El Dorado County Probate Court

El Dorado County maintains probate court records at two courthouse locations. The main probate office is in Cameron Park at 2927 Meder Road. The South Lake Tahoe courthouse at 1354 Johnson Boulevard also handles some probate matters. Most probate cases are filed in Cameron Park. Call 530-621-5047 for the Cameron Park office or 530-573-3075 for South Lake Tahoe. Both offices are open Monday through Friday from 8 AM to 3:30 PM. The county provides online case access through a public portal at public-portal-eldorado.journaltech.com. You can search cases, view documents, and check hearing dates from home.

El Dorado Superior Court Probate

El Dorado County operates two Superior Court locations. The primary probate office is in Cameron Park at 2927 Meder Road. This facility handles most probate filings for the western part of the county. Call 530-621-5047 for Cameron Park.

The South Lake Tahoe courthouse is at 1354 Johnson Boulevard. This location serves the Lake Tahoe area in the eastern part of the county. Some probate cases can be filed here. Call 530-573-3075 for South Lake Tahoe. Both offices are open from 8 AM to 3:30 PM Monday through Friday.

The court website at eldorado.courts.ca.gov provides forms, local rules, and contact information. Review the site before visiting a courthouse. Many procedural questions can be answered online.

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

Search Cases Online

El Dorado County uses Journal Technologies for its case management system. The public portal is at public-portal-eldorado.journaltech.com. Search by party name or case number to find probate records. The system shows filed documents, hearing dates, and register of actions.

Most documents can be viewed online for free. Some records may be sealed by court order or restricted for privacy. If you cannot find a document online, contact the clerk office. Certified copies must be requested from the clerk. The fee is forty dollars plus fifty cents per page. Processing takes about one week.

The portal does not require registration for basic searches. Account creation is only needed for e-filing or case notifications. El Dorado County offers e-filing for some case types. Check with the court for current e-filing availability in probate cases.

How to File Probate Petitions

Start by filing a Petition for Probate using 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. Make copies for your records before filing.

File at the Cameron Park courthouse for most cases. If you live in the Lake Tahoe area, you may file in South Lake Tahoe. Ask the clerk which location is appropriate for your case. After filing, the court assigns a case number and sets a hearing date. This is usually six to eight weeks out.

Before the hearing, publish notice in a local newspaper. El Dorado County has several newspapers. The Mountain Democrat is commonly used. Notice must run once a week for three weeks. Save your proof of publication to file with the court.

Mail notice to all heirs and beneficiaries. This includes anyone named in the will and anyone who would inherit under California intestacy law. File proof of mailing at least fifteen days before the hearing. Use form DE-120 for proof of service.

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

During 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 approves distribution to heirs. After the order is signed, distribute assets and close the estate.

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

Legal Assistance Resources

El Dorado County residents can access legal aid through regional organizations. Legal Services of Northern California serves the area from their Sacramento office. 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 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 practicing in El Dorado County. Many attorneys offer free initial consultations. Ask about flat fee arrangements for straightforward estates.

Communities in El Dorado County

El Dorado County has no cities with populations over 100,000. Major communities include Placerville, South Lake Tahoe, Cameron Park, and El Dorado Hills. All probate cases are filed at either the Cameron Park or South Lake Tahoe courthouse depending on location.

Nearby Counties

El Dorado County is in the Sierra Nevada foothills and mountains. Neighboring counties include Placer County, Sacramento County, Amador County, Alpine County, and Nevada to the east.