Fresno County Probate Records

Fresno County probate records are court documents created after a person’s death to transfer property and execute their estate based on the content of the deceased’s will. The probate process is a court-supervised process necessary to determine and gather a person’s assets after their demise, settle all debts and creditors, and distribute the balance of the estate to heirs and beneficiaries either in line with the testator's wishes or in the case of a decedent (someone who dies without a will) according to the California Probate Code.

Probate documents typically contain wills, inventories of the estate, accounts, information about the deceased (name, occupation, and residence), the death certificate, the date of death, the names of the heirs and beneficiaries, the executor, and all liens, encumbrances, and other legal claims that affect the deceased's estate.

Individuals seek probate records and other Fresno County court records for a number of reasons, often to support inheritance claims, for property transactions, to prove title of ownership, and, in some cases, to trace family history and lineage.

In Fresno County, probate administration may be conducted through formal probates if the estate is valued above the amount listed in the Judicial Council Form DE-300 or summary proceedings for smaller estates valued at less than the amount listed in the Judicial Council Form DE-300.

Are Probate Records Public?

Yes. Probate Records in Fresno County are court records and, as such, are considered public records. Pursuant to the California Public Records Act and the California Rules of Court, court records may be inspected by the public in the office of the clerk (Rule 2.400. Court Records). Residents of California have a right under the state constitution and the Public Records Act to access and inspect public documents maintained by state and county agencies, including the Department of Justice (the courts and law enforcement agencies).

While probate records are generally considered public records, public access to such documents will be prohibited where such a document is sealed by court order or deemed confidential under the Public Records Act (this may include inventories of assets, death certificates, and medical reports). Per Section 10.3 of the California Trial Court Records Manual, the following are Probate Case Records that are confidential:

• Guardian Screening Form
• Supplemental information form for a proposed conservatorship
• Capacity declarations
• Conservator Screening Form
• Reports regarding proposed conservatorship or guardianship.

What is Probate Court in Fresno County?

The Fresno County Superior Court’s Probate Division handles all matters related to probate, trusts, conservatorship, guardianship, mental health, and other related cases. The purpose of a probate proceeding is to validate the will of the deceased person and to transfer their assets to the rightful beneficiaries and heirs. Such assets may be real and personal property owned by the decedent/testator on the day of the death.

Below is the address and contact information for the Freehi County Superior Court’s Probate Division:

Fresno County Probate Court
1130 O Street
Third Floor
Fresno, CA 93721-2220
Phone: (559) 457-1888
Fax: (559) 457-1835

Probate Court Case Lookup

Probate cases in Fresno County usually involve the court making a legal determination on the disposition or transfer of a deceased testator or decedent’s property, the appointment of a conservator for an adult and guardian for a child, the internal affairs or existence of a trust, and other matters governed by the Probate Code.

When a petition is filed in the Probate Court, the probate documents have been deposited with the Probate Court in the county where the deceased lived; the clerk will assign a date for the hearing. Once the hearing commences, probate court case records may be available at the office of the clerk for inspection and copying. The Probate Examiner’s notes are also available for review before and after the scheduled hearing through the Fresno Superior Court’s Website. Here is a quick guide to navigate the court’s website in order to find the examiner’s note:

• Visit the Fresno Superior Court website
• Select "Divisions"
• Next, select "Probate".
• Click the "Examiner’s Notes" box in the center of the page
• Input the case number and search.

Interested persons may also look at Fresno Probate Case Records online at the Superior Court’s Case Informal Site. However, Probate case information may not be available online until 60 days after it was filed. Searchers will be required to provide the record number and full names of parties involved in the case.

How to Find Probate Records Online Free

Researchers and other interested persons can find probate court records online for free at the Superior Court of California, County of Fresno Case Information site. The searcher can filter the search options by judgment type, judgment date, attorney name, case number, party name, nickname, citation number, and judicial officer.

Moreover, third-party public record search sites are a good place to find probate records online for free. These online databases host a variety of court information and other public records that are easily accessible. However, just like official resources, access to probate records may be limited in cases where such records are sealed or confidential.

While online searches may be free, requesting certified copies of probate records and other detailed documentation will incur administrative fees. To get an idea of what such services might cost, consult the Fresno County Clerk fee schedule or call the office.

Probate Clerk’s Department Information:
B.F. Sisk Courthouse
1130 "O" Street
3 RD Floor – Room 300
Fresno, CA 93724
Phone: (559) 457-1888

How Long Does Probate Take in California

The probate process in California can last nine to eighteen months. This duration is dependent on and largely affected by factors such as the size and complexity of the estate, the availability of a will, the location of the beneficiaries, the contest of the will, and other formalities.

Are Wills Public Record?

Yes. In California, the custodian of a decedent’s will must deposit the original copy of the will with the Probate Clerk’s office in the county where the decedent resided within 30 days after their death. When a will is deposited with the Probate Court Clerk, it becomes public information.

How to Find Out If Someone Has a Will

It is possible to find out if someone has a will by visiting or writing to the Probate Court Clerk in the county where the decedent resided to look up to perform a name search. If the will has been deposited with the court clerk, interested parties may obtain a copy of the will at the Probate Business Office.

One may also request a copy by mail by submitting the death certificate, a charge of $0.50 per page of the required document (call the Probate Business Office to confirm the number of pages and acceptable modes of payment), and a self-addressed stamped envelope to return the copy of the will and death certificate. Furthermore, if the interested person is a relative, beneficiary, or heir, they may contact the decedent’s attorney to request a copy of the will.

Fresno County Family Court Case Search

The Fresno County Superior Court's Family Law Department handles legal issues involving families, such as divorce, legal separation, nullity, child custody and visitation, child support, spousal support, family support, marital property division, domestic violence restraining orders, and elder abuse.

Individuals may find information on Family Court cases online at the Fresno Superior Court Case Information website or in person at the Family Law Clerk’s Office. However, due to the nature and sensitivity of these records and to protect the identity of minors usually involved in these cases, information contained in these records may be redacted or outrightly restricted from public access. Interested persons may contact the family law clerk at (559) 457-2100 or visit the clerk’s office during office hours.