Los Angeles County Probate Records

Probate cases in Los Angeles County are filed at the Stanley Mosk Courthouse, located at 111 North Hill Street in downtown Los Angeles. The probate division operates on the third floor in Department 5. All estate administration matters, including wills, trusts, conservatorships, and guardianships, go through this central probate location regardless of where in the county the decedent lived. Los Angeles County processes more probate cases than any other California county. You can search case records online or visit the clerk office in person during business hours.

Los Angeles Superior Court Probate

The probate division of Los Angeles Superior Court handles all estate matters for the most populous county in California. The court is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. The clerk office is located in Room 112 on the first floor. Phone inquiries can be made at 213-830-0850. Walk-in service is available during business hours without an appointment.

Los Angeles County implemented mandatory electronic filing for all attorneys in probate cases starting June 5, 2017. Self-represented parties can still file paper documents in person or by mail. The court uses Tyler Technologies case management software, which powers the online case search portal.

The Los Angeles probate court website at lacourt.org provides detailed information about filing procedures, required forms, and local rules. The site includes video tutorials and step-by-step guides for common probate tasks. Calendars show upcoming hearing dates and tentative rulings.

Parking near the Stanley Mosk Courthouse can be challenging. The courthouse has a small paid parking lot that fills quickly. Several public parking structures operate within walking distance. Metered street parking is limited and restricted during peak hours. Public transportation via Metro offers easier access to the downtown courthouse location.

Search Probate Cases Online

Los Angeles County offers online case access through their web portal. Visit lacourt.ca.gov to search probate cases by name or case number. The system shows filed documents, hearing dates, and register of actions for active and closed cases.

The online portal lets you view many court documents for free. Some documents require a fee to download or print. Certified copies must be requested through the clerk office and cannot be obtained online. Processing time for certified copy requests is usually three to five business days.

If you need to search older probate records not available online, contact the clerk office directly. Historical records dating before the electronic case management system may be stored offsite. Retrieval of archived files can take several weeks. The California State Archives also maintains Los Angeles County probate records from the 1800s and early 1900s.

Filing Probate Documents in LA County

To start a probate case in Los Angeles County, you must file a Petition for Probate using form DE-111. The filing fee is $435. Attach a certified copy of the death certificate and the original will if one exists. File these documents at the Stanley Mosk Courthouse clerk window during business hours.

After you file, the court schedules a hearing date. This is usually six to eight weeks out. You must publish notice in a local newspaper and mail notice to all heirs and beneficiaries. Proof of notice must be filed before the hearing. The court provides a packet explaining all notice requirements.

At the first hearing, the judge reviews your petition. If everything is in order, the judge issues an Order for Probate and Letters of Administration. These letters give you authority to manage the estate. You then have four months to file an Inventory and Appraisal listing all estate assets.

During administration, you must file accountings showing all money received and spent. When the estate is ready to close, file a Petition for Final Distribution. This requires another hearing and another $435 fee. The judge reviews the final accounting and approves distribution to heirs. After the judge signs the final order, you can distribute assets and close the estate.

Note: Los Angeles County probate examiners review all filings before they go to the judge. The examiner may request corrections or additional information. Most filings go through multiple rounds of examiner review before approval. This is normal and extends the timeline for completing probate.

Legal Help and Resources

Los Angeles County offers a self-help center for people handling probate cases without an attorney. The center is located on the first floor of the Stanley Mosk Courthouse. Staff can help you complete forms and understand court procedures. They cannot give legal advice or tell you what to do in your specific case.

Several legal aid organizations in Los Angeles provide free or low-cost help with probate matters:

• Bet Tzedek Legal Services: 323-939-0506
• Los Angeles County Public Administrator: 213-974-0404
• Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles: 800-399-4529
• Neighborhood Legal Services of Los Angeles County: 800-433-6251

The Los Angeles County Bar Association operates a lawyer referral service. Call 213-243-1525 to get names of probate attorneys in your area. Many attorneys offer free initial consultations. Some work on flat fees for straightforward probate cases.

Major Cities in Los Angeles County

Los Angeles County includes many large cities. Probate cases for all cities are filed at the Stanley Mosk Courthouse in downtown Los Angeles.

Cities with populations over 100,000: Los Angeles, Long Beach, Glendale, Santa Clarita, Palmdale, Lancaster, Pomona, Torrance, Pasadena, El Monte, Downey, Inglewood, West Covina, Norwalk, Burbank, Compton, South Gate, Carson, Lakewood, and Santa Monica.

Nearby Counties

If your probate case is in a neighboring county, visit these pages: Orange County, Ventura County, San Bernardino County, Riverside County, and Kern County.