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. California sets a separate limit for real propertyCal. Prob. Code § 13100Verified Sep 8, 2026View source of $69,625Cal. Prob. Code § 13100Verified Sep 8, 2026View source. California sets the limit by the decedent's date of deathCal. Prob. Code § 13100Verified Sep 8, 2026View source; an earlier death may be measured against a lower figure. An estate over the limit does not qualify, and no affidavit is prepared for it.

Yes. California publishes Petition for Probate (DE-111)Cal. Prob. Code §§ 8000-8577 (appointment & letters); §§ 8002, 10450 (petition contents)Verified Aug 24, 2026View source, filed with the Superior Court of CaliforniaCal. Prob. Code §§ 8000-8577 (appointment & letters); §§ 8002, 10450 (petition contents)Verified Aug 24, 2026View source. E-filing is open to self-represented filersCal. Prob. Code §§ 8000-8577 (appointment & letters); §§ 8002, 10450 (petition contents)Verified Aug 24, 2026View source.

The creditor claim period of 4 monthsCal. Prob. Code §§ 9050-9054, 9100-9104, 9150, 9153, 9256, 9353, 11420; CCP § 366.2Verified Sep 15, 2026View source runs from the personal representative's appointment. Every claim is barred 12 monthsCal. Prob. Code §§ 9050-9054, 9100-9104, 9150, 9153, 9256, 9353, 11420; CCP § 366.2Verified Sep 15, 2026View source after the date of death, whether or not notice was given.

Within 120 daysCal. Prob. Code §§ 8800-8804, 8900-8903Verified Sep 15, 2026View source of the personal representative's appointment.

The personal representative closes the estate by filing a final account and petition for an order for final distribution once the estate is in a condition to be closed (Cal. Prob. Code §§ 10951, 11640); after a noticed hearing the court enters an order settling the final account and directing final distribution (§ 11641), and the PR is discharged only by a later court order (§ 12250)Cal. Prob. Code §§ 10900, 10951, 10954, 11420, 11640, 11641, 11750, 11751, 11753, 12250, 12251Verified Sep 15, 2026View source.