Handling a California Probate From the United Kingdom

Your parent or relative lived in California; you are in London, Manchester, or Edinburgh. The good news: an uncontested California probate is built around court filings and attorney appearances, not family attendance — so the entire case can run while you stay in the UK. We handle the filings and appear in the California courts; you review and e-sign documents from home, eight time zones away.

Built for executors abroad

Advance Planning, A Law Corporation is a probate-only practice, and out-of-area executors — including executors overseas — are a substantial part of our caseload. Calls are scheduled around the time difference, documents move by email and e-signature, and the rare paper that needs notarization can usually be handled at a U.S. embassy or consulate, or through local channels where the rules allow. Estate distributions are wired internationally at the end of the case.

The remote process, on UK time

We prepare every document for electronic signature and make every court appearance in California ourselves. Most uncontested probates finish without any family member boarding a flight — the court never expects to see you.

What a California probate costs

California sets probate attorney fees by statute (Probate Code Section 10810): 4% of the first $100,000 of the estate's gross value, 3% of the next $100,000, 2% of the next $800,000, and 1% of the next $9 million. A $1,000,000 Bay Area home therefore generates a $23,000 statutory attorney fee — the same whether the executor is in Sacramento or London. Most uncontested cases run 9–18 months; simplified petitions can finish in 2–3 months.

How often will I need to fly to California?

Usually never. We make the court appearances; most uncontested probates finish without any family member attending a hearing.

I live in the UK. Can I serve as executor of a California estate?

Yes — if they are named as executor in the decedent's will. California Probate Code Section 8402 exempts a named executor from the U.S.-residency requirement, so an executor can serve from the UK, though under Section 8571 the court will often require a bond. If there is no will, a non-U.S.-resident cannot be appointed administrator (Section 8402) — in that case a qualified U.S.-resident or California-licensed professional fiduciary is appointed while the family abroad remains the beneficiaries. We confirm which path applies on the first call.

The estate is just a house in California. Do I really need probate?

It depends on the value and how title was held. If the house was in a living trust, usually no. For deaths on or after April 1, 2025, a primary residence at $750,000 or less may qualify for a streamlined petition. Above that, full probate usually applies — with the statutory fee quoted to the dollar before you decide anything.

Call (925) 336-3632 for a free 15-minute consultation — we are happy to schedule it for UK evening hours — or book online.