Estate Planning & Probate in San Bernardino County, California
San Bernardino County estate questions split two ways—planning so your family skips probate, or settling an estate that is already in it. Start with your situation below; both paths use San Bernardino County's actual court and recording details.
Someone died — settling an estate
Filing probate at the Superior Court - Probate Division, what it costs, transferring property, and local attorneys.
What to do when someone dies in San Bernardino County→Planning ahead as a property owner
Keep a San Bernardino County home out of probate with a transfer-on-death deed or a living trust.
Estate planning in San Bernardino County→The Probate Process in San Bernardino 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 San Bernardino, probate runs through the Superior Court - Probate Division at 17780 Arrow Boulevard, Fontana.
Full San Bernardino Countyprobate guide: cost, how to file & attorneys →Probate Court Record
Superior Court - Probate Division
San Bernardino County
Address
17780 Arrow BoulevardFontana, CA 92335
Phone
Hours
Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Paper filing availableE-filing required for attorneysSelf-filing allowed
How to file probate in San Bernardino County→Recording Deeds & Property Documents
Recording Office Record
County Recorder-Clerk
San Bernardino County · Assessor-Recorder-County Clerk · Josie Gonzales
Address
222 West Hospitality Lane, 1st FloorSan Bernardino, CA 92415
Phone
Hours
Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
E-recording
Available via SECURE / ERDS (administered by Orange County)E-recording info →
$15 base recording fee; $3 per additional page; required form fees may include GC 27388.1 Building Homes and Jobs Act Fee (SB2) ($75), BOE-502-A Preliminary Change of Ownership Report (PCOR) ($0); TOD deeds are generally transfer-tax exempt.
Full recording details →Verified June 3, 2026 · Source
Frequently Asked Questions
The Superior Court - Probate Division for San Bernardino County is located in Fontana, California. Full address, phone, hours, and e-filing details are listed on this page.
E-filing is mandatory for attorneys in San Bernardino County, but families handling probate without an attorney are exempt. Self-represented filers can submit paper documents at the Superior Court - Probate Division in person or by mail.
No. California allows estates under $208,850 to use a Small Estate Affidavit and skip formal probate. The waiting period is 40 days after death. Use the California probate decision tool to see if the estate qualifies.
When there is no will, California's intestate succession rules decide who inherits. Spouses, children, and parents are prioritized in that order. The San Bernardino County probate court applies the state rules without variation. See who inherits in California for the exact order.
A revocable living trust is the cleanest way for most families to skip probate entirely. Assets titled to the trust pass to beneficiaries without court involvement, filing fees, or the San Bernardino County probate docket. Create a revocable trust online to avoid putting your family through this process later.
California Estate Planning Articles
Articles about estate planning, probate, and trusts relevant to families in San Bernardino County.
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