What to Do When Someone Dies in El Dorado County, California

Probate in El Dorado County runs through the Superior Court: prove the will, settle the debts, and pass the house to the heirs. Here is how the local process works—and what each step actually costs.

What probate costsHow to fileTransferring propertyLocal attorneys

When someone dies in El Dorado County, settling their estate runs through the Superior Court. This page covers the court record, whether probate is required, what it costs, how to file, transferring property, and the local attorneys who handle probate here.

Probate Court Record

Superior Court

El Dorado County

Address

2850 Fairlane Court, Suite 120Placerville, CA 95667

Hours

Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 3:30 PM
Visit court website →
Paper filing availableE-filing required for attorneysSelf-filing allowed

Departments

  • Main Street Branch (Criminal)530-621-6426
  • Cameron Park Branch530-621-5047
  • South Lake Tahoe Branch530-573-3075
  • Department 4, 8, 9 (Probate)530-621-5047

Building C Branch (Fairlane Court) handles civil/probate filings. Main Street Branch handles criminal cases. Multiple filing locations available.

Open in Google Maps

Verified July 3, 2026 · Source

How Probate Works in El Dorado County

Probate is the court-supervised process of settling someone's estate after they die — validating the will, paying debts and taxes, and transferring what's left to the heirs. In El Dorado County, probate runs through the Superior Court at 2850 Fairlane Court, Suite 120, Placerville.

The personal representative opens the case, gives notice to heirs and creditors, files an inventory of the estate's assets, settles outstanding debts and taxes, and then distributes the remainder under the will — or under California intestacy law when there is no will.

Most California estates take 12 months to 18 months to move through this process. The 4 monthsCal. Prob. Code § 9100 — later of 4 months from letters or 60 days from mailed/personal notice of administrationVerified Sep 8, 2026View source creditor claim window is the largest fixed piece of that timeline — a mandatory wait regardless of how simple the estate is.

What Probate Costs in El Dorado County

What probate costs in El Dorado County, California comes down to a handful of line items — the court filing fee, attorney and executor compensation, publication, and sometimes a bond — scaled by the estate's size and whether the will is contested. The case itself runs through the Superior Court at 2850 Fairlane Court, Suite 120, Placerville.

Probate matters are handled through Main Street Branch (Criminal), Cameron Park Branch, South Lake Tahoe Branch, and Department 4, 8, 9 (Probate). Filing and payment go through these offices, not the main clerk window.

California charges $435Cal. Gov. Code §§ 70650(a), 70602.5, 70602.6Verified Sep 8, 2026View source to open probate, the same in every county. Additional filings during administration — inventory, accounting, the final petition — add to the total.

E-filing is mandatory for attorneys filing at the Superior Court (https://www.odysseyefileca.com/service-providers.htm). Self-represented filers can request a paper-filing exemption.

Estimate the costs for this estate:

California sets attorney fees by statute — a percentage of the estate's gross value. Every attorney charges the same schedule, so the decision to hire one comes down to complexity, not price.

Executor compensation is also statutory in California. Family executors who are also beneficiaries often waive the fee — executor pay is taxable income while inheritances are not.

California requires publishing creditor notice in a local newspaper, typically $200–$500. Professional appraisals for real estate or business interests add $300–$600 per asset.

A surety bond may be required unless the will waives it or all beneficiaries consent. Premiums run roughly 0.5%Cal. Prob. Code §§ 8480 (bond required before letters issued), 8481 (waiver: will provision or all-beneficiary written waiver; court may still require bond for good cause)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source of estate value annually.

Probate in California typically runs 12 months to 18 months, and costs accrue throughout that period.

How to File Probate at the Superior Court

If you're handling probate yourself in El Dorado County, California, you can file at the Superior Court in person or by mail. E-filing is mandatory for attorneys but families filing without one are exempt and can use paper forms.

Filings here are routed through Main Street Branch (Criminal), Cameron Park Branch, South Lake Tahoe Branch, and Department 4, 8, 9 (Probate). Confirm with the office which intake handles the petition type you're filing.

How to File Your Documents

Paper Filing Available

You can file your probate documents in person or by mail. While attorneys are required to e-file in El Dorado County, families handling probate themselves are exempt and can file on paper.

E-Filing Also Available

If you prefer, you can file electronically through the state's online system. This is optional for families filing without an attorney.

View E-Filing Information

Can You File Without an Attorney?

Not every estate requires an attorney. Estate size, asset types, and whether beneficiaries agree determine if self-filing at the Superior Court is realistic.

For a full cost comparison and filing checklist, see the El Dorado County Self-Filing Assessment.

El Dorado County Filing Requirements

These are specific requirements for filing probate in this county. Following these guidelines will help avoid delays or rejected filings.

Before You File

Probate cases can be filed at any branch: Main Street (Placerville), Fair Lane (Placerville), Cameron Park, or South Lake Tahoe.

Wills must be lodged within 30 days of learning of testator's death.

Other Requirements

Probate handled by Departments 4, 8, and 9. Phone hours for Department 8: 8:00 AM - 3:00 PM.

What to Bring

To file at the Superior Court you need: the original will (or proof there isn't one), a certified death certificate, contact information for all heirs and beneficiaries, and a summary of what the estate owns and owes.

Transferring Property in El Dorado County

Clearing title to real estate after a death, whether by a personal representative’s deed, an affidavit of survivorship, or a court order, happens at the County Recorder-Clerk.

Deeds and other real property documents for El Dorado County are recorded with the County Recorder-Clerk, led by Recorder-Clerk Janelle K. Horne, at 360 Fair Lane, Placerville, CA 95667. Phone: (530) 621-5490. Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM; Recording 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM.

The County Recorder-Clerk charges $14 for the first page plus $3 for each additional page.

El Dorado County accepts electronic recording.

Recording Office Record

County Recorder-Clerk

El Dorado County · Recorder-Clerk · Janelle K. Horne

Address

360 Fair LanePlacerville, CA 95667

Fax

(530) 621-2147

Hours

Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM; Recording 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM

E-recording

AvailableE-recording info →
Visit recorder website →

Recording fees

Base fee (first page)$14
Each additional page$3
GC 27388.1 Building Homes and Jobs Act Fee (SB 2)Applies to a TOD deed$75
Transfer tax on a TOD deedExempt

Cal. Gov. Code 27361; Cal. Gov. Code 27388; Cal. Gov. Code 27388.1; Cal. Gov. Code 27388.2; Cal. Rev. & Tax. Code 11911; Cal. Rev. & Tax. Code 11930

Open in Google Maps

Verified July 26, 2026 · Source

Probate Attorneys Serving El Dorado County

California uses formal, court-supervised probate, which makes an attorney worthwhile for most estates in El Dorado County — the filing sequence, notice requirements, and accounting leave little room for error. Estates under the small-estate threshold are the usual exception.

Probate attorney fees in California are set by statute as a percentage of the estate's value, so every El Dorado County attorney charges the same schedule. Price isn't the variable — experience with the Superior Court and responsiveness are.

A probate attorney files the petition with the Superior Court, publishes the required creditor notices, prepares the inventory and accounting, handles creditor claims and tax filings, and guides the final distribution. They represent the personal representative — not the beneficiaries — a distinction that matters if a dispute develops.

FirmSacramento, CA

Northern California Center for Estate Planning & Elder Law

Since 1987 · Serves 7 counties

Sacramento and Roseville firm serving Sacramento, Placer, El Dorado, Yolo, Nevada, and Yuba-Sutter Counties with trust administration, probate, Medi-Cal planning, and long-term care planning since 1987. Founder Timothy Murphy is accredited by the Department of Veterans Affairs to assist veterans with benefits claims. Offers a free initial telephone call.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationTrust AdministrationElder Lawand 4 more

Office
2277 Fair Oaks Blvd, Ste 320Sacramento, CA 95825
Free consultationVirtual consultations

FirmDavis, CA

Pakpour Banks LLP

Since 2019 · Serves 7 counties

Davis firm serving Yolo, Sacramento, Solano, Placer, Colusa, El Dorado, and Yuba Counties with probate administration and conservatorships alongside estate planning and special needs planning. Keith Banks was previously probate clerk and attorney-unit research assistant at the Yolo Superior Court. Formed in 2019 by the merger of two Yolo County firms.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationProbateConservatorshipSpecial Needs Planning

Office
1712 Picasso Ave, Suite BDavis, CA 95618
Free consultation

FirmRoseville, CA

Wade Law Offices

Since 2010 · Serves 3 counties

Roseville firm serving Sacramento, Placer, and El Dorado Counties with probate, trust administration, and estate administration for executors, personal representatives, and beneficiaries. David D. Wade founded the firm in 2010, and its attorneys are licensed in California and Washington. Free initial consultation, in person or remotely.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationTrust AdministrationProbateand 5 more

Office
1677 Eureka Road, Suite 203Roseville, CA 95661
Free consultationVirtual consultations

FirmAmador City, CA

Burton & Swett, LLP

Serves 3 counties

Amador City firm serving Amador County and the surrounding Gold Country. Handles probate and estate administration and trust and estate litigation, alongside wills, trusts, powers of attorney, health care directives, elder law, and real estate work. Notary services are available at the office.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationProbateProbate Litigationand 3 more

Office
14220 Old State Route 49Amador City, CA 95601

FirmSouth Lake Tahoe, CA

Holmes Christian PLC

Serves 5 counties

South Lake Tahoe firm serving El Dorado County and the Tahoe basin, with attorneys admitted in both California and Nevada. Partner Tara Christian handles probate and trust administration, conservatorships and guardianships, and estate planning, alongside the firm's real estate and land use practice. The first consultation is free.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationTrust AdministrationProbateand 4 more

Office
976 Edgewood CircleSouth Lake Tahoe, CA 96150
Free consultation

Solo PracticeSouth Lake Tahoe, CA

Syntero APC

Serves 6 counties

South Lake Tahoe office serving El Dorado County and the Bay Area with trust and probate administration, trust and probate litigation, and wealth succession planning alongside estate planning. Attorney Jean-Claude Mallein is a dual Certified Specialist in Taxation Law and in Estate Planning, Trust and Probate Law, certified by the California Board of Legal Specialization.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationTrust AdministrationProbateand 5 more

Office
1046 Al Tahoe Blvd., Suite 13583South Lake Tahoe, CA 96151
See all 41 firms serving El Dorado County→

Firm listings are for informational purposes only. SimplyTrust does not endorse or recommend any specific firm or attorney. Contact firms directly to verify their current practice areas and availability.

SimplyTrustSimplyTrust Editorial·

Legal Sources

Data sourced from California statutes and official state code. How we research.

Notify Banks & Financial Institutions

Each institution has a separate death claim process. Find yours below.

America First logo

Credit Union serving the West and Southwest

America First

Arrowhead CU logo

Credit Union serving California

Arrowhead CU

Banc of California logo

Bank serving California

Banc of California

Bank of Hope logo

Bank serving the West, Southeast, and more

Bank of Hope

Bank of the Sierra logo

Bank serving California

Bank of the Sierra

Bank OZK logo

Bank serving the Southeast, Southwest, and more

Bank OZK

Banner Bank logo

Bank serving the West

Banner Bank

BMO logo

Bank serving the West, Midwest, and more

BMO

California CU logo

Credit Union serving California

California CU

Cathay Bank logo

Bank serving the Northeast, West, and more

Cathay Bank

CEFCU logo

Credit Union serving Illinois and California

CEFCU

Citibank logo

Bank serving the Northeast, West, and more

Citibank

Is this your situation?

Get a complete guide for your specific circumstances.

Named as Executor

Named as Executor

What an executor actually does: getting appointed, notifying creditors, paying debts and taxes, and where personal liability starts.

Learn more