Shasta County Probate Court Records

All probate matters in Shasta County are filed at the Superior Court on 1515 Court Street in Redding. The probate division handles estate administration, wills, trusts, conservatorships, and guardianships for the entire county. Court hours are 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM on regular business days. Simple estate cases often complete in about six months according to local court information. You can file probate documents in person at the clerk window, by mail, or electronically if you register for the online filing system. Public records are available for search and review during business hours.

Filing at Shasta Superior Court

The courthouse is at 1515 Court Street in Redding. Park in the public lot adjacent to the building or use street parking nearby. The probate clerk window is on the main floor. Walk in during business hours to file documents or ask questions.

Call 530-245-6789 for general probate information. Staff can help with basic procedural questions but cannot give legal advice. For specific case questions, you may need to speak with a probate examiner who reviews filings before they go to the judge.

The court website at shasta.courts.ca.gov provides detailed information about local procedures. Check the site for current local rules, forms, and filing requirements. Each county in California uses the same statewide Judicial Council forms but may have different local rules about notice, publication, and hearings.

Shasta County notes that simple estates often complete in about six months. This is faster than the statewide average of nine to eighteen months. Complex estates with disputes or unusual assets take longer. Good organization and prompt filing of required documents helps speed the process.

Starting a Probate Case

Begin by obtaining a certified copy of the death certificate. Order from the county where death occurred. Shasta County death certificates are available from the county health department. Cost is typically $28 for the first copy and $14 for each additional copy ordered at the same time.

Complete form DE-111, the Petition for Probate. Attach the certified death certificate. If a will exists, bring the original to court. Photocopies of wills are not accepted. The court keeps the original will in the file.

File your petition at the clerk window. Pay $435. The clerk stamps your documents and assigns a hearing date. The hearing is usually six to eight weeks from the filing date. Write down the date and time.

Publish notice of the hearing in a local newspaper. Shasta County requires publication in a paper of general circulation in the area where the decedent lived. Complete publication at least fifteen days before the hearing. Get an affidavit of publication from the newspaper and file it with the court before the hearing.

Send notice by mail to all heirs and beneficiaries. Use certified mail and keep the return receipts. File proof of mailing with the court. The probate examiner checks all proofs before the hearing. Missing proofs can cause your hearing to be continued to a later date.

Getting Letters and Authority

At your first hearing, the judge reviews the petition. If everything is correct and no one objects, the judge signs an Order for Probate. The order names you as administrator or executor. You then receive Letters, which are your official authorization to act on behalf of the estate.

Get several certified copies of the Letters. Cost is $40 for certification plus fifty cents per page. You need certified copies to show banks, brokers, insurance companies, and anyone else holding estate assets. Most people order five to ten copies.

Within four months of getting Letters, file an Inventory and Appraisal using form DE-160. This lists all estate property and its value. A court-appointed probate referee values the assets. The referee charges a fee based on asset value, usually between $500 and $2,000 for most estates.

File accountings during the administration period. Accountings show all money received and all money spent. Keep detailed records and receipts. When you are ready to close the estate, file a final accounting and Petition for Final Distribution. The filing fee is another $435.

The judge holds a final hearing to review the accounting and approve distribution. After the judge signs the final order, you distribute assets to heirs according to the will or state law. Once distribution is complete, the estate is closed and your duties end.

Note: Keep estate bank accounts open for several months after distribution. Final bills sometimes arrive late. Having funds available prevents problems with creditors.

Avoiding Full Probate

Estates worth less than $208,850 qualify for simplified procedures. Use form DE-310 for personal property. No court filing is required. Just complete the affidavit, wait 40 days after death, and present it to whoever holds the assets. Banks and other institutions must release property when shown a valid affidavit.

Real estate valued under $70,200 can be transferred with a simplified court petition. Use form DE-305. The filing fee is $435. One hearing is usually enough to get a court order transferring the property to heirs.

Surviving spouses can use form DE-221 for a Spousal Property Petition. This works for community property and for separate property left to the spouse. The fee is $435. Most spousal petitions are approved at the first hearing without the need for full probate administration.

These simplified procedures save time and money. Full probate takes at least six months and costs include filing fees, referee fees, publication costs, and often attorney fees. Small estate procedures avoid most of these costs and complete in weeks instead of months.

The small estate limit changes every three years. The current limit of $208,850 runs from April 1, 2025 through March 31, 2028. Check current limits at courts.ca.gov when the time comes to file.

Finding Legal Assistance

The court self-help center offers free help with forms and procedures. Staff can explain what forms you need and how to fill them out. They cannot give legal advice or tell you what actions to take in your specific case. Walk in during business hours. No appointment needed.

Legal aid organizations serving Shasta County include:

• Legal Services of Northern California: 530-241-3565
• Senior Legal Services: 530-229-0736
• Disability Rights California: 800-776-5746

These groups provide free legal help to people who meet income requirements. Services include advice, form assistance, and sometimes court representation. Most programs prioritize seniors, people with disabilities, and low-income families.

If you need a private attorney, the Shasta County Bar Association can provide referrals. Many probate attorneys offer free initial consultations. Ask about fees during the consultation. Some charge hourly rates. Others use statutory fees set by California law based on estate value.

For a $300,000 estate, the statutory attorney fee is $9,000. For a $500,000 estate, the fee is $13,000. These are maximums. Some attorneys charge less, especially for simple estates. Compare fees before hiring anyone.

Probate Forms

Download California probate forms at courts.ca.gov. All forms are free. You can fill them out on a computer or print and complete by hand. If writing by hand, use blue or black ink.

Key forms include DE-111 to start probate, DE-140 for the court order, DE-150 for Letters, DE-160 for the Inventory and Appraisal, and DE-295 to close the estate. Each form has instructions. Read them carefully before filling out the form.

Check the Shasta County court website for any local forms or requirements. Some counties have additional local rules. Using the correct forms and following local procedures prevents delays.

Related Services

Death certificates are issued by the Shasta County Health and Human Services Agency. Order online, by mail, or in person. Only eligible people can request death certificates: family members, legal representatives, or others with a direct and tangible interest.

If the estate includes real estate, work with the county recorder to transfer title after probate closes. Record the court order and other required documents. Recording fees depend on the number of pages.

Property taxes continue during probate. Pay them on time to avoid penalties. Contact the Shasta County Assessor if you have questions about property tax during estate administration. Some properties may qualify for reassessment or tax relief.

Cities in Shasta County

Shasta County includes the city of Redding, which has a population over 100,000. All probate filings for Redding residents are made at the county courthouse on Court Street in Redding.

Other cities and communities in the county include Anderson, Shasta Lake, and Red Bluff. No city operates its own probate court. All cases are filed at the county Superior Court.

Nearby Counties

For probate matters in neighboring counties, visit: Tehama County, Siskiyou County, Modoc County, Lassen County, Plumas County, and Trinity County.