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Creditors
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Burrey Law Group Represents Creditors

If someone has passed away owing you money, you may have a valid claim against their estate or trust—but time is critical. California law imposes strict deadlines and procedures for creditors seeking repayment after a debtor’s death. If you don’t act quickly and correctly, your claim may be barred entirely.

At Burrey Law Group, we help creditors assert their rights against estates and trusts. Whether you’re a business, medical provider, or private lender, we’ll help you navigate the probate process, protect your financial interest, and recover what you’re owed.

Asserting a Creditor Claim

When someone passes away, their debts don’t simply vanish—but that doesn’t mean repayment is guaranteed. The process for asserting a claim against an estate or trust is time-sensitive and technical. If it’s handled incorrectly, creditors risk forfeiting their ability to collect altogether.

Whether you’re a business, a healthcare provider, or an individual owed money, we help you assert your rights clearly and legally. Our team ensures your claim is timely, well-documented, and fully compliant with California law.
To recover payment, you must:

Creditor Rights Attorney
Identify whether the assets are in a probate estate or a trust
Creditor Rights Attorney
File a timely creditor’s claim with the appropriate court (if in probate)
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Notify the personal representative or trustee
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Submit supporting documentation
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Be prepared to defend the claim if it’s disputed
Our attorneys handle every step of this process on your behalf, ensuring that your claim is properly filed and positioned for recovery.
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Common Creditor Claims
We Handle

Every estate or trust differs, but certain types of debts
frequently surface during administration. We assist
creditors with recovering a wide range of claims,
including:

  • Unpaid business loans or lines of credit
  • Outstanding medical bills
  • Credit card or personal loan debt
  • Home or vehicle payments
  • Services rendered prior to death
  • Promissory notes or private lending arrangements

We also represent creditors when claims are contested, denied, or when trust assets are being distributed without proper payment of debts.

Illustrative Example

A small business owner had an unpaid invoice for services rendered to a client who passed away suddenly. The estate had begun distributing assets, and our client was unaware of the probate timeline. We quickly intervened, filed a timely claim, and successfully secured repayment before the final distribution occurred.

Note: This scenario is fictional and provided for illustrative purposes only.

Yes—trusts don’t go through probate, but creditors may still have recourse. We can help you evaluate your options and send notice to the trustee.

Generally, creditors have four months from the appointment of a personal representative—but there are exceptions. Act quickly to avoid missing your window.

They can dispute or deny claims, but they must do so legally. We help creditors contest improper denials and enforce valid debts.

We’ll review your documentation and the circumstances to determine if your debt qualifies. If it does, we’ll guide you through the next steps.

Frequently Asked Questions

Some of your burning questions have been answered.

Don’t Miss Your Window to Recover

If you believe you’re owed money by a deceased individual’s estate or trust, don’t wait. The deadlines are short—and once they pass, your options may be gone.

Contact Burrey Law Group today for strategic, timely creditor representation.
 We’ll help you protect your bottom line and pursue the repayment you deserve.

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