Find Fairfield Probate Records

Estate cases for Fairfield residents are processed through Solano County Superior Court. Fairfield has no probate court of its own. State law gives counties exclusive authority over probate matters. When a Fairfield resident dies, their estate goes through the county court system. Solano County handles probate for all seven cities within its borders. The courthouse is at 600 Union Avenue in Fairfield itself. This is convenient for Fairfield residents since the county seat is local. You file petitions, attend hearings, and access records at this location. The probate division shares the building with other court departments. Call 707-207-7341 for probate questions. Court hours are Monday through Friday.

Solano County Probate Division

Fairfield cases go through Solano County Superior Court. The courthouse sits at 600 Union Avenue right in Fairfield. This is the county seat. The probate division operates from this location. Call 707-207-7341 for information. You can also email familydivision@solano.courts.ca.gov with questions.

Court business hours run Monday through Friday. The clerk window accepts filings during normal hours. Walk-in service is available. No appointment needed for most transactions. Bring all required documents when filing. Staff review them at the window.

Solano County runs an online case portal at portal.solano.courts.ca.gov. Search cases by name or number. The system shows filed documents and hearing schedules. You can check case status and view tentative rulings. Access is free but some features require registration.

The county maintains probate information at solano.courts.ca.gov. This page has local rules, forms, and contact details. Read local rules before filing your case. They add specifics to statewide rules.

Starting a Probate Case

Use form DE-111 to open a case. Get it from the California Courts website. Fill in all sections. List the decedent's information and date of death. Name all heirs and beneficiaries. Describe estate assets including property, accounts, and valuables.

Attach a certified death certificate to your petition. If a will exists, include the original. Make copies for yourself. The court keeps the original will permanently. You cannot get it back after filing.

Take your documents to 600 Union Avenue in Fairfield. Go to the probate clerk area. Pay the $435 filing fee. Bring cash, check, money order, or credit card. The clerk reviews your papers and assigns a case number. They set your hearing date. Expect it six to eight weeks out.

After filing, publish notice in a legal newspaper. Several papers serve Solano County. The newspaper files proof with the court after publishing. Mail notice to all interested parties including heirs, beneficiaries, and creditors. Keep copies of everything. File proof of service before your hearing date or the judge will continue the case.

At your hearing, the judge reviews the petition. Bring copies of all filed documents. Answer any questions the judge has. If approved, you receive Letters of Administration. These give you authority to handle the estate. You can access accounts, pay bills, and sell property. File an Inventory and Appraisal within four months.

Simplified Procedures for Small Estates

Estates under $208,850 can avoid full probate. This threshold applies to deaths on or after April 1, 2025. Small estate procedures are faster and cheaper than full probate. They skip the court hearing process.

Form DE-310 works for personal property. This includes bank accounts, vehicles, and securities. Wait 40 days after death. Fill out the form completely. Take it to whoever holds the assets. They review it and transfer property to you. No court filing happens. No fee applies.

Real property worth less than $67,425 uses form DE-305. File this with the Solano County Recorder. The recorder charges about $15 to file. This works only for California real estate. Out of state property follows different rules.

Joint tenancy property transfers automatically to the surviving owner. Life insurance and retirement accounts go to named beneficiaries. Payable-on-death accounts also skip probate. Living trusts avoid probate if properly set up and funded during life.

Note: The small estate threshold adjusts every three years based on inflation calculations.

Legal Resources for Fairfield Residents

Solano County Superior Court offers self-help services. Staff help with form completion and explain procedures. They cannot give legal advice about specific cases. Self-help is free and available during court hours. No appointment required.

Several organizations provide legal assistance to Solano County residents. Legal Services of Northern California helps low-income people. Call 707-643-0054 for their Fairfield office. Senior Legal Hotline serves people over 60 regardless of income. Call 800-222-1753.

The Solano County Bar Association runs a lawyer referral service. Call 707-422-5889. They connect you with private attorneys. Expect consultation fees. Probate lawyers charge $300 to $500 per hour on average. Some work on flat fees. Get written agreements before hiring anyone.

The Fairfield Civic Center Library has legal reference materials. The library is at 1150 Kentucky Street. Librarians help you find forms and guides. Free computer access is available for research and completing forms online.

Obtaining Death Certificates

You need certified death certificates for probate. Order from Solano County Vital Records or the state office. The county processes recent deaths faster. The state has older records going back many decades.

Solano County Vital Records is part of the Public Health Department. Order online through the county website or call for information. Certified copies cost about $28 each. Get several copies for banks, insurance, and court. Processing takes one to two weeks.

The California Department of Public Health maintains statewide records. Mail orders to P.O. Box 997410, Sacramento CA 95899-7410. Call 916-445-2684 with questions. State processing takes three to four weeks. Online ordering is available through their website.

Only authorized people can request death certificates. This includes family members, legal representatives, and people with property interests. Bring valid photo ID when ordering in person. Prove your relationship or authority to the decedent.

Other Solano County Cities

These nearby cities also use Solano County Superior Court for probate: Vallejo, Vacaville, Suisun City, and Benicia. All cases go to 600 Union Avenue in Fairfield.

For neighboring counties, see: Contra Costa County, Sacramento County, Yolo County, and Napa County.

Tips for Searching Cases

Use the Solano County online portal to search probate cases. Enter the last name in the search box. Try different spellings and variations. Some names have multiple ways to spell them. Try with and without middle initials. People use nicknames but legal documents show full legal names. Women may appear under maiden or married names.

If you have a case number, use it. Solano County probate cases follow a standard format. Enter the full number including all letters and zeros. This gives you direct access to the case file. You see all documents and hearing dates instantly.

The online system covers cases from recent decades. Very old cases may exist only on paper in archives. For probate from the 1980s or earlier, contact the clerk office. They can search archived records. This takes time so call ahead with details about what you need.

Not all deaths result in probate cases. Small estates use affidavits that do not create court files. Assets with beneficiaries transfer outside probate. Living trusts avoid the probate process. If you cannot find a case, one might not exist.