Eddington Funeral Services works from 429 Bassett Street in King City and helps families in South Monterey County and North San Luis Obispo County.
What to Do When Someone Dies in Monterey County, California
How probate works in Monterey County: the Superior Court record, what the process costs, and how to file there.
Probate Court Record
Monterey County Superior Court
Monterey County
Phone
Hours
Monday-Friday 8:00 AM-4:00 PM
Office
1200 Aguajito Road, Monterey, CA 93940
Website
E-filing
Self-represented filing
Allowed
Self-help forms
E-filing
Required for attorneysAttorneys are mandated to e-file; self-represented litigants are encouraged to e-file but are not mandated. Filings go through an EFSP on the court's eCourt list; Tyler Technologies is no longer able to submit electronic filings to the court. Proposed orders are e-filed in PDF format (Local Rule 4.31).
Self-represented filing
AllowedSelf-represented litigants may e-file or file by mail. The court publishes local probate forms beside the Judicial Council forms; forms are also sold at every court location.
Hearing schedule
- Probate court held Wednesdays in Department 13 (Monterey Courthouse, 3rd floor): 8:30 AM ex partes and CMCs, 9:00 AM estates, 9:30 AM trusts, 10:00 AM conservatorships, 10:15 AM conservatorship accountings, 1:30 PM guardianships, 2:30 PM guardianship annual reviews; evidentiary hearings and trials the first and second Mondays of each month at 1:30 PM
Self-help center
- First Floor, Monterey Courthouse, 1200 Aguajito Road, Monterey, CA 93940; 118 West Gabilan Street, Salinas, CA 93901; 250 Franciscan Way, King City, CA 939301-831-647-5800 ext. 3005 · selfhelpcenter@monterey.courts.ca.gov · Monday-Friday 9:00 AM-4:00 PM (Monterey location) · Assistance in Spanish in addition to EnglishAssistance filling out forms is by phone appointment only; completed forms are reviewed on a walk-in basis. Listed case types include probate guardianships and limited conservatorships; the center does not help with probate matters such as wills, trusts and conservatorships. Salinas is open Wednesdays 9:00 AM-3:00 PM and King City Tuesdays 9:00 AM-3:00 PM, each closed 12:00-12:30 PM.
County forms
- Request for Continuance of Hearing & Order (Probate) (CI-105)Requesting a continuance of a probate hearing.
- Petition for Termination of Proceedings and Discharge (Probate) (CI-106)Optional petition to terminate a no-asset estate.
- Order for Termination of Proceedings and Discharge (Probate) (CI-107)Optional order terminating a no-asset estate.
- Attachment 1h, 1j (Person) to Petition for Appointment of Conservator (Probate) (CI-144)Attachment to a petition for appointment of a conservator of the person.
- Attachment 1i (Estate) to Petition for Appointment of Conservator (Probate) (CI-145)Attachment to a petition for appointment of a conservator of the estate.
Departments
- Probate Examiner (Monterey Courthouse)1-831-647-5800 · 1200 Aguajito RoadAnswers questions about probate notes and procedure; a message left includes name, callback number, case number and reason for the call.
- Court Investigator (general conservatorships of the estate, and of the person and estate)1200 Aguajito Road · probateinvestigator@monterey.courts.ca.gov
- Court Investigator (guardianships, conservatorships of the person only, limited conservatorships)3050 Fite Circle, Suite 106, Sacramento, CA 95827 · questinvestigations@monterey.courts.ca.gov
- Salinas Courthouse (general court business)1-831-775-5400 · 240 Church Street, Salinas, CA 93901
- King City Courthouse1-831-883-5300 · 250 Franciscan Way, King City, CA 93930
- Marina Courthouse1-831-883-5300 · 3180 Del Monte Boulevard, Marina, CA 93933
- Self-Help Center (Salinas)1-831-647-5800 ext. 3005 · 118 West Gabilan Street, Salinas, CA 93901
About the court
- Probate is heard at the Monterey Courthouse (1200 Aguajito Road), Department 13, 3rd floor.
Verified October 15, 2026 · Source
How Probate Works in Monterey 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 Monterey County, probate runs through the Superior Court at 1200 Aguajito Road, Monterey. Monterey County runs probate e-filing through monterey.courts.ca.gov, the only California county on that system.
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. Creditors have 4 monthsCal. Prob. Code §§ 9050-9054, 9100-9104, 9150, 9153, 9256, 9353, 11420; CCP § 366.2Verified Oct 18, 2026View source to present a claim, counted from the opening of the estate.
What Probate Costs in Monterey County
What probate costs in Monterey 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 1200 Aguajito Road, Monterey.
Procedures at this court that affect cost: Guardianship investigations are charged $700 and the conservatorship investigator's fee is $425, amounts set by the court.
California charges $435Cal. Gov. Code §§ 70650(a), 70602.5, 70602.6Verified Oct 17, 2026View source to open probate, the same in every county. Additional filings during administration — inventory, accounting, the final petition — add to the total.
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.
California sets executor compensation by statute — about $13,000 on a $500,000 estate, roughly 2.6%Cal. Prob. Code § 10800Verified Sep 8, 2026View source. Family members who are also beneficiaries often waive the fee — executor pay is taxable income while inheritances are not.
California requires publishing notice to creditors in a local newspaper, and the estate pays for it.
A surety bond may be required unless the will waives it or all beneficiaries consent. Premiums run roughly 0.5%Industry surety premium estimate; the bond itself under 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
Probate cases in Monterey County, California are filed at the Superior Court.
Beside the filing office, the court lists separate lines for Probate Examiner (Monterey Courthouse), Court Investigator, Court Investigator, and Salinas Courthouse (general court business).
Assistance filling out forms is by phone appointment only; completed forms are reviewed on a walk-in basis. Listed case types include probate guardianships and limited conservatorships; the center does not help with probate matters such as wills, trusts and conservatorships. Salinas is open Wednesdays 9:00 AM-3:00 PM and King City Tuesdays 9:00 AM-3:00 PM, each closed 12:00-12:30 PM.
Can You File Without an Attorney?
In California, informal probate is not availableCal. Prob. Code §§ 8005 (hearing on the petition), 8006 (court admits the will and appoints the personal representative); no registrar or clerk informal probate trackVerified Sep 8, 2026View source, so self-filing means a formal court petition rather than a registrar filing.
For a full cost comparison and filing checklist, see the Monterey County Self-Filing Assessment.
Monterey 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
A petition requiring a hearing is filed with a notice of hearing; where no date is set the space is left blank and the clerk fills in the next available date or the date requested in the e-filing comment.
SourceA continuance is requested on local form CI-105 with the Government Code section 70617 fee, filed no later than five court days before the hearing; telephone and letter requests are not accepted.
SourceDocument Requirements
Every proposed personal representative files the Confidential Statement of Birth Date and Driver's License Number (DE-147S).
SourceA named executor who declines to serve files a written declination verified under penalty of perjury; an allegation in the petition is insufficient.
SourceWhere a will beneficiary is the trustee of a trust, a copy of the trust is filed as a separate confidential document.
SourceAny document requiring a fiduciary's address gives a complete street address; a P.O. Box alone is not accepted.
SourceSeparately filed pleadings and declarations other than Judicial Council forms carry the date, time and place of hearing in the caption, and an amended pleading filed after the initial hearing is accompanied by a declaration explaining the amendment or a redlined version.
SourceCourt Appearances
Probate notes are first posted about two weeks before the hearing and updated the Friday and the Tuesday before it; they flag procedural deficiencies, and parties address the issues before the hearing.
SourceEvery probate matter requires an appearance unless the rules state otherwise or the probate notes state the matter is ready for decision absent objection with no appearance required; with no excused appearance and no one present, the court may set an order to show cause re dismissal.
SourceService Requirements
A copy of every document filed in a conservatorship is served on the court investigator; e-filers serve the investigator at the e-service address on the probate page.
The investigator needs at least five court days' notice for a temporary conservatorship, 30 days for a general conservatorship and 45 days for a periodic review (Local Rule 4.81).
SourceThe court publishes a list of adjudicated newspapers of general circulation that satisfy probate publication requirements.
SourceWhat to Bring
Filed with the opening petition at the Superior Court: Certified copy of the death certificate (required by some counties with the petition; not a statewide DE-111 attachment); Original will and any codicils (lodged with the court) (Cal. Prob. Code § 8200); Notice of Petition to Administer Estate (DE-121) with proof of publication and mailed notice (§§ 8100, 8120); Duties and Liabilities of Personal Representative (DE-147); Confidential Supplement to Duties and Liabilities of Personal Representative (DE-147S), where the court requires it by local rule; Proposed Order for Probate (DE-140)Cal. Prob. Code §§ 8000-8577 (appointment & letters); §§ 8002, 10450 (petition contents)Verified Aug 24, 2026View source.
Death Certificates and the Coroner in Monterey County
In California a death is registered locally, and in Monterey County certified copies of the death certificate are issued by Health Department Vital Records, Monterey County as well as by California Department of Public Health - Vital Records.
Vital Records Office Record
Local Health Department
Monterey County · Health Department Vital Records
Phone
Hours
Monday-Friday 8:30 AM-noon and 1:00 PM-4:30 PM
Office
1270 Natividad Road, 2nd Floor, Salinas, CA 93906
Website
Certified copies
Issued the same day
Also issued by
The county recorder
Local rule
- The office provides death certificates for the current year and one year back, made while you wait. Older deaths are held by the County Recorder.
Burial and cremation permits
- Issued byHealth Department Vital Records, Monterey County
Certified copy fees
| First certified copy | $26 |
Verified November 2, 2026 · Source
Coroner or Medical Examiner Record
Sheriff-Coroner
Monterey County · Sheriff's Office Coroner's Division
Phone
Office
1414 Natividad Road, Salinas, CA 93906
Website
Verified November 2, 2026 · Source
Funeral Homes in Monterey County
8 funeral homes and crematories in Monterey County, each listed with the services it offers, the faiths it serves, the languages its staff speak, its address and its phone.
In Monterey, this arrangement center on Washington Street in Old Monterey offers burial, cremation, pre-need planning and ash scattering assistance. It was founded in 2015, and Spanish-language services are available.
In Salinas, this mortuary provides services to the families of Monterey County. It offers cremation services that range from traditional religious ceremonies to contemporary gatherings, along with graveside and memorial services.
This historic cemetery and crematory in Salinas is the most recently acquired location of Santa Cruz Memorial, which also runs the Mission Chapel and Oakwood Chapel in Santa Cruz. The grounds reflect the multi-cultural heritage of the area.
In Salinas, this is the on-site crematory of Healey Mortuary, a funeral home founded in 1956 under the original name Salinas Valley Mortuary. The home serves families across the Salinas Valley with burial, cremation, pre-need planning, veterans services and international transfers, with Spanish-language and German-language services available.
In Salinas, Healey Mortuary is a funeral home with an on-site crematory, founded in 1956 under the original name Salinas Valley Mortuary. It serves families across the Salinas Valley with burial, cremation, pre-need planning, veterans services and international transfers, and Spanish-language and German-language services are available.
Funeral homes by city: King City, Monterey, Salinas, Seaside
Cremation Services in Monterey County
6 listings
Pre-Need Funeral Plans in Monterey County
4 listings
Burial Services in Monterey County
4 listings
Veterans Funeral Services in Monterey County
2 listings
Funeral Transport in Monterey County
2 listings
Spanish-Speaking Funeral Homes in Monterey County
3 listings
Listings are for informational purposes only. SimplyTrust does not endorse or recommend any funeral home or crematory.
Transferring Property in Monterey 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.
Deeds and other real property documents for Monterey County are recorded with the County Recorder at 168 West Alisal Street, 1st Floor, Salinas, CA 93901. Phone: 1-831-755-5041. Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00 AM-noon and 1:00 PM-5:00 PM.
Documents submitted by mail go to P.O. Box 29, Salinas, CA 93902.
The County Recorder charges $23 for the first page plus $3 for each additional page.
Monterey County accepts electronic recording through CeRTNA.
Recording Office Record
County Recorder
Monterey County
Phone
Hours
Monday-Friday 8:00 AM-noon and 1:00 PM-5:00 PM
Office
168 West Alisal Street, 1st Floor, Salinas, CA 93901
Website
E-recording
P.O. Box 29
Salinas, CA 93902
Recording fees
| Base fee (first page) | $23 |
| 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 deed | TOD deeds are exempt from transfer tax |
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 October 16, 2026 · Source
Forms that put a death on the title
- Free forms: Affidavit of Death Form
Probate Attorneys Serving Monterey County
California allows independent administrationCal. Prob. Code §§ 10400 (Independent Administration of Estates Act), 10500(a) (administer without court supervision), 10501 (actions still requiring court supervision)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source, so the personal representative manages, pays and distributes the estate without returning to the court for approval at each step. A probate attorney earns the fee when the estate is contested, includes a business or out-of-state real estate, has unclear or insolvent debts, or when beneficiaries disagree.
Probate attorney fees in California are set by statute as a percentage of the estate's value, so every Monterey 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.
Hollister practice serving San Benito, Monterey, Santa Cruz, and south Santa Clara counties. Handles probate administration and trust administration alongside wills, revocable and irrevocable trusts including special needs trusts, powers of attorney, and business formation. Christine Breen has practiced since 1996 and started the firm in 2013.
Salinas practice serving Monterey County, focused on probate, estate planning, and conservatorships. Attorney Steven M. Mudd walks executors and administrators through court-supervised administration, from appointment and appraisal through accounting and distribution, and advises on small-estate alternatives, trust administration, and Medi-Cal planning.
Central Coast firm serving Monterey, San Benito, and Santa Cruz Counties since 1998, with offices in Salinas, Monterey, and Hollister. Its estate attorneys guide trustees and executors through trust administration and probate, including the court-supervised process for estates over the small-estate threshold. Bilingual assistance for Spanish-speaking clients.
Pacific Grove solo practice serving Monterey County and the Central Coast, handling probate from the petition through inventory, appraisal, and final distribution, plus trust administration for successor trustees. Also covers special needs planning, asset protection, and Medi-Cal planning. Kyle A. Krasa is a Certified Legal Specialist in Estate Planning, Trust & Probate Law.
Boutique Capitola firm serving Santa Cruz County and the surrounding Monterey Bay area. Handles probate, trust administration, conservatorships, and guardianships alongside estate planning and taxation, with three attorneys on staff. Founding attorney Emily J. Buchbinder is a State Bar certified legal specialist in Estate Planning, Trust, and Probate Law.
Santa Cruz firm handling probate and trust administration and estate and trust litigation across Santa Cruz, Monterey, San Benito, and Santa Clara Counties, representing executors, trustees, and beneficiaries in distribution and conservatorship disputes. Partner Steven Penrose has been a Certified Specialist in Estate Planning, Trust & Probate Law since 2004.
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.
Legal Sources
(10)·
- Cal. Gov. Code §§ 70650(a), 70602.5, 70602.6
- Cal. Prob. Code § 10800
- Cal. Prob. Code §§ 10400 (Independent Administration of Estates Act), 10500(a) (administer without court supervision), 10501 (actions still requiring court supervision)
- Cal. Prob. Code §§ 8000-8577 (appointment & letters); §§ 8002, 10450 (petition contents)
- Cal. Prob. Code §§ 8005 (hearing on the petition), 8006 (court admits the will and appoints the personal representative); no registrar or clerk informal probate track
- Cal. Prob. Code §§ 9050-9054, 9100-9104, 9150, 9153, 9256, 9353, 11420; CCP § 366.2
- 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
- Monterey County Superior Court, official page
- Monterey County Recorder, official page
- Monterey County vital records and death investigation offices, official page
Data sourced from California statutes and official state code. Fee percentages are modeled estimates; each figure's note says how. How we research.
Tools for Settling an Estate in California
Free tools for settling an estate in California: whether probate is needed, executor and trustee pay, creditor deadlines and taxes. Run each tool.
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
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
Can I Self-File Probate?
In California, informal probate is not availableCal. Prob. Code §§ 8005 (hearing on the petition), 8006 (court admits the will and appoints the personal representative); no registrar or clerk informal probate trackVerified Sep 8, 2026View source, so self-filing means a formal court petition rather than a registrar filing.
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