Probate Records in Calaveras County

Calaveras County handles probate court records through the Superior Court probate division. All estate cases get filed at the main courthouse. This includes wills, trusts, conservatorships, and guardianships for county residents. The court uses Tyler Technologies Odyssey software for case management. You can search cases online through the Calaveras County portal at cacalaverasportal.tylerhost.net. The online system provides access to filed documents and hearing schedules. For in-person assistance, visit the clerk office at the courthouse. Staff can help you look up case numbers, file new petitions, and get copies of documents. Call the court for hours and directions.

Calaveras Superior Court Probate

The probate division of Calaveras Superior Court processes all estate matters for the county. The courthouse is in San Andreas, the county seat. All new probate cases must be filed at this location. The court handles wills, intestate estates, conservatorships, guardianships, and trust matters.

The clerk office is open Monday through Friday. Hours are posted on the court website at calaveras.courts.ca.gov. Walk-ins are welcome during business hours. Staff can answer general questions about filing procedures and case status. For legal advice, consult an attorney.

Parking is available at the courthouse. San Andreas is a small town, so finding parking is usually not difficult. Public transportation options are limited in rural Calaveras County. Most people drive to the courthouse.

The California Courts Self-Help Center provides free guides for people handling probate cases. Visit selfhelp.courts.ca.gov for step-by-step instructions, video tutorials, and downloadable forms. All forms are in English and Spanish.

Online Case Search Portal

Calaveras County uses Tyler Technologies Odyssey for its case management system. The public portal is at cacalaverasportal.tylerhost.net. Search by party name or case number. The system shows filed documents, upcoming hearings, and register of actions for probate cases.

Most documents can be viewed online. Some records may be sealed or restricted by court order. If a document is not available online, visit the clerk office or send a written request. Certified copies must be requested from the clerk. The fee is forty dollars plus fifty cents per page.

The online portal is free to use. You do not need to create an account to search cases. Registration is only required if you want to file documents electronically. E-filing is available for attorneys and self-represented parties in some case types.

How to Start a Probate Case

File a Petition for Probate using California Judicial Council form DE-111. The filing fee is four hundred thirty-five dollars. Attach a certified death certificate. If the decedent had a will, file the original with your petition. The court keeps the original will. Make copies for your own records.

The clerk assigns a case number and sets a hearing date. This is typically six to eight weeks from the filing date. Before the hearing, publish notice in a local newspaper of general circulation. Calaveras County has limited newspaper options. Ask the clerk which papers qualify for legal notices. Notice must run once a week for three consecutive weeks.

Mail notice to all heirs and beneficiaries. This includes anyone named in the will and anyone who would inherit under California law if there were no will. File proof of mailing at least fifteen days before the hearing. Use form DE-120.

At the first hearing, the judge reviews your petition and supporting documents. If everything is in order, the judge signs an Order for Probate and issues Letters of Administration. These letters give you authority to act on behalf of the estate. You can then collect assets, pay debts, and manage estate property.

Within four months of receiving letters, file an Inventory and Appraisal. This document lists all estate assets and their values. Use form DE-160. A court-appointed probate referee may appraise certain assets. The referee charges a fee based on a percentage of the appraised value.

File periodic accountings during estate administration. When ready to close, file a Petition for Final Distribution. This requires another court hearing and another four hundred thirty-five dollar fee. The judge approves the final accounting and distribution plan. Once the order is signed, distribute assets to heirs and close the estate.

Note: Small estates under $208,850 may avoid full probate. Use simplified procedures under California Probate Code sections 13100 to 13116. These procedures are faster and less expensive than formal probate.

Legal Help and Resources

Calaveras County residents can access legal aid through regional organizations. Legal Services of Northern California serves the area. Their main office is in Sacramento. Call 916-551-2150 for intake. They assist low-income residents with probate matters.

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

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

For attorney referrals, contact the State Bar of California. They can connect you with probate attorneys in Calaveras County. Many attorneys offer free initial consultations. Ask about flat fee arrangements for simple estates.

Cities in Calaveras County

Calaveras County has no incorporated cities with populations over 100,000. The county seat is San Andreas. Other communities include Angels Camp, Copperopolis, and Murphys. All probate cases for county residents are filed at the Superior Court in San Andreas.

Nearby Counties

Calaveras County borders several other California counties. For probate matters in neighboring areas, see Amador County, Alpine County, Tuolumne County, Stanislaus County, and San Joaquin County.