Tehama County Probate Court

Probate records in Tehama County are filed with the Superior Court, located at 1740 Walnut Street in Red Bluff. The court handles all estate matters, including wills, trusts, and conservatorships for anyone who lived in Tehama County at the time of death. You can search these records online, visit the clerk office during business hours, or call to check on a case. The court window opens Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM until 4:30 PM. Staff can tell you how to file a case or get a copy of a document.

Tehama Superior Court Probate Division

The court address is 1740 Walnut Street, Red Bluff, CA 96080. Phone number is 530-527-6441. Red Bluff is the county seat and the only location that handles probate cases in Tehama County.

The clerk office can answer basic questions about filing procedures and fees. They cannot give legal advice. If you need help filling out forms or understanding what to do in your case, consider talking to a lawyer or visiting a legal aid office.

Tehama County uses the Tehama Superior Court probate division website to share information about local rules and procedures. The site has contact information and general guidance on how probate cases work. Most forms used in California probate cases are standard Judicial Council forms, which you can download from the state courts website.

The state self-help website at selfhelp.courts.ca.gov walks you through the probate process step by step. It explains when you need to go to court and when you can use simpler procedures for small estates. California law allows estates under $208,850 to skip formal probate in many cases. This saves time and money for families dealing with modest estates.

Starting a Probate Case

To open a probate case in Tehama County, file form DE-111 at the clerk office. The form is called Petition for Probate. Attach a certified copy of the death certificate. If the person left a will, attach the original will.

The filing fee is $435. This is set by state law and applies in all California counties. The clerk accepts cash, checks, and money orders. Some courts also take credit cards but may charge an extra processing fee.

After you file, the court sets a hearing date. You must publish notice in a local newspaper for three weeks. You also mail notice to all heirs and beneficiaries. The court provides instructions about how to do this correctly. Proof of notice must be filed before your hearing.

The judge reviews your petition at the hearing. If everything is in order, the judge signs an order appointing you as executor or administrator. The court then issues Letters, which give you legal authority to act for the estate. You use these letters to access bank accounts, sell property, and handle other estate business.

Probate Forms and Legal Resources

California uses standard Judicial Council forms for probate cases. These forms have DE numbers. Form DE-111 starts the case. Form DE-140 is the order the judge signs. Form DE-150 is the Letters you get after the hearing.

Download all forms at courts.ca.gov/forms. The site lets you search by form number or topic. Many forms include instructions that explain how to fill them out. Some forms can be completed online before printing.

If you need a copy of a death certificate, contact the California Department of Public Health. They maintain statewide vital records. You can also get death certificates from the county recorder office in the county where the person died. Tehama County residents can visit the recorder office in Red Bluff.

Legal aid may be available if you cannot afford a lawyer. Northern California legal aid organizations serve rural counties like Tehama. Call the Superior Court clerk office to ask about free legal help in your area. The State Bar of California also runs a lawyer referral service at 866-442-2529.

Note: Always bring photo identification when filing documents at the courthouse. The clerk may ask to see your ID before accepting papers.

Small Estate Options in Tehama County

Most people in Tehama County can use simplified procedures instead of full probate. California law allows small estate affidavits for estates valued under $208,850 as of April 1, 2025. This threshold goes up every three years based on inflation.

To use the small estate process, wait 40 days after death. Then prepare form DE-310 if personal property needs to transfer, or form DE-305 for real estate worth less than $69,617. Take the completed form to the person or institution holding the asset. They must release it to you within a reasonable time.

Banks and financial institutions know how these forms work. Most will transfer accounts or release funds when you present a properly completed affidavit. You do not need court approval. This makes small estate procedures much faster than formal probate.

The California Probate Code sections 13100 through 13116 spell out small estate rules. Section 13200 covers real property transfers. These laws apply statewide, so Tehama County follows the same procedures as every other California county.

How Long Probate Takes

A simple probate case in Tehama County takes about nine months to a year. Complex estates can take longer. Much depends on the estate assets and whether anyone contests the will or administration.

The first hearing happens six to eight weeks after you file. After that hearing, you have four months to complete an inventory of all estate assets. During administration, you pay bills, file tax returns, and handle estate business. When everything is ready, you file a final petition asking the court to close the case and distribute assets.

The final hearing requires another notice period and court appearance. After the judge approves your final accounting and distribution plan, you can pay out beneficiaries and wrap up the estate. Add a few weeks for final tasks after the court order. Most executors finish within 12 to 18 months from start to finish.

Nearby Counties

If your probate case involves property or residents in a neighboring county, you may need to file there instead. Nearby counties include Shasta County, Glenn County, Butte County, and Plumas County. Each county has its own Superior Court probate division. The decedent's legal residence at the time of death determines which county has jurisdiction.