Is There a Deadline to Wrap up A Probate?
Sept. 1, 2019
There is no deadline as such. In cases where there is litigation or sale of estate property, an estate might go on for decades. However, the courts in California typically set a date by which the personal representative must either file a Final Account and Report (The paper that is supposed to lead to an order closing the estate.) or file a status report with the court.
If the deadline is not met, the court will have an order to show cause hearing wherein a new deadline is set, the case is dismissed, or another action is taken. The status report is not hard but the filing fee is $230.00 as of the last report. If a status report has been filed, the court will probably set a new date to either file a final account and report or a new status report.
Fortunately, I’ve only had one case where I was in charge of the start and I had to file a status report and I’ve never had to face the new deadline. So I don’t know if the court gets more insistent or asks more questions as you go from one deadline to the next. I am 100% certain that they take their $230.00 every time.
The legal opinions stated here are general and may not apply to specific situations. If you have a legal problem, contact an attorney.
If you have a subject that you would like to have discussed in this blog, please contact me by email at robplunkett@robplunkett.com.