A Heggstad Petition can keep assets out of Probate when a Trust shows clear intent but paperwork was missed.
If assets were left out of a Trust, a Heggstad Petition may help you avoid Probate and resolve issues quickly.
A Heggstad Petition can keep assets out of Probate when a Trust shows clear intent but paperwork was missed.
A Heggstad Petition may help keep assets out of Probate, saving your family time, stress, and expense.
Courts may allow assets to be included in a Trust when it’s clear that was the Trustor's intent.
We've successfully handled Heggstad Petitions and can guide you through every step with clarity.
A Heggstad Petition is a legal process in California that allows certain assets to be confirmed as part of a Trust, even if they weren’t formally transferred before the Trustor’s passing.
This option comes from the case Estate of Heggstad (1993), where the court ruled that clear language in a Trust was enough to include a property that hadn’t been retitled.
The case created a pathway for families to avoid Probate when a Trust shows clear intent but paperwork wasn’t completed.
In Estate of Heggstad (1993), a Trustor listed real property on a Trust schedule but hadn’t retitled it into the Trust before his death.
The court determined that his intent was clear and ruled the property belonged in the Trust.
This decision created what is now called a Heggstad Petition, which families across California use today to protect assets and respect a Trustor’s wishes.
Choosing Vanguard means working with trusted professionals with experience in California Estate Planning – including Heggstad Petitions.
We’ve helped thousands of California families protect their assets, honor their loved ones’ wishes, and navigate complex legal processes with confidence.
If an asset was left out of a Trust, we can help determine if a Heggstad Petition is the right path.