Lancaster Probate Records

Probate cases for Lancaster residents must be filed at Los Angeles County Superior Court downtown. The city does not maintain its own probate court. California law puts all probate jurisdiction at the county level. When a Lancaster resident dies, their estate goes through the county system. This includes will validation, estate administration, and related matters. Even though Lancaster is located in the Antelope Valley, far from downtown Los Angeles, all probate filings must be made at the Stanley Mosk Courthouse on North Hill Street. That courthouse serves the entire county. No branch courts accept probate filings. All estate cases originate downtown.

Los Angeles County Probate Court

State law requires estate cases to be filed where the deceased person lived. For Lancaster, that means Los Angeles County Superior Court. The probate division is at the Stanley Mosk Courthouse, 111 North Hill Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012. The clerk office is in Room 112 on the first floor.

The courthouse is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Walk-in filing is available during these hours. Bring your completed forms and all required attachments. Staff check documents for completeness. They cannot give legal advice about your case.

Los Angeles County offers online case search at lacourt.org/division/probate. You can also access cases through lacourt.ca.gov case access. Search by name or case number. The system displays filed documents and hearing schedules. Updates post daily.

Call 213-830-0850 for general probate information. Phone assistance is available during court hours. Expect longer wait times during busy periods, especially Monday mornings and the start of each month.

How to File Your Case

Start by getting certified death certificates. Order several copies since many agencies need originals. Find the original will if one exists. California requires wills to be filed with the court within 30 days of death.

Form DE-111, the Petition for Probate, is the main document to start a case. Download it from the court website or get a copy at the courthouse. Complete all sections. List every heir and beneficiary. Describe estate assets. Attach the death certificate and original will.

The filing fee is $435. Pay at the clerk window when you file. Cash, check, money order, and credit cards are accepted. After filing, you get a case number and hearing date. Hearings are typically scheduled six to eight weeks out.

You must notify all interested parties about the case. Publish notice in an approved newspaper. The clerk has a list of qualifying papers. Mail notice to everyone named in the will and to legal heirs. Keep copies of all mailings. File proof of service before your hearing.

Attend your hearing. Bring valid ID. The judge reviews your petition and supporting documents. If everything is in order, the judge appoints you as estate administrator. You receive letters proving your authority. Now you can access accounts, manage property, and handle estate matters.

Getting to the Courthouse

Lancaster is about 70 miles from downtown Los Angeles. The drive takes 90 minutes to two hours depending on traffic. Leave early for morning court dates. Traffic is heaviest between 7 AM and 9 AM. Afternoon traffic picks up after 3 PM.

Parking is available at the courthouse and in nearby lots. Arrive early to find parking and get through security screening. All visitors go through metal detectors. Large bags may be searched. Leave prohibited items at home. Check the court website for a list of items not allowed in the courthouse.

Public transportation options include Metro rail and bus service to downtown. Check schedules in advance. Plan extra time for connections and walking from stations to the courthouse.

Legal Assistance for Lancaster Residents

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. The center is open during court hours on a walk-in basis.

Legal aid organizations serve Los Angeles County residents:

• Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles at 800-399-4529
• Neighborhood Legal Services at 800-433-6251
• Bet Tzedek Legal Services at 323-939-0506
• LA County Bar Association Lawyer Referral at 213-243-1525

Some organizations have offices or hold clinics in the Antelope Valley. Call to ask about local services. Many offer phone consultations if in-person meetings are not convenient.

Lancaster City Library has legal reference materials. Ask a librarian for help finding forms and information. The library has computers you can use to access online court resources.

Note: If the estate is worth less than $208,850, you may qualify for simplified procedures. Use form DE-310 for personal property or DE-305 for real estate. These affidavit procedures avoid the time and expense of full probate.

Obtaining Death Certificates

Certified death certificates are required to file probate. Order from the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder at 12400 East Imperial Highway in Norwalk. Online ordering is available through the county website. Each certified copy costs about $28.

Processing takes one to two weeks. Bring valid ID if ordering in person. You must prove your relationship to the deceased. Only immediate family members and legal representatives can get certified copies.

The California Department of Public Health in Sacramento also provides death records. Mail to P.O. Box 997410, Sacramento CA 95899-7410. State processing takes three to four weeks. Call 916-445-2684 for information.

Order multiple copies at once. You need originals for court, banks, insurance companies, and other agencies. Photocopies are not accepted for official purposes.

Nearby Cities in LA County

Other Antelope Valley and LA County cities that use LA County Superior Court for probate include Palmdale, Los Angeles, Santa Clarita, Pasadena, Glendale, Long Beach, and Burbank.

Adjacent counties include Kern County to the north, San Bernardino County to the east, and Ventura County to the west.

Probate Timeline and Steps

Expect probate to take nine to eighteen months from filing to closing. Simple estates with liquid assets may complete faster. Complex cases with real estate or disputes take longer. Much of the time involves mandatory waiting periods.

After receiving letters, file an inventory within four months. List all assets and values. A court-appointed referee appraises certain property. Publish notice to creditors. They have four months from first publication to file claims.

Pay valid debts from estate funds. Keep detailed records. Save all receipts. When debts are paid and waiting periods end, file a final petition with a complete accounting. This requires another $435 fee. After court approval, distribute assets to heirs and close the case.

Good record keeping throughout makes the final accounting easier. Document every transaction. Keep copies of everything. The court requires a full accounting before closing the estate.