Yolo County Probate Court

Yolo County probate cases are filed with the Superior Court at 1000 Main Street in Woodland. The court processes all estate matters for county residents, including wills, trusts, conservatorships, and guardianships. Court hours are Monday through Friday with clerk services available during business hours. Call 530-406-6700 for general information or 530-406-6794 for self-help services. The court offers an online portal where you can search probate cases, view filed documents, and check hearing schedules. Yolo County is located in the Sacramento Valley and includes the city of Davis, home to UC Davis. The county has a mix of agricultural areas and growing suburban communities.

Yolo Superior Court Probate Division

The courthouse is located at 1000 Main Street, Woodland, CA 95695. This is the only court location in Yolo County that handles probate cases. All estate filings for the county go through this office.

Yolo County uses the Tyler Technologies case portal. Access it at portal-cayolo.tylertech.cloud. The portal lets you search by name or case number. Results show basic case information, hearing dates, and links to filed documents. Some documents are viewable for free. Others require payment to download.

The court website at yolo.courts.ca.gov/divisions/civil/probate provides local information about probate procedures. The site lists filing requirements, local rules, and contact numbers. It also links to the self-help line where staff can answer basic questions about court procedures.

California's statewide self-help center at selfhelp.courts.ca.gov/probate explains how probate works in plain language. The site covers everything from filing the initial petition through closing the estate. It also describes small estate procedures that many families can use instead of formal probate.

Filing an Estate Case

Get a certified death certificate first. This document is required to open a probate case. Order copies from the Yolo County recorder or the California Department of Public Health. Allow time for processing if ordering by mail. Most families need at least three certified copies.

Fill out form DE-111, the Petition for Probate. This is the standard California form used in all counties. Provide details about the deceased person, their family, and their property. List all heirs and beneficiaries you know about. If there is a will, attach the original document. The court needs to see the actual will, not a photocopy.

Take your completed petition to the clerk office at 1000 Main Street in Woodland. The filing fee is $435. This is set by state law. Pay by check or money order. Some courts accept credit cards but charge extra fees for processing.

The clerk assigns a case number and schedules your hearing. This usually happens six to eight weeks from the filing date. You have this time to complete notice requirements. Publish notice in a local newspaper once a week for three weeks. Mail individual notices to everyone listed in your petition. The court gives instructions about proper notice procedures.

Attend your hearing with proof that you completed all notice steps. The judge reviews your petition and asks questions if needed. If everything is in order, the judge signs the order appointing you as executor or administrator. The clerk then issues Letters giving you authority to manage the estate.

Probate Forms for Yolo County

California uses Judicial Council forms for all probate cases. These standardized forms work in every county. Download them at courts.ca.gov/forms. Look for the DE series. These are probate forms.

Key forms include DE-111 to open the case, DE-140 for the court order, and DE-150 for Letters of Administration. Form DE-160 is the Inventory and Appraisal filed after your appointment. Form DE-111 is used again when you petition to close the estate and distribute assets. Each form comes with instructions that explain how to fill it out correctly.

Yolo County may have additional local forms or requirements. Check the court website or ask the clerk about local rules when you file. Following both state and local rules prevents delays and rejected filings.

The court self-help line at 530-406-6794 can answer basic questions about forms and procedures. Staff cannot give legal advice. They help you understand what forms you need and how to file them. This service is free and available to all county residents.

Small Estate Alternatives

Most Yolo County estates qualify for simplified procedures. California allows small estate affidavits for estates valued under $208,850. This threshold applies to deaths on or after April 1, 2025. It adjusts every three years based on inflation.

Wait 40 days after death. Then prepare form DE-310 for personal property like bank accounts and vehicles. Use form DE-305 for real estate worth less than $69,617. These forms are not filed with the court. You take them directly to whoever holds the asset.

Banks and other institutions must honor valid affidavits. They transfer the asset to the person named in the form. This process avoids court hearings and lengthy waiting periods. Small estates often close in two or three months instead of a year or more.

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 throughout California. Reading the actual statutes helps you understand what qualifies and what steps are required.

Yolo County includes both urban and rural areas. Estates may include residential property in Davis or West Sacramento, farmland, or commercial property. Value all assets carefully to determine if you qualify for small estate procedures. Getting an appraisal for real property helps ensure you use the correct process.

Note: You sign small estate affidavits under penalty of perjury. Provide accurate information. False statements can lead to criminal charges.

Legal Help in Yolo County

Probate cases can be complex. Hiring a lawyer is often smart, especially for larger estates or family disputes. Yolo County has attorneys who focus on probate and estate planning. The State Bar referral service at 866-442-2529 can give you names of local lawyers.

California law sets maximum fees attorneys can charge based on estate value. For a $300,000 estate, the statutory fee is $9,000. The executor also gets this amount for their work. Many lawyers charge less for simple cases. Discuss fees before hiring anyone.

Legal Services of Northern California operates in Yolo County. They provide free legal help to low-income residents. Call 530-662-1065 to ask about probate assistance. Senior legal programs may also help older adults with estate matters.

The Senior Legal Hotline at 800-222-1753 offers free advice to California seniors on estate and probate issues. This can be a good starting point if you have basic questions about how probate works or what options you have.

How Long Probate Takes

A straightforward probate case in Yolo County takes about nine to twelve months. Complex estates take longer. Several things affect timing. The court schedule determines when hearings happen. Notice requirements add weeks. Collecting and selling assets takes time. Family disagreements cause delays.

After your first hearing, you have 120 days to file an Inventory and Appraisal. During administration, you pay debts and file tax returns. When ready, you file a final petition and get another hearing date. After the judge approves final distribution, you pay beneficiaries and close the estate. Most executors finish within 18 months from start to finish.

Nearby Counties

Yolo County is in the Sacramento Valley. Neighboring counties include Sacramento County to the east, Solano County to the south, Napa County to the southwest, Lake County to the west, and Colusa County to the north. Each county has its own Superior Court probate division. File in the county where the decedent lived at the time of death.