Alpine County Probate Court Records

Alpine County is California's smallest county by population, with just over one thousand residents. The Superior Court of Alpine County handles probate cases in Markleeville at 14777 State Route 89. This small courthouse serves the entire county. Probate matters include wills, estates, conservatorships, and guardianships. Because of the low population, the county processes very few probate cases each year. The clerk office can help you with filing questions and case searches. Staff know most local families and can provide more personalized service than larger counties. Call 530-694-2113 for assistance. The courthouse is open Monday through Friday.

Superior Court Location and Hours

The Alpine County Superior Court sits in the heart of Markleeville, the county seat. The courthouse is at 14777 State Route 89. This is one of California's smallest court facilities. The building serves all court functions including probate, civil, criminal, and family law matters. One judge presides over all case types.

Hours are Monday through Friday during standard business hours. Call ahead at 530-694-2113 to confirm the clerk is available. In very small counties like Alpine, staff may be at lunch or in court sessions. The phone system goes to voicemail when staff are busy. Leave a message and someone will call you back.

Parking is easy. The courthouse has a small lot and street parking is plentiful. Markleeville is a tiny mountain town with minimal traffic. Getting to the courthouse is straightforward once you reach the town center.

The Alpine County court website is at alpinecountyca.gov. The site has basic contact information and links to state court resources. For detailed probate procedures, refer to the California Courts self-help center at selfhelp.courts.ca.gov.

Case Records Access

Alpine County does not have a robust online case search system like larger counties. Most case lookups require contacting the clerk office directly. Call 530-694-2113 to ask about a specific case. Staff can tell you if a case exists and provide basic status information over the phone.

To get copies of documents, visit the courthouse in person or send a written request by mail. Address correspondence to Superior Court of Alpine County at PO Box 518, Markleeville CA 96120. Include the case number if you know it. Describe which documents you need. Enclose payment for copying fees.

The standard fee for certified copies is forty dollars plus fifty cents per page. Regular copies cost less. Ask the clerk for a fee estimate before placing your order. Payment can be made by check or money order. Some courts accept credit cards but call ahead to confirm Alpine County does.

Filing Probate Petitions

To open a probate case in Alpine County, file a Petition for Probate using California Judicial Council form DE-111. The filing fee is four hundred thirty-five dollars. You need a certified copy of the death certificate. If the decedent had a will, bring the original. File these papers at the clerk window in Markleeville.

The clerk assigns a case number and sets a hearing date. Because Alpine County has few cases on the calendar, you may get an earlier hearing date than in large counties. Typical wait time is four to six weeks. You still must comply with all notice requirements even though the county is small.

Publish notice in a local newspaper of general circulation. Alpine County has limited newspaper options. The Alpine County News may accept legal notices, or you might need to use a regional paper. Ask the clerk which papers qualify. Notice must run once a week for three weeks before the hearing.

Mail notice to all heirs and beneficiaries. File proof of mailing with the court. At the hearing, the judge reviews your petition. If approved, you receive Letters of Administration giving you authority to manage the estate. File an Inventory and Appraisal within four months.

Throughout the case, file accountings and required reports. When ready to close, file a Petition for Final Distribution. This requires another hearing and another four hundred thirty-five dollar fee. The judge approves distribution and closes the estate.

Note: Small estates under $208,850 may qualify for simplified procedures. Alpine County handles these matters with the same filing location in Markleeville.

Legal Help Options

Alpine County has no local legal aid office due to its small size. Residents can contact statewide resources for help. The California Courts Self-Help Center at selfhelp.courts.ca.gov provides free guides, forms, and video tutorials.

For attorney referrals, contact the State Bar of California at 866-442-2529. They can connect you with probate attorneys who serve Alpine County. Many attorneys in neighboring counties accept Alpine County cases.

• State Bar Lawyer Referral: 866-442-2529
• Judicial Council Forms: courts.ca.gov
• Legal Services of Northern California: 916-551-2150
• Senior Legal Hotline: 800-222-1753

Some Sacramento and Reno area attorneys handle cases in Alpine County. The county is small enough that even complex probate matters may cost less than in large urban counties. Ask about flat fee arrangements for straightforward estate administration.

Towns in Alpine County

Alpine County has no incorporated cities. The county seat is Markleeville, an unincorporated town. Other small communities include Kirkwood and Woodfords. All probate matters for county residents are filed at the Superior Court in Markleeville. No cities in Alpine County have populations over 100,000.

Nearby Counties

Alpine County borders several other California counties. For probate matters in neighboring areas, see El Dorado County, Amador County, Mono County, and Tuolumne County. Nevada is also nearby to the east.