Find Probate Records in Anaheim

Orange County Superior Court processes probate cases for all Anaheim residents. The city does not operate its own probate division. California law puts probate jurisdiction at the county level. When an Anaheim resident dies, their estate case must be filed with the county court. The probate division sits at the Costa Mesa Justice Complex, 3390 Harbor Boulevard in Costa Mesa. This location handles cases for Anaheim and every other city in Orange County. Court hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. The clerk window accepts filings and answers questions during these hours.

Orange County Probate Court

Orange County Superior Court has jurisdiction over all probate cases in Anaheim. The Costa Mesa Justice Complex is about 20 minutes from downtown Anaheim. Take the 55 South to the 405 South, exit Harbor Boulevard. The courthouse is on the east side of Harbor. Parking structures are available on site.

Enter through the main entrance on Harbor Boulevard. Security screening is required. Once inside, look for the probate department signs. Staff at the information desk can direct you to the right office.

Orange County uses Tyler Odyssey case management software. Search probate cases online at occourts.org. Enter a name or case number. The system displays filed documents, hearing dates, and case status. You can view most documents for free.

For questions, call the court clerk office. Lines can be busy. Try calling early in the morning for shorter hold times. Clerk staff answer procedural questions but cannot give legal advice.

Starting a Probate Case

Obtain certified death certificates before filing. You need the original will if the deceased left one. California law requires delivery of the will to the court within 30 days of death, even if you do not plan to open probate.

Complete form DE-111, the Petition for Probate. Download it from courts.ca.gov. Fill in details about the deceased person, their assets, and their heirs. Attach the death certificate and will to your petition.

File at the Costa Mesa courthouse. Bring originals and copies. The filing fee is $435. Payment methods include cash, money order, and credit card. The clerk stamps your copies and returns them to you. This is your proof of filing.

The court sets a hearing date roughly eight weeks out. You must publish notice of the hearing in a newspaper that serves Anaheim. You also mail notice to heirs and beneficiaries. Proof of publication and mailing must be filed before your hearing.

At the hearing, the judge reviews your petition and the supporting documents. If approved, you receive Letters of Administration or Letters Testamentary. These letters authorize you to act on behalf of the estate. You can then access bank accounts, sell assets, and pay debts.

Within four months, file an Inventory and Appraisal. This lists all estate property and values. A court-appointed referee appraises certain assets. When the estate is ready to close, file a final petition and accounting. This requires another hearing and another $435 fee.

Simplified Procedures for Small Estates

California offers shortcuts for estates under $208,850. This amount applies to deaths on or after April 1, 2025. The limit covers personal property like bank accounts, stocks, and vehicles. Real estate is treated separately.

Use form DE-310 to claim personal property. Wait 40 days after the death. Fill out the affidavit and take it to banks or other institutions holding assets. They release the property to you without court involvement. No filing fee applies.

For real estate worth less than $80,925, use form DE-305. File this with the Orange County probate court. Pay a $50 fee. The court issues an order allowing transfer of the property. Take this order to the county recorder to change the title.

Joint tenancy property transfers automatically to the surviving owner. Beneficiary designations on life insurance and retirement accounts also bypass probate. Living trusts avoid probate entirely if set up correctly before death.

Note: The small estate threshold adjusts every three years based on inflation. Check current amounts before filing.

Legal Resources in Anaheim

Orange County Superior Court operates a self-help center at the Costa Mesa courthouse. Staff assist with form completion and general questions. They cannot provide legal advice tailored to your case. Services are free and available during court hours.

The Public Law Center in Santa Ana offers free legal services to low-income residents. Call 714-541-1010. They help with probate, estate planning, and related matters. Income guidelines apply.

The Orange County Office on Aging runs a legal advocacy program. Call 714-480-6450. They serve seniors age 60 and older. Services include help with wills, trusts, and probate issues.

The Orange County Bar Association provides lawyer referrals. A small consultation fee connects you with an attorney who practices probate law. After the initial meeting, you can hire the attorney or seek other options.

Anaheim Public Library branches have legal research materials. The main library downtown stocks Judicial Council forms and basic probate guides. Librarians can help you locate resources but cannot interpret legal information.

How to Search Probate Records

The Orange County online portal allows name searches. Type the last name first. Use wildcards if you are unsure of spelling. Women may be listed under different surnames, so try both maiden and married names.

Case number searches are more precise. If you have a case number from any document, use it. Enter the complete number including prefixes and dashes. The system is particular about format.

Older cases may not appear in the online system. The county digitized records starting from a certain date. For estates from the 1980s or earlier, contact the clerk office directly. They can search archived records. This process takes longer than online searches.

Keep in mind that many estates do not go through probate. Assets with beneficiary designations transfer outside of court. Joint accounts pass to co-owners. Trusts distribute property according to their terms. Just because someone died does not mean a probate case exists.

Other Orange County Cities

These cities also use Orange County Superior Court for probate: Santa Ana, Irvine, Huntington Beach, Garden Grove, Fullerton, Orange, and Costa Mesa. All cases go to the Costa Mesa Justice Complex.

Nearby counties: Los Angeles County to the north, San Bernardino County to the east, and San Diego County to the south.