Use This County Probate Reference Before You File
This page is built for the detailed county-level checks that generic probate guides usually miss: local filing fees, clerk contact details, administrative orders, e-filing rules, and hearing logistics for Sacramento County.
Local Fee Schedule
Review county-specific probate filing charges before you estimate total case cost.
Court Rules and Orders
Check the local rules, judge procedures, and administrative orders that can change how a case moves.
Clerk and Filing Logistics
Confirm where to file, whether e-filing is allowed, and how hearings or notices are handled locally.
Sacramento County Probate Court Guide
Superior Court of California, County of Sacramento probate court information · Updated January 2026
Filing & Fees
Complete Fee Schedule
Source ↗Probate Filing Fees
| Filing Type | Fee |
|---|---|
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. Check returned for NSF voids filing if not paid within 20 days.
Document Fees
Fees set by California Uniform Civil Fee Schedule. Check returned for NSF voids filing if not paid within 20 days.
Required Documents
- Death Certificate
Certified copy required. Order 10-15 copies.
- Original Will (if exists)
Original will must be filed with court
- Death Certificate
Certified copy required. Order 10-15 copies.
- Original Will (if exists)
Original will must be filed with court
E-Filing & Filing Methods
Source ↗Records portal
Use this county-linked source to check live court-record information when available. Search results may not include every probate record.
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
- Daily Recorder
- 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: Sacramento Bee, Sacramento Business Journal
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
Source ↗Typical wait: 4-8 weeks
Hearing Types
Related Proceedings
Property Recording
Source ↗Recording Fees
- First Page
- $25.00
- Additional Pages
- $3.00
Sacramento County Tax Collection & Business Licensing
700 H Street, Room 1710, Sacramento, CA 95814
Public counter Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM; telephone Monday - Friday, 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
The Finance Tax page links e-PropTax for online property tax bill information and payment. e-PropTax provides current-year secured tax bills, prior-year delinquent secured taxes, direct levy information, tax rate information, and paid/unpaid bill detail using the 14-digit parcel number; prior-year delinquent unsecured taxes and some personal property tax bills require direct contact with the Tax Collector. Verify payoff, delinquency, lien, tax-defaulted status, and payment processing directly with Sacramento County Tax Collection & Business Licensing.
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
Sources (9)
- https://www.saccourt.ca.gov/probate/probate.aspx
- https://www.saccourt.ca.gov/probate/e-filing.aspx
- https://www.saccourt.ca.gov/probate/fees-and-payments.aspx
- https://www.saccourt.ca.gov/locations/wrrfrc.aspx
- https://www.saccourt.ca.gov/family/self-help-center.aspx
- https://www.saccourt.ca.gov/general/legal-referral.aspx
- https://www.saccourt.ca.gov/local-rules/local-rules.aspx
- https://selfhelp.courts.ca.gov/probate
- https://www.courts.ca.gov/forms.htm?filter=DE
Sacramento County Probate Statistics →
Compare filing fees, e-filing status, and deadline signals for this county in a faster lookup view.
California Probate Forms →
Move from local reference research into the state forms and petition workflow.
Information current as of January 14, 2026
This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Probate laws and procedures in California can change. Consult with a qualified attorney for advice specific to your situation. Full disclaimer.