029: Working with Public Administrators in Probate Cases with Shane Duncombe

By: R. Sam Price | January 27, 2026

In this episode of Probate Notes, Sam Price explores how public administrators step in when probate cases become complicated or when family members are unavailable. Attorney Shane Duncombe joins the conversation to share practical insights into when and why a public administrator gets appointed, how they investigate estates, and what attorneys should expect when working alongside them.

028: Probate Asset Inventory Explained with Gabriela Fisk

By: R. Sam Price | January 20, 2026

In this episode of Probate Notes, Sam Price sits down with professional fiduciary Gabriela Fisk of IE Fids to unpack what really goes into documenting and managing personal property in probate and conservatorship cases. Drawing on her background in insurance and fiduciary work, Gabriela explains why thorough asset documentation is essential not just for compliance but for risk management, transparency, and reducing conflict among beneficiaries.

027: Marshaling Financial Accounts in Probate: A Practical Guide for Executors

By: R. Sam Price | January 13, 2026

In this episode of Probate Notes, host Sam Price breaks down the practical realities of marshaling financial accounts during probate administration. The conversation focuses on what executors and administrators must actually do after appointment, including tracking down accounts, working with banks, and gathering the documentation needed to access estate funds without delays or missteps.

026: Terrence Franklin: When Probate Law Changed a Family's Fate

By: R. Sam Price | January 06, 2026

In this episode of Probate Notes, Sam welcomes trust and estates litigator Terrence Franklin for a powerful conversation that blends probate law, history, and personal discovery. Terrence shares that, decades into his legal career, he uncovered a 19th-century will contest that directly shaped his family's freedom and reshaped his understanding of the law's role in justice.

025: How Client Care Specialists Improve Consultations and Firm Growth with Brandie Cooper 

By: R. Sam Price | December 30, 2025

024: How Attorneys Can Break Burnout and Reclaim Energy with Sharon Vidano

By: R. Sam Price | December 23, 2025

A major theme of the discussion is energy preservation. Sharon explains how unmanaged stress and constant reactivity can drain mental and emotional reserves, making even routine tasks feel overwhelming. She shares simple tools like pausing, reframing thoughts, and intentional breathing to help regulate the nervous system in high-pressure moments.

023: Inside Probate Mediation

with Daniel I. Spector

By: R. Sam Price | December 16, 2025

Family disputes over trusts and estates don't just involve legal questions. They carry decades of emotional history, misunderstandings, and tension that money alone can't resolve.

In this episode of Probate Notes, Sam sits down with veteran trust-and-estate mediator Daniel I. Spector to explore how mediation offers an effective, human-centered alternative to years of bruising litigation.

022: Renewals and What Practitioners Miss with Paul Shakarian

By: R. Sam Price | December 09, 2025

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.

021: Revolutionize Legal Mailing: Streamlined Solutions with EDEX Information Systems with Chris Floyd

By: R. Sam Price | December 02, 2025

On this episode of Probate Notes, Chris Floyd of EDEX Information Systems explains how his company is transforming the way legal professionals handle mail. He shares EDEX’s shift from supporting the California Workers’ Compensation system to becoming a key partner for attorneys, especially during the move to remote work. Learn how probate mailing challenges can be streamlined with EDEX’s print and mail solutions.