Legal Question in Wills and Trusts in California

Please pass along condolances to your friend and to the departed's sons.

If he died intestate, and was unmarried, then his estate will pass to his issue...his children. If this amount is over $100,000, then a probate will be necessary.

If the accounts were POD as you describe, then he was never the owner of the money so the accounts should pass outside of his estate and outside of probate. Because the money is not part of the estate, there should not be any claims by 3rd parties to any of it.

If you (or your friend) would like to discuss this matter further in a more private forum, please feel free to contact me directly at the email address provided by LawGuru or through our firm�s website located at PasadenaEstatePlanning.com

IMPORTANT:

No attorney-client nor confidential relationship is created through this communication. You may not rely in any way on this communication, and nothing herein constitutes legal advice nor legal opinion. Your issue may be time-sensitive and may result in a loss of rights if you do not obtain an attorney immediately.