Colusa County Probate Court

The Superior Court of Colusa County processes all probate court records for this small agricultural county in Northern California. The courthouse is at 532 Oak Street in Colusa, the county seat. File estate cases, search existing records, and obtain document copies at this location. The probate division handles wills, intestate estates, conservatorships, and guardianships. Office hours are 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM Monday through Friday. Call 530-458-5149 for general information about probate procedures. The court website at colusa.courts.ca.gov provides forms, local rules, and contact information for staff.

Colusa Superior Court Probate Division

Colusa County is one of California's smallest counties. The Superior Court sits in the town of Colusa at 532 Oak Street. This historic courthouse handles all court matters for the county including probate cases. The probate division processes estate administrations, conservatorships, guardianships, and will contests.

The clerk office is open from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM on weekdays. These are longer hours than many small rural counties offer. Walk-in service is available without appointment. Lines are rare given the small population. Most days you can speak with a clerk immediately.

Call 530-458-5149 for general probate questions. Staff can tell you if a case exists, provide the hearing date, and explain basic filing requirements. They cannot give legal advice about your specific situation. For legal advice, consult an attorney or legal aid organization.

All California probate cases use standardized Judicial Council forms. Download forms for free at courts.ca.gov. Print the forms you need before visiting the courthouse. The clerk office may have limited paper copies available.

Accessing Case Records

Colusa County does not have an extensive online case search portal like larger counties. Most case information requires contacting the clerk office directly. Call 530-458-5149 to inquire about a specific case. Staff can confirm 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 mail to Superior Court of Colusa County, 532 Oak Street, Colusa CA 95932. Include the case number if known. Describe which documents you need. Enclose payment for copying fees.

Certified copies cost forty dollars plus fifty cents per page. Regular copies are less expensive. Processing time is usually one week. Small counties like Colusa often provide faster service than large urban counties because they have fewer requests to process.

Filing a Probate Petition

Begin by completing form DE-111, the Petition for Probate. This form initiates the probate process. The filing fee is four hundred thirty-five dollars. You need a certified death certificate from the county health department or California Department of Public Health. If the decedent had a will, bring the original to court. The clerk needs the original, not a photocopy.

After filing, the court assigns a case number. You receive a hearing date typically six to eight weeks out. Before the hearing, publish notice in a local newspaper. Colusa County has limited newspaper options. The Colusa Sun-Herald may accept legal notices, or you might use a regional paper. Ask the clerk which papers qualify. Notice must run once a week for three weeks.

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

At the first hearing, the judge reviews your petition and supporting documents. If approved, you receive an Order for Probate and Letters of Administration. These letters give you legal authority to manage estate assets. You can now open estate bank accounts, collect property, and pay valid debts. Within four months, file an Inventory and Appraisal using form DE-160.

During administration, file periodic accountings if required. When the estate is 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. After the order is signed, you can distribute assets and close the estate.

Note: Estates valued under $208,850 may qualify as small estates. Small estates can use simplified procedures under California Probate Code sections 13100 to 13116. This avoids formal probate and saves time and money.

Legal Assistance Options

Colusa County has limited local legal services due to its small population. Residents can access regional and statewide resources for help. Legal Services of Northern California serves the area from their Sacramento office. Call 916-551-2150 for intake. They assist low-income residents with estate matters.

Seniors age sixty and older can use the Senior Legal Hotline at 800-222-1753. This free service provides legal advice by phone. Attorneys answer questions about wills, estates, conservatorships, and powers of attorney. 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
• California Courts Self-Help: selfhelp.courts.ca.gov

For attorney referrals, contact the State Bar of California at 866-442-2529. They can connect you with probate attorneys who serve Colusa County. Many attorneys in nearby Yuba City or Sacramento handle cases in Colusa. Ask about flat fee arrangements for straightforward estates.

Communities in Colusa County

Colusa County has no cities with populations over 100,000. The county seat is Colusa. Other communities include Williams, Maxwell, and Arbuckle. All probate cases for county residents are filed at the Superior Court in Colusa regardless of which town they live in.

Nearby Counties

Colusa County is surrounded by other Northern California counties. If your probate case involves a neighboring county, check Glenn County, Butte County, Sutter County, Yolo County, and Lake County.