The legal issues involved in administering an estate generally include making a list of the deceased individual's assets, paying their outstanding debts and then distributing any remaining assets to heirs or beneficiaries. During the probate process, the court appoints an individual to take care of these tasks. If the deceased individual had a last will and testament, this person is known as an executor. If the estate owner dies intestate, the court appoints an administrator. Probate is usually a fairly straightforward process, but matters become more complex when a will is contested or there is no will and heirs become embroiled in disputes. Probate may also take longer when there is not enough money in the estate to pay all of the deceased person's creditors. This is known as an insolvent estate. In these situations, the executor or administrator will ask the court to determine which creditors get paid. In California, probate is simplified and going to court is not…
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