Probate Law in California California Probate Law Update: AB 2016 Changes Effective April 1, 2025 What is AB 2016? ​ Assembly Bill 2016 (AB 2016) introduces a streamlined probate process for estates valued at $750,000 or less, specifically for a decedent’s primary residence. This change is designed to simplify property transfers, reducing costs and court involvement. ​ Additionally, AB 2016 updates small estate thresholds, making it easier to transfer assets without full pro

Time-consuming. Expensive. Burdensome. Frustrating. These are words that many people associate with probate. At the same time, many of these same people have only the vaguest of ideas as to what’s actually involved in the probate of a decedent’s estate, or when one is even necessary. In the broadest of strokes, the probate of an estate is the legal process of getting someone appointed to act on behalf of the estate, and then that person shall marshal the decedent’s assets, p

This is the first video in a series designed to help people understand how to fill out common forms they encounter in California probate proceedings. In this video, I explain how I fill out a Small Estate Affidavit- an invaluable tool to avoid probate when an estate is valued at less than $150,000. Chances are, if a financial institution told you that you needed "Letters Testamentary" and the estate's total value is less than $150,000, that financial institution needs to get