Legal and Financial Protection
What if the deceased was involved in a lawsuit when they died?
Short answer
The lawsuit does not automatically end. The estate steps into the deceased's legal position. Pending lawsuits — both ones they filed and ones filed against them — continue with the estate as the party. A probate attorney needs to be involved immediately…
What this usually means
The lawsuit does not automatically end. The estate steps into the deceased's legal position. Pending lawsuits — both ones they filed and ones filed against them — continue with the estate as the party. A probate attorney needs to be involved immediately to protect the estate's interests and deadlines.
What to do next
- Start the PathAfter checklist for situation-aware first steps.
- Find California county phone numbers for coroner, vital records, and local offices.
- Open the First 72 Hours Call Log before making calls.
- Open the Documents to Find Checklist when you are ready for paperwork.