Legal Question in Elder Law in California

You must open a probate case and submit the will to the court within 30 days. The property is transferred to the heir(s) via probate. Pick up a copy of How to Probate an Estate in California, by Nolo Press. If you think you can do it yourself after looking through that book, go for it. If not, contact a probate attorney. Basic probate fees are capped by statute based on the value of the estate, and are not cheap but not onerous and usually worth it if you have any doubt about being able to handle it yourself.