What to Do When Someone Dies in Glenn County, California

Probate in Glenn 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.

When someone dies in Glenn 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

Glenn County

Address

526 West Sycamore StreetWillows, CA 95988

Hours

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

Historic Willows Courthouse. Filing hours: 8:00 AM - 3:30 PM.

Verified July 3, 2026 · Source

How Probate Works in Glenn 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 Glenn County, probate runs through the Superior Court at 526 West Sycamore Street, Willows.

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 Glenn County

What probate costs in Glenn 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 526 West Sycamore Street, Willows.

Glenn County runs a probate self-help center (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM and 12:30 PM - 3:30 PM), which is the single biggest cost-saver for families who can self-file. Staff can walk you through the paperwork and explain procedures, though they cannot give legal advice on your specific case. Call 530-934-7114.

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 Glenn 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.

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 Glenn 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. Glenn County has a self-help center that assists people filing without an attorney.

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

Glenn County Filing Requirements

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

Other Requirements

Typical probate case timeline: 9 months to 1.5 years, possibly longer depending on estate complexity.

Personal representative (executor/administrator) collects assets, settles debts and expenses, then distributes property under court supervision.

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 Glenn 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 Clerk-Recorder.

Deeds and other real property documents for Glenn County are recorded with the County Clerk-Recorder, led by Assessor/Clerk-Recorder Sendy Perez, at 516 West Sycamore Street, Willows, CA 95988. Phone: (530) 934-6412. Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM.

The County Clerk-Recorder charges $15 for the first page plus $3 for each additional page.

Recording Office Record

County Clerk-Recorder

Glenn County · Assessor/Clerk-Recorder · Sendy Perez

Address

516 West Sycamore StreetWillows, CA 95988

Hours

Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Visit recorder website →

Recording fees

Base fee (first page)$15
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

Verified July 5, 2026 · Source

Probate Attorneys Serving Glenn County

California uses formal, court-supervised probate, which makes an attorney worthwhile for most estates in Glenn 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 Glenn 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.

Solo PracticeChico, CA

Brett A. Gilman Attorney at Law

Since 1993 · Serves 3 counties

Solo Chico practice serving Butte County and nearby Oroville, Paradise, Willows, and Red Bluff. Brett A. Gilman has been in private practice since 1993 and now focuses entirely on probate, wills, trusts, and estate planning, handling every client file himself. Document preparation is billed at $250 per hour.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationProbate

Office
140 Yellowstone Drive, Suite 120Chico, CA 95973
Virtual consultations

FirmChico, CA

Harris & Plottel, LLP

Since 2011 · Serves 9 counties

Chico firm serving Butte, Tehama, Glenn, Lassen, Plumas, Modoc, Lake, Mendocino, and Shasta Counties, representing the executor or trustee in administering a decedent's estate from initial probate through final accounting. Also handles Medi-Cal and long-term-care planning, special needs trusts, and veterans benefits. Partners Neil A. Harris and Nicole R. Plottel are Certified Elder Law Attorneys.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationTrust AdministrationProbateand 4 more

Office
466 Vallombrosa AveChico, CA 95926

Solo PracticeChico, CA

Law Offices of Daniel H. Alexander, APLC

Since 1996 · Serves 6 counties

Chico practice serving Butte, Plumas, Placer, Sacramento, Lassen, and Glenn counties, with satellite offices in Rocklin, Sacramento, and Lake Almanor. Handles probate for personal representatives, making the court appearances and preparing the pleadings an estate requires, and resolves probate and trust litigation. Daniel Alexander has practiced in these areas since 1996.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationProbateProbate LitigationTrust Litigation

Office
901 Bruce Rd, Suite 230Chico, CA 95928

Solo PracticeChico, CA

Law Offices of Spencer M. Gysin

Serves 8 counties

Serves Butte County and the northern Sacramento Valley from an office in Chico. Spencer M. Gysin prepares wills, revocable and irrevocable trusts, powers of attorney, and advance health care directives, and handles probate conservatorships for adults who can no longer manage their own affairs. The practice also covers family law and guardianships.

PracticesEstate PlanningConservatorshipGuardianshipLandlord Tenant

Office
1395 Ridgewood Drive, Suite 300Chico, CA 95973

Solo PracticeChico, CA

Ron Marquez Law Corp

Serves 4 counties

General-practice law firm with offices in Chico and Red Bluff serving Butte, Glenn, Tehama, and Yuba Counties. Estate practice covers wills, trusts, and probate — assisting testators, administrators, and beneficiaries — alongside family law and personal injury matters.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationTrust AdministrationProbate

Office
1370 Ridgewood Drive, Suite 5Chico, CA 95973

FirmSan Francisco, CA

Cappelloni Law PC

Since 2018 · Serves the whole state

Serves San Francisco and the greater Bay Area from downtown San Francisco, and handles probate proceedings in every California county. Guides executors, administrators, and trustees through probate and trust administration alongside estate planning, billing probate work at California Probate Code statutory rates. Founded in 2018.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationTrust AdministrationProbate

Office
315 Montgomery Street, Suite 960San Francisco, CA 94104
Free consultationVirtual consultations
See all 36 firms serving Glenn 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.

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Legal Sources

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