Skip to content
Legal Navigator
Ask Now
Back to home
Your situation

"My parent passed away and there's no will..."

This sounds like it may involve

Probate Attorney

Confidence: high

When someone passes away without a will or other plan in place, their estate still needs to be handled through a legal process called probate. A probate attorney helps families navigate the court process, identify assets, pay debts, and distribute what remains according to California law. This can take several months to over a year depending on the complexity.

Possible next steps

  • Gather important documents (death certificate, bank statements, property deeds, insurance policies) if you have access to them
  • Write down what you know about your parent's assets and debts
  • Schedule a free consultation with a probate attorney in your area to discuss the process and timeline
  • Ask the attorney about whether your parent's estate qualifies for a simplified process, which is faster and less expensive

A licensed attorney can confirm your options. Legal Navigator does not provide legal advice.

Estate & Trusts

“A loved one passed away and there's no plan in place”

When someone passes without a clear plan, probate may be required. A probate attorney can guide the process.

Likely attorney type

Probate Attorney

Ask about this

Local firms that may handle this

Probate Attorney firms in Sonoma County

Listings assembled from public sources. Verify details with each firm.

Browse directory →

Ask another situation

claude-haiku-4-5 · 3218ms · 2318+211t · cache 0r/0w