Chico Probate Records

Butte County Superior Court processes all probate cases for Chico and the surrounding area. Cities do not operate probate courts in California. The county handles this function. When a Chico resident dies, their estate case goes through the county court. The courthouse sits right in Chico at 1775 Concord Avenue. This makes it convenient for local residents to file documents and attend hearings. The civil and probate division is accessible during regular court hours. Call 530-532-7017 for probate questions. You can search for cases online or visit in person to file paperwork. The clerk staff helps with procedural questions but cannot give legal advice.

Butte County Probate Court

Butte County Superior Court has jurisdiction over all probate matters in Chico. The courthouse is at 1775 Concord Avenue in north Chico. From downtown, take Highway 99 north to East Avenue. Head east to Concord Avenue. The courthouse is on the west side. Parking is available on site.

Enter through the main entrance. Security screening is required. Once inside, follow signs to the civil and probate division. Staff at the counter can direct you to the right department.

The probate phone number is 530-532-7017. Clerk staff answer procedural questions. They cannot provide legal advice about your specific situation. Phone lines are open during business hours.

Butte County has online case access. Cases from 1988 onward are available. You can search by name or case number. The system shows basic case information and filed documents. Check the court website at butte.courts.ca.gov for current access options.

Starting a Probate Case

Get certified death certificates before filing. Order from Butte County or from the state. You need the original will if the deceased left one. California requires wills be delivered to court within 30 days of death.

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

File at the Chico courthouse. Bring your completed petition and attachments. The filing fee is $435. Pay with cash, money order, or credit card. Bring two copies of all documents. The clerk stamps your copies as proof of filing.

The court sets a hearing about two months out. Publish notice in a local newspaper that circulates in Chico. Mail notice to heirs and beneficiaries. File proof of publication and mailing before your hearing date.

Attend the hearing. The judge reviews your petition and asks questions. If satisfied, the judge issues Letters of Administration. These give you authority to manage estate assets. You can access bank accounts, sell property, and pay creditors.

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

Small Estate Options

Estates worth less than $208,850 may avoid full probate. This threshold 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.

Wait 40 days after the death. Fill out form DE-310 for personal property. Take this affidavit to banks or other holders of assets. They must release the property to you. No court filing is needed. No fee applies.

For real estate valued under $80,925, use form DE-305. File this with the probate court. Pay a $50 fee. The court issues an order in a few weeks. Use this order to transfer the property deed at the county recorder.

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

Note: Threshold amounts adjust every three years based on inflation. Check current limits before filing.

Legal Resources in Chico

Butte County Superior Court operates a self-help center. Staff can explain forms and procedures. They cannot give legal advice about specific cases. The center is located at the courthouse. Services are free. Walk-in during court hours.

Legal Services of Northern California serves low-income residents. They have an office in Chico. Call for an appointment. They handle various civil matters including probate. Income guidelines apply.

The Butte County Bar Association can provide lawyer referrals. Contact them for information about probate attorneys in the area. Many lawyers offer initial consultations for a reduced fee.

Chico has public libraries with legal reference materials. The main library on East 1st Street stocks Judicial Council forms and self-help guides. Librarians can help you locate resources but cannot interpret legal documents.

How to Find Records

Use the Butte County online system to search by name. Type the last name first. Try different spellings if your first search finds nothing. Women may appear under maiden or married names. Check both if you are unsure.

Case numbers give more precise results. If you have a case number, enter it exactly. Include all letters, numbers, and dashes. The system is particular about format.

Cases from before 1988 may not be online. Call the clerk at 530-532-7017 to ask about older records. Staff can search archived files. This takes longer than online searches. Visit in person if you need faster service.

Not all deaths create probate cases. Small estates use simplified procedures. Assets with named beneficiaries transfer outside court. Living trusts bypass probate entirely. A death does not always mean a court case exists.

Adjacent Counties

Butte County borders several other counties. Each has its own probate court. Nearby counties include Glenn County to the west, Tehama County to the north, and Yuba County to the south.