Estate Planning & Probate in San Mateo County, California
There are two reasons people look up San Mateo County probate: to keep a family out of it, or to get a loved one's estate through it. This page points you to the right path—planning ahead, or settling an estate at the Superior Court - Probate Division.
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 Mateo County→Planning ahead as a property owner
Keep a San Mateo County home out of probate with a transfer-on-death deed or a living trust.
Estate planning in San Mateo County→The Probate Process in San Mateo 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 Mateo County, probate runs through the Superior Court - Probate Division at 400 County Center, Redwood City. Probate e-filing in San Mateo County goes through sanmateo.courts.ca.gov, a county-specific system.
Full San Mateo Countyprobate guide: cost, how to file & attorneys →Probate Court Record
Superior Court - Probate Division
San Mateo County
Address
Phone
Hours
Recording Deeds & Property Documents
Recording Office Record
County Clerk-Recorder
San Mateo County · Assessor-County Clerk-Recorder · Mark Church
Address
Phone
Hours
E-recording
$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
Hall of Justice Clerk's Office by appointment only. Schedule appointments online. Probate hearings held at Courtroom G, Central Branch Courthouse (effective July 22, 2024). Clerk services remain at Hall of Justice in Redwood City.
California Estate Planning Articles
Articles about estate planning, probate, and trusts relevant to families in San Mateo County.
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