Probate Referees are sworn judicial officers of the Superior Court and officials representing the State Controller's Office for California. Basically we are in place to exercise sound judgment in the appraisal of real & personal property of all types in probated estates. Our valuations are typically utilized as the basis for distribution and accounting in probate, trust, conservatorship and guardian related cases. We are public servants striving to protect the beneficiaries of probated wills and court supervised trust cases, making sure the assets are valued fairly and distributed in accordance to the wishes of the decedent. When an estate property is sold and require court approval, probate referees make sure the sale price is at ' fair market value' and the transaction is above board. We represent an unbiased, 3rd party 'voice of reason' in appraising all assets involved in estate and trust cases. Referees also work closely with the Los Angeles County Public Guardian, the Department of Mental Health and assist in Elder Abuse matters.Prior to the abolishment of estate tax in California, our function was to appraise the assets and calculate the estate tax in conjunction with the Franchise Tax Board. Often our values have been utilized for IRS matters to help establish if any federal estate tax is owed. Since the estate tax threshold has been raised recently and fewer estates are taxable, the primary focus has now become establishing the new 'step up basis in value'. This strategy is used to bring current real property values from the date of the original purchase price, which helps minimize any future capital gains tax and establish a new basis for depreciation.It has been an honor for me personally to serve under the last six California State Controllers and numerous probate Judges for the County of Los Angeles for the past 36 years.