Probate Cases in Inglewood

All probate cases for people who lived in Inglewood are filed with Los Angeles County Superior Court. The city does not have its own probate court or separate court system. When an Inglewood resident dies, their estate goes through the county court downtown. This includes will validation, estate administration, conservatorships, and guardianships. The Stanley Mosk Courthouse on North Hill Street handles all Los Angeles County probate. That one courthouse serves the entire county, including Inglewood and all other cities. No other courthouse in the county accepts new probate filings.

Los Angeles County Probate Division

State law requires probate cases to be filed in the county where the person lived. Los Angeles County Superior Court processes all probate for Inglewood. The probate division operates at the Stanley Mosk Courthouse, 111 North Hill Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012. The clerk office is in Room 112 on the first floor.

Court hours run from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM on weekdays. No appointments are needed for filing. Walk in during open hours. Bring your completed forms and supporting documents. Staff at the window can check that your paperwork is complete but cannot give legal advice.

Los Angeles County maintains an online case search system. Visit lacourt.org/division/probate to access the main probate page. Case information is also available at lacourt.ca.gov case access. You can search by name or case number. The system shows filed documents and hearing dates.

Call 213-830-0850 for general probate information. Phone lines operate during court hours. Expect longer wait times during peak periods like Monday mornings and the first week of each month.

Starting a Probate Case

Get certified death certificates before filing. You need at least one certified copy. Get several since other agencies will need them too. Locate the original will if one exists. California law requires the will be filed with the court even if you use simplified procedures.

Fill out form DE-111, the Petition for Probate. Attach the death certificate. Include the original will. The filing fee is $435. Pay at the clerk window with cash, money order, check, or credit card. The clerk stamps your documents and gives you a case number.

The court schedules a hearing about six to eight weeks after filing. You must publish notice in a newspaper approved by the court. You also mail notice to everyone named in the will plus all heirs under state law. Keep proof of all mailings and publications.

At the hearing, the judge reviews your petition. Bring your ID. If approved, the judge signs an order appointing you as administrator. You receive letters that prove your authority to act for the estate. These letters let you access bank accounts, manage property, and handle estate business.

Using Online Resources

California maintains a self-help center at selfhelp.courts.ca.gov/probate. The site explains probate basics in plain language. You can download all court forms for free. Instructions come with most forms.

Los Angeles County requires electronic filing for attorneys. This has been mandatory since June 2017. People representing themselves can still file on paper. You may choose to file electronically if you prefer. The court website explains both options.

When searching for existing cases, try variations of the person's name. Use just the last name. Try with and without middle initials. Check both formal names and nicknames. Women may have cases under maiden or married names.

Getting Legal Help

The courthouse has a self-help center on the first floor. Staff help you understand procedures and fill out basic forms. They cannot provide legal advice specific to your situation. The center is open during court hours on a walk-in basis.

Several organizations serve Inglewood residents with free or reduced-cost legal help:

• Bet Tzedek Legal Services handles estate planning and probate at 323-939-0506
• Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles serves low-income families at 800-399-4529
• Neighborhood Legal Services covers the South Bay area at 310-673-1653
• Los Angeles County Bar Association refers private attorneys at 213-243-1525

Public libraries in Inglewood and throughout LA County have legal reference materials. Ask a librarian to show you the legal section. Many libraries have computers you can use to access online court resources.

Note: Estates worth less than $208,850 may not need full probate. California allows simplified procedures using form DE-310 for personal property or DE-305 for real estate. These affidavit procedures are faster and cheaper than full probate.

Obtaining Death Records

Get certified death certificates from the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder. The main office is at 12400 East Imperial Highway in Norwalk. You can also order online through the county website. Each certified copy costs about $28. Allow one to two weeks for processing.

The California Department of Public Health also has death records. Their office is in Sacramento. Mail requests to P.O. Box 997410, Sacramento CA 95899-7410. You can also order online. State processing takes three to four weeks, longer than county service.

You must prove your relationship to the deceased to get death certificates. Bring photo ID. Eligible people include family members, legal representatives, and attorneys handling the estate. The registrar office can tell you what documents you need.

Other Los Angeles County Cities

These cities near Inglewood also file probate at LA County Superior Court: Los Angeles, Torrance, Hawthorne, Carson, Long Beach, Downey, Compton, Santa Monica, and Glendale.

Surrounding counties include Orange County to the south, Ventura County to the northwest, and San Bernardino County to the east.

Probate Timelines and Procedures

Most probate cases take nine to eighteen months to complete from start to finish. Simple estates with no disputes may finish in eight or nine months. Cases involving real estate sales, tax issues, or family disagreements take longer. Much of the time is spent waiting for legally required periods.

After getting your letters, you file an inventory within four months. List all assets and their values. A court-appointed referee appraises certain property types. You publish a notice to creditors. Claims must be filed within four months of your first publication.

When ready to close the estate, file a final petition and accounting. This requires another $435 fee. The court schedules a final hearing. After the judge approves distribution, you can transfer assets to heirs. File receipts showing you distributed everything. The case then closes.

Keep detailed records throughout. Save all receipts for estate expenses. Document every payment you make. The final accounting must list every dollar in and out. Good records make this much easier.