Probate Court USA 3,144 counties · 50 states + D.C.
Find a county
Probate in California · 58 counties

California Probate Courts

Estates here go through the Superior Court (Probate Division). Pick a county on the map or search below — each record shows where to file and where every detail comes from.

Small-estate limit
$208,850
Wait 40 days
Death taxes
None
No state death tax
Executor fee
Statute
Percentage set by statute
Handwritten wills
Valid
Unwitnessed, in testator’s hand
Plate · CA

Every California county, on one map

Population, low → high courthouse probate office checked
§ I

California probate rules

Court
Superior Court (Probate Division)In California, probate cases are heard by the Probate Division of the County Superior Court. California enforces strict statutory rules regarding attorney and executor fees, probate referee appraisals, and formal notices.
Small estates
$208,850 personal property affidavit (§ 13100, deaths on/after Apr 1, 2025); real property of small value affidavit up to $69,625 (§ 13200, 6 months after death); primary residence up to $750,000 via court petition (§ 13151, AB 2016, not an affidavit)Cal. Prob. Code § 13100 (personal property); § 13200 (small-value real property); § 13151 (primary residence petition, AB 2016)
Filing the will
Must lodge original will with County Clerk within 30 days of knowledge of death (Prob Code § 8200)
Creditor claims
4 months after letters issued or 60 days after notice, whichever is later (absolute 1-year bar under CCP § 366.2)Cal. Prob. Code § 9100 & CCP § 366.2
Executor fees
Mandatory Statutory Scale: 4% first $100k, 3% next $100k, 2% next $800k, 1% next $9M, 0.5% next $15M, reasonable amount above $25M (Prob Code § 10800)Cal. Prob. Code § 10800 & § 10810 (Attorneys receive identical statutory compensation) · calculator
Estate tax
NoneCalifornia has no state estate tax (prohibited by Proposition 6 in 1982).
Inheritance tax
NoneNo inheritance tax in California.
Typical duration
9 to 18 months
Official courts site
courts.ca.govCase search: California Superior Court Online Case Access (County Specific Odyssey/Tyler)

Re-checked Sept 2026 against: mullinlaw.com (statute) · law.justia.com (statute)

Need help with an estate in California?

Where to get help.

We don't sell leads or take referral fees. Eligibility, availability and fees depend on the provider; confirm them directly.

  1. 01 California courts — self-help & formsOfficial judiciary website: forms, filing rules and e-filing.
  2. 02 Legal aid directory — LawHelp.orgNonprofit directory of free and low-cost legal aid by state, including probate and estates.
  3. 03 Find a probate lawyer — American Bar AssociationState-by-state links to bar lawyer-referral services and pro bono programs.
§ II · Register

All 58 counties

Sorted by population. office checked = probate office address/phone confirmed on the court's own website. courthouse mapped = located in OpenStreetMap.

#CountySeatPopulationRecord
1 Los Angeles County Los Angeles 9,663,345 office checked
2 San Diego County San Diego 3,269,973 office checked
3 Orange County Santa Ana 3,135,755 office checked
4 Riverside County Riverside 2,492,442 office checked
5 San Bernardino County San Bernardino 2,195,611 office checked
6 Santa Clara County San Jose 1,877,592 office checked
7 Alameda County Oakland 1,622,188 office checked
8 Sacramento County Sacramento 1,584,288 courthouse mapped
9 Contra Costa County Martinez 1,155,025 office checked
10 Fresno County Fresno 1,017,162 office checked
11 Kern County Bakersfield 913,820 office checked
12 Ventura County Ventura 829,590 office checked
13 San Francisco County San Francisco 808,988 office checked
14 San Joaquin County Stockton 800,965 office checked
15 San Mateo County Redwood 726,353 office checked
16 Stanislaus County Modesto 551,430 courthouse mapped
17 Sonoma County Santa Rosa 481,812 courthouse mapped
18 Tulare County Visalia 479,468 county site
19 Solano County Fairfield 449,218 courthouse mapped
20 Santa Barbara County Santa Barbara 441,257 courthouse mapped
21 Monterey County Salinas 430,723 courthouse mapped
22 Placer County Auburn 423,561 courthouse mapped
23 Merced County Merced 291,920 courthouse mapped
24 San Luis Obispo County San Luis Obispo 281,639 courthouse mapped
25 Santa Cruz County Santa Cruz 261,547 courthouse mapped
26 Marin County San Rafael 254,407 county site
27 Yolo County Woodland 220,544 courthouse mapped
28 Butte County Oroville 207,172 courthouse mapped
29 El Dorado County Placerville 192,215 courthouse mapped
30 Shasta County Redding 180,366 courthouse mapped
31 Imperial County El Centro 179,057 courthouse mapped
32 Madera County Madera 162,858 courthouse mapped
33 Kings County Hanford 152,682 courthouse mapped
34 Humboldt County Eureka 133,985 courthouse mapped
35 Napa County Napa 133,216 courthouse mapped
36 Nevada County Nevada 102,037 courthouse mapped
37 Sutter County Yuba 97,948 courthouse mapped
38 Mendocino County Ukiah 89,108 courthouse mapped
39 Yuba County Marysville 85,722 courthouse mapped
40 San Benito County Hollister 68,175 courthouse mapped
41 Lake County Lakeport 67,878 courthouse mapped
42 Tehama County Red Bluff 64,896 courthouse mapped
43 Tuolumne County Sonora 54,204 courthouse mapped
44 Calaveras County San Andreas 46,565 courthouse mapped
45 Siskiyou County Yreka 42,905 courthouse mapped
46 Amador County Jackson 41,811 courthouse mapped
47 Lassen County Susanville 28,861 courthouse mapped
48 Glenn County Willows 28,129 courthouse mapped
49 Del Norte County Crescent 26,589 courthouse mapped
50 Colusa County Colusa 22,037 courthouse mapped
51 Plumas County Quincy 19,131 courthouse mapped
52 Inyo County Independence 18,527 county site
53 Mariposa County Mariposa 16,919 courthouse mapped
54 Trinity County Weaverville 15,670 courthouse mapped
55 Mono County Bridgeport 13,066 courthouse mapped
56 Modoc County Alturas 8,500 courthouse mapped
57 Sierra County Downieville 3,200 courthouse mapped
58 Alpine County Markleeville 1,141 courthouse mapped
§ III

California probate questions

What is the small estate affidavit limit in California?
$208,850 personal property affidavit (§ 13100, deaths on/after Apr 1, 2025); real property of small value affidavit up to $69,625 (§ 13200, 6 months after death); primary residence up to $750,000 via court petition (§ 13151, AB 2016, not an affidavit) (Cal. Prob. Code § 13100 (personal property); § 13200 (small-value real property); § 13151 (primary residence petition, AB 2016)). It can be used 40 days after death. For personal property under $208,850, wait 40 days. Under AB 2016 (effective Jan 1, 2025), heirs can also use a streamlined affidavit procedure for residential real estate valued up to $750,000.
How are executor and administrator fees calculated in California?
Mandatory Statutory Scale: 4% first $100k, 3% next $100k, 2% next $800k, 1% next $9M, 0.5% next $15M, reasonable amount above $25M (Prob Code § 10800) (Cal. Prob. Code § 10800 & § 10810 (Attorneys receive identical statutory compensation)). Courts can award more for extraordinary services, such as running a business or litigation.
What is the creditor claim deadline for estates in California?
4 months after letters issued or 60 days after notice, whichever is later (absolute 1-year bar under CCP § 366.2) (Cal. Prob. Code § 9100 & CCP § 366.2). Claims filed after the deadline are generally barred.
Does California recognize handwritten (holographic) wills?
Yes. California recognizes holographic wills if the signature and material provisions are in the handwriting of the testator, regardless of whether witnesses signed (Cal. Prob. Code § 6111).
Does California have a state estate tax or inheritance tax?
California has no state estate tax. There is no inheritance tax.