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State guide
California
Estate law, probate process, and inheritance rules for California — in plain language.
Probate timeline
9–18 months
Small estate threshold
Under $184,500
State taxes
Estate tax: NoneInheritance tax: None
Spousal rights in California
Community property state — spouse owns 50% of all marital assets automatically
Key things to know about California
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California probate is notoriously slow and expensive — attorney fees are set by statute
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A revocable living trust avoids probate entirely — highly recommended in CA
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No state estate tax or inheritance tax
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Homestead exemption is limited compared to other states
Free resource
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