Self-Help Probate Court Location

A probate examiner is a person employed by the court to review filings in probate proceedings in order to assist the court and the parties to get the filed matters properly ready for consideration by the court in accordance with the requirements of the Probate Code, the rules in title 7 of the California Rules of Court, and the court's local rules.

The examiner will review the case filings and write a summary for the probate judge. [See Local Probate Rule 1.H]

If the petition is not complete or does not meet all legal and court rules, parties may file additional submissions to correct procedural deficiencies, and the Court in its discretion, may consider such filings in making its order. The probate Examiner cannot discuss in detail or advice parties of corrective action that may be taken.

The probate staff attorney helps the judge review cases set for hearing. S/he is also available to the court staff, attorneys and the public to answer questions about court procedure.

The probate staff attorney also reviews all urgent and uncontested temporary petitions and ex parte petitions. and hearings on a shortened notice basis (less than 15 days notice). [See Local Probate Rule 2.B ]

To speak to the probate staff attorney, call (408) 882-2100 to schedule an appointment.

The probate examiners sometimes pre-approve certain types of petitions without a hearing.

To see if your petition was pre-approved, visit the Probate Advance Case Status Reports webpage. If a party does not have access to the internet, the ASCRs may be accessed by calling Court Services at (408) 882-2515.