Serves the Bay Area from offices in Pleasanton, San Francisco, and Cupertino. Guides trustees and personal representatives through non-contested probate, trust administration, non-trust assets, and gift and estate tax returns, and represents beneficiaries denied funds or information. Connie Yi is a State Bar certified specialist in Estate Planning, Trust, Estate and Probate Law and a CPA.
San Jose is in Santa Clara County.
More Probate Firms in Santa Clara County
A Sunnyvale practice started on February 1, 1978, handling Santa Clara County probate for families whose loved one left no trust. Its four attorneys represent nominated personal representatives, heirs, and beneficiaries through summary, formal, and ancillary administration, and handle trust administration alongside estate planning.
Hollister and Morgan Hill firm serving San Benito, Santa Clara, and Monterey Counties, focused solely on probate, trust administration, and estate planning. Barbara Pretlove is a California Bar Certified Specialist in Estate Planning, Probate, and Trust Administration and has practiced in the area since 2013. Offers in-person and remote service.
Represents Santa Clara County executors, administrators, and beneficiaries in probate and trust administration from its Los Gatos office, plus trust litigation, will contests, removal of an executor or trustee, and financial elder abuse claims. Kai H. Wessels, admitted in 1985, provides all services in German for dual-citizenship families. Free initial consultation.
Campbell boutique serving Santa Clara County and the broader Bay Area with probate and estate administration, trust administration, and trust and probate litigation alongside estate planning. Represents successor trustees and beneficiaries in trust contests, breach-of-fiduciary-duty claims, and trustee removal petitions. Free telephone consultation for new matters.
Los Gatos firm with Santa Clara, Oakland, and Los Angeles offices, serving Santa Clara, Alameda, and Los Angeles Counties. Handles probate and estate administration, trust administration, and trust and estate litigation including trustee accountings and removal, plus guardianships and conservatorships. The whole process can be completed virtually.
Probate in Santa Clara County
Probate Court Record
Santa Clara County Superior Court - Probate Division
Santa Clara County
Phone
Hours
Monday-Thursday 8:30 AM-3:00 PM; Friday 8:30 AM-noon
Office
191 North First Street, San Jose, CA 95113
Website
E-filing
Filing in person
Walk-ins accepted
Self-represented filing
Allowed
Self-help forms
How to file probate in Santa Clara County →
Verified October 15, 2026 · Source
Do I need a lawyer for probate in Santa Clara County? →Settling an estate in Santa Clara County →
Forms for Planning and Settling an Estate in California
Free California forms to plan or settle an estate: a will, trust, powers of attorney, TOD deed and the probate forms. Prepare each form for California.
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Revocable Living Trust
Create a revocable living trust to avoid probate, protect privacy, and control asset distribution.
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Last Will and Testament
In California, a will is signed before 2Cal. Prob. Code § 6110Verified Oct 18, 2026View source witnesses, and the witnesses sign an affidavit at probate instead of a self-proving affidavitCal. Prob. Code § 6110Verified Oct 18, 2026View source.
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Tools for Planning and Settling an Estate in California
Free calculators and checklists to plan or settle an estate in California: will and trust costs, probate, executor pay and taxes. Run each tool for California.
How Much Does Probate Cost?
Probate on a $500,000 estate in California costs an estimated $27,235Cal. Prob. Code § 10810Verified Sep 8, 2026View source. Attorney fees are statutory (set by law)Cal. Prob. Code § 10810Verified Sep 8, 2026View source.
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How Do I Settle an Estate?
Settling an estate in California: the personal representative files the estate inventory within 120 daysCal. Prob. Code §§ 8800-8804, 8900-8903Verified Sep 15, 2026View source of appointment; creditors have 4 monthsCal. Prob. Code §§ 9050-9054, 9100-9104, 9150, 9153, 9256, 9353, 11420; CCP § 366.2Verified Oct 18, 2026View source to present claims; a simple estate closes in 9 months to 12 months.
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How Much Can an Executor Charge?
California sets executor compensation by statute — about $13,000 on a $500,000 estate, roughly 2.6%Cal. Prob. Code § 10800Verified Sep 8, 2026View source.
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Do I Need Probate?
In California, estates valued at $208,850Cal. Prob. Code § 13100Verified Sep 8, 2026View source or less skip probate with the Small Estate AffidavitCal. Prob. Code § 13100Verified Sep 8, 2026View source, 40 daysCal. Prob. Code § 13100Verified Sep 8, 2026View source after death.
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What Are the Creditor Claim Deadlines?
In California, creditors have 4 monthsCal. Prob. Code § 9100 — later of 4 months from letters or 60 days from mailed/personal notice of administrationVerified Sep 8, 2026View source from the personal representative's appointment to present claims; late claims are barred.
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Can I Self-File Probate?
In California, informal probate is not availableCal. Prob. Code §§ 8005 (hearing on the petition), 8006 (court admits the will and appoints the personal representative); no registrar or clerk informal probate trackVerified Sep 8, 2026View source, so self-filing means a formal court petition rather than a registrar filing.
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