Last verified 2026-07-20; facts checked against the primary sources below

How probate works in Marin County

Last verified: July 20, 2026

The short answer: Marin probate is filed in Room 113 of the Civic Center Hall of Justice, 3501 Civic Center Drive, San Rafael. The mailing address is P.O. Box 4988, San Rafael, CA 94913. Call (415) 444-7040. Attorney-represented parties must e-file; self-represented filers may e-file, mail, use the drop box, or file at the window.

Marin issues a tentative ruling for every regular probate-calendar matter after 2:00 p.m. the court day before hearing. If no one timely requests argument and the ruling does not require attendance, it becomes the court's ruling.

Marin County probate at a glance

Filing, orders, and original wills

Attorneys use an approved EFSP. Self-represented litigants retain paper options. Provider charges may apply in addition to the court fee.

Submit a proposed order with the petition. If paper filing and requesting mailed copies, include a correctly sized prepaid envelope; otherwise, a conformed copy may remain in the Room 113 will-call cabinet for up to 60 days.

The original will must be lodged physically and intact. Probate Code section 8200 generally requires delivery within 30 days after knowledge of death; an e-filed scan does not replace it.

Examiner review and tentative rulings

The Probate Examiner/Research Attorney reviews estate filings for procedural sufficiency. A tentative issues for every regular probate matter except ex parte proceedings. Read it after 2:00 p.m. the prior court day.

To contest or request modification, notify every party entitled to notice and leave a message for the clerk at (415) 444-7046, option 5, by 4:00 p.m. that day. If the ruling requires additional papers, they ordinarily must have been submitted at least five days before the hearing before the court will consider an argument that the defect was cured.

A written request to take a matter off calendar is due to the Probate Examiner at least three court days before hearing. A petition taken off calendar must generally be reset by verified written request within three months or it is dismissed without prejudice.

Remote appearances, forms, and fees

Non-evidentiary probate hearings may be attended on Zoom unless ordered otherwise. Department C's probate connection information is on the virtual-courtrooms page. Appearance permission does not eliminate the 4:00 p.m. oral-argument notice rule.

No generally mandatory Marin-specific decedent-estate opening form or probate surcharge was identified. The verified additional costs are EFSP transaction charges and any services selected for copies or remote technology.

Marin County's practical checklist:

• File in Room 113 or through mandatory attorney e-filing.
• Lodge the original will separately and submit a proposed order with the petition.
• Read the tentative after 2:00 p.m. the prior court day.
• Give both court and party notice by 4:00 p.m. to seek argument.
• Use Zoom for eligible non-evidentiary hearings, but comply with the ruling.
• Cure defects early; last-minute papers may not preserve argument.

Court logistics change; verify filing, tentative-ruling, and hearing details with Marin County Superior Court before acting.