When a person passes on and leaves a will, his or her estate may need to go through probate. In Santa Barbara, California, this may involve confirming that the will is valid, appraising property, handling creditor claims and distributing assets to beneficiaries as named in the will. If there is no will, California intestate laws may apply. In either case, you may find that a Santa Barbara probate attorney will be your best chance of properly approaching probate proceedings. Administration and litigation alike can present difficulties to an heir, beneficiary, administrator or executor. Regardless of your needs, you may find the right Santa Barbara probate lawyer by reviewing and comparing the professionals listed below.