Covers the entire California probate process, from deciphering a will to tackling taxes. If you need to wrap up the affairs of a deceased family member or friend in California, you can save attorney fees by handling the probate process yourself. How to Probate an Estate in California is the only book that provides all the forms, tips and step-by-step instructions you"ll need to settle a loved one"s estate. You may even be able to handle the whole process by mail, without setting foot in the courthouse. Learn how to: read a will determine who inherits property if there is no will handle probate paperwork collect life insurance and other benefits transfer community property to a surviving spouse or domestic partner pay bills and taxes distribute property left through trusts Even if you hire a lawyer to do the probate paperwork, this book will help you understand the process so that you can make informed decisions and communicate intelligently with the attorney about the estate. Why spend over $13,000 on a lawyer to probate a $500,000 estate, when you can do almost all of it on your own? The 20th edition is completely updated with current probate and tax information. LIST OF FORMS Judicial Council Forms DE-111 Petition for Probate DE-120 Notice of Hearing DE-121 Notice of Petition to Administer Estate DE-121 (MA) Attachment to Notice of Petition to Administer Estate DE-131 Proof of Subscribing Witness DE-135 Proof of Holographic Instrument DE-140 Order for Probate DE-147 Duties and Liabilities of Personal Representative DE-147S Confidential Supplement to Duties and Liabilities of Personal Representative DE-150 Letters DE-157 Notice of Administration to Creditors DE-160 Inventory and Appraisal DE-161 Inventory and Appraisal Attachment DE-165 Notice of Proposed Action DE-174 Allowance or Rejection of Creditor"s Claim DE-221 Spousal or Domestic Partner Property Petition DE-226 Spousal or Domestic Partner Property Order DE-270 Ex Parte Petition for Authority to Sell Securities and Order DE-295 Ex Parte Petition for Final Discharge and Order DE-305 Affidavit re Real Property of Small Value ($20,000 or Less) DE-310 Petition to Determine Succession to Real Property (Estates of $100,000 or Less) DE-315 Order Determining Succession to Real Property Non-Judicial Council Forms Declaration Regarding Property Passing to Decedent"s Surviving Spouse or Registered Domestic Partner Under Probate Code 13500 Who Inherits Under the Will? Schedule of Assets Notification by Trustee Affidavit -- Death of Joint Tenant Affidavit -- Death of Trustee Affidavit -- Death of Spouse Affidavit -- Death of Domestic Partner Affidavit -- Death of Spouse or Domestic Partner -- Survivorship Community Property Affidavit for Collection of Personal Property Under California Probate Code 13100-13106 Deed to Real Property Probate Case Cover Sheet -- Certificate of Grounds for Assignment to District (L.A. County) Application and Order Appointing Probate Referee (L.A. County) Change in Ownership Statement (Death of Real Property Owner) (L.A. County) Affidavit or Declaration for Final Discharge and Order (L.A. County) Preliminary Change of Ownership Report