Tulare County Probate Court Records

Tulare County probate cases are handled by the Superior Court with two locations serving the public. The main probate facility operates in Visalia at 221 South Mooney Boulevard, Room 201. A second courthouse in Porterville at 300 East Olive also accepts probate filings. Both offices process estate matters including wills, trusts, conservatorships, and guardianships for Tulare County residents. Court hours run Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM until 4:00 PM. Call 559-730-5000 for the Visalia office or 559-782-3700 for Porterville. You can search for case information, file new documents, or request certified copies at either location.

Finding Tulare Probate Records

The Visalia courthouse at 221 South Mooney Boulevard handles most probate filings for Tulare County. This is the main location for estate cases. The court website is tulare.courts.ca.gov/divisions/probate. It lists filing procedures, local rules, and contact information.

Porterville residents can use the courthouse at 300 East Olive. This location accepts probate documents and provides clerk services. Many people find it more convenient to file in Porterville if they live in the southern part of the county. Both offices access the same case files and court records.

The California courts self-help center at selfhelp.courts.ca.gov/probate explains how probate works. The site has guides for filing petitions, giving notice to heirs, and completing estate inventories. Instructions apply to all California counties, including Tulare. The site also covers small estate procedures that let you avoid formal probate in many cases.

Tulare County serves a large agricultural area in the Central Valley. The population is spread across several cities and many rural communities. Estate cases here often involve farms, ranches, and agricultural business interests. This can make probate more complex than cases involving only residential property and financial accounts.

How to Start a Probate Case

Get a certified death certificate before filing anything. You need this document to open a probate case. Order copies from the Tulare County recorder or the California Department of Public Health. Most banks and institutions want to see a certified copy before releasing information about accounts.

Fill out form DE-111, the Petition for Probate. This is the standard California form used in all counties. Provide information about the deceased person, their family members, and their property. List all known heirs and beneficiaries. If a will exists, attach the original document to your petition.

File your petition at the clerk office in Visalia or Porterville. The filing fee is $435. Pay by cash, check, or money order. Some California courts accept credit cards but charge an extra service fee. Ask the clerk about payment options when you file.

The court assigns a hearing date six to eight weeks after you file. During this time, you must complete notice requirements. Publish notice in a newspaper that serves Tulare County. The publication runs once a week for three weeks. Mail notice to all heirs, beneficiaries, and the California Attorney General. File proof of service showing you completed all notice steps.

Attend the hearing with your proof of service documents. The judge reviews your petition and asks questions. If everything is proper, the judge signs an order appointing you as executor or administrator. The clerk then issues Letters giving you authority to manage the estate.

Probate Forms and Documents

California uses Judicial Council forms for all probate cases. These standardized forms work in every county. Download them at courts.ca.gov/forms. Search for forms starting with DE. This is the probate series.

Key forms include DE-111 to start the case, DE-140 for the court order, and DE-150 for Letters of Administration. Form DE-160 is the Inventory and Appraisal you file after appointment. Form DE-111 is used again at the end of the case to request final distribution.

Many forms come with instructions. Read these carefully before filling anything out. Small mistakes can delay your case. The court may reject forms that are incomplete or incorrect. You would then need to fix the problems and refile.

Tulare County follows state law for probate procedures. Local rules add requirements on top of state rules. Check the court website for any local forms or procedures specific to Tulare County. The clerk office can tell you about local requirements when you file.

Small Estate Affidavits

Most Tulare County families can use small estate procedures. California law lets you skip formal probate if the estate is worth less than $208,850. This applies to deaths on or after April 1, 2025. The threshold goes up every three years based on cost of living adjustments.

Wait 40 days after death. Prepare form DE-310 for personal property like bank accounts and vehicles. Use form DE-305 for real estate worth less than $69,617. You do not file these forms with the court. Take them directly to the bank, DMV, or title company holding the asset.

The institution must transfer the asset when you present a proper affidavit. This process is much faster than court probate. Small estates often close in two or three months. Formal probate takes a year or more.

Even if the total estate exceeds the threshold, you might use small estate affidavits for some assets. For example, if the house is worth $400,000 but the bank accounts total only $50,000, you could use form DE-310 for the accounts while handling the house through formal probate. This saves time and filing fees.

The California Probate Code sections 13100 through 13116 cover small estate affidavits for personal property. Sections 13200 through 13210 cover real estate. These laws apply statewide and tell you exactly what information must go on the affidavit.

Note: Small estate procedures work only if no one has started formal probate. Once a probate case is opened, you must continue with that process.

Getting Legal Advice

Consider hiring a lawyer for complex estates. Agricultural property, business interests, and large estates often need professional help. Tulare County has attorneys who focus on probate and estate planning. The State Bar referral service at 866-442-2529 can give you names.

Many probate lawyers offer free consultations. They review your situation and quote a fee. Some charge flat fees for straightforward cases. Others bill hourly. California law sets maximum statutory fees based on estate value, but lawyers can charge less by agreement.

Legal aid may be available for low-income residents. Central California Legal Services operates in the San Joaquin Valley. Call them to ask about help with probate matters. Senior legal programs sometimes assist with estate issues for older adults.

The court self-help center can answer basic questions about forms and procedures. Staff cannot give legal advice or tell you what to do in your case. They help you understand court processes and locate the forms you need.

Cities in Tulare County

Tulare County includes several cities. All probate cases for county residents are filed in Visalia or Porterville regardless of which city you live in. The largest city in the county is Visalia, which has a population over 100,000. Visalia is also the county seat and home to the main courthouse. Other cities like Tulare, Porterville, and Dinuba have populations under 100,000.

Nearby Counties

Tulare County is located in the Central Valley. Neighboring counties include Fresno County to the north, Kings County to the west, Kern County to the south, and Inyo County to the east. If the decedent owned property in multiple counties or lived near a county line, you may need to check which county has jurisdiction over the estate.