Sacramento probate attorney whose personal practice is 100% probate court work, serving all counties of California since 1994 and Of Counsel with CunninghamLegal. John Palley is a Certified Specialist in Estate Planning, Trust and Probate Law and has completed over 2,000 California probate estates. Free consultation, with Zoom and phone meetings statewide.
Pleasanton is in Alameda County.
More Trust Litigation Firms in Alameda County
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 Alameda County
Probate Court Record
Alameda County Superior Court - Probate Division
Alameda County
Phone
Hours
Monday-Thursday 8:30 AM-3:00 PM; Friday 8:30 AM-2:00 PM
Office
2120 Martin Luther King, Jr. Way, Berkeley, CA 94704
Website
E-filing
Filing in person
Walk-ins accepted
Self-represented filing
Allowed
Self-help forms
How to file probate in Alameda County →
Verified October 15, 2026 · Source
Do I need a lawyer for probate in Alameda County? →Settling an estate in Alameda 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.
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 Do I Settle a Trust?
Settling a trust in California happens outside court: the trustee acts under the state's trust statuteCal. Prob. Code § 15000 et seq.Verified Oct 17, 2026View source, notifies the beneficiaries within 60 daysCal. Prob. Code §§ 16061.7, 16061.8, 16064, 16460Verified Sep 15, 2026View source, then pays the debts and distributes under the trust's terms.
See the Steps
What's Fair Trustee Compensation?
In California, trustee compensation follows "reasonable compensation" (UTC § 708 or equivalent)Cal. Prob. Code §§ 15680-15688Verified Sep 18, 2026View source unless the trust instrument sets a different amount.
Calculate the Fee
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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