How to Find Your California Probate Court

Which county do you file in?

California Probate Code Section 7051 establishes clear rules for determining the proper county:

Resident decedents. If the decedent was a California resident, probate is filed in the county where they lived at the time of death — regardless of where they owned property. A person who lived in Sacramento County but owned rental property in Los Angeles County would file in Sacramento.

Non-resident decedents. If the decedent was not a California resident but owned real property in California, probate is filed in any county where the property is located. If property is in multiple counties, the petitioner can choose which one.

Multiple residences. If there is a dispute about which county was the decedent's primary residence, the court considers factors like voter registration, driver's license address, tax filings, and where the person spent most of their time. This issue arises most often with retirees who split time between two locations.

All 58 California probate courts

The directory below lists every California county's probate court with the primary courthouse city. Click any county name for detailed court information including addresses, filing fees, local rules, and typical timelines.

What to expect at the probate court

If you need to visit a California probate court in person — whether to file documents, attend a hearing, or obtain copies — here is what to expect:

Filing window. Most courts accept filings at the clerk's office during regular business hours, typically 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM Monday through Friday (some close at 3:00 PM). Many counties now require or strongly encourage e-filing, which allows 24/7 submission. Check your county's local rules for current filing procedures.

Clerk's office. The clerk's office is where you file petitions, obtain certified copies of Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration, and pay filing fees. Clerks can provide procedural information but cannot give legal advice. Expect wait times at busy courts, particularly in metro counties.

Hearing departments. Probate hearings are held in designated courtroom departments. Larger counties like Los Angeles, Orange, and San Diego have dedicated probate departments. Smaller counties may assign probate matters to a general civil department on specific calendar days. Hearings are typically brief — 5 to 15 minutes for uncontested matters.

Probate examiner. Many courts use a probate examiner who reviews filings before the hearing date. If the examiner finds deficiencies, you (or your attorney) will receive notes identifying required corrections. Addressing examiner notes promptly can prevent continuances and keep the case on track.

E-filing vs. paper filing

California courts are in various stages of adopting electronic filing for probate matters:

Mandatory e-filing counties. Several counties — including Los Angeles, Orange, San Diego, and Sacramento — require or strongly encourage e-filing for most probate documents. Attorneys in these counties typically must e-file; self-represented parties may have paper filing options.

Optional e-filing counties. Many mid-size counties accept e-filing but do not require it. This gives attorneys and self-represented parties the choice of electronic or paper submission.

Paper-only counties. Some smaller and rural counties have not yet implemented e-filing for probate matters. In these counties, all documents must be filed in person or by mail at the clerk's office.

E-filing convenience comes with service fees charged by the approved e-filing service provider, typically $5 to $15 per filing on top of the court's standard filing fees.

Self-help resources at California courts

Most California superior courts operate a self-help center (sometimes called a Family Law Facilitator or Court Navigator program) that provides free assistance to self-represented litigants. While these centers primarily focus on family law, many also help with basic probate questions:

What they can help with: Identifying the correct forms, explaining filing procedures, directing you to local rules, and providing general information about the probate process.

What they cannot do: Provide legal advice, recommend attorneys, prepare your documents, or represent you in court. For anything beyond basic procedural questions, consult with a probate attorney.

For detailed court information, local rules, and specific procedures for each of California's 58 counties, visit our California Probate by County hub page.

Get funds while probate is pending

Filing in probate court is just the beginning — the full process typically takes 9 to 24 months depending on the county and estate complexity. If you need cash before probate closes, an inheritance advance from First Heritage Funding provides funds in as little as 48 hours. There are no credit checks, no monthly payments, and no personal liability. The advance is not a loan — it is repaid only from your share when the estate closes.

Get a free, confidential quote or call (800) 617-7260 to discuss your estate.

See also: California Probate by County · CA Probate Local Rules · California Probate Fees · How Long Does Probate Take? · Probate Costs by State