Butte County Probate Records

All probate court records in Butte County are maintained at the Superior Court in Chico. The courthouse is at 1775 Concord Avenue. You can file estate cases, search existing records, and get copies of documents at this location. The probate department is part of the civil division. Call 530-532-7017 to reach the probate clerk. Staff answer questions about filing procedures and case status. The office is open Monday through Friday during standard business hours. Butte County has an online case search system with records dating back to 1988. You can access many documents from home without visiting the courthouse in person.

Butte Superior Court Civil and Probate

The Butte County Superior Court civil division handles all probate matters. The courthouse sits in Chico at 1775 Concord Avenue. This modern facility replaced the older courthouse downtown. All estate administration cases, conservatorships, guardianships, and trust matters are filed here.

The probate clerk window is on the first floor. Walk-ins are welcome during business hours. The office opens at 8 AM and closes at 4 PM Monday through Friday. Arrive early to avoid lines. Peak times are late morning and early afternoon. If you are filing time-sensitive documents, come when the office opens.

Phone the probate department at 530-532-7017. Staff can check if a case exists, tell you the hearing date, and answer basic filing questions. They cannot provide legal advice. For help understanding your rights or obligations, consult an attorney or legal aid service.

The Butte court website at butte.courts.ca.gov has local rules and forms. Review the site before visiting the courthouse. Many procedural questions can be answered online. The site also lists upcoming hearings and tentative rulings.

Search Cases Online

Butte County provides online case access for probate records from 1988 forward. Visit the court website at butte.courts.ca.gov and look for the case search link. Enter a party name or case number to find records. The system displays filed documents, hearing dates, and the register of actions.

Not all documents are available online. Some records are sealed by court order. Others may not have been scanned into the system. If you cannot find what you need online, visit the clerk office or send a written request by mail. Older cases from before 1988 require an in-person visit to access the physical file.

Certified copies must be requested from the clerk. The fee is forty dollars plus fifty cents per page. Regular photocopies cost less. Ask for a fee estimate before placing your order. Processing time is about one week for certified documents. Overnight service may be available for an extra charge.

Filing a Probate Case

Start probate by filing a Petition for Probate. Use form DE-111. The filing fee is four hundred thirty-five dollars. You need a certified death certificate. Get this from the Butte County Public Health Department or the California Department of Public Health. If the decedent had a will, bring the original to court. The clerk needs the original, not a copy.

After filing, the court sets a hearing. This is usually six to eight weeks out. You must publish notice in a local newspaper before the hearing. The Chico Enterprise-Record is commonly used for legal notices in Butte County. Notice must run once a week for three weeks. Save your proof of publication.

Mail notice to all heirs and beneficiaries. Include anyone named in the will and anyone who would inherit if there were no will. File proof of mailing at least fifteen days before your hearing. Use form DE-120 for proof of service by mail.

At the hearing, the judge reviews your petition. If approved, you receive an Order for Probate and Letters of Administration. These letters give you legal authority to manage the estate. You can now open bank accounts in the estate name, collect assets, and pay debts. File an Inventory and Appraisal within four months of receiving letters. Use form DE-160.

Throughout administration, file accountings if required by law or court order. When ready to close, file a Petition for Final Distribution. This requires another hearing and another four hundred thirty-five dollar fee. The judge reviews the final accounting and approves distribution to heirs. Once the order is signed, distribute assets and close estate accounts.

Note: Estates under $208,850 may qualify for simplified procedures. These small estates can avoid full probate using an Affidavit for Transfer of Personal Property. See California Probate Code sections 13100 to 13116.

Legal Assistance Resources

Butte County has legal aid services for low-income residents. Legal Services of Northern California serves the area. Their main office is in Chico. Call 916-551-2150 for intake. They handle conservatorships, guardianships, and estate matters for people who meet income guidelines.

Seniors age sixty and older can call the Senior Legal Hotline at 800-222-1753. This free statewide service provides legal advice over the phone. Attorneys answer questions about wills, estates, and powers of attorney. No income limits apply.

• Legal Services of Northern California: 916-551-2150
• Senior Legal Hotline: 800-222-1753
• Butte County Bar Association: Local attorney referrals
• State Bar of California: 866-442-2529
• California Courts Self-Help: selfhelp.courts.ca.gov

The court website also provides self-help resources. Download free forms and read guides about probate procedures. Video tutorials explain common tasks like filling out petitions and preparing for hearings. These resources are helpful if you plan to represent yourself.

Cities in Butte County

Butte County includes several cities. The largest is Chico, which has the county courthouse. Other cities include Oroville, Paradise, and Gridley. All probate cases for county residents are filed at the Superior Court in Chico. One qualifying city has a population over 100,000: Chico.

Nearby Counties

Butte County is in Northern California. Neighboring counties include Tehama County, Glenn County, Colusa County, Sutter County, Yuba County, and Plumas County.