Probate Cases in Carson

Probate matters for Carson residents go through Los Angeles County Superior Court. The city of Carson does not operate its own probate division. California law assigns probate jurisdiction exclusively to county courts. When a Carson resident dies, their estate case must be filed with the county court downtown. The probate division for all of Los Angeles County sits at the Stanley Mosk Courthouse, 111 North Hill Street in Los Angeles. This location handles cases for 88 cities in the county. The probate clerk office is in Room 112 on the first floor. Court hours run Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM.

LA County Probate Court

Los Angeles County Superior Court has jurisdiction over all Carson probate cases. The Stanley Mosk Courthouse is about 20 miles north of Carson. Take the 110 North to the 101 North, exit at Temple Street. Turn right on Hill Street. The courthouse is on the east side. Parking is available in nearby garages and lots.

Enter through the main entrance on Hill Street. Security screening is required. Take the elevator to the first floor. Room 112 houses the probate clerk window. Morning hours tend to be busier. Afternoons after 2 PM often have shorter lines.

Call 213-830-0850 for general probate information. Phone lines can be busy. Try calling right at 8:30 when the office opens. Clerk staff answer procedural questions but cannot give legal advice.

LA County requires electronic filing for attorneys. This rule started in June 2017. People representing themselves can still file paper documents. Bring two copies of all papers. The clerk stamps one and returns it as your receipt.

Search probate cases online at lacourt.org. Look up cases by name or case number. The portal shows filed documents and hearing schedules. Some older cases may not appear online.

How to File Probate

Obtain certified death certificates first. You need the original will if one exists. Fill out form DE-111, the Petition for Probate. Get it at courts.ca.gov. Provide information about the deceased, their assets, and their heirs.

Take your petition to Room 112 at the Stanley Mosk Courthouse. Attach the death certificate and will. The filing fee is $435. Pay with cash, money order, credit card, or debit card. No personal checks are accepted.

The court schedules a hearing six to eight weeks out. Publish notice in a newspaper that circulates in Carson. Mail notice to heirs and beneficiaries. File proof of these notices before your hearing. Missing this step causes delays.

At the hearing, the judge reviews your documents. If approved, you receive Letters of Administration. These give you authority to manage estate assets. You can access accounts, sell property, and pay bills.

File an Inventory and Appraisal within four months. This lists all estate property and values. When ready to close the estate, file a final petition. Pay another $435 fee. The judge approves distribution at a final hearing.

Simplified Procedures

Estates under $208,850 may skip full probate. This threshold applies to deaths on or after April 1, 2025. It covers personal property like accounts and vehicles.

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

For real estate valued under $80,925, file form DE-305. Pay a $50 fee. The court issues an order. Use it to transfer the property deed at the county recorder.

Joint accounts pass to surviving owners automatically. Beneficiary designations bypass probate. Living trusts avoid court if set up properly before death.

Note: Threshold amounts change every three years. Check current limits before filing.

Getting Legal Help

The LA Superior Court self-help center operates on the first floor of the Stanley Mosk Courthouse. Staff help with forms and general questions. They cannot provide legal advice about specific cases. Services are free. Walk-in during court hours.

Bet Tzedek Legal Services offers free help to seniors and people with disabilities. Call 323-939-0506. They assist with wills, powers of attorney, and probate matters. Income limits apply to some services.

Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles serves low-income residents. Call 800-399-4529. They handle civil matters including probate. Intake staff determine eligibility based on income and household size.

The Los Angeles County Bar Association runs a referral service. Call 213-243-1525. For a fee, you get a consultation with a probate attorney. You can hire them afterward or seek other options.

Carson has public libraries with legal reference materials. The main library on Carson Street stocks forms and guides. Librarians help you find resources but cannot interpret legal documents.

Finding Probate Records

Use the LA County portal to search by name. Type the last name first. Try variants if needed. Women may be listed under different surnames. Check both maiden and married names.

Case numbers provide exact matches. If you have a case number, enter it completely. Include letters, numbers, and dashes. Format is important for searches.

Older cases may not be online. The county digitized recent records only. For cases from decades ago, call the clerk at 213-830-0850. Staff can search archived files. This takes time. In-person visits speed things up.

Not all deaths result in probate. Small estates use simpler methods. Assets with beneficiaries transfer outside court. Living trusts bypass probate. A death does not always mean a case exists.

Other LA County Cities

These cities also use LA County Superior Court for probate: Los Angeles, Long Beach, Torrance, Inglewood, Compton, and Lakewood. All go to the Stanley Mosk Courthouse.

Adjacent counties with their own courts: Orange County to the southeast and Ventura County to the northwest.