Guides for California

Probate must be filed within 30 days of learning of a death, one of the shorter windows in the country.
Small estate affidavit threshold is $184,500 for personal property.
Community property state, so jointly-owned spousal assets generally transfer without court involvement.

Probate & Estates
How Probate Works in California
A complete guide to probate in California: Superior Court process, the $208,850 small estate threshold, community property rules, statutory attorney fees, and how to avoid probate entirely.
Funeral Costs
How Much Does a Funeral Cost in California?
Average funeral and cremation costs in California, what drives pricing in different regions, state regulations, and ways to reduce expenses.
Death Certificates
How to Get Death Certificates in California
How to order certified death certificates in California: costs, processing times, who can order, and the difference between authorized and informational copies.

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