In CA, probate is generally required if the value is over $150,000.00. If it is less, there is a special Probate petition available to cause title to be transferred to the 3 of you, if that is what you truly want. It is an inexpensive and speedy process, but you would probably have to pay an attorney about $500-750 to prepare and process it, and there is a court filing fee. Understand, no ne of you would end up with a marketable interest to sell except to the other 2, unless all 3 agreed to sell , you would be in a lifelong partnership to own and manage the property, and as you passed on yourselves there would be the potential of a forced sale ("partition and sale") by the grandchildren so that they could receive their inheritance .
Answered on Oct 31st, 2012 at 3:27 PM