Sierra County Probate Court

Sierra County is one of California's smallest counties by population. Probate cases are handled at the Superior Court in Downieville. The court processes estate administration, will filings, conservatorships, and guardianships for county residents. As a small rural county, Sierra has fewer probate filings than larger urban counties. The court provides personal service and staff are familiar with most cases. You can file documents in person at the courthouse or by mail. Call ahead if you plan to visit, as court hours may vary due to limited staffing in this small jurisdiction.

Superior Court Location

The courthouse is in Downieville. The address is Downieville, CA 95936. The phone number is 530-289-3698. Call before visiting to confirm hours and get directions. Downieville is a small mountain community in the Sierra Nevada. Access can be difficult in winter due to snow.

Sierra County does not have extensive online resources. Most court business is conducted in person or by phone. Staff can answer questions and help with basic procedures. As a small county, the court does not have a separate probate division. One clerk handles all case types including probate.

The county does not operate an online case search portal. To check case status or get copies of documents, call or visit the courthouse. Staff can look up information and provide copies for a fee. Copy fees are fifty cents per page.

Because Sierra County is small, cases often move through the system faster than in large urban counties. The judge knows most cases personally. Hearings are less formal than in big city courts. This can make the process easier for people representing themselves without attorneys.

Filing a Probate Case

Start by getting a certified death certificate. Order from the county where death occurred. If death was in Sierra County, contact the county clerk. If death occurred elsewhere, order from that county or from the California Department of Public Health.

Fill out form DE-111, Petition for Probate. This is the standard California form. Attach the death certificate and the original will if one exists. Take or mail these documents to the courthouse in Downieville. The filing fee is $435.

The clerk sets a hearing date. You must publish notice in a local newspaper. Sierra County is small and has limited newspaper circulation. Ask the clerk which newspaper to use for publication. Publish at least fifteen days before the hearing.

Mail notice to all heirs and beneficiaries named in the will. Use certified mail. Keep receipts and file proof of mailing with the court. The judge checks that you properly noticed everyone before approving your petition.

At the hearing, the judge reviews your petition and any objections. If everything is in order, the judge signs an Order for Probate and issues Letters. These give you authority to manage estate assets.

Managing the Estate

After you get Letters, file an Inventory and Appraisal within four months. Use form DE-160. A probate referee values estate property. The referee is appointed by the state controller and serves multiple counties. Contact the clerk to find out which referee serves Sierra County.

During administration, keep detailed records of all transactions. File accountings showing money received and spent. When ready to close the estate, file a Petition for Final Distribution. The fee is $435.

The judge holds a final hearing to review your accounting. If approved, the judge signs an order allowing you to distribute assets to heirs. After distribution, file a receipt showing each heir received their share. The estate is then closed.

Most probate cases in Sierra County are straightforward. Estates are often smaller and involve fewer assets than in urban areas. Real property, bank accounts, and vehicles are typical assets. Complex business interests and large investment portfolios are less common.

Small Estate Procedures

If the estate is worth less than $208,850, you can use a small estate affidavit instead of full probate. Form DE-310 is for personal property. No court filing is needed. Wait 40 days after death, complete the affidavit, and present it to whoever holds the assets.

Real property valued under $70,200 can be transferred using form DE-305. This requires a court filing and the $435 fee, but the process is simpler than regular probate. One hearing is usually enough.

Surviving spouses can use form DE-221 for community property or separate property left to the spouse. The filing fee is $435. This is faster than full probate administration.

Many estates in Sierra County qualify for small estate procedures. Property values in rural mountain areas are often lower than in urban counties. Check whether your estate qualifies before going through full probate.

Note: The small estate limit of $208,850 is effective from April 1, 2025 through March 31, 2028. The limit increases every three years based on inflation.

Getting Legal Help

Sierra County does not have a separate self-help center. The clerk staff can provide basic information about procedures and forms. They cannot give legal advice or tell you what to do in your case.

Legal aid services for Sierra County residents are provided by regional organizations:

• Legal Services of Northern California: 530-241-3565
• Senior Legal Hotline: 800-222-1753
• California Rural Legal Assistance: 800-337-0690

These groups serve multiple counties in the region. They provide free help to people who meet income requirements. Services include phone advice, help with forms, and sometimes representation in court.

Private attorneys who handle probate in Sierra County often practice in larger nearby counties like Nevada County or Placer County. They may travel to Sierra County for court appearances. Ask about travel charges when discussing fees.

Many Sierra County residents handle probate themselves. Estates are often simple and the court is small enough that staff can answer most procedural questions. The California Judicial Council website at courts.ca.gov has all necessary forms and instructions.

Forms and Instructions

All California probate forms are available free at courts.ca.gov. Download and fill them out on your computer or print and complete by hand in blue or black ink.

The main forms are DE-111 to start probate, DE-140 for the court order, DE-150 for Letters, DE-160 for the Inventory, and DE-295 to close the estate. Each form has instructions explaining how to complete it.

The California Courts website also has a self-help guide for probate at selfhelp.courts.ca.gov. The guide explains each step of the process in plain language. It covers what probate is, when it is required, and how to do it yourself.

Related County Services

Death certificates for Sierra County deaths are issued by the county clerk. Order in person or by mail. Only certain people can request death certificates: family members, legal representatives, and others with a direct interest.

If the estate includes real property, you need to record transfer documents with the county recorder after probate closes. The recorder office is in the same building as the courthouse in Downieville. Recording fees vary based on document length.

Property taxes continue during probate. Pay them on time to avoid penalties. Contact the county assessor if you have questions about property tax during estate administration.

Communities in Sierra County

Sierra County has no incorporated cities. Communities include Downieville (the county seat), Loyalton, Sierraville, and Sierra City. None have populations over 100,000. All probate cases are filed at the county courthouse in Downieville.

The county is rural and mountainous. Population is spread across small communities and isolated properties. Total county population is about 3,000, making it one of California's least populous counties.

Nearby Counties

For probate cases in neighboring counties, see: Nevada County, Plumas County, Yuba County, and Placer County.