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

How probate works in Solano County

Last verified: July 20, 2026

The short answer: File Solano probate matters at the Hall of Justice, 600 Union Avenue, Fairfield, CA 94533. The probate clerk is (707) 207-7341 and [email protected]. Attorneys must e-file; self-represented parties may e-file or use the clerk's office.

Probate notes are generally available about a week before hearing, and the court publishes pre-grants after 5:00 p.m. the night before. A pre-grant can eliminate an appearance, but only if the matter remains uncontested and the pre-grant does not require attendance.

Solano County probate at a glance

Filing and the original will

Local Rule 20 requires attorney e-filing in probate. Self-represented parties and nonparties are exempt but encouraged to e-file. Ex parte applications are excluded from the general electronic mandate.

The court instructs a will custodian to lodge the original with the Probate Clerk within 30 days under Probate Code section 8200. Do not substitute a scan. Represented parties must electronically process probate letters and bonds as of July 1, 2025; self-represented parties may continue processing those in person or by mail.

Probate notes, pre-grants, and calendars

The court posts examiner notes for estate and trust matters through its case portal, usually about a week ahead. Cure a defect by filing the proper document; staff do not accept cure documents by email.

Check the pre-grant after 5:00 p.m. the night before. Appearance remains necessary when the case is absent, contested, involves a sale confirmation, needs proof of a holographic will, or the pre-grant directs attendance. Department 22 normally calendars estates, trusts, and other probate petitions Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday at 9:30 a.m.; compliance hearings are Monday at 11:00 a.m.

Ex parte, remote appearance, and fees

Estate ex parte applications are by appointment only. Call Department 22 at (707) 207-7322 for a date, then file the application with the Family Law/Probate clerk and follow Local Rule 7.10. The estate-calendar page publishes a department Zoom link, but the assigned judge's instructions control whether a particular hearing may be remote.

No Solano-specific surcharge for the opening petition was identified; the statewide fee is $435.

Solano publishes probate forms and filing instructions, but no separate mandatory local form for opening a routine decedent estate was identified. Use current Judicial Council forms and Local Rule 7, with the court's special electronic letters/bonds process after appointment.

Solano County's practical checklist:

• Use the Hall of Justice, not the Old Solano Courthouse filing address.
• E-file if represented and physically lodge the original will.
• Review notes about a week ahead and cure defects through a filed document.
• Check the pre-grant after 5:00 p.m. the night before.
• Do not skip hearing when the matter falls within an appearance exception.
• Arrange estate ex parte matters with Department 22 before filing.

Court procedures change; verify filing, notes, and hearing details with Solano County Superior Court before acting.