Simi Valley Probate Records

Probate cases for Simi Valley residents go through Ventura County Superior Court. The city of Simi Valley does not have its own probate court. All estate administration, will validation, conservatorships, and guardianships are handled by the county court system. The probate division sits at the Juvenile and Probate Courthouse at 4353 East Vineyard Avenue in Oxnard. This court processes all cases for anyone who lived in Simi Valley or anywhere else in Ventura County when they passed away. It also handles estates when the deceased owned property in the county, regardless of where they lived. The county Superior Court has exclusive jurisdiction over all probate matters involving Simi Valley residents and their estates.

Ventura County Probate Court

California assigns probate to county courts. Cities have no jurisdiction. Ventura County Superior Court handles all probate filings for Simi Valley residents and everyone else in the county.

The probate courthouse is in Oxnard at 4353 East Vineyard Avenue. Phone 805-289-8900 for information. Court hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. The clerk window handles filings and questions during these hours.

Ventura County provides online case access. Visit ventura.ecourt.com to search cases. Enter a name or case number. The portal shows filed documents, hearing schedules, and court orders. You can view public information without logging in.

Electronic filing is available for probate documents. You can file online, in person at the Oxnard courthouse, or by mail. Many law firms use e-filing. Self-represented people often file in person at the clerk window.

How to File Estate Cases

Start with form DE-111, the Petition for Probate. Download it from the California Courts website. Complete all required sections with information about the deceased, their assets, and the proposed executor or administrator.

You need a certified death certificate. If a will exists, get the original. Take these documents to the Oxnard courthouse. File at the probate clerk window. Pay $435 when you file. The court accepts cash, checks, money orders, and credit cards.

The clerk assigns a case number and sets a hearing six to eight weeks out. You must publish notice in a local newspaper. The Ventura County Star is commonly used. Mail notice to all heirs and beneficiaries. File proof of publication and mailing before your hearing date.

Go to the hearing at the scheduled time. Bring photo ID. The judge reviews your petition and supporting papers. If approved, you receive an Order for Probate and Letters. These authorize you to manage estate assets, pay debts, and distribute property to heirs.

Legal Resources for Simi Valley

The Ventura County Law Library has a branch at the Oxnard courthouse. The library stocks probate forms, legal guides, and research materials. Library staff help you locate resources but cannot give legal advice.

Free and low-cost legal help is available through:

• Legal Aid of Ventura County at 805-641-7188
• Ventura County Bar Association Lawyer Referral at 805-650-7599
• California Rural Legal Assistance for qualifying individuals
• Senior Concerns at 805-497-0189 for elder law matters

The court operates a self-help center with staff who answer procedural questions and help complete forms. They cannot give legal advice about your specific case. The center is at the Oxnard courthouse and provides walk-in assistance during court hours.

Note: Estates valued under $208,850 may use simplified procedures instead of full probate. Check form DE-300 for current thresholds. For personal property, use form DE-310. For real estate, use form DE-305. These procedures avoid lengthy court processes.

Getting Death Certificates

Certified death certificates are required to file probate. Get them from the Ventura County Clerk-Recorder or the California Department of Public Health. The county office processes recent deaths faster.

The Ventura County Clerk-Recorder office is at 800 South Victoria Avenue in Ventura. Call 805-654-2263 for information. Online ordering is available through the county website. Certified copies cost about $28 each. Processing takes one to two weeks.

The state office in Sacramento handles all California deaths. Mail requests to P.O. Box 997410, Sacramento CA 95899-7410. Phone 916-445-2684. Online ordering at cdph.ca.gov. State processing takes three to four weeks.

Other Ventura County Cities

Other large cities in Ventura County include Oxnard, Thousand Oaks, and San Buenaventura. All use the same probate court at the Juvenile and Probate Courthouse in Oxnard.

Adjacent counties include Los Angeles County, Kern County, and Santa Barbara County.

Searching for Cases

When using the online portal, try searching by last name only first. Then add first name to narrow results. Some records use middle initials while others spell out middle names. Women may be listed under married names or maiden names.

If you have a case number, enter it exactly as shown on documents. Include all letters, numbers, and dashes. The system is format-sensitive.

The online database includes cases from recent decades. Older probate files may exist only on paper. Contact the clerk office to request searches of archived records. Retrieval of old cases can take weeks.

Not every death creates a probate case. Small estates use simplified procedures that don't generate court files. Assets with beneficiaries pass outside probate. Living trusts avoid probate. If no case appears, one may not exist.