Costa Mesa Probate Records

Orange County Superior Court processes all probate cases for Costa Mesa residents. The city does not operate its own probate division. California places probate jurisdiction at the county level. When a Costa Mesa resident dies, their estate case goes through the county court. The probate division sits right in Costa Mesa at the Justice Complex on Harbor Boulevard. This makes it convenient for local residents. The courthouse is at 3390 Harbor Boulevard. Court hours run Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. You can file documents, ask questions, and search records during these hours. This same courthouse serves all cities in Orange County for probate matters.

Orange County Probate Court

Orange County Superior Court has exclusive jurisdiction over Costa Mesa probate matters. The Costa Mesa Justice Complex is at 3390 Harbor Boulevard. From downtown Costa Mesa, take Newport Boulevard to Harbor Boulevard. The courthouse is on the east side. Parking structures are available on site.

Enter through the main entrance on Harbor Boulevard. Security screening is required. Once inside, follow signs to the probate department. Staff at the information desk can provide directions.

Orange County uses Tyler Odyssey case management software. Search probate cases online at occourts.org. Enter a name or case number. The system displays filed documents, hearing dates, and case status. You can view most documents for free.

For questions, call the court clerk office. Phone numbers are listed on the court website. Clerk staff answer procedural questions but cannot give legal advice. Lines can be busy, so try calling early in the day.

How to File Probate

Obtain certified death certificates before filing. You need the original will if the deceased left one. California law requires delivery of wills to court within 30 days of death, even if you do not plan to open probate.

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

File at the Costa Mesa courthouse. Bring originals and copies. The filing fee is $435. Payment methods include cash, money order, and credit card. The clerk stamps your copies and returns them to you. This is your proof of filing.

The court sets a hearing date roughly eight weeks out. You must publish notice of the hearing in a newspaper serving Costa Mesa. You also mail notice to heirs and beneficiaries. Proof of publication and mailing must be filed before your hearing.

At the hearing, the judge reviews your petition and the supporting documents. If approved, you receive Letters of Administration or Letters Testamentary. These letters authorize you to act on behalf of the estate. You can then access bank accounts, sell assets, and pay debts.

Within four months, file an Inventory and Appraisal. This lists all estate property and values. A court-appointed referee appraises certain assets. When the estate is ready to close, file a final petition and accounting. This requires another hearing and another $435 fee.

Simplified Procedures

California offers shortcuts for estates under $208,850. This amount 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.

Use form DE-310 to claim personal property. Wait 40 days after the death. Fill out the affidavit and take it to banks or other institutions holding assets. They release the property to you without court involvement. 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 transfer of the property. Take this order to the county recorder to change the title.

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

Note: The small estate threshold adjusts every three years based on inflation. Check current amounts before filing.

Getting Legal Help

Orange County Superior Court operates a self-help center at the Costa Mesa courthouse. Staff assist with form completion and general questions. They cannot provide legal advice tailored to your case. Services are free and available during court hours.

The Public Law Center in Santa Ana offers free legal services to low-income residents. Call 714-541-1010. They help with probate, estate planning, and related matters. Income guidelines apply.

The Orange County Office on Aging runs a legal advocacy program. Call 714-480-6450. They serve seniors age 60 and older. Services include help with wills, trusts, and probate issues.

The Orange County Bar Association provides lawyer referrals. A small consultation fee connects you with an attorney who practices probate law. After the initial meeting, you can hire the attorney or seek other options.

Costa Mesa has public libraries with legal research materials. The main library on Newport Boulevard stocks Judicial Council forms and basic probate guides. Librarians can help you locate resources but cannot interpret legal information.

How to Search Records

The Orange County online portal allows name searches. Type the last name first. Use wildcards if you are unsure of spelling. Women may be listed under different surnames, so try both maiden and married names.

Case number searches are more precise. If you have a case number from any document, use it. Enter the complete number including prefixes 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 the 1980s or earlier, contact the clerk office directly. They can search archived records. This process takes longer than online searches.

Keep in mind that many estates do not go through probate. Assets with beneficiary designations transfer outside of court. Joint accounts pass to co-owners. Trusts distribute property according to their terms. Just because someone died does not mean a probate case exists.

Other Orange County Cities

These cities also use the Costa Mesa courthouse for probate: Anaheim, Santa Ana, Irvine, Huntington Beach, Garden Grove, Fullerton, and Orange. All Orange County probate cases go to this location.

Nearby counties: Los Angeles County to the north, San Bernardino County to the east, and San Diego County to the south. Each has its own probate court system.