Probate Division
The types of matters processed in the Probate Division include the appointment of personal representatives including guardianships for children and conservatorships for incapacitated adults; the distribution and handling of estates of people who have died; petitions regarding trust administration; the review and accounting of guardians and conservators; disputes about wills, trusts, and powers of attorney; and other matters that may arise under the Probate code.
Probate Calendar Information
Probate / Guardianships of the Estate / Conservatorship Ex Parte Matters
Ex partes regarding these matters are heard before the Probate judge
Emergency Ex Parte’s for Conservatorships, Decedent’s Estates, Guardianships of the Estate, and Trust matters:
AThis procedure is available for emergency orders and/or orders urgently needed to prevent irreparable harm or immediate danger to a person or property. Applications for Ex Parte Orders in matters related to conservatorships, decedent’s estates, and trust matters may be dropped off at the Sonoma County Court Clerk's office, Probate Division, during normal business hours or e-filed. The application must be submitted before 10:00 am. Orders will be available for pick-up or electronically returned to counsel or parties after 2:00 pm the same day unless otherwise ordered by the court. Please refer to Local Rule 6.2.H.
Non-Emergency “Drop-Off Ex Parte Matter” for Conservatorships, Decedent’s Estates, Guardianships of the Estate, and Trust matters:
This procedure is available for non-emergency orders and/or orders that do not have urgent needs to prevent irreparable harm or immediate danger to a person or property. Applications for Ex Parte Orders in matters related to conservatorships, decedent’s estates, and trust matters may be dropped off at the Sonoma County Court Clerk's office, Probate Division, during normal business hours or e-filed. The application must include “Drop-Off Ex Parte Matter” on the caption of the pleadings. Orders will be available for pick-up or electronically returned to counsel or parties after 2:00 pm on the day which is five (5) court days after the request is presented unless otherwise ordered by the court. Please refer to Local Rule 6.2.H.
Opposition: Opposition papers may be submitted in person at the Sonoma County Court Clerk's Office, Probate Division, or via e-File by 10:00 a.m. on the day the ex parte application is presented. If service of the opposition papers is not possible, an ex parte declaration shall be filed providing the reasons for the lack of service.
Probate Tentative Rulings
Probate tentative rulings are usually available on the day before the hearing, after 2:00
PM and Guardianships after 11:00 AM by calling (707) 521-6607, or by accessing the Probate Tentative Ruling page
Announcements
Important Links
Information and Frequently Asked Questions
Probate Examiner
The probate examiner reviews financial accountings and other documents filed in trusts and decedents’ estates, to ensure compliance with the Probate Code, state and local court rules and the policies of the Court.
As a result of this review, the examiner may identify procedural deficiencies or other concerns that need to be further addressed before the judge can rule on the petition. The Court’s tentative rulings on calendared matters are posted on the court"s website, usually before noon on the day preceding the hearing. The Probate Tentative rulings can be accessed by clicking here.
Hearings concerning trusts and decedents’ estates are generally held in Courtroom 18, located at Civil and Family Law Courthouse, 3055 Cleveland Avenue, Santa Rosa CA 95403. Probate documents should be filed at the Probate Window in the Family Law Department, located across the hall from Courtroom 18.
The probate examiner, clerks, and other court personnel are prohibited by law from giving legal advice. You should obtain counsel of your own choice to answer questions or assist with legal matters. The Court cannot recommend an attorney. You may call the Sonoma County Lawyer Referral Service at (707) 546-5297, or the Council on Aging Senior Legal Services at (707) 525-1146.
Probate Court Investigator
Please note that mail must be addressed to the Probate Examiner when regarding a decedent estate or a trust and addressed to the Probate Court Investigator when regarding a conservatorship, Special Needs Trust or Guardianship of the Estate. Failure to correctly designate the office to which the mail is intended will result in unnecessary delays.
Copies of documents to be provided to the Probate Court Investigators Office can be left with the Probate Clerks, at the Probate Clerks window for inter-office mail distribution. These packets should be in a separate envelope clearly marked as addressed to our office. They will not be file stamped or otherwise managed by the clerks, only sent to delivery to us. They must be kept separate from documents needing to be filed.
The Probate Court Investigator/Examiner assists the court in all matters concerning conservatorships, guardianships, and special needs trusts, to include but not limited to:
All petitions involving conservatorships of the person, the estate, or both to include sales of real & personal property and substituted judgements.
**All petitions involving guardianships of the estate ONLY.
Petitions for approval of accounts of trustee of special needs trusts