Fresno County Probate Records

Fresno County processes probate court records at the Superior Court in downtown Fresno. The probate division is at 1130 O Street on the third floor. All estate cases for the county get filed at this location. This includes wills, intestate estates, conservatorships, and guardianships. The probate clerk office is open Monday through Thursday from 8 AM to 3 PM and Friday from 8 AM to noon. Call 559-457-1888 for general probate information. Fresno County provides detailed probate examiners notes online at info.fresno.courts.ca.gov. These notes help you understand local requirements and avoid common filing errors. Check the notes before submitting documents to the court.

Fresno Superior Court Probate Division

The Fresno County probate division is at 1130 O Street on the third floor in downtown Fresno. This courthouse handles all estate administration matters for California's fifth largest county. The probate clerk window is open Monday through Thursday from 8 AM to 3 PM. Friday hours are shorter, 8 AM to noon. Plan your visit accordingly if you need to file documents on a Friday.

Walk-in service is available during business hours. Lines can form, especially mid-morning. Arrive early if you have time-sensitive filings. Parking is available in lots near the courthouse. Some lots charge fees. Metered street parking is also available but limited.

Call the probate division at 559-457-1888. Staff can answer questions about case status, filing procedures, and hearing dates. They cannot provide legal advice about your specific case. For legal advice, consult an attorney or legal aid service.

The Fresno court website at fresno.courts.ca.gov provides local rules and forms. The site includes valuable probate examiners notes at info.fresno.courts.ca.gov. Read these notes before filing. They explain local requirements and help you avoid common mistakes.

Accessing Case Records

Fresno County has an online case search system. Visit the court website at fresno.courts.ca.gov and look for the case search link. Search by party name or case number to find probate records. The system shows basic case information and hearing dates.

Not all documents are available online. Some records are sealed by court order or restricted for privacy. To get copies of documents not available online, visit the clerk office or send a written request by mail. Certified copies must be requested from the clerk. The fee is forty dollars plus fifty cents per page. Processing takes about one week.

For older cases or archived files, you may need to make a special request. Historical records may be stored offsite. Retrieval of archived files can take several weeks. Plan ahead if you need documents from old estates.

Filing Probate Cases in Fresno

Begin by completing form DE-111, the Petition for Probate. The filing fee is four hundred thirty-five dollars. Attach a certified death certificate obtained from the county health department or California Department of Public Health. If the decedent had a will, file the original with your petition. The court keeps the original will. Make copies for your records.

The clerk assigns a case number and sets a hearing date. This is usually six to eight weeks from filing. Before the hearing, publish notice in a local newspaper of general circulation. The Fresno Bee is commonly used for legal notices. 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 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 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 legal authority to act on behalf of the estate. You can then open estate bank accounts, collect assets, pay debts, and manage property.

Within four months of receiving letters, file an Inventory and Appraisal. Use form DE-160. List all estate assets and their values. A court-appointed probate referee appraises certain types of property. The referee charges a fee based on a percentage of appraised value.

Throughout estate administration, file accountings as required by law or court order. 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 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 for details.

Legal Aid and Resources

Fresno County has several organizations that provide legal help with probate matters. Central California Legal Services assists low-income residents. Their Fresno office handles estate matters, conservatorships, and guardianships. You must meet income guidelines to qualify. Call for intake information.

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, powers of attorney, and conservatorships. No income limits apply for seniors.

• Central California Legal Services: Local intake
• Senior Legal Hotline: 800-222-1753
• Fresno County Bar Association: Local attorney referrals
• State Bar of California: 866-442-2529
• California Courts Self-Help: selfhelp.courts.ca.gov

The State Bar of California operates a lawyer referral service. Call 866-442-2529 to get names of probate attorneys in Fresno. Many attorneys offer free initial consultations. Ask about flat fee arrangements for simple estates.

Cities in Fresno County

Fresno County includes several large cities. All probate cases are filed at the Superior Court in downtown Fresno. Cities with populations over 100,000 include Fresno and Clovis.

Nearby Counties

Fresno County is in the San Joaquin Valley. Neighboring counties include Madera County, Mariposa County, Merced County, Kings County, Tulare County, and Mono County.