Redding Probate Records

Redding has no city-level probate court. Shasta County Superior Court handles all probate matters for Redding residents. This includes estate administration, wills, trusts, conservatorships, and guardianships. California law assigns probate jurisdiction to county courts instead of individual cities. When a Redding resident dies, their estate case is filed at the Shasta County Courthouse at 1515 Court Street in Redding itself. This makes Redding one of the few California cities where the county courthouse sits within city limits. The probate division operates from the main courthouse. Court staff process filings and provide public access to records during business hours Monday through Friday.

Shasta County Superior Court

Shasta County Superior Court is located at 1515 Court Street in Redding. This is convenient for Redding residents since the county courthouse is in the city. Court hours are 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM Monday through Friday. The probate division phone is 530-245-6789. Call with questions about filing procedures or case information.

Clerk staff explain court rules and help with forms. They cannot give legal advice about your specific case. The courthouse has self-help resources available for people representing themselves. Simple estates can often be completed in about six months according to court estimates.

Parking is available at the courthouse. Spaces are free but may be limited during busy times. Street parking is also available nearby. Public transportation serves the area. Arrive early if you have a hearing or need to file documents. Security screening is required at the courthouse entrance.

The court website at shasta.courts.ca.gov has information about probate procedures and local rules. Forms can be downloaded from the website. The clerk window accepts filings during regular business hours.

Opening a Probate Case

Begin with form DE-111. This is the Petition for Probate. Get it from the court website or clerk window. Fill out all sections. Provide details about the person who died, their assets, and their heirs. Sign under penalty of perjury. Attach a certified death certificate. Include the original will if one exists.

File your petition at the clerk window. The filing fee is $435. Pay with cash, check, money order, or credit card. The clerk stamps your documents and gives you a case number. They set a hearing date, typically six to eight weeks from filing.

After filing, you must notify interested parties. Mail copies of the petition and hearing notice to all heirs and beneficiaries. Keep records of your mailings. Publish notice in a local newspaper. The Record Searchlight in Redding is commonly used. Publish once a week for three consecutive weeks. Get an affidavit from the newspaper proving publication.

File proof of mailing and publication before the hearing. Attend your hearing with original documents. The judge reviews your petition and may ask questions. If approved, you receive an Order for Probate and Letters of Administration. These give you legal authority to manage estate assets.

Within four months, file an Inventory and Appraisal listing all estate property. Some assets require appraisal by a probate referee. The court appoints referees. When you finish administering the estate, file a final petition and accounting. Another hearing and fee are required.

Small Estate Procedures

Full probate is not always necessary. Estates worth less than $208,850 may qualify for a small estate affidavit. This is form DE-310. Fill it out, get it notarized, and take it to whoever holds the assets. Banks and other institutions release property if the form is proper and 40 days have passed since death. No court filing. No fee. No hearing.

Real estate valued under $71,600 can transfer through a simplified court process. Use form DE-305. This still involves filing and a hearing, but the procedure is faster and less expensive than full probate. Shasta County processes these efficiently.

Some assets never need probate. Life insurance with a named beneficiary pays directly to that person. Retirement accounts work the same way. Payable-on-death bank accounts transfer automatically. Joint tenancy property passes to the surviving owner. Living trusts allow assets to avoid probate entirely.

Legal Assistance in Redding

Legal Services of Northern California serves low-income residents in Shasta County. Their Redding office provides free legal help for civil matters. Call for an intake appointment. They handle probate when resources allow. Income limits apply. They also offer self-help materials and workshops.

Senior Legal Hotline provides free phone advice to California seniors age 60 and older. Call 800-222-1753. They answer questions about wills, trusts, and probate. Income does not matter for seniors. The hotline operates weekdays.

The Shasta County Bar Association can refer you to a private attorney. Contact them for a referral to a lawyer who handles probate cases. Fees are negotiated between you and the attorney. Initial consultations may be offered at reduced rates.

Redding Library branches have legal reference materials. The main library on Parkview Avenue stocks court forms and self-help books. Librarians help you locate resources but cannot give legal advice. Free computer access allows online research and form completion.

Obtaining Death Certificates

Shasta County Clerk-Recorder maintains death records for the county. Their office is in the county administration building in Redding. Request certified copies in person or by mail. Cost is about $28 per copy. Bring valid ID if ordering in person. California law restricts who can get death certificates. Family members, legal representatives, and people with property interests qualify.

You may be able to order online through the county website. Check their site for current ordering options. Processing times vary but typically take one to two weeks for mail orders.

For older records or if you prefer state service, contact California Department of Public Health in Sacramento. Write to P.O. Box 997410, Sacramento CA 95899-7410. Call 916-445-2684. Online ordering available. State processing takes three to four weeks.

Other Shasta County Areas

All communities in Shasta County file probate cases at the Redding courthouse. This includes Anderson, Shasta Lake, and other smaller towns. The county is large geographically but the one courthouse serves the entire area.

Adjacent counties operate their own probate systems. See Tehama County to the south, Trinity County to the west, and Siskiyou County to the north. Each has different procedures and local rules.

Searching for Cases

Contact the clerk office to search for probate cases. They can look up cases by name or case number. Bring as much information as you have about the deceased person and approximate date of death.

If you have a case number from paperwork, provide it exactly as shown. Include all letters, dashes, and numbers. The format identifies the case type and filing year.

Older cases may be in archives rather than active files. The clerk can search older records but retrieval may take time. Small fees may apply for archive searches or document copies.

Not all deaths result in probate cases. Small estates use affidavits that do not go through court. Assets with beneficiaries transfer directly. Joint property passes automatically. Many estates avoid probate through advance planning with trusts and beneficiary designations.