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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 Riverside 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.

Riverside County Probate Court Guide

Superior Court of California, County of Riverside probate court information · Updated January 2026

(951) 777-3147County Clerk
Family Guide
Professional Reference
Superior Court of California, County of Riverside|

Filing & Fees

Fee Schedule Signals

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. $2.00 eSubmit transaction fee for non-exempt submissions.

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. $2.00 eSubmit transaction fee for non-exempt submissions.

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

  • 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

Records portal

Use this county-linked source to check live court-record information when available. Search results may not include every probate record.

Source foundSearchable, completeness not guaranteedPublic portal
Filing Methods: in person, eSubmit

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
The Press-Enterprise
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

Alternatives: Desert Sun (Coachella Valley), Riverside County Record, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin

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

Hearing Scheduling

Typical wait: 4-8 weeks

Hearing Types

Probate Hearing (Petition for Probate)
Duration: 15-30 minutes · Attends: Petitioner, Attorney if any, Objecting parties if any
Final Distribution Hearing
Duration: 15-30 minutes · Attends: Personal Representative, Beneficiaries (optional), Attorney if any

Related Proceedings

Property Recording

Source ↗

Recording Fees

First Page
$25.00
Additional Pages
$3.00

Riverside County Treasurer-Tax Collector

4080 Lemon Street, Riverside, CA 92501

(951) 955-3900

The Treasurer-Tax Collector site identifies Riverside County property tax billing and collection duties and links online property tax search/payment. The Property Search portal supports lookup by PIN, property address, or bill number; supplemental bills may require bill number or address search. Online and automated-phone payments are accepted until midnight Pacific Time on the delinquent date, but portal unavailability does not remove the taxpayer's responsibility to pay timely. Verify payoff, delinquency, lien, tax-defaulted status, and payment processing directly with the Treasurer-Tax Collector.

Guardianship

A guardianship is a court case in which a person who is not the parent of a child asks for custody of the child, the power to manage the child's property, or both.

Filing Fees

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

Guardian provides physical care for the minor

guardianship of estate

Guardian manages the minor's property and finances