Bakersfield Probate Court Records

Kern County Superior Court handles all probate cases for Bakersfield and the surrounding area. The city itself does not operate a probate court. California places this responsibility at the county level. When a Bakersfield resident dies, their estate case goes through the county court system. The probate division sits at 2100 College Avenue in Bakersfield. This courthouse processes cases for the entire county. The clerk office is open Monday through Friday. Call 661-610-6000 and select Option 5 for probate. Staff answer questions and accept filings during business hours. You can also search for existing cases online.

Kern County Probate Division

Kern County Superior Court has exclusive jurisdiction over probate. The courthouse at 2100 College Avenue is easy to reach from anywhere in Bakersfield. Take Highway 99 to the California Avenue exit. Head east to College Avenue. The courthouse is on the west side of the street. Parking is available in the lot on site.

Enter through the main entrance. Security screening is required for all visitors. Once inside, follow signs to the probate department. Staff at the information desk can help direct you.

The main probate phone line is 661-610-6000. Press Option 5 when the recording answers. Clerk staff can answer procedural questions. They cannot give legal advice about your specific situation.

Kern County employs a probate referee named Michael Burger. His phone number is 661-588-4381. Referees appraise estate assets for the court. You may need to contact him when filing your Inventory and Appraisal.

Opening a Probate Case

Get certified death certificates before you start. You need the original will if the deceased left one. California law requires delivery of wills to the court within 30 days of death.

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

File at the College Avenue courthouse. Bring your completed petition and attachments. The filing fee is $435. Payment options include cash, money order, and credit card. The clerk stamps your copies as proof of filing.

The court sets a hearing six to eight weeks out. You must publish notice in a Bakersfield newspaper. You also mail notice to heirs and beneficiaries. File proof of these notices before the hearing date.

Attend your hearing. The judge reviews your petition and asks questions. If satisfied, the judge issues an Order for Probate and Letters of Administration. These letters give you authority to manage the estate.

File an Inventory and Appraisal within four months. The probate referee will appraise certain assets. When the estate is ready to close, file a final petition and accounting. This requires another hearing and another $435 fee. The judge approves distribution to heirs.

Small Estate Procedures

Estates worth less than $208,850 may avoid full probate. This limit applies to deaths on or after April 1, 2025. The amount covers personal property like bank accounts, stocks, and vehicles.

Wait 40 days after the death. Fill out form DE-310 for personal property. Take this affidavit to banks and other institutions. They must release assets to you without a court order. No filing fee applies.

Real estate under $80,925 uses form DE-305. File this with the Kern County probate court. Pay a $50 fee. The court issues an order allowing property transfer. Take the order to the county recorder to change the deed.

Joint tenancy property passes automatically to the surviving owner. Beneficiary accounts transfer outside probate. Living trusts avoid court entirely if set up before death.

Note: These threshold amounts adjust every three years based on inflation. Always check current limits before filing.

Legal Help in Bakersfield

Kern County Superior Court runs a self-help center. Staff can explain forms and procedures. They cannot give legal advice specific to your case. The center is located at the courthouse. Walk-in service is available during court hours.

Greater Bakersfield Legal Assistance provides free help to low-income residents. They handle various civil matters including probate. Call to schedule an appointment. Income guidelines apply.

The Kern County Bar Association operates a lawyer referral service. For a consultation fee, you meet with a probate attorney. After the meeting, you decide whether to hire that lawyer.

Bakersfield has several public libraries with legal reference sections. The main branch downtown stocks Judicial Council forms and self-help guides. Librarians can help you locate materials but cannot interpret legal documents.

How to Find Probate Records

Kern County may have online case access. Check the court website at kern.courts.ca.gov for current search options. Some counties allow name searches. Others require case numbers.

If online access is limited, call the clerk at 661-610-6000 Option 5. Staff can search by name or case number. They can tell you if a case exists and provide basic information. For copies of documents, you may need to visit in person or submit a written request.

Older cases may be in storage. Retrieval can take several days. Call ahead if you need archived records. The clerk can tell you how to request them.

Remember that not all estates go through probate. Small estates use simplified procedures. Assets with beneficiaries transfer outside court. Living trusts bypass probate. A death does not always mean a court case exists.

Adjacent Counties

Kern County borders several other counties. Each has its own probate court. Nearby counties include Tulare County to the north, Kings County to the northwest, and Los Angeles County to the south.