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Probate in Los Angeles, California

This page is for families in Los Angeles County handling the property of someone who died. It explains when probate is needed, the small-estate shortcut, and what to do with an original will, and links to licensed lawyers with wills and probate on record.

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When probate is needed[1]

Probate is the court process that transfers property of a person who died when the property did not pass another way, such as through a living trust, joint ownership or a named beneficiary.

Property held in a trust or with a named beneficiary usually does not go through probate.

Small estates[2]

If the property that would go through probate is worth less than a limit set by California law, heirs can often collect it with a signed declaration instead of a court case. The declaration can be used only after 40 days have passed since the death. The dollar limit is adjusted every three years.

If you find an original will[1][3]

Whoever has the original will must deliver it to the clerk of the superior court in the county where the estate can be handled within 30 days after learning of the death, unless a probate case was already filed. For most Los Angeles County residents that is the Los Angeles Superior Court.

The basic steps[1][4]

  1. Find out what the person owned, and how each item was held.
  2. If a court case is needed, file a petition in the Los Angeles Superior Court to be appointed executor or administrator.
  3. Notify heirs and creditors, inventory the estate, pay valid debts, and ask the court to approve distribution.

Lawyers in Los Angeles, California

The directory lists 9,698 lawyers with an active California license and an office of record in Los Angeles, California; 167 of them have Wills & Probate as a practice area on record (listed in the directory's source file; origin not confirmed, not a certification).

A license record shows a lawyer may practice. It does not show experience with a specific kind of case.

You can check any lawyer's license yourself with the State Bar of California lookup.

State Bar of California license lookup · Browse these lawyers in the directory

Questions

How long does probate take in California?[1]

A full probate case usually takes many months and often more than a year, depending on the estate and the court's calendar.

Is there a way to avoid probate?[1][2]

Property in a living trust, joint ownership or with a named beneficiary usually passes outside probate, and small estates can often use a declaration instead.

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Sources

  1. Probate, Judicial Branch of California (official). Checked 2026-10-30.
  2. California Probate Code section 13100 (small estates), California Legislature (official). Checked 2026-10-30.
  3. California Probate Code section 8200 (delivering the will), California Legislature (official). Checked 2026-10-30.
  4. Superior Court of Los Angeles County, Superior Court of Los Angeles County (official). Checked 2026-10-30.

This page is general information, not legal advice, and reading it does not create a lawyer-client relationship. Laws change and every situation is different. Check the official sources linked here and talk to a licensed lawyer about your facts.

Reviewed and last updated 2026-10-31. To report an error, write to notices@esqcopilot.com.