Improve your understanding of the probate industry with Probate Notes, your guide to success.

Welcome to the Probate Notes Podcast—the go-to weekly podcast for attorneys, paralegals, professional fiduciaries, real estate professionals, tax professionals, and anyone working in the world of California probate.

In each episode, host R. Sam Price, a probate attorney certified as a Specialist in Estate Planning, Trust & Probate Law, breaks down practical insights, legal updates, and real-world strategies to help you navigate California’s complex probate system with clarity and confidence.

Whether you’re new to probate or a seasoned professional, Probate Notes offers a mix of foundational education, advanced practice tips, and engaging interviews with industry experts.

038: Bruno's Bianchi's 4 Pillars of Attorneys Wellness 

By: R. Sam Price | April 7, 2026

In this episode of Probate Notes, Sam sits down with Bruno Bianchi, a veteran fitness coach and personal trainer with over 25 years of experience, to explore how busy legal professionals can better care for their bodies — and why it matters more than they think. Bruno breaks down the four key pillars of health: exercise, nutrition, sleep, and social connection, showing how physical wellbeing supports mental clarity, focus, and performance.

037: Probate Vehicles Made Easy with Natalie Armenta of Carstub

By: R. Sam Price | March 24, 2026

In this episode of Probate Notes, Sam sits down with Natalie Armenta, a probate and fiduciary vehicle specialist at Carstub, to break down one of probate's most overlooked challenges — what to do with a deceased person's car. From understanding AND vs. OR titles to navigating duplicate title paperwork, death certificates, and DMV fees, Natalie walks through the full process of getting a vehicle properly transferred or sold during a California probate case.

036: Probate Cash Advances with James Leestma

By: R. Sam Price | March 17, 2026

In this episode of Probate Notes, Sam sits down with James Leestma — attorney, estate litigator, and owner of Advance Inheritance LLC — to explain what you need to know about probate cash advances. From foreclosure risks to relocation challenges and legal costs, he outlines how these non-recourse options work, how they differ from traditional loans, and how they can support beneficiaries while preserving the estate’s value. 

035: Music Royalties and Probate Explained with Iver Scott

By: R. Sam Price | March 10, 2026

What happens when a hit song, a music catalog, or even a celebrity’s name and likeness becomes part of a probate estate? In this episode, Sam welcomes Iver Scott of Scott Valuation, LLC, a specialist in intellectual property valuation, to explain how IP assets are assessed in an estate context. From discounted cash flow analysis to the limited situations where comparable sales apply, Iver breaks down the methods professionals use to determine and support fair market value.

034: Hidden Assets and Missing Heirs with M. Jason Ross 

By: R. Sam Price | March 3, 2026

Ever wonder how professional fiduciaries track down heirs and uncover hidden assets during probate? In this episode, Sam sits down with M. Jason Ross, a licensed professional fiduciary with Kaalund Professional Fiduciary and Trustee Services, to explore the investigative side of administration. From tools like Spokeo and social media checks to reviewing pre-death bank statements, Jason shares practical strategies that reveal assets many people overlook.

033: California Will Contest

with Kevin Snyder

By: R. Sam Price | February 24, 2026

Will contests can turn an already emotional probate matter into full-blown litigation between family members and beneficiaries. In this episode, Sam sits down with Kevin Snyder of Snyder Law PC to unpack what happens when someone challenges a will in California courts. They discuss why even “equal” distributions can still trigger disputes, how dueling wills emerge over time, and what attorneys need to know about procedural pitfalls, notice requirements, and strict 120-day filing deadlines.