Foxglove · California
Settling an estate in California?
A plain-language guide to the California process — every step, the costs and deadlines, and the vetted local professionals you may need. Free to use.
Get the complete California executor's checklist:
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How Long Does Probate Take? Timelines Across Canada and the US
The honest 6–18 month range, jurisdiction-by-jurisdiction, what slows probate, and how to speed it up.
The Complete Executor's Checklist: Every Task, in Order
The full executor arc as a checklist, grouped by timeframe, with each item linking to its how-to.
The Executor's First Week: Exactly What to Do (and What Can Wait)
What's genuinely urgent in the first days after a death — including who pronounces the death and who to call — and what can safely wait.
Probate, step by step
Finding the right help
Do You Actually Need a Probate Lawyer? (Or Can You Do It Yourself)
When DIY works, when a lawyer pays off, what they charge, and exactly how to find a probate-experienced one.
Estate Tax Accountant vs. Probate Lawyer: Who Handles What
The two different jobs, who owns what, the Canada/US tax difference, and how to avoid paying twice.
Selling a House During Probate: Finding the Right Realtor
Why a probate sale is different, court-confirmation/overbid, as-is selling, and how to vet a probate-experienced agent.
Selling an Inherited House: Taxes, Timing, and What Actually Happens
Whether you owe tax on an inherited house (step-up/date-of-death value), when you can sell, and how to find the right agent.
What Is an Executor Bond — and When Does the Court Require One?
What an executor/surety bond is, when it's required or waived, what it costs, and step-by-step how to get one.
Vetted California professionals
Executor Bond Broker
- Bond Services of CaliforniaSanta Ana, CA · 45+ year CA surety firm with dedicated probate bond program covering executors, administrators, guardianships, trusts, and conservatorships.
- Phillips Bonding AgencyOakland, CA · Oakland CA agency specialising exclusively in probate and fiduciary bonds: executor, administrator, conservator, guardian, and trustee bonds.
Estate Sale Company
- Comprehensive Estate Liquidations, LLCLos Angeles, CA · LA-area estate liquidation company with 25+ years experience; serves trustees and executors; specialises in high-value and high-net-worth estates via buyout or auction
- Handled – Estate Sales AccomplishedBeverly Hills, CA · High-end luxury estate liquidation serving Greater Los Angeles; specialises in celebrity and high-net-worth estates; turnkey service including antiques and vintage
Probate-Specialist Realtor
- Donna Nazir – The Skye Group Inc.Los Angeles, CA · Section 730 Court-Appointed Listing Expert (CA Superior Courts); DRE #01420796; specialises in probate, trust, divorce, and partition sales
- LaRoche Team – Probate & Trust Real EstateWhittier, CA · Certified California probate real estate specialist with full-service estate property clean-up and sale support; LA and Orange County area
- The CREM GroupBurbank, CA · Southern California's premier probate/trust brokerage; broker-attorneys specialising in court-supervised sales across LA and Orange County
Certified Appraiser
- Ebert Appraisal Service, Inc.Woodland Hills, CA · IRS-certified CA appraiser specialising in date-of-death valuations, estate and trust appraisals; serves San Fernando Valley, West LA, Pasadena, Malibu, and Santa Barbara
Probate Lawyer
- Gallagher Bolander Smedley, LLPSan Diego, CA · Established 1954; over 70 years serving San Diego estate planning, trust, and probate needs
- Hallisey & Johnson, APCSan Francisco, CA · Probate and trust litigation specialist; will contests, creditors' claims, conservatorships, elder abuse
- Hinojosa & Forer LLPLos Angeles, CA · Boutique probate and trust litigation; will contests, heirship petitions, conservatorships
- Huber Law Group, P.C.Sacramento, CA · Sacramento boutique; probate, trust and estate litigation, elder financial abuse; candid advocacy focus
- Kaye Moser Hierbaum LLPSan Francisco, CA · Premier SF firm; probate and trust administration/litigation; family law crossover for high-net-worth clients
- Keystone Law Group, P.C.Los Angeles, CA · Probate litigation and trust/estate administration specialist; statewide California practice
- Law Offices of Michael K. Lanning, A.P.L.C.Los Angeles, CA · Brentwood boutique firm; estate planning, probate, estate tax reduction, and wealth preservation
- RMO LLPLos Angeles, CA · Probate, estate, and trust litigation with offices across California; free consultations
- Robinson and Wilson, A Law CorporationSan Diego, CA · California State Bar certified specialist in probate law; 55+ years experience; trust and estate administration
- Vistas Law GroupLos Angeles, CA · Bilingual (English/Spanish) estate planning, probate, and trust litigation; offices in LA and Ontario
- Von Rock Law, PCSan Francisco, CA · Woman-owned SF firm; estate planning, probate, and trust administration; SFGate Best Probate Attorney 2025
- Weiner Law (San Diego Probate Attorneys)San Diego, CA · Probate administration, trust litigation, and estate planning; US and UK licensed attorney
Estate Tax Accountant
- Realize CPA, LLPSan Francisco, CA · San Francisco CPA firm (est. 1981) specialising in estate, gift, and trust planning and compliance for high-net-worth clients.
- Schopp & Co.Pleasant Hill, CA · Pleasant Hill CA CPA firm (est. 2013) dedicated to trust and estate tax returns, portability elections, and estate advisory.