Office of the Probate Pt. 2 Ft. Judge Judith Baca and Johnathan Macias

Welcome to another episode of Preserving History and Democracy! In this episode, Bern and Cynthia are joined by Judge Judith Ann Baca from the Office of the Probate, along with Assistant County Manager Johnathan Macias. Judge Baca begins by sharing a bit about herself and her role within the Probate Office. She then explains the key differences between probate handled by the County Clerk's Office and probate cases processed through the District Court. Mr. Macias follows up with valuable insight into why it's important to have an estate plan in place while you're still of sound mind. Judge Baca then walks us through the process of opening a probate case, including which documents are required*. She also discusses how long it typically takes to open a case and how long it might take to resolve matters through the Probate Office. In addition, Judge Baca explains what happens when there's a dispute in a probate case and why such cases are transferred to the District Court.** Finally, she shares the contact information and office hours for the Office of the Probate, so you know where to go for help or questions. Tune in for a helpful and informative conversation on planning ahead and navigating the probate process! *For more  questions about the required documents, please contact the office of the probate at 575-525-6115 **Disclaimer: The information provided in this episode is for general informational purposes only and should not be considered legal advice. For guidance specific to your situation, please consult a qualified attorney. Hosted by: Bernardine Caporale, Cynthia Mendoza  Special Guests: Judge Judith Ann Baca, Johnathan Macias  Produced by: Bernardine Caporale, Cynthia Mendoza and Jacob Slaughter  Edited by: Jacob Slaughter