Mark Ignacio
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Dedicated attorney helping San Diego families create their legacy with customized estate planning guidance

man with hands on casket | La Mesa Probate Lawyer

Probate Lawyer Mark Ignacio Provides Compassionate Legal Guidance for Clients in the Greater San Diego Area

As the executor of your loved one's estate, you have been given the responsibility to ensure their final wishes are carried out properly and their legacy is preserved with dignity. Based in La Mesa and serving clients throughout the Greater San Diego area, Mark Ignacio Law helps ensure the probate process is managed according to California law and your family's needs are cared while you mourn the loss of your loved one.

Understanding the Probate Process

Probate is the court-supervised legal procedure for properly transferring a deceased individual's assets to their designated heirs and beneficiaries. 

When there is a will, probate involves authenticating this document and overseeing the distribution of assets as per the will’s instructions. The court appoints an executor, typically named in the will, to manage this process. This includes paying off debts and taxes and distributing the remaining assets to the beneficiaries. 

However, if someone passes away without a will, known as dying intestate, the probate process becomes more complex. California intestacy laws determine how the estate is divided, which is usually among the closest relatives. 

How We Can Help You During the California Probate Process

At Mark Ignacio Law, we’ll ensure compliance with all rules and regulations related to the probate process and resolve any issues that might arise. This includes:

  • Will contests. Disagreements over the validity of a will are common, especially if the document is unclear or family members suspect undue influence or incapacity at the time of drafting.
  • Debt and tax obligations. Determining the estate’s debt and tax obligations can be complex. California has specific laws on how these are to be handled, and missing these obligations can lead to legal issues.
  • Property appraisal and distribution. Properly valuing and distributing assets, especially if they include real estate or business interests in California, requires expertise to ensure fair division.
  • Beneficiary disputes. Disagreements among beneficiaries over asset distribution can lead to lengthy and emotional court battles.
  • Legal and administrative challenges. The probate process involves many legal hearings and administrative tasks, which can be overwhelming for families, especially during a time of grief.

What to Expect When You Work With Our Probate Law Firm

At Mark Ignacio Law, we take our responsibility to you and your family seriously. We are honored that you’ve chosen to entrust us with your legal needs and will work to ensure that you feel heard, understood, and supported throughout every step of the probate process. 

As a devoted son, husband, and father, experienced probate lawyer Mark Ignacio believes in the importance of family. As a man of faith, he strives to ease the burden clients feel as they are grieving the loss of a loved one. He’ll pray for your family to find peace and comfort while working to resolve your loved one's estate in a way that honors their wishes and preserves their legacy. 

Jacob H. turned to Mark Ignacio Law after his family struggled to resolve his father’s estate. He said, “This practice, and Mr. Ignacio in particular, were a Godsend to my family and myself after the untimely death of my father. The bank my father had done business with for over thirty years, the biggest in the world, decided to disregard all the legal precautions he had taken to pass on his legacy and threw us into probate court. They even stalled after Mr. Ignacio brought us to a swift victory but this exceptional lawyer stood by us through it all and delivered justice to us with great patience and professionalism. This is the attorney you want to safeguard the most important people in your life and I tell all of my friends and colleagues to go to Mr. Ignacio before anyone else.”

Jeanmarie D. was impressed by our firm's accessibility and responsiveness. She said, “Mark is a fantastic lawyer. We hired him initially for probate concerning our deceased family member's property. He's very helpful and always available to answer our questions and guide us through this process. We also hired him to prepare our family trust. We plan on using his services for all of our estate planning needs. I definitely recommend him to anyone needing estate planning and probate services.”

To learn more about how we’ve helped people just like you with their probate concerns, check our testimonials and five-star Google reviews from past clients