In your estate plan you designate someone to manage and distribute your assets upon your death or incapacity.  Your assets include all real property (i.e. home and land) and personal property, bank accounts, cars, etc...  If you die intestate and do not have a will or trust your assets, and their distribution, will be determined by the courts.  During the probate proceedings, a judge will appoint someone to handle your assets and your assets will be distributed, under

    What is a revocable living trust and how will it benefit me? One of the most beneficial aspects of a trust is that it allows the beneficiaries, after the death of the owners (or Settlors) to avoid probate. Probate is an extremely expensive legal process and the fees paid to the attorney and the administrator or executor are set by statute. The fees are set by California Probate Code Section 10810. They are as follows: