A California probate takes 7 months start to finish. It takes 7 months if you start now and it takes 7 months if you wait a year to start it. The timeline to finish a California probate does not diminish with time. It’s still going to take 7 months. With very few exceptions the sooner you finish a probate the better! Also, by law you are to file the original will with the probate court in the county the decedent last resided within 30 days of death. Why not just start the probate within 30 days!? Yes I know people are still grieving. However, it is my personal opinion that the grieving process has a much better chance of subsiding once the probate process is done. I thus feel strongly that people should file their probate cases and get them going sooner rather than later! Please contact me to discuss your probate case. -John
