http://www.avvo.com/legal-answers-search/probate.html Avvo.com - Probate Legal Guides http://www.avvo.com/legal-guides/ugc/how-to-file-a-tax-return-for-someone-who-has-died Even if a taxpayer has passed away, a federal income tax return may be required or recommended. This guide gives some general guidance on who can file and how to file a federal income tax return for a decedent. Wed, 18 Nov 2009 08:09:07 PST http://www.avvo.com/legal-guides/ugc/a-revocable-trust-must-be-funded-to-avoid-probate Often a trust which doesn't have title to legal assets transferred (funded) to the trust name won't avoid probate. Mon, 16 Nov 2009 17:13:44 PST http://www.avvo.com/legal-guides/ugc/preparing-a-simple-estate-to-avoid-probate Estates with limited assets can often be positioned so that upon death all of the assets and transfer automatically without a requirement for probate or other process. Tue, 10 Nov 2009 12:59:10 PST http://www.avvo.com/legal-guides/ugc/small-estate-proceeding-in-tennessee In Tennessee, if the probate estate of the Decedent is under $25,000 in total value [excluding real property], the estate may be eligible for the Small Estate Proceeding, which does not require a lawyer, and the expenses are considerably lower. Thu, 05 Nov 2009 14:26:45 PST http://www.avvo.com/legal-guides/ugc/free-california-probate-forms For probate, that is California decedent's estates, free forms are available by clicking on this link: http://www.californiataxattorneyblog.com/2009/04/free_california_probate_forms_1.html Thu, 05 Nov 2009 01:40:03 PST http://www.avvo.com/legal-guides/ugc/appointment-of-executor-in-california-probate Your California Will ought to nominate someone to serve as executor of your estate when you die. But when the person you nominate declines or cannot serve as executor, when no one else is named in the Will as a successor executor, who can serve? Thu, 05 Nov 2009 14:28:32 PST http://www.avvo.com/legal-guides/ugc/california-probate-continuing-the-decedents-business-1 “What do I need to do now?” Not all of the points below will apply to all Decedents, but many of them will. What follows should be considered when a close friend or relative dies who owns property in Los Angeles County, Santa Barbara County, Ventura County or Orange County, California: Mon, 09 Nov 2009 23:35:53 PST http://www.avvo.com/legal-guides/ugc/how-to-avoid-probate-court-in-the-event-of-disability It is essential that in addition to a Last Will and Trust, every individual should have the following companion documents: 1. Durable Power of Attorney for Property; 2. Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care; 3. HIPAA Authorization; 4. Declaration of Living Will; Thu, 22 Oct 2009 16:17:13 PDT http://www.avvo.com/legal-guides/ugc/if-i-own-land-or-property-with-someone-else-jointly-do-i-have-to-go-through-probate-when-they-die Often people own property together, joint with right of survivorship. When you own the property this way probate is usually not necessary. However, there are other forms of dual ownership which will require probate, such as tenancy in common. Your legal documents list the way the assets are titled. Tue, 13 Oct 2009 13:46:01 PDT http://www.avvo.com/legal-guides/ugc/checklist-of-actions-upon-death Included in this guide is a brief list of the actions which the family members should take immediately upon the death of a loved one. However, for a complete discussion of responsibilities and duties, you should contact an attorney. Tue, 03 Nov 2009 05:49:13 PST