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The California Probate Checklist

Everything an executor or administrator needs to do when a California estate includes a home — in order, in plain English. Print it, check things off, and call me when you get to the house.

01 Right away — the first two weeks

Order 8–10 certified copies of the death certificate (the funeral home can help).
Locate the will and/or trust documents, if any exist.
Secure the property: locks, mail, utilities kept on, insurance carrier notified that the home may be vacant.
Do not distribute or discard belongings yet — the inventory comes first.
Notify Social Security, pension providers, and major creditors of the death.

02 Getting appointed — roughly months 1–2

Consult a probate attorney (most offer free initial calls) to confirm whether probate is required, or whether the property passes through a trust.
File the Petition for Probate with the correct court — in Ventura County that is the Juvenile & Probate Courthouse in Oxnard; in Los Angeles County, usually the Stanley Mosk Courthouse downtown.
Publish the required notice in an approved local newspaper.
Attend the first hearing, where the court appoints the executor (named in the will) or administrator (no will) and issues Letters.
Note whether the court grants full or limited authority under the Independent Administration of Estates Act — this determines how the home can be sold.

03 Administering the estate — months 2–9

Obtain a date-of-death appraisal of the property from the court-appointed probate referee.
Complete the Inventory & Appraisal filing.
Handle the home: cleanout, estate sale if needed, repairs that protect value — costs can usually be borne by the estate rather than out of pocket.
Keep records of every estate expense — they are reimbursable.
Notify known creditors; the claim window runs its course during this period.

04 Selling the property

Get a current market valuation (separate from the probate referee appraisal) to set strategy.
With full authority: list, market, and sell much like a standard sale, using probate-specific disclosures and a Notice of Proposed Action to heirs.
With limited authority: the accepted offer goes to court for confirmation, where it can be overbid at the hearing — pricing and preparation strategy differ, so plan for this from day one.
Coordinate closing timelines with your attorney so sale proceeds land in the estate account correctly.

05 Closing the estate

File the final accounting and petition for final distribution.
Attend the final hearing; the court approves distribution to heirs.
Distribute proceeds, file the receipt(s), and the court discharges the personal representative.

Every estate is different, and this checklist is general education — not legal or tax advice. Timelines vary by county and case. For specifics, consult your probate attorney or CPA.

When you reach the house, you don’t have to figure it out alone.

I handle the property side of probate for families across Ventura County and Los Angeles County — valuation, cleanout, prep, and a sale that satisfies the court.

Book a Free Consultation Call or text 310-428-4008