The Probate Knowledge Hub

Education-first articles covering California's probate process, Los Angeles County court specifics, inherited property decisions, and real-world guidance for families navigating complex real estate situations.

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What Happens to Homeowners Insurance When the Owner Dies in California? A 2026 Guide for LA Families
Inherited Property · 10 min read

What Happens to Homeowners Insurance When the Owner Dies in California? A 2026 Guide for LA Families

When a homeowner passes away, the insurance does not automatically transfer to heirs. Here is how California's 2026 insurance market, FAIR Plan rules, and vacancy clauses affect inherited homes, plus the checklist every LA executor needs.

October 14, 2026
Why Probate Takes So Long in Los Angeles: The Numbers Behind the Backlog
Probate Process · 10 min read

Why Probate Takes So Long in Los Angeles: The Numbers Behind the Backlog

New data from the Judicial Council's 2026 Court Statistics Report shows Los Angeles County handles 28.7% of all California probate filings. Here is what the backlog means for families and executors.

October 12, 2026
California's New Child Support Notice in 2027: What LA Executors and Families Need to Know
Probate Law Update · 9 min read

California's New Child Support Notice in 2027: What LA Executors and Families Need to Know

A new California law taking effect January 1, 2027 expands the child support notice requirement in probate. Here is what LA executors and families need to know about SB 1264 and inherited homes.

October 7, 2026
The Federal Estate Tax Exemption Is $15 Million in 2026: What LA Families Inheriting a Home Need to Know
Probate Law Update · 10 min read

The Federal Estate Tax Exemption Is $15 Million in 2026: What LA Families Inheriting a Home Need to Know

The estate tax sunset never happened. The federal exemption is now $15 million in 2026, and California has no state estate tax. Here is what LA families inheriting a home need to know.

October 5, 2026
California's New Power of Attorney Form in 2027: What Families Managing a Parent's Home Need to Know
Probate Law Update · 10 min read

California's New Power of Attorney Form in 2027: What Families Managing a Parent's Home Need to Know

California's official power of attorney form changes on January 1, 2027, the first major update in years. Here is what Los Angeles families managing a parent's home need to know about AB 2199, successor agents, and real property authority.

September 30, 2026
When One Sibling Wants to Sell and the Other Wants to Keep: Partition Actions for Inherited Homes in Los Angeles
Family Guidance · 10 min read

When One Sibling Wants to Sell and the Other Wants to Keep: Partition Actions for Inherited Homes in Los Angeles

Can one sibling force the sale of an inherited home? California's partition process and AB 2245's 2023 buyout protections decide the answer. Here is how appraisal, the 45-day buyout election, and the sale work for co-owning families in Los Angeles.

September 28, 2026
Prop 19 Is Staying: What the Failed 2026 Repeal Initiative Means for Los Angeles Families
Probate Law Update · 9 min read

Prop 19 Is Staying: What the Failed 2026 Repeal Initiative Means for Los Angeles Families

The third attempt to repeal Proposition 19 failed to qualify for the November 2026 ballot. Here is what the unchanged property tax rules mean for Los Angeles families inheriting homes, plus the one-year move-in and BOE-19-P deadlines that still apply.

September 23, 2026
Can Heirs Live in the Inherited Home During Probate? A Guide for Los Angeles Families
Executor Guidance · 10 min read

Can Heirs Live in the Inherited Home During Probate? A Guide for Los Angeles Families

During probate, the family home belongs to the estate, not to any single heir. Here is how California law handles who can live there, use-and-occupancy rent, insurance, and the Proposition 19 clock in Los Angeles County.

September 21, 2026
Medi-Cal Estate Recovery in 2026: Will the State Take the Inherited Home? A Guide for Los Angeles Families
Probate Law Update · 11 min read

Medi-Cal Estate Recovery in 2026: Will the State Take the Inherited Home? A Guide for Los Angeles Families

One of the most common fears in probate is that the state will take the family home to repay Medi-Cal. Here is what Los Angeles families need to know about California's Medi-Cal estate recovery rules in 2026, what is actually protected, and the deadlines that matter.

September 16, 2026
The Court Confirmation Hearing in Los Angeles: How Overbidding Works When a Probate Home Sells
Probate Process · 10 min read

The Court Confirmation Hearing in Los Angeles: How Overbidding Works When a Probate Home Sells

When a probate home in Los Angeles sells, the court may need to confirm the sale at a hearing, and overbidders can raise the price. Here is how the overbid formula works and what LA County executors should expect at the courthouse.

September 14, 2026
Reverse Mortgage on an Inherited Home in Los Angeles: What Heirs Need to Know
Inherited Property · 9 min read

Reverse Mortgage on an Inherited Home in Los Angeles: What Heirs Need to Know

When a parent or spouse with a reverse mortgage passes away, the loan doesn't go away, but HUD gives heirs real options. Here is what LA families need to know about repayment timelines, spouse protections, and avoiding foreclosure.

September 9, 2026
Who Gets the Stuff? Managing Personal Property in a California Probate Estate
Executor Guidance · 11 min read

Who Gets the Stuff? Managing Personal Property in a California Probate Estate

When someone passes away, who gets the furniture, artwork, and belongings in the home? Here is how California probate handles personal property, plus the rules executors and heirs in Los Angeles need to know.

September 7, 2026
When You Inherit a Home With Tenants in Los Angeles: What Executors and Heirs Need to Know
Inherited Property · 10 min read

When You Inherit a Home With Tenants in Los Angeles: What Executors and Heirs Need to Know

When you inherit a property with tenants in Los Angeles, the lease survives the owner, rent control rules apply, and you cannot evict just because someone died. Here is what executors and heirs need to know about RSO, AB 1482, and just-cause evictions.

September 2, 2026
IAEA Authority in California Probate: Does Your Estate Sale Need Court Confirmation?
Probate Process · 11 min read

IAEA Authority in California Probate: Does Your Estate Sale Need Court Confirmation?

Understanding the Independent Administration of Estates Act (IAEA) is crucial for selling probate property in California. Here is what full vs. limited authority means for Los Angeles executors and families.

August 26, 2026
Navigating Emotional Attachments to Inherited Homes: A Family Guide for Los Angeles
Family Guidance · 9 min read

Navigating Emotional Attachments to Inherited Homes: A Family Guide for Los Angeles

When an inherited home holds decades of family memories, deciding what to do with it can feel impossible. Here is practical guidance for Los Angeles families navigating the emotional and financial side of probate real estate.

August 25, 2026
How Much Does Probate Cost in California? A Complete 2026 Guide for Los Angeles Families
Probate Process · 10 min read

How Much Does Probate Cost in California? A Complete 2026 Guide for Los Angeles Families

Probate in California can cost tens of thousands of dollars. Here is a complete breakdown of court fees, attorney fees, executor compensation, appraisal costs, and the total expenses families face in Los Angeles County in 2026.

August 20, 2026
What Happens to the Mortgage When Someone Dies in California? A Complete Guide for LA Families and Executors
Executor Guidance · 10 min read

What Happens to the Mortgage When Someone Dies in California? A Complete Guide for LA Families and Executors

When a homeowner in California passes away, the mortgage doesn't disappear — but federal law protects qualifying heirs. Here is what every executor and family member in Los Angeles County needs to know about mortgage assumption, the Garn-St. Germain Act, and probate obligations.

August 13, 2026
The Executor's Guide to Avoiding Personal Liability: Managing Probate Real Estate in Los Angeles County
Executor Guidance · 11 min read

The Executor's Guide to Avoiding Personal Liability: Managing Probate Real Estate in Los Angeles County

California executors face real personal liability when managing estate property. Here is what you need to know about fiduciary duties, common pitfalls with real estate, and how to protect yourself in LA County.

August 10, 2026
The Probate Referee in California: How Estate Assets Get Appraised and What LA Executors Need to Know
Probate Process · 10 min read

The Probate Referee in California: How Estate Assets Get Appraised and What LA Executors Need to Know

Most executors in Los Angeles have never heard of a probate referee until they receive the court appointment. Here is a complete guide to how estate assets are valued, what the referee does, and common mistakes to avoid in LA County.

August 6, 2026
Capital Gains on Inherited Property in Los Angeles: How to Navigate Taxes, Step-Up in Basis, and Proposition 19 in 2026
Inherited Property · 11 min read

Capital Gains on Inherited Property in Los Angeles: How to Navigate Taxes, Step-Up in Basis, and Proposition 19 in 2026

Selling an inherited home in Los Angeles triggers important tax questions. Here is a practical guide to capital gains, California's community property step-up in basis, and how Proposition 19 affects your bottom line.

August 3, 2026
Probate Creditor Claims in California: What Every Executor and Family Needs to Know in 2026
Executor Guidance · 10 min read

Probate Creditor Claims in California: What Every Executor and Family Needs to Know in 2026

Understanding creditor claims is one of the most important duties of a California executor. Here is a practical guide to the process, timelines, and 2026 law changes affecting estates in Los Angeles County.

July 30, 2026
The Executor's Guide to Managing Vacant Probate Property in Los Angeles: Insurance, Upkeep, and Hidden Costs
Executor Guidance · 9 min read

The Executor's Guide to Managing Vacant Probate Property in Los Angeles: Insurance, Upkeep, and Hidden Costs

When a home sits vacant during probate, the estate faces serious risks — lapsed insurance, code fines, property damage, and personal liability for the executor. Here is how to protect the estate in LA County.

July 27, 2026
How to Choose a Probate Attorney in Los Angeles: A Practical Guide for Executors and Families
Executor Guidance · 9 min read

How to Choose a Probate Attorney in Los Angeles: A Practical Guide for Executors and Families

Choosing the right probate attorney in Los Angeles County can make or break your experience. Here is what executors and families need to know about fees, credentials, local court expertise, and how to find the right fit for your situation.

July 23, 2026
Los Angeles County Probate Court in 2026: Timelines, Changes, and What Every Family Needs to Know
Probate Process · 10 min read

Los Angeles County Probate Court in 2026: Timelines, Changes, and What Every Family Needs to Know

With courtroom changes effective February 2026 and court timelines now stretching 18 to 24 months in LA County, here is what families need to know about navigating the Stanley Mosk Courthouse probate process.

July 20, 2026
New California Probate Law Changes in 2026: What Every Los Angeles Executor Needs to Know
Probate Law Update · 10 min read

New California Probate Law Changes in 2026: What Every Los Angeles Executor Needs to Know

Two major California probate laws took effect in 2026 — AB 1521 and AB 565 — changing notice requirements and trust administration rules. Here's what every executor in Los Angeles County needs to know.

July 16, 2026
Proposition 19 and Inherited Property: What Los Angeles Families Need to Know
Probate Law Update · 9 min read

Proposition 19 and Inherited Property: What Los Angeles Families Need to Know

California's Proposition 19 changed the rules on property tax reassessment for inherited homes. Here's what LA families need to know about the principal residence requirement, the one-year deadline, and the exclusion cap.

July 13, 2026
Inherited Property in Los Angeles: Sell, Keep, or Rent — A Practical Guide for LA Families
Inherited Property · 10 min read

Inherited Property in Los Angeles: Sell, Keep, or Rent — A Practical Guide for LA Families

Inheriting a home in Los Angeles triggers one of the biggest financial and emotional decisions a family can face. Here's how to evaluate your options — selling, keeping, or renting — with clarity around Proposition 19, carrying costs, and LA County realities.

July 9, 2026
When Siblings Disagree: Navigating Family Disputes Over Inherited Property in Los Angeles
Family Guidance · 9 min read

When Siblings Disagree: Navigating Family Disputes Over Inherited Property in Los Angeles

Family disputes over inherited property are one of the most painful parts of probate. Here is how Los Angeles families can navigate disagreements, protect relationships, and move forward with clarity.

July 6, 2026
California's New Probate Thresholds: What AB 2016 Means for LA Families
Probate Law Update · 9 min read

California's New Probate Thresholds: What AB 2016 Means for LA Families

Assembly Bill 2016 raised California's probate thresholds in 2025, creating new simplified paths for transferring a primary residence. Here's what Los Angeles families need to know.

July 2, 2026
How to Sell a Probate Property in Los Angeles County: A Complete Step-by-Step Guide
Probate Process · 12 min read

How to Sell a Probate Property in Los Angeles County: A Complete Step-by-Step Guide

A comprehensive guide to selling a probate property in LA County — from petition to close, including IAEA authority, court confirmation, overbidding, and California's new AB 2016 thresholds.

June 30, 2026
The Executor's Guide to Managing Inherited Property in Los Angeles
Executor Guidance · 9 min read

The Executor's Guide to Managing Inherited Property in Los Angeles

Step-by-step guidance for executors managing inherited homes in LA County — from the first 72 hours through probate sale or transfer, with California law essentials and practical tips.

June 22, 2026
What Happens When Someone Dies Without a Will in California?
Probate Process · 8 min read

What Happens When Someone Dies Without a Will in California?

Dying intestate in California triggers a specific legal process that determines who inherits your property. Here's what families need to know about the probate timeline, court requirements, and how to protect your interests.

June 15, 2026
5 Biggest Mistakes Families Make During Probate
Family Guidance · 6 min read

5 Biggest Mistakes Families Make During Probate

From missing court deadlines to making emotional property decisions, these five common mistakes can cost families thousands of dollars and months of additional stress.

June 10, 2026
Trust Sales vs. Probate Sales: What's the Difference?
Real Estate · 7 min read

Trust Sales vs. Probate Sales: What's the Difference?

Understanding the distinction between trust and probate sales is crucial for executors and heirs. Each path has different timelines, court requirements, and implications for the sale process.

June 5, 2026

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