Estate Planning in West Hills

Housing in the West Hills area isn’t cheap, and that’s exactly why the paperwork matters. In California, probate fees are set against the full value of your home, not the slice you actually own after the mortgage. So a house here can put your family through a long, public court process for one reason: no plan was in place to keep it out. The good news is that avoiding all of that is straightforward, and once it’s done your family keeps the home instead of spending a year in court to inherit it. To see the exact dollar amount, use our California probate fee calculator.

I’m Eric Ridley, an estate planning attorney since 2010. I work with West Hills area families on flat-fee plans, in person and by video, with clear advice and no upselling.

Probate in the West Hills area

West Hills is part of the City of Los Angeles, so probate here is handled by the Los Angeles County Superior Court. Probate is the court process that kicks in after death when there’s no trust. It’s public, it usually takes more than a year, and the attorney and executor fees are fixed by statute on the full value of the home, not the equity. A house worth well over a million, even with a mortgage on it, is billed against that full number. A living trust that’s been properly set up, with the home and accounts retitled into it, keeps your family clear of the whole process. There’s no court case, nothing goes on the public record, and the people you chose step in and take care of things.

What your plan should cover

For most West Hills area homeowners, the foundation is a living trust holding the house and accounts, along with a backup will that catches anything left outside the trust. You’ll also want a durable power of attorney so someone can manage your finances if you can’t, and an advance health care directive so your medical wishes are clear and someone you trust can speak for you. If you have minor children, the will is where you name their guardian. And because you own California real estate, Prop 19 belongs in the plan: it changed how a home passes to your kids without a full property tax reassessment, and how you hold and transfer the house now shapes the bill they’ll see later.

West Hills Estate Planning FAQs

Which county handles probate for the West Hills area?

West Hills is a neighborhood within the City of Los Angeles, so probate is handled by the Los Angeles County Superior Court. A funded living trust keeps your estate out of that court process.

Do I need a living trust if I own a home in the West Hills area?

With housing costs as high as they are here, a living trust is usually the right move. Probate fees are calculated on the full value of the home, and a trust avoids probate, keeps things private, and lets your family take over without going to court.

How does Prop 19 affect the home I leave my kids?

Prop 19 cut back the old parent-to-child exclusion. Your kids can sometimes keep your lower property tax basis, but generally only if they live in the home as their primary residence, and even then there are caps. Since the outcome depends on how the home is titled and transferred, it’s worth planning for in advance.

Can we handle this without multiple office visits?

Yes. Most West Hills area families wrap up their plan with a few video calls and a single signing. I meet by video or in person, whichever you prefer, and you won’t be sent through appointments you don’t need.

Related

See also Living Trusts, Wills, Woodland Hills, Calabasas, and Prop 19 Planning.

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Written by Eric D. Ridley: Estate Planning Attorney, Ridley Law. Serving Ventura County since 2010. Learn more about Eric →