Probate Notes: Your Guide to Navigating California Probate Law

R. Sam Price
  • 5.0 (13)
  • EDUCATION
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Welcome to Probate Notes, your go-to podcast for navigating the complexities of California probate law. Hosted by R. Sam Price, a seasoned probate attorney, Certified Specialist in Estate Planning, Trust, and Probate Law by the State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization, and author of The 6-Stage Probate Process, this podcast breaks down probate practice with expert insights, practical strategies, and real-world solutions for attorneys, paralegals, fiduciaries, and professionals in the probate industry. Each episode dives into key topics, from foundational probate concepts to advanced litigation strategies, helping you master the nuances of probate practice. Whether it's fixing court examiner deficiencies, tackling probate litigation, or staying ahead of legislative updates, you'll get actionable guidance to streamline your cases and elevate your expertise. Expect guest interviews with top probate attorneys, fiduciaries, and legal experts, as well as a dedicated segment answering listener questions. Whether you're a seasoned probate attorney or just starting in the field, Probate Notes will help you navigate probate with confidence, clarity, and efficiency. 🎧 Subscribe now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, and all major platforms. Submit your questions and be part of the conversation!

  1. 042: Nursing Home Abuse and Elder Neglect: What Families Need to Know About Legal Rights and Claims in California

    3D AGO

    042: Nursing Home Abuse and Elder Neglect: What Families Need to Know About Legal Rights and Claims in California

    When a loved one enters a nursing home, most families assume they're safe. James Morgan, founding partner at Lanzone Morgan, LLP in Long Beach, has spent 26 years proving that assumption wrong, and fighting back when it fails. Morgan breaks down how skilled nursing facilities are licensed in California, where families can research complaint histories (canhr.org is the first stop), and what the warning signs of elder abuse and neglect actually look like. He also clarifies two legal claims that confuse almost everyone: the survival action, which belongs to the deceased, and the wrongful death claim, which belongs to the heirs. They're different cases, different money, and sometimes a source of real conflict when estate beneficiaries and heirs aren't the same people. Sam Price covers exactly why probate attorneys need to understand this area of law, and why getting documents in order before a crisis hits changes everything. In this episode, you will hear: What skilled nursing facilities are and how they differ from hospitals How California licenses and regulates nursing homes Where to research complaint histories and red flags before choosing a facility The legal difference between elder abuse and negligence claims What survival actions and wrongful death claims are, and why they pay out differently When and why a probate needs to be opened to pursue an elder abuse case How conflicting interests between estate beneficiaries and heirs can complicate settlements Resources from this Episode The 6-Stage Probate Process: How to Navigate California Probate: https://a.co/d/82310Rw  Look Up Any California Nursing Home: http://canhr.org  Contact Lanzone Morgan, LLP: https://lanzonemorgan.com/contact/  Learn more about James: https://lanzonemorgan.com/our-team/james-morgan/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/lanzone-morgan-llp/  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LanzoneMorganLLP  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lanzonemorgan/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lanzonemorgan/  Follow and Review: We'd love for you to follow us if you haven't yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We'd love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select "Ratings and Reviews" and "Write a Review" then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast. Episode Credits If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com Let them know we sent you.

    44 min
  2. 041: Estate Audit Essentials With Josh Yager

    APR 29

    041: Estate Audit Essentials With Josh Yager

    Most estate plans fail before anyone dies. The trust document is fine — the funding, the beneficiary designations, the asset titling — that's where families get blindsided. Sam Price sits down with Josh Yager, Esq., CFP® and Managing Partner of Anodos Law, to walk through the estate audit: a six-stage process designed to catch those problems while there's still time to fix them cheaply. Josh breaks down the three types of assets every estate contains, explains what an "orphaned case" costs a family, and makes the case for why adjacent professionals — CPAs, financial advisors — should be running estate audits, not waiting for the attorney's call after the diagnosis. Josh has settled enough estates to know exactly where things go wrong. This conversation is a practical guide for anyone who touches the estate planning or settlement process. In this episode, you will hear: Why most estate plans fail at funding, not drafting The three asset types every family needs to understand What an orphaned case is and why it blindsides families The six stages of a proactive estate audit How the "treasure map" prevents a successor trustee from flying blind The gray wave coming for California's trust and estate profession Why CPAs and financial advisors should run estate audits, not wait for the call Resources from this Episode https://trustee-help.com/ The 6-Stage Probate Process: How to Navigate California Probate: https://a.co/d/82310Rw  Follow and Review: We'd love for you to follow us if you haven't yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We'd love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select "Ratings and Reviews" and "Write a Review" then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast. Episode Credits If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com Let them know we sent you.

    43 min
  3. 040: Hidden Labor Liabilities in California Probate Estates with Karen J. Sloat

    APR 21

    040: Hidden Labor Liabilities in California Probate Estates with Karen J. Sloat

    When a business owner dies, the employment liabilities don't die with them. In this episode of Probate Notes, Sam Price sits down with Karen J. Sloat, founder of SLO Law Group, to break down what probate attorneys need to know about California labor law: wage and hour claims, caregiver misclassification, independent contractor traps, and the penalties that can quietly gut an estate before distribution even begins. Karen brings 40 years of legal experience and runs one of the desert's go-to employment law firms. She works primarily on the employer side, which means she knows exactly where families and personal representatives get exposed, and how to get ahead of it before a single lawsuit gets filed. One caregiver. A few years of unpaid overtime. Tens of thousands in liability. This episode is the wake-up call every probate practitioner needs. In this episode, you will hear: When a business owner dies, employee wage claims survive — and can reach back three to four years Wage and hour violations, discrimination claims, and unpaid taxes all become estate liabilities The difference between a personal attendant and a domestic worker, and why it matters for overtime Why paying a caregiver $250 a day can translate to hundreds of thousands in back pay and penalties Independent contractor misclassification in California and the 13-criteria test most families fail Licensed caregiving agencies shift employer liability away from the family entirely How probate attorneys can use the notice to creditors process to shorten the window for employee claims Resources from this Episode LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sloatlawgroup/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sloatlawgroup/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SloatLawGroup YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SloatLawGroupAPC The 6-Stage Probate Process: How to Navigate California Probate: https://a.co/d/82310Rw  Follow and Review: We'd love for you to follow us if you haven't yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We'd love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select "Ratings and Reviews" and "Write a Review" then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast.

    38 min
  4. 039: Finding Hidden Assets with Stephen Walter of Hello Sunset

    APR 14

    039: Finding Hidden Assets with Stephen Walter of Hello Sunset

    Sam Price sits down with Stephen Walter, CEO of Hello Sunset, to tackle one of probate's most frustrating problems: finding a decedent's assets and debts when the family has no idea where to start. No bank statements. No policy numbers. No phone access. Just a death certificate and a lot of unanswered questions. Hello Sunset changes that — running deep searches across bank accounts, retirement funds, life insurance, brokerage accounts, real estate, unclaimed property, and credit files, then delivering a full financial picture of the estate. Stephen brings a background in corporate law and tech entrepreneurship to a problem that's only getting harder as financial lives grow more scattered. The platform is free to use, pulls data directly from all three credit bureaus and the IRS, and can return results in as little as one to two days. If your clients are walking into their first consultation empty-handed, this episode is required listening. In this episode, you will hear: Why families can't find a decedent's assets — and why it's only getting harder How Hello Sunset searches bank accounts, retirement funds, life insurance, real estate, and credit files in a single automated process Why brokerages are the hardest financial institutions to get information from after a death The real estate fraud risk that spikes the moment an obituary goes public How the platform pulls IRS filings going back 10 years to surface accounts executors would never think to look for Why Hello Sunset is free to use — and how the business model actually works What executors and attorneys should do before the first consultation to walk in with a full asset map Resources from this Episode The 6-Stage Probate Process: How to Navigate California Probate: https://a.co/d/82310Rw  https://www.hellosunset.com/attorneys Follow and Review: We'd love for you to follow us if you haven't yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We'd love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select "Ratings and Reviews" and "Write a Review" then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast. Episode Credits If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com Let them know we sent you.

    44 min
  5. 038: Bruno Bianchi's 4 Pillars of Attorney Wellness

    APR 7

    038: Bruno Bianchi's 4 Pillars of Attorney Wellness

    In this episode of Probate Notes, Sam sits down with Bruno Bianchi, a veteran fitness coach and personal trainer with over 25 years of experience, to explore how busy legal professionals can take better care of their bodies — and why it matters more than they might think. Bruno breaks down the four key pillars of sustainable health: exercise, nutrition, sleep, and social connection, making the case that physical wellbeing is directly tied to mental clarity, focus, and professional performance. Bruno shares practical, realistic strategies tailored for high-stress careers — from short, effective strength training sessions to smarter sleep habits and the often-overlooked power of genuine social time. His message is clear: consistency beats perfection, and small, sustainable habits compound into lasting results. For any attorney who's ever skipped a workout, grabbed fast food between hearings, or stared at the ceiling at midnight — this one's for you. In this episode, you will hear: Why physical health directly impacts mental clarity, focus, and professional performance The four pillars of sustainable wellness — exercise, nutrition, sleep, and social connection How to build an effective strength and cardio routine in as little as 30 minutes, two to three times a week Simple, realistic nutrition strategies for busy professionals on the go The critical role of quality sleep and how to build a wind-down routine that actually works Why social connection and time in nature are essential — not optional — components of overall health Training smart over training hard, and why consistency always beats perfection Resources from this Episode www.performance-pro1.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/performance_pro74  The 6-Stage Probate Process: How to Navigate California Probate: https://a.co/d/82310Rw  Follow and Review: We'd love for you to follow us if you haven't yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We'd love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select "Ratings and Reviews" and "Write a Review" then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast. Episode Credits If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com Let them know we sent you.

    44 min
  6. 037: Probate Vehicles Made Easy with Natalie Armenta of Carstub

    MAR 24

    037: Probate Vehicles Made Easy with Natalie Armenta of Carstub

    In this episode of Probate Notes, Sam sits down with Natalie Armenta, a probate and fiduciary vehicle specialist at Carstub, to break down one of probate's most overlooked challenges — what to do with a deceased person's car. From understanding AND vs. OR titles to navigating duplicate title paperwork, death certificates, and DMV fees, Natalie walks through the full process of getting a vehicle properly transferred or sold during a California probate case. Natalie also covers practical strategies attorneys and fiduciaries need to know — like placing a vehicle on non-operational status to stop accumulating DMV fees, and how junking a car can actually wipe out fees that exceed the vehicle's value. With nearly 25 years at Carstub, Natalie brings deep hands-on expertise to every step of the vehicle disposition process — making her an invaluable resource for any probate professional dealing with estate vehicles. In this episode, you will hear: AND vs. OR vehicle titles and how each affects the sale process in probate Required paperwork for transferring or duplicating a vehicle title in California How death certificates factor into probate vehicle sales Placing a vehicle on non-operational (non-op) status to avoid accumulating DMV fees When junking a car is the smartest option and how it eliminates outstanding DMV fees How Carstub handles the full vehicle disposition process, from towing to paperwork Tips for out-of-state or remote sellers dealing with probate vehicles in California Resources from this Episode The 6-Stage Probate Process: How to Navigate California Probate: https://a.co/d/82310Rw  https://carstub.com/fiduciary/ Follow and Review: We'd love for you to follow us if you haven't yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We'd love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select "Ratings and Reviews" and "Write a Review" then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast. Episode Credits If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com Let them know we sent you.

    37 min
  7. 036: Probate Cash Advances with James Leestma

    MAR 17

    036: Probate Cash Advances with James Leestma

    In this episode, Sam sits down with James Leestma — attorney, estate litigator, and owner of Advance Inheritance LLC — to break down everything you need to know about probate cash advances. Whether you're dealing with a looming foreclosure, an heir who can't afford to relocate, or a beneficiary who needs legal representation, a probate cash advance might be the solution you didn't know existed. James explains how these non-recourse assignments work, how they differ from traditional loans, and how they can be structured to benefit the estate as a whole. James brings a combination of legal expertise and investment experience, having reviewed thousands of probate estates through his work at Advance Inheritance LLC. He covers lien priority, underwriting considerations, early repayment discounts, and real-world use cases practitioners encounter every day. If you've ever been out of options in a probate matter, this episode is your next move. In this episode, you will hear: What probate cash advances are and how they differ from traditional loans How non-recourse assignments work and what heirs can and can't assign Common use cases including foreclosure prevention, relocation costs, and legal retainers Lien priority rules when an heir takes multiple assignments from multiple companies How attorneys can use cash advances as a fast alternative to ex parte injunctions Early repayment discounts and how assignments get satisfied at final distribution Resources from this Episode https://advanceinheritance.com/ https://www.jamesleestmaprobate.com/ The 6-Stage Probate Process: How to Navigate California Probate: https://a.co/d/82310Rw  Follow and Review: We'd love for you to follow us if you haven't yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We'd love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select "Ratings and Reviews" and "Write a Review" then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast. Episode Credits If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com Let them know we sent you.

    34 min
  8. 035: Music Royalties & Probate Explained with Iver Scott

    MAR 10

    035: Music Royalties & Probate Explained with Iver Scott

    What happens when a hit song, a music catalog, or even a celebrity's name and likeness becomes part of a probate estate? In this episode, Sam welcomes Iver Scott of Scott Valuation, LLC, a specialist in intellectual property valuation, to break down how IP assets are valued in an estate context — from discounted cash flow analysis to the rare cases where comparable sales can apply. Iver shares what goes into valuing music catalogs, how reversion and recapture rights affect value, and the critical distinction between valuing an asset immediately before versus after an artist's death — a nuance that played out in a landmark tax court case involving the Michael Jackson estate. Iver's insights are essential listening for any probate professional who may encounter IP assets in an estate. In this episode, you will hear: How intellectual property valuation sits at the intersection of art and science Discounted cash flow analysis explained — and why future cash flows are worth less than cash in hand today When comparable sales methodology works for music catalogs (and when it doesn't) The role of genre, commercial trajectory, and an artist's "S curve" in valuing a song Reversion and recapture rights and how they impact the value of music copyrights Inside the Michael Jackson estate valuation — name, image, and likeness under the microscope Why the timing of a valuation (immediately before vs. after an artist's death) can mean a difference of tens of millions of dollars in estate tax Resources from this Episode The 6-Stage Probate Process: How to Navigate California Probate: https://a.co/d/82310Rw  iver.scott@scottvaluation.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/iver-scott-1731a937/ https://www.scottvaluation.com/ Follow and Review: We'd love for you to follow us if you haven't yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We'd love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select "Ratings and Reviews" and "Write a Review" then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast. Episode Credits If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com Let them know we sent you.

    35 min
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About

Welcome to Probate Notes, your go-to podcast for navigating the complexities of California probate law. Hosted by R. Sam Price, a seasoned probate attorney, Certified Specialist in Estate Planning, Trust, and Probate Law by the State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization, and author of The 6-Stage Probate Process, this podcast breaks down probate practice with expert insights, practical strategies, and real-world solutions for attorneys, paralegals, fiduciaries, and professionals in the probate industry. Each episode dives into key topics, from foundational probate concepts to advanced litigation strategies, helping you master the nuances of probate practice. Whether it's fixing court examiner deficiencies, tackling probate litigation, or staying ahead of legislative updates, you'll get actionable guidance to streamline your cases and elevate your expertise. Expect guest interviews with top probate attorneys, fiduciaries, and legal experts, as well as a dedicated segment answering listener questions. Whether you're a seasoned probate attorney or just starting in the field, Probate Notes will help you navigate probate with confidence, clarity, and efficiency. 🎧 Subscribe now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, and all major platforms. Submit your questions and be part of the conversation!

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