Who can enter, change locks, or remove belongings from an estate property? These are among the most high-conflict and risk-prone steps in probate, trust, or conservatorship files.

This guide provides attorneys, executors, and staff with a step-by-step, California-specific workflow for organizing entry, lawful lock changes, and proper cleanout—while protecting the estate and the person in charge.

What’s inside:
– Legal rules for access, lock changes, and occupant communication
– Stepwise guidance for documenting entry, changing locks, and storing/disposing of property
– Chain-of-custody best practices for keys, inventory, and personal property
– Sample notices and log language for attorney files
– Red flag warnings for unauthorized access, missing belongings, or conflicts between heirs or tenants

Use this guide to train staff, brief PRs, or set up vendor instructions—before conflicts escalate.