She died alone. Then the Court Published Her Heirs' Addresses.

An actual pdf of probate court filing [Case No. 23STPB0***4-Stanley Mosk Courthouse, Dept 11]. Names, relationship to decedent and other relatives, percentage and amount of inheritance.

A week ago, I glanced at the probate calendar in downtown Los Angeles. One case stopped me. It had been open for almost three years.

Three years.

This woman died more than three years ago—and her heirs still haven’t seen a penny.

Why Probate in California Can Take Years

Between attorney fees and administrator costs, $35,290.93 was deducted from her $700,000 estate. Roughly 5%.

That might sound manageable—until you realize a simple estate plan would have cost a fraction of that.

But the delay is what really matters. Probate in California is not quick. Court schedules, notices, filings, and approvals stretch timelines out—sometimes for years.

Her family is still waiting.

When No One Steps Up, the Court Takes Over

Here’s what made this case worse.

No one stepped forward to act as administrator.

No spouse. No child. No one willing or able to take responsibility.

So the court appointed a stranger.

Completely and utterly alone.

The administrator had to go through her personal belongings just to find her relatives.

They found 24 heirs.

I’m not sure I want a stranger digging through my things.

Do you?

Probate Is Public Record—Including Names and Addresses

In the final accounting, everything was laid out:

• Names

• Inheritance amounts

• Home addresses

All of it. Public.

Not a lottery jackpot—but still.

Why would you want the world to know:

• what you left

• who received it

• and where they live

Probate doesn’t just transfer assets.

It exposes your family.

A Will Doesn’t Solve This Problem

Most people assume a will fixes everything.

It doesn’t.

A will still goes through probate. Still public. Still subject to court control.

The only difference is you decide who gets what.

But the process—and the exposure—remain the same.

How a Living Trust Keeps Family Matters Private

The real solution is a properly prepared revocable living trust.

A trust allows your estate to pass:

• privately

• without court involvement

• without public filings

  
  

No published addresses. No court calendar. No strangers digging through your life.

Just a controlled, private transfer handled according to your instructions.

Don’t Let Your Life Become a Public File

Her story didn’t have to end in probate court.

Yours doesn’t either.

If privacy matters to you—and it should—this is a conversation worth having.

Want to know whether a living trust can keep your family matters private?]

Schedule a consultation. Stay informed. Because family matters.