Probate Court Records in Sonoma County

Sonoma County probate cases are filed at the Superior Court located at 3055 Cleveland Avenue in Santa Rosa. The probate division processes all estate administration, will filings, conservatorships, and guardianships for the county. Court staff handle probate inquiries at 707-521-6650. For tentative rulings on upcoming hearings, call a separate line at 707-521-6607. You can file documents in person during business hours or by mail. Public access to court records is available at the courthouse and some information may be accessible through online systems as the county continues to expand its electronic services.

Sonoma Superior Court Probate

The courthouse is at 3055 Cleveland Avenue in Santa Rosa. This is the main courthouse for the county. Park in the public lot or use street parking nearby. Several bus routes serve the area if you prefer public transit.

Call 707-521-6650 for probate division questions. Staff can help with basic procedural information and case status. For tentative rulings, call 707-521-6607. Judges post tentative rulings the day before hearings. Check the ruling before appearing in court.

The court website is sonoma.courts.ca.gov. Check the site for current local rules, filing procedures, and forms. Each California county uses the same statewide Judicial Council forms but may have different local rules about notice, publication, and hearings.

Sonoma County has been expanding electronic services. Check the website for updates on online filing and case search capabilities. Some documents may be available for electronic filing. Contact the clerk office to confirm which documents can be filed online and which require paper filing.

How to File a Probate Petition

Start by getting a certified copy of the death certificate. Order from the county where death occurred. For Sonoma County deaths, contact the county health department. The cost is typically $28 for the first copy.

Fill out form DE-111, Petition for Probate. This is the standard California form available at courts.ca.gov. Attach the certified death certificate. If there is a will, bring the original to court. Copies are not accepted. The court keeps the original will in the file.

Take your documents to the courthouse at 3055 Cleveland Avenue. File at the probate clerk window. Pay the $435 filing fee. Payment can be made by cash, check, money order, or credit card. The clerk stamps your petition and gives you a hearing date.

The hearing is usually scheduled six to eight weeks out. You must publish notice in a local newspaper before the hearing. Sonoma County has several newspapers. Use one with general circulation in the area where the person lived. Common choices include the Press Democrat or other local papers. Publication must occur at least fifteen days before the hearing.

Mail notice to all heirs and anyone named in the will. Use certified mail with return receipt requested. Keep all return receipts. File proof of publication and proof of mailing with the court before the hearing. The court checks these proofs. Missing proofs will cause your hearing to be continued.

Probate Hearings

Check for tentative rulings the day before your hearing. Call 707-521-6607 or check the court website. If the judge posts a tentative ruling in your favor, you may not need to appear. If there is no tentative, or if you disagree with it, you must appear at the hearing.

Arrive early on your hearing date. Check in at the clerk window. The judge calls cases at the scheduled time. If no one objects to your petition and your paperwork is in order, the judge signs an Order for Probate. This appoints you as administrator or executor.

You then receive Letters of Administration or Letters Testamentary. These give you legal authority to manage estate assets. Get certified copies of the Letters. Cost is $40 for certification plus fifty cents per page. You need certified copies to show banks and other institutions holding estate property.

Within four months of getting Letters, file an Inventory and Appraisal using form DE-160. List all estate assets and their values. A probate referee appointed by the state values the property. The referee charges a fee based on asset value. Contact the clerk for referee contact information.

During administration, file accountings showing all money received and spent. Keep detailed records and receipts. When ready to close the estate, file a Petition for Final Distribution on form DE-295. The filing fee is another $435. The judge holds a final hearing to review the accounting and approve distribution to heirs.

Note: Most probate cases in Sonoma County take nine to eighteen months. Simple estates may finish in six months. Complex cases with disputes or unusual assets can take two years or longer.

Small Estate Procedures

If the total estate is worth less than $208,850, you can use simplified procedures. Form DE-310 is for personal property. No court filing is needed. Wait 40 days after death, fill out the affidavit, and take it to whoever holds the assets. Banks and other institutions must release property when shown a valid affidavit.

Real property valued under $70,200 can be transferred with a court petition but without full probate. Use form DE-305. File with the court and pay $435. One hearing is usually enough to get an order transferring the property to heirs.

Surviving spouses can file a Spousal Property Petition on form DE-221. This works for community property and for separate property left to the spouse. The fee is $435. Most spousal petitions are approved quickly, often at the first hearing.

Small estate procedures save time and money compared to full probate. They avoid the complexity of ongoing administration and multiple court hearings. Check if your estate qualifies before starting full probate.

The small estate limit of $208,850 is effective from April 1, 2025 through March 31, 2028. The limit adjusts every three years based on inflation. Future limits will be higher.

Getting Legal Help

The court self-help center provides free assistance 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 to do in your case. Walk in during business hours. No appointment needed.

Legal aid organizations serving Sonoma County include:

• Legal Aid of Sonoma County: 707-542-1290
• Senior Advocacy Services: 707-525-0143
• Bay Area Legal Aid: 800-551-5554

These groups provide free legal help to people who meet income limits. Services include advice, help with forms, and sometimes court representation. Most programs focus on seniors and low-income families.

Private probate attorneys in Sonoma County charge hourly rates or use statutory fees. California law sets maximum fees based on estate value. For a $400,000 estate, the statutory fee is $11,000. For a $600,000 estate, the fee is $15,000. Many attorneys charge these maximums.

You can handle probate yourself if the estate is straightforward. Many people do this successfully and save thousands in attorney fees. Use the self-help center and online resources to guide you through the process.

Probate Forms

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 in the DE series. DE-111 starts the probate. DE-140 is the order the judge signs. DE-150 is the Letters. DE-160 is the Inventory and Appraisal. DE-295 closes the estate. Each form includes instructions.

Check the Sonoma County court website for any local forms or requirements. Some counties have additional local rules beyond the statewide forms.

Additional County Services

Death certificates for Sonoma County deaths come from the county health department. Order online, by mail, or in person. Only certain people can request death certificates: family members, legal representatives, and others with a direct interest.

If the estate includes real property, work with the county recorder to transfer title after probate closes. Record the court order and any required deeds. The recorder office is in the same building as the courthouse. Recording fees depend on document length.

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

Cities in Sonoma County

Sonoma County includes the city of Santa Rosa, which has a population over 100,000. All probate cases for Santa Rosa residents are filed at the county courthouse on Cleveland Avenue in Santa Rosa.

Other cities in the county include Petaluma, Rohnert Park, Windsor, Healdsburg, Sebastopol, Sonoma, and Cloverdale. No city operates its own probate court. All cases go through Sonoma County Superior Court.

Nearby Counties

For probate cases in neighboring counties, visit: Marin County, Napa County, Lake County, and Mendocino County.