The estate and executor (personal representative) have significant obligations under California inheritance law that require careful attention, especially with recent changes in California probate laws in 2025.
This updated guide covers key aspects of inheritance law in California, including tax responsibilities, probate process updates, common inheritance disputes, and how WGS Law can help you protect your estate and resolve conflicts.
Taxes and Inheritance Law in California
While California does not tax estates or inheritances, the estate itself must file tax returns:
- EIN (Employer Identification Number): The estate must apply for an EIN before filing any tax returns. This is free and can be done online, by fax, or mail.
- Federal/State Income Tax Returns: The deceased’s final personal income tax returns must be filed by the usual deadline (typically April 15) the year following their death.
- Federal Estate/Trust Income Tax Return: Also due by the usual tax return deadline following death.
- Federal Estate Tax Return: For estates exceeding $11.4 million in gross assets and prior taxable gifts, this return must be filed within nine months of death.
- Extensions: Extensions are generally easy to obtain for all these filings.
Hi. My grandfather passed in 2010 and grandmother in 2021. My uncle lives in their house and is/was part owner of the house. My grandfather had a will that stated the surviving children will split his share of the house. My uncle now denies this and told my mother there’s no will. We are unsure what her rights are and what we can do. The house is in Daly City. Thank you for reading this message. Shannon
Hi Shannon, thank you so much for sharing. Please give us a call at 650.261.9791 so we can talk about how we can help.
Hello. My father just recently passed away and I am his only biological child. He was remarried to his fourth wife and they were married three years before his death. In 2017 my father had appointed me power of attorney over his estate, but his newest wife is telling me that my dad reappointed her daughter to be in charge of his estate. They were only married three years and they had no community property together but his wife is trying to cut me off. Can you please assist me? Thank you.
Lucelle
Hello, my grandfather passed some time ago as well as his wife They had property together. She left her brother as administrator of the property. My family members have received letters. They are asking us to sign a Waiver of Accounting. The lawyer said my family is not entitled to anything anyway.. I f that is so why would they need us to sign this.
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My mother passed away in 2020 my sister filed an Affidavit of Death in 2021 my mother never had a will now my sister passed away in 2022 my sibling filed affidavit of death tenecy Grant deed what I want to know is since my mother passed without a will did that give my other siblings rights to claim the property or dose the property belong to all of my mother’s children and if so what can I do before the property is sold and the rest of us receive nothing
Hello,
My name is Jesus Marin from Redwood City, California. I grow in Redwood city but am now living abroad with my wife. My father passed away and there is a will that i have never seen. My eldest sister is the only one who has seen it and is the person in charge under law. I would like to just view it and see what is in it. My sister just says all our siblings are in the will but thats it. No details. Would I be able to access a copy while abroad? Can I have it looked at by a professional ?
Thank you. J Marin
my mother just died and i think my uncle is giving me the run around. she left me alot of money. but uncle says its none of my business. my dad died several years ago and sold his fully paid for house in irvine before passing. wife is a piece of work. said no will, no money. lies. help please
This is the situation my dad died, and as soon as he died. My Uncle’s called and said you are the next to Kin. But I was not biologically his daughter but in his eyes I was my dad said he was there when i was born and to him i was his daughter. I have proof that he considered me. His daughter since I was born and I was. He told me I was gonna be left. Everything because he had no one else to leave what he had and he just never changed it to my name i have texts of him stating i his daughter no matter whatand plus I have his ashesThey gave me his Ashes
Because I am his daughter and his to my dad. I was his daughter in his heart and him y dad And all my uncles say I am his daughter. He considered me my his daughter even though he really knew. I wasn’t because he raised me since birth. We had often on relationship, but we still had a Great relationship for the last, like 3 years. And we did speak of and on before that he said he has no one to leave it to. And he just never put anything in my name. So am I entitled to anything? Because my Uncle, that is his biological brother took over and inherited. Everything am I obligated to Inherit any of that money.