Corona Probate Court Records

Riverside County Superior Court handles all probate matters for Corona residents. The city does not operate a probate court. California assigns this responsibility to county courts exclusively. When someone from Corona dies, their estate case goes through the county court system. The probate division is at 4050 Main Street in downtown Riverside. This courthouse processes cases for all cities in Riverside County. Court hours vary by location. Call 951-777-3147 for probate questions at the Riverside location. You can file documents in person or search existing cases through the online portal. The county also has a courthouse in the Banning area for residents in that region.

Riverside County Probate

Riverside County Superior Court has jurisdiction over all Corona probate cases. The main probate courthouse is at 4050 Main Street in Riverside. From Corona, take the 91 East to the 60 West, exit at Market Street. The courthouse is on Main Street in downtown Riverside. Parking structures are available nearby.

Enter through the main entrance. Security screening is required. Follow signs to the probate department once inside. Staff can direct you to the right office.

The Riverside probate phone number is 951-777-3147. Clerk staff answer procedural questions. They cannot give legal advice about your specific situation. Hold times vary throughout the day.

Riverside County uses an online case portal at epublic-access.riverside.courts.ca.gov. Search by name or case number. The system displays case information, filed documents, and hearing dates. Most records are available for free viewing.

Starting a Probate Case

Get certified death certificates before you file. Order from Riverside County or the state vital records office. You need the original will if the deceased left one. California law requires wills be delivered to court within 30 days of death.

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

File at the Riverside 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 approximately two months out. Publish notice in a newspaper that circulates in Corona. Also mail notice to heirs and beneficiaries. File proof of publication and mailing before your hearing date.

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

File an Inventory and Appraisal within four months. List all estate assets and their values. 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 Alternatives

Estates valued under $208,850 may avoid full probate. This threshold applies to deaths on or after April 1, 2025. It covers personal property like bank accounts, stocks, and vehicles. Real estate is handled differently.

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

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

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

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

Legal Resources for Corona

Riverside County Superior Court operates a self-help center at the Riverside courthouse. Staff can explain forms and procedures. They cannot provide legal advice specific to your case. Services are free. Walk-in during court hours.

Legal Aid Society of San Bernardino serves parts of Riverside County. Call to check if they can assist. They help low-income residents with civil matters including probate.

The Riverside County Bar Association can provide lawyer referrals. Contact them for information about probate attorneys practicing in the area. Many lawyers offer initial consultations at reduced rates.

Corona has public libraries with legal reference materials. The main library on West Sixth Street stocks forms and self-help guides. Librarians can help you locate resources but cannot interpret legal information.

How to Find Records

Use the Riverside County online portal to search by name. Type the last name first. Try different spellings if needed. Women may be listed under maiden or married names. Check both if you are not sure.

Case numbers provide exact results. If you have a case number, enter it completely. Include all letters, numbers, 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 decades ago, call the clerk at 951-777-3147. Staff can search archived records. This takes longer than online searches.

Remember that not all deaths result in probate. Small estates use simplified procedures. Assets with beneficiaries transfer outside court. Living trusts distribute property without probate. Just because someone died does not mean a court case exists.

Other Riverside County Cities

These cities also use Riverside County Superior Court for probate: Riverside, Moreno Valley, Murrieta, Temecula, Menifee, Indio, and Jurupa Valley. All cases go to the Riverside courthouse.

Adjacent counties: San Bernardino County to the north, Orange County to the west, and San Diego County to the south. Each operates its own probate court.