Skip to main content

San Francisco County Probate Guide

Superior Court of California, County of San Francisco · Updated January 2026

(415) 551-3892County Clerk
Family Guide
Professional Reference
Superior Court of California, County of San Francisco|E-Filing Required|
E-File
Jump to:FeesDocumentsFilingDeadlinesHearingsGuardianship

Filing & Fees

Complete Fee Schedule

Source ↗

Probate Filing Fees

Filing TypeFee
Petition for Probate
Standard probate filing fee
$435
Small Estate Affidavit
For estates under threshold (no court filing needed)
$0
Spousal Property Petition
Transfer community property to surviving spouse
$435
Real Property Petition
Transfer real property without full probate
$435

Accepted Payment: Cash, Check, Credit Card, Money Order

Note: Fees set by California Uniform Civil Fee Schedule. San Francisco follows statewide fee schedule.

Document Fees

Certified Copy (per page)
$1
Certification (per document)
$2
Payment Methods: Cash, Check, Credit Card, Money Order

Fees set by California Uniform Civil Fee Schedule. San Francisco follows statewide fee schedule.

Required Documents

  • Petition for Probate(DE-111)

    Judicial Council form - starts probate case

  • Notice of Petition to Administer Estate(DE-121)

    Must be mailed/served to heirs and beneficiaries

  • Death Certificate

    Certified copy required. Order 10-15 copies.

  • Original Will (if exists)

    Original will must be filed with court

  • Duties and Liabilities of Personal Representative(DE-147)

    Must be signed by personal representative

  • Inventory and Appraisal(DE-160)

    Due within 4 months of appointment. Probate referee appraises non-cash assets.

  • Notice of Administration to Creditors(DE-157)
  • Petition for Probate(DE-111)

    Judicial Council form - starts probate case

  • Notice of Petition to Administer Estate(DE-121)

    Must be mailed/served to heirs and beneficiaries

  • Death Certificate

    Certified copy required. Order 10-15 copies.

  • Original Will (if exists)

    Original will must be filed with court

  • Duties and Liabilities of Personal Representative(DE-147)

    Must be signed by personal representative

  • Confidential Statement of Birth Date and Driver's License Number(DE-147S)

    San Francisco requires confidential supplement with cover page

  • Inventory and Appraisal(DE-160)

    Due within 4 months of appointment. Probate referee appraises non-cash assets.

  • Notice of Administration to Creditors(DE-157)

E-Filing & Filing Methods

Source ↗
E-filing is mandatory
File & ServeXpress (multiple vendors available)Probate Forms
Filing Methods: in person, e file

Timelines & Proceedings

Deadlines & Creditor Claims

Key Deadlines

Will Deposit
30 days
Creditor Claims
4 months
Known Creditor Notice
30 days

Creditor Claims

Period Starts
date of first publication of notice to creditors
Statute
California Probate Code sections 9100-9103

Publication Requirements

Notice to Creditors

Newspaper
San Francisco Examiner
Duration
Once a week for 3 successive weeks
Deadline
Within 30 days after letters issued
Est. Cost
Varies by newspaper and county - typically $150-$400

Alternatives: San Francisco Daily Journal, Asian Week, El Reportero

Notice of Petition/Administration

Must be sent within 15 days to:

  • All heirs named in will
  • All intestate heirs (if no will)
  • Spouse or domestic partner

Hearing Scheduling

Court Calendar Tentative Rulings

Typical wait: 4-8 weeks

Hearing Types

Probate Matters (Estates, Trusts, Motions)
Petitions for Appointment of Guardian
Petitions for Appointment of Conservator
Mental Health Conservatorship
Ex Parte (Appearance)
Ex Parte (Non-Appearance)
Law and Motion

Related Proceedings

Property Recording

Source ↗

Recording Fees

First Page
$25.00
Additional Pages
$3.00
Records Search

Guardianship

Guardianship is a court proceeding for adults who are not a child's parents to get custody of the child.

Filing Fees

Person Only
$435
Property/Estate
$435
guardianship of person

Guardian makes decisions about child's care, welfare, and education

guardianship of estate

Guardian manages child's property and finances

Court Rules & Orders

Local Rules

  • Mandatory e-filing for Probate Guardianship and Conservatorship cases effective July 1, 2024
  • Self-represented parties exempt from mandatory e-filing but encouraged to file electronically
  • Documents must be submitted per San Francisco Superior Court Local Rule 14.59 for Probate Trust cases
  • Remote appearances available via Zoom for Department 204
  • Tentative rulings available by phone 1-3 days before hearing
  • GC-325 Confidential Declaration required with all conservatorship petitions
Sources (8)