The executor of a California estate has a lot of responsibilities. Because it is important to know exactly what assets are part of the estate, many states require that the executor complete an inventory of the remaining assets during probate proceedings. The parties who are entitled to copies of the inventory depends on state laws.

In some cases, the heirs and beneficiaries do not have to receive a copy of the inventory. The inventory may need to be filed directly with the court, but the law may not require that the beneficiaries receive a copy unless they specifically request one. Along those same lines, if state laws do require that the executor provide a copy of the inventory to the heirs and beneficiaries, those parties could waive their rights to a copy.

Of course, in states that require a copy be provided to heirs and beneficiaries, it is important that the executor provides those copies as necessary. It may also be required that the executor provide proof that he or she mailed the copies to the required individuals. It is important to know when a copy of the inventory is required by the court and when the executor must provide it to heirs or beneficiaries.

Anyone acting as an executor in California will likely have questions about the right way to handle the tasks associated with closing an estate. Even knowing whether to provide copies of an inventory may not be straightforward, so it is wise to understand the laws associated with that detail of the process. Fortunately, experienced probate attorneys can help interested parties ensure that they follow the procedures correctly.