California
CA · 10 guides
California Funeral Cost Guide
Realistic California funeral costs for burial, cremation, and direct cremation. Includes component breakdowns, legal pricing rights, and pre-need contract rules.
End-of-Life Planning Checklist for California Residents
California end-of-life planning checklist: advance health care directive, POLST, financial POA, beneficiary designations, funeral preferences, and community property rules.
Estate and Inheritance Tax in California 2026
California has no state estate tax and no inheritance tax, but it does have state income tax. Federal threshold is $15M in 2026. Community property step-up and Medi-Cal recovery.
Executor Duties and Timeline in California
What a California personal representative must do: appointment, inventory, creditor notice, statutory fees, tax filing, community property, and distribution.
Funeral and Burial Laws in California
California funeral and burial laws: disposition authority, cremation 48-hour wait, green burial, aquamation, embalming rules, and consumer rights.
How Probate Works in California: Process, Timeline, and Costs
California probate explained: small estate affidavit, spousal petition, full probate steps, statutory fees, and deadlines with statute citations.
How to Close Bank Accounts After Death in California
Step-by-step guide to closing bank accounts, transferring vehicle titles, handling real property, and accessing safe deposit boxes after a death in California.
How to Get a Death Certificate in California
Order a California death certificate from CDPH or a county office. 2026 fees, processing times, how many copies you need, and who can request.
Social Security Survivor Benefits in California
How to claim Social Security survivor benefits in California, including the $255 lump sum, monthly benefit amounts, and California state income tax rules.
What to Do When Someone Dies in California: A Complete Guide
Step-by-step California death checklist: probate paths, death certificates, community property, financial tasks, and Medi-Cal recovery.