the probate or trust. Most clients wind up hiring two attorney’s to accomplish these types of goals. Our Attorneys can handle all of these anticipated needs of the business as part of the Estate and Trust Planning phase and also through the implementation of the estate plan at the appropriate time.
We Handle Difficult Estate and Trust Cases Including Elder Abuse Litigation
The Law Office of Rodney W. Wickers also assists in Los Angeles and Orange County in the administration of trusts. In more difficult situations that involve Estates and Trusts, we handle all types of litigation in probate, trust and estates, including elder abuse, lack of capacity and, undue influence.
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