Estate Planning & Probate in San Diego, California
There are two reasons people look up San Diego County probate: to keep a family out of it, or to get a loved one's estate through it. Pick the path that fits, then work from the local Superior Court - Probate Division 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 Diego County→Planning ahead as a property owner
Keep a San Diego County home out of probate with a transfer-on-death deed or a living trust.
Estate planning in San Diego County→The Probate Process in San Diego 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 Diego, probate runs through the Superior Court - Probate Division at 1100 Union Street, 3rd Floor, San Diego. Probate e-filing in San Diego County goes through sdcourt.ca.gov, a county-specific system.
Full San Diego Countyprobate guide: cost, how to file & attorneys →Probate Court Record
Superior Court - Probate Division
San Diego County
Address
Phone
Hours
Recording Deeds & Property Documents
Recording Office Record
County Recorder
San Diego County · Assessor/Recorder/County Clerk · Jordan Z. Marks
Address
Phone
Hours
$14 for the first page plus $3 for each additional page; a 2-page TOD deed records for $92; TOD deeds are exempt from transfer tax.
Full recording details →Verified September 4, 2026 · Source
Local Procedures at the Superior Court - Probate Division
The Superior Court - Probate Division schedules probate hearings Probate calendars heard the last two weeks of each month: Estate appointments Thursdays 1:30 PM; accountings Thursdays 2:30 PM; miscellaneous probate Tuesdays 9:30 AM; guardianship Wednesdays 9:00 AM; conservatorship Wednesdays 11:00 AM.
Documents must comply with applicable Probate Code sections and California Rules of Court. All orders/decrees must be complete and include introductory paragraphs with petition title, ROA number, date/time of hearing, department number, and judge's name.
California Estate Planning Articles
Articles about estate planning, probate, and trusts relevant to families in San Diego County.
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