California Probate and Estate Guides
Find California guides for probate, executor duties, court forms, taxes, planning documents, property transfers, and ways to avoid probate.
Browse California guides by topic
Probate Basics
8Start with probate paths, timelines, estate size, and when court filings may be needed.
Forms & Court
6Find court paperwork, county office steps, letters, certificates, and filing authority.
Executor Duties
5Understand executor authority, records, notices, inventory, accounting, and distributions.
Taxes & Deadlines
13Review tax timing, claim periods, fees, deadlines, and estate cost questions.
Planning Documents
5Compare wills, trusts, powers of attorney, healthcare directives, and planning documents.
Property Transfer
3Transfer homes, vehicles, accounts, and other property after death.
Avoiding Probate
4Use beneficiary designations, trusts, transfer-on-death tools, and title planning.
Probate Basics
Start with probate paths, timelines, estate size, and when court filings may be needed.
California Probate Process: Complete Step-by-Step Guide (2026)
California Debt Payment Priority in Probate
California Exempt Property in Probate
California Intestate Succession: Who Inherits Without a Will
California Pretermitted Child: Rights of Omitted Children
California Will Requirements: How to Make a Valid Will
Omitted Spouse in California: Your Inheritance Rights
Surviving Spouse Rights in California: Complete Guide
Forms & Court
Find court paperwork, county office steps, letters, certificates, and filing authority.
Letters Testamentary in California: How to Obtain & Use
California Ancillary Probate: Out-of-State Property
California Full vs Limited Authority in Probate (IAEA)
California Independent Administration of Estates Act (IAEA) Guide
California NOPA Form DE-165: When It's Required (and When Not)
California Trust Modification: How to Change an Irrevocable Trust
Executor Duties
Understand executor authority, records, notices, inventory, accounting, and distributions.
California Executor Duties: Complete Responsibility Guide
California Extraordinary Probate Fees: Probate Code 10801 and 10811
California Probate Accounting: Requirements & Deadlines
California Probate Bond Requirements
California Trust Administration After Death
Taxes & Deadlines
Review tax timing, claim periods, fees, deadlines, and estate cost questions.
How Long Does Probate Take in California? 2025 Timeline Guide
California Community Property Probate: Complete Guide
California Conservatorship vs. Probate: Key Differences
California Creditor Notice Requirements in Probate
California Family Allowance in Probate
California Probate Creditor Claims: 4-Month Deadline Guide
California Probate Fees: $46,000 on a $1M Estate (2026)
California Probate Referee Fees (2026): The 0.1% Appraisal Fee Explained
California Proposition 19: Inherited Property Tax Rules
California Step-Up in Basis: Double Step-Up Tax Advantage
Federal Estate Tax for California Residents
How Much Does Probate Cost in California? Complete 2025 Fee Guide
How to Contest a Will in California
Planning Documents
Compare wills, trusts, powers of attorney, healthcare directives, and planning documents.
California Advance Health Care Directive Guide
California Digital Assets in Probate: RUFADAA Guide
California Guardianship & Conservatorship Guide
California Pet Trusts: Providing for Your Animals
California Power of Attorney (Probate Code 4000)
Property Transfer
Transfer homes, vehicles, accounts, and other property after death.
Avoiding Probate
Use beneficiary designations, trusts, transfer-on-death tools, and title planning.
Need a starting point in California?
Use the free probate assessment or start with your county page if you already know where the estate will be filed.