Practice Areas

Probate

Trust & Probate Matters can be emotionally devastating as family members and friends are sometimes pitted against each other while still working through the trauma of a recent death. Resolving these disputes requires not only knowledge of California probate law, but also a firm grasp of the civil litigation process.

Roger Frederickson has more than 20 years of experience in probate law and knows how to ease the stress of probate by guiding executors and beneficiaries.

The Process of Probate

 

Most executors have rarely if ever probated a will, and know little about the complex process. We can guide you through the process, including:

Filing the will with the California probate court

Developing the best strategy for fairly and expeditiously probating the estate

Finding and collecting assets

Closing and opening bank accounts

Transferring assets from the deceased to the estate

Valuing, managing, preserving and liquidating the estate

Paying estate taxes

Locating beneficiaries

Hiring experts, when appropriate

Our firm assists executors with the arduous process of collecting, managing, valuing, protecting and liquidating the assets of the estate. We have a team of experts available to assist in every aspect of estate probate. When appropriate, the firm calls upon accountants, financial advisers, real estate agents, property managers and other professionals to assist with executor duties. We can access expert opinions about unique assets such as antiques, rare books, automobiles and other collectables for accurate valuation, management and possible sale.

Probate Disputes

 

Even in apparently straightforward estate cases, there are sometimes disputes between beneficiaries. Our professional courtroom presence can calm the emotionally-charged process of probating a challenged will or disputed executor or judicial decision. When it is in the best interests of our client to preserve cordial family relationships, we are adept at mediating these disputes. When necessary, we assertively defend our client’s beneficiary rights within the California probate court.