Contra Costa County Probate Records

Contra Costa County probate court records are maintained at the Superior Court in Martinez. The courthouse is at 725 Court Street. All estate cases for county residents get filed at this location. This includes wills, intestate estates, conservatorships, and guardianships. The probate division uses Tyler Odyssey case management software. You can search many records online through the county portal at odyportal.cc-courts.org. For in-person help, visit the clerk office or call 925-608-1000. The county also provides a probate facilitator who offers free assistance to self-represented parties. Email probfac@contracosta.courts.ca.gov or call 925-608-2066 to schedule an appointment with the facilitator.

Contra Costa Superior Court Probate

The Contra Costa County probate division handles all estate administration matters at the Martinez courthouse. The address is 725 Court Street. This location serves the entire county. Whether you live in Richmond, Concord, Walnut Creek, or anywhere else in Contra Costa County, all probate cases are filed in Martinez.

The clerk office is open Monday through Friday during business hours. Walk-in service is available without appointment. Lines can get long, especially mid-morning. Arrive early if you need to file time-sensitive documents. Parking is available in lots near the courthouse. Some lots charge fees. Street parking is metered and limited.

Call the probate division at 925-608-1000. The phone system may have multiple options. Listen for the probate division extension. Staff can answer questions about case status, filing procedures, and hearing dates. They cannot provide legal advice about your specific case.

The Contra Costa court website at contracosta.courts.ca.gov provides local rules, forms, and hearing calendars. Review the site before visiting the courthouse. Many procedural questions can be answered online.

Online Case Portal Access

Contra Costa County uses Tyler Odyssey for case management. The public portal is at odyportal.cc-courts.org. Search by party name or case number to find probate records. The system displays filed documents, upcoming hearings, and the register of actions.

Most documents can be viewed online for free. Some records may be sealed by court order or restricted for privacy reasons. If you cannot find a document 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. Processing takes about five business days.

The portal does not require account creation for basic searches. Registration is only needed if you want to file documents electronically or receive case notifications. E-filing is available for attorneys and self-represented parties in probate cases.

How to File Probate Cases

Start by filing a Petition for Probate. Use 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. The court keeps the original will in the file. Make copies for your records before filing.

The clerk assigns a case number and sets a hearing date. This is usually six to eight weeks from the filing date. Before the hearing, publish notice in a local newspaper. Contra Costa County has several papers that accept legal notices. The Contra Costa Times is commonly used. 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 under California intestacy law. 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 and documents. If approved, the judge signs an Order for Probate and issues Letters of Administration. These letters give you legal authority to manage the estate. You can then open estate bank accounts, collect assets, pay debts, and sell property. Within four months of receiving letters, file an Inventory and Appraisal. Use form DE-160.

Throughout estate administration, file accountings as required. 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 valued under $208,850 may qualify for simplified small estate procedures. Use an Affidavit for Transfer of Personal Property instead of full probate. See California Probate Code sections 13100 to 13116.

Probate Facilitator and Legal Aid

Contra Costa County provides a probate facilitator program. This free service helps self-represented parties complete forms and understand court procedures. The facilitator cannot represent you in court or give legal advice about your case. To schedule an appointment, email probfac@contracosta.courts.ca.gov or call 925-608-2066.

Contra Costa Senior Legal Services provides free legal help to county residents age sixty and older. Call 925-609-7900. They handle wills, powers of attorney, conservatorships, and simple probate matters. No income limits apply for seniors.

• Probate Facilitator: probfac@contracosta.courts.ca.gov, 925-608-2066
• Contra Costa Senior Legal Services: 925-609-7900
• Bay Area Legal Aid: 510-250-5270
• Contra Costa Bar Association: Local attorney referrals
• State Bar of California: 866-442-2529

Bay Area Legal Aid serves low-income residents under age sixty. They can help with contested probate matters, conservatorships, and guardianships. You must meet income guidelines to qualify.

Cities in Contra Costa County

Contra Costa County includes several large cities. All probate cases for these cities are filed in Martinez. Cities with populations over 100,000 include Concord, Antioch, and Richmond.

Nearby Counties

If your probate case is in a neighboring county, see Alameda County, Solano County, San Joaquin County, and Marin County.