New 2026 Rutter Group California Practice Guide PROBATE Thomson Reuters

New 2026 Rutter Group California Practice Guide PROBATE Thomson Reuters

provides the comprehensive guidance attorneys need to handle every aspect of probate proceedings. From strategies for premortem planning through the intricacies of handling a matter from opening through final discharge, this essential resource provides reliable answers and proven strategies to prepare you for each critical stage of the probate process. The guide includes thorough coverage of creditor claims, asset distribution, and discharge procedures, explanations of spousal set-asides and summary administration procedures, and covers the nuances of the complex estate and fiduciary income tax issues that frequently arise in practice.

Detailed coverage of will contests and probate litigation helps you anticipate the challenges in contentious proceedings and respond confidently. Illustrations drawn from actual cases and references to the most current cases, statutes, court rules, and local practices demonstrate how legal principles apply in practice.

The combination of practical guidance and up-to-date legal authority makes this a valuable tool for all attorneys, whether you are handling your first estate or are a seasoned practitioner handling complex probate matters.

Contents cover:

• Preliminary considerations
• Alternatives to probate
• Commencing probate proceedings
• Spousal and domestic partner set-asides; passage of property to a surviving spouse or registered domestic partner without administration
• Office systems and procedures
• Marshaling and inventorying assets
• Family protection
• Creditors\' claims
• The Independent Administration of Estates Act
• Federal estate tax
• California estate tax
• Deathbed and postmortem planning and fiduciary income tax considerations
• Obtaining and investing funds for the estate; preserving the assets of the estate
• Special problems in probate distributions, compensation, and discharge

Written by preeminent legal experts, our Rutter Group Practice Guides are indispensable resources for both novice and seasoned attorneys, providing accessible, authoritative guidance. Thoughtfully crafted in a concise, easy-to-read outline format, our guides simplify intricate legal concepts into clear, step-by-step instructions that facilitate swift mastery and application.

• Practice guides include relevant case law, statutes, and court rules, focusing on issues facing practicing attorneys. Pivotal discussions about decisions illuminate key points, rather than just providing lists of citations, preparing counsel for a variety of contingencies.
• Practitioners benefit from practical guidance that logically breaks down topics and procedures into manageable steps, illustrated with examples from actual cases.
• Esteemed authors provide expert insights, including battle-tested strategies, tactics, time-saving tips, and Practice Pointers to equip you with the wisdom of experienced practitioners.
• Our authors update and revise comprehensive content, which is meticulously edited by Rutter Group attorney-editors, ensuring you stay abreast of the latest legal developments.
• Rutter Group Practice Guides are frequently cited as authority in state and federal court opinions, which proves their reliability.