Clovis Probate Court Cases

Fresno County Superior Court processes all probate matters for Clovis residents. The city does not operate its own probate court. California assigns this function to county courts. When a Clovis resident dies, their estate case goes through the county system in Fresno. The probate division is at 1130 O Street, Third Floor in downtown Fresno. This is about six miles west of Clovis. The courthouse handles cases for all of Fresno County. Court hours are Monday through Thursday from 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM and Friday from 8:00 AM to noon. Call 559-457-1888 for probate information. You can file documents in person or search cases online.

Fresno County Probate Division

Fresno County Superior Court has jurisdiction over all Clovis probate cases. The courthouse is at 1130 O Street in downtown Fresno. From Clovis, take Shaw Avenue west to Highway 41 South. Exit at Divisadero Street. Head east to O Street. The courthouse is on the east side. Public parking is available nearby.

Enter through the main entrance. Security screening is required. Take the elevator to the third floor for the probate division. Staff can direct you to the right window.

The probate clerk phone number is 559-457-1888. Staff answer procedural questions. They cannot give legal advice. Note that Friday hours end at noon, so plan accordingly.

Fresno County maintains probate examiners notes online at info.fresno.courts.ca.gov. These notes explain common issues and requirements. Check the court website at fresno.courts.ca.gov for case access and forms.

How to File Probate

Get certified death certificates first. Order from Fresno County or the state. You need the original will if one exists. 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 information about the deceased, their assets, and their heirs. Attach the death certificate and will.

File at the Fresno courthouse. Bring your 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 schedules a hearing about two months out. Publish notice in a newspaper serving Clovis. Mail notice to heirs and beneficiaries. File proof of these notices before your hearing.

Attend the hearing. The judge reviews your petition. If approved, you get 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. List all estate property and values. When ready to close, file a final petition. Pay another $435 fee. The judge approves distribution at a final hearing.

Small Estate 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.

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.

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

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

Getting Legal Help

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

Central California Legal Services assists low-income residents. They have an office in Fresno. Call for an appointment. They handle civil matters including probate. Income guidelines apply.

The Fresno County Bar Association can provide lawyer referrals. Contact them for information about probate attorneys. Many offer initial consultations at reduced rates.

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

Finding Probate Records

Check the Fresno County court website for online case access. Search by name or case number. The system shows basic case information and filed documents.

If online access is limited, call the clerk at 559-457-1888. Staff can search by name or case number. They can tell you if a case exists and provide basic information.

Older cases may be in storage. Retrieval can take time. Call ahead if you need archived records. The clerk can explain the request process.

Not all deaths create probate cases. 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 Fresno County Cities

Fresno is the only other city in Fresno County with a population over 100,000. Both cities use the same probate court at 1130 O Street in downtown Fresno.

Adjacent counties include Madera County to the north, Tulare County to the south, and Kings County to the west. Each has its own probate court.