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Docket No. 06017 · California

El Dorado County
Probate Court

In California, estates are probated in the Superior Court (Probate Division). This page gathers where to file in El Dorado County, the state rules that apply, and where every detail comes from.

Call (530) 621-5520 County website ↗ Directions ↗
County seat
Placerville
Population
192,215
Court
Superior Court
Record
Courthouse mapped
CA · 0601738°47′ N · 120°32′ W
● El Dorado County Weights & Measurers
located via OpenStreetMap
Small-estate limit
$208,850
Wait 40 days after death
Creditor window
4 months
Cal. Prob. Code § 9100 & CCP § 366.2
Executor fee
By statute
Percentage set by statute
Death taxes
None
No state death tax
§ I

Where to file in El Dorado County

Handled by
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.
County building
El Dorado County Weights & Measurers 311 Fair Lane, Placerville, CA 95667 Main line: (530) 621-5520 OpenStreetMap · view the map entry
Phone
(530) 621-5520OpenStreetMap
Opening hours
Not published in an open source. Check the court or county website before you go.
County website
eldoradocounty.ca.govWikidata
State courts & e-filing
courts.ca.govCase search: California Superior Court Online Case Access (County Specific Odyssey/Tyler)
§ II

How probate runs in El Dorado County

Six stages, with the California rules that set the pace.

  1. 01

    Secure the original will

    Find the original signed will and order certified death certificates. California deadline: Must lodge original will with County Clerk within 30 days of knowledge of death (Prob Code § 8200).

  2. 02

    Pick the right track

    If the probate estate is under $208,850, a small-estate procedure (Cal. Prob. Code § 13100 (personal property); § 13200 (small-value real property); § 13151 (primary residence petition, AB 2016)) may avoid full administration.

  3. 03

    Petition the court

    File the petition with the Superior Court (Probate Division) for El Dorado County. The court appoints the executor or administrator and issues letters.

  4. 04

    Inventory the estate

    Open an estate bank account (the IRS issues the EIN), list assets at date-of-death values and file the inventory if the court requires it.

  5. 05

    Notify creditors

    Publish or send notice to creditors. Window: 4 months after letters issued or 60 days after notice, whichever is later (absolute 1-year bar under CCP § 366.2).

  6. 06

    Account and distribute

    Pay debts, taxes and fees (Cal. Prob. Code § 10800 & § 10810 (Attorneys receive identical statutory compensation)), file the final account if required, distribute to heirs and ask to close the estate.

Need help with an estate in El Dorado County, 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.
§ III

California rules that apply here

Probate law is state law — these apply in all 58 California counties.

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) · wait 40 days
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) · estimate the fee
Handwritten wills
Recognized. 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).
Estate tax
No state estate tax.California has no state estate tax (prohibited by Proposition 6 in 1982).
Inheritance tax
No.No inheritance tax in California.
Typical duration
9 to 18 monthsA lawyer is not required by statute, though most formal estates use one.

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

§ IV

Neighbouring probate courts

El DoradoPlacerAmadorNevadaCalaverasAlpine
Related officeEl Dorado County Clerk & RecorderDeath certificates, recorded deeds and marriage records for the estate file.uscountyclerks.com ↗ Related officeEl Dorado County Property AppraiserAssessed values and parcel records for the estate inventory.uspropertyappraisers.com ↗
§ V

Questions about El Dorado County probate

Where is the El Dorado County Probate Court located?
In California, probate is handled by the Superior Court (Probate Division). The El Dorado County Weights & Measurers is mapped in OpenStreetMap at 311 Fair Lane, Placerville, CA 95667. Check the official county website (eldoradocounty.ca.gov) to confirm which counter or building handles probate filings.
What is the small estate affidavit limit in El Dorado County, CA?
Small-estate rules are set by state law, so they are the same in every California county: $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)). The waiting period is 40 days.
How do I search probate case records in El Dorado County?
Start with the California judiciary website (courts.ca.gov), which points to California Superior Court Online Case Access (County Specific Odyssey/Tyler). Older files and certified copies are requested from the probate clerk in Placerville.
What are the deadlines for filing a will and creditor claims in El Dorado County?
Will: Must lodge original will with County Clerk within 30 days of knowledge of death (Prob Code § 8200). Creditors: 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).
How much can an executor charge in El Dorado County?
California rule: 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)). You can estimate the amount with our executor fee calculator.