What to Do When Someone Dies in Napa, California

Probate in Napa County runs through the Superior Court - Civil Division: 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 Napa County, settling their estate runs through the Superior Court - Civil Division. 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 - Civil Division

Napa County

Address

825 Brown StreetNapa, CA 94559

Hours

Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM (Drop box until 5:00 PM)
Visit court website →
Paper filing availableE-filing required for attorneysSelf-filing allowed

Departments

  • Civil Division (Probate)707-299-1130
  • Criminal Courthouse707-299-1100
  • Juvenile Hall Courthouse707-299-1100

Historic Courthouse at 825 Brown Street handles civil/probate. Criminal Courthouse at 1111 Third Street. General court: 707-299-1100.

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Verified July 3, 2026 · Source

How Probate Works in Napa 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 Napa, probate runs through the Superior Court - Civil Division at 825 Brown Street, Napa.

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 Napa County

What probate costs in Napa 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 - Civil Division at 825 Brown Street, Napa.

Probate matters are handled through Civil Division (Probate), Criminal Courthouse, and Juvenile Hall Courthouse. Filing and payment go through these offices, not the main clerk window.

Napa County runs a probate self-help center (By appointment, weekdays 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM (phone or video)), 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 707-299-1137.

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 - Civil Division (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 - Civil Division

If you're handling probate yourself in Napa County, California, you can file at the Superior Court - Civil Division 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 Civil Division (Probate), Criminal Courthouse, and Juvenile Hall Courthouse. 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 Napa 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 - Civil Division is realistic. Napa County has a self-help center that assists people filing without an attorney.

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

Napa 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

Civil Division handles probate guardianships/conservatorships, mental health, general civil, small claims, and unlawful detainers.

For probate matters, call Civil Division at 707-299-1130.

What to Bring

To file at the Superior Court - Civil Division 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 Napa 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 Napa County are recorded with the County Recorder, led by Recorder-County Clerk John Tuteur, at 1127 First Street, Suite A, Napa, CA 94559. Phone: (707) 253-4105. Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 3:00 PM (recording).

Documents submitted by mail go to P.O. Box 298, Napa, CA 94559-0298.

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

Recording Office Record

County Recorder

Napa County · Recorder-County Clerk · John Tuteur

Address

1127 First Street, Suite ANapa, CA 94559Mailing: P.O. Box 298, Napa, CA 94559-0298

Hours

Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 3:00 PM (recording)
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

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Verified September 4, 2026 · Source

Probate Attorneys Serving Napa County

California uses formal, court-supervised probate, which makes an attorney worthwhile for most estates in Napa 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 Napa County attorney charges the same schedule. Price isn't the variable — experience with the Superior Court - Civil Division and responsiveness are.

A probate attorney files the petition with the Superior Court - Civil Division, 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.

FirmFairfield, CA

California Will & Trust

Serves 3 counties

Serves Solano County from Fairfield, taking estates through the county's probate court. Works with executors on probate administration and the duties and personal liability that come with the role, and with successor trustees on trust administration after a death; also handles conservatorships and guardianships. Meetings are available in person or by video.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationTrust AdministrationProbateand 2 more

Office
1125 Missouri Street, Suite 207Fairfield, CA 94533
Virtual consultations

Solo PracticeNapa, CA

Celaya Law

Serves 16 counties

Napa estate planning and elder law practice led by Anthony Celaya, with offices across California from Santa Rosa and Sacramento to Los Angeles and San Diego. Handles probate and estate administration and Medi-Cal planning alongside trusts, wills, and incapacity planning. Clients are served in person or through virtual consultations, and the initial consultation is free.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationTrust AdministrationProbateand 2 more

Office
960 School St.Napa, CA 94559
Free consultationVirtual consultations

FirmSan Francisco, CA

Harrington Law, P.C.

Since 2009 · Serves 5 counties

Bay Area trusts and estates practice serving San Francisco and the North Bay from offices in San Francisco and Sonoma. Attorney Amy Harrington handles trust and probate administration, conservatorships, and will and trust contests, and is frequently appointed to serve as administrator, trustee, partition referee, and receiver.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationTrust AdministrationProbateand 5 more

Office
One Embarcadero, Suite 1200San Francisco, CA 94111

Solo PracticePetaluma, CA

Law Office of Andrew Kern

Serves 3 counties

Petaluma solo practice serving Sonoma, Marin, and Napa Counties with probate representation, trust administration, and estate planning, alongside bankruptcy and tax debt work. Andrew Kern has over 30 years of California legal experience, quotes a flat fee after a free initial consultation, and answers his own phone.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationTrust AdministrationProbateBankruptcy

Office
755 Baywood Drive, Floor 2Petaluma, CA 94954
Free consultation

FirmMerced, CA

Berliner Cohen LLP

Serves 5 counties

Serves Merced, Mariposa, and Stanislaus counties from Merced, with offices in San Jose, Modesto, and Mariposa. Represents trustees and executors on full and summary probate, sub-trust funding, fiduciary accountings, estate tax returns, and post-death tax planning, and handles probate, trust, and estate litigation. One of the few firms with a Mariposa County office.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationTrust AdministrationProbate Litigationand 2 more

Office
548 W. 21st StreetMerced, CA 95340

FirmCorona, CA

Holstrom, Block & Parke, APLC

Serves 7 counties

Corona-headquartered firm with offices in San Diego, Newport Beach, Glendale, and San Francisco, plus satellite offices in Riverside, Temecula, Vista, and Roseville. Through its Sandoval Legacy Group division it handles probate and trust administration, conservatorships, will contests and fiduciary disputes, elder law, and special needs planning. Offers a free phone consultation.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationTrust AdministrationProbateand 8 more

Office
1897 California Ave, Suite 102Corona, CA 92881
Free consultationVirtual consultations
See all 40 firms serving Napa 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.

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