Stockton estate and tax attorney serving San Joaquin County since 1988. Jeffrey E. Prag guides executors through probate, from filing the will to valuing and liquidating estate assets and paying the decedent's taxes and debts, and administers living trusts, stepping into mediation or litigation when disputes arise between beneficiaries.
Stockton is in San Joaquin County.
Probate in San Joaquin County
Probate Court Record
San Joaquin County Superior Court - Probate Division
San Joaquin County
Phone
Hours
Monday-Friday 8:00 AM-4:00 PM
Office
315 West Elm Street, Lodi, CA 95240
Website
E-filing
Filing in person
Walk-ins accepted
Self-represented filing
Allowed
Self-help forms
How to file probate in San Joaquin County →
Verified October 15, 2026 · Source
Do I need a lawyer for probate in San Joaquin County? →Settling an estate in San Joaquin 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.
See the Steps