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 Mendocino 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.
Mendocino County Probate Court Guide
Superior Court of California, County of Mendocino probate court information · Updated January 2026
Filing & Fees
Fee Schedule Signals
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 effective January 1, 2024.
Document Fees
Fees set by California Uniform Civil Fee Schedule effective January 1, 2024.
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. Cannot be eFiled.
- Original Will (if exists)
Original will must be filed with court. Cannot be filed electronically.
E-Filing & Filing Methods
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
- General circulation newspaper in Mendocino County
- 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
- Statute
- California Probate Code section 8121
Notice of Petition/Administration
Deadline signal: within 15 days to:
- All heirs named in will
- All intestate heirs (if no will)
- Spouse or domestic partner
Related Proceedings
Property Recording
Source ↗Recording Fees
- First Page
- $25.00
- Additional Pages
- $3.00
Mendocino County Treasurer-Tax Collector
501 Low Gap Road, Room 1060, Ukiah, CA 95482
Monday - Friday, 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
The Treasurer-Tax Collector page identifies billing, collection, and reporting for secured, unsecured, supplemental, defaulted, and redemption property tax bills. The Public Access tax search/payment portal supports lookup by assessor parcel number, account number, or street address; records may appear for taxpayers other than the searcher, so verify payoff, delinquency, lien, and payment responsibility directly with the Treasurer-Tax Collector.
Guardianship
A guardianship is set up when a child is living with an adult who is not the child's parent, and the adult needs a court order to care for the child and make decisions on the child's behalf. Generally for children under 18.
Filing Fees
- Person Only
- $435
- Property/Estate
- $435
guardianship of person
Guardian gets custody of child and makes decisions about child's care, welfare, and education.
guardianship of estate
Guardian manages child's property and finances. Often filed when a minor is to receive a large monetary gift or inheritance.
temporary guardianship
May be appropriate if there is an emergency that requires an immediate appointment, prior to the guardianship hearing date.
Sources (18)
- https://www.mendocino.courts.ca.gov/
- https://www.mendocino.courts.ca.gov/divisions/probate-division
- https://www.mendocino.courts.ca.gov/divisions/probate/probate-court-investigations
- https://www.mendocino.courts.ca.gov/divisions/probate/guardianships
- https://www.mendocino.courts.ca.gov/divisions/civil-division
- https://www.mendocino.courts.ca.gov/e-filing
- https://www.mendocino.courts.ca.gov/tentative-rulings
- https://www.mendocino.courts.ca.gov/self-help
- https://www.mendocino.courts.ca.gov/self-help/guardianship
- https://www.mendocino.courts.ca.gov/divisions/collaborative-courts/care-act
- https://www.mendocino.courts.ca.gov/forms-filing/fee-schedule
- https://www.mendocino.courts.ca.gov/forms-filing/local-forms
- https://www.mendocino.courts.ca.gov/general-information/court-rules-orders
- https://www.mendocino.courts.ca.gov/remote-court-appearances
- https://www.mendocino.courts.ca.gov/location/ukiah-mendocino-county-courthouse
- https://www.mendocino.courts.ca.gov/location/fort-bragg-ten-mile-branch
- https://selfhelp.courts.ca.gov/probate
- https://www.courts.ca.gov/forms.htm?filter=DE