Probate bonds play a critical role in California probate cases, yet many practitioners still find the process confusing.

In this episode of Probate Notes, Sam sits down with attorney and surety-bond specialist Paul Shakarian to clarify how bonds work, how applicants get approved, and the factors that influence underwriting.

Paul shares his transition from practicing law to running a bond agency, along with practical guidance on premiums, renewals, bond riders, and exoneration. His insights help attorneys, fiduciaries, and administrators avoid common bonding pitfalls that stall probate cases.

Sam and Paul take listeners through the lifecycle of a probate bond, from application to exoneration, so every professional involved in probate can move through the process with greater confidence.

In this episode, you will hear:

• A clear breakdown of surety bonds and how they differ from insurance
• The criteria underwriters use when reviewing bond applications
• How bond amounts change during administration and the role of riders
• Renewal timelines, premium calculations, and refund practices
• Joint liability concerns for co-administrators and safer bonding options
• Challenges self-represented administrators face when seeking approval
• The final steps needed for bond exoneration at the close of a case

Resources from this Episode

https://dlrbond.com/

The 6-Stage Probate Process: How to Navigate California Probate: https://a.co/d/82310Rw

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Episode Credits

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