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

How probate works in Sonoma County

Last verified: July 20, 2026

The short answer: Probate hearings and in-person filing are at the Civil and Family Law Courthouse, 3055 Cleveland Avenue, Santa Rosa, CA 95403. Mail probate filings to the Hall of Justice, 600 Administration Drive, Santa Rosa, CA 95403. The probate clerk is (707) 521-6650; office hours are 8:00 a.m.–3:30 p.m. and phone hours end at noon.

Attorneys must e-file all probate matters, while self-represented parties may e-file or use paper. Original wills and codicils cannot be e-filed.

Sonoma County probate at a glance

Filing and the original will

Local Rule 17.22 requires electronic filing for represented probate parties. A self-represented filer may e-file, file in person, use the drop box, or mail papers. A paper filing should include the original and two copies; mail submissions need fees and a stamped return envelope.

Local Rule 17.23 excludes original wills and codicils for filing or safekeeping from e-filing. Deliver the unstapled physical original separately. Bonds and affidavits concerning real property of small value are also excluded.

Examiner notes and tentative rulings

The probate examiner reviews routine petitions for statutory and local-rule compliance. Notes are usually accessible in the case portal about three weeks before hearing; Probate Code section 850 trust-petition notes may appear 45 days ahead. Cure concerns by filing amendments or supplements rather than contacting the examiner for legal advice.

Probate tentative rulings are available online and by phone at (707) 521-6607 after 2:00 p.m. on the day before hearing. The current Department 12 law-and-motion tentative page includes its own Zoom connection details; routine decedent-estate calendars are generally in Courtroom 23, so use the assigned courtroom's instructions.

Ex parte procedure, remote appearance, and fees

Emergency ex parte applications must be filed before 10:00 a.m.; represented parties e-file, while self-represented parties may deliver them to the clerk. Non-emergency drop-off ex partes must say “Drop-Off Ex Parte” in the caption and may take up to five court days for an order. Contested requests do not belong in that drop-off process.

No Sonoma-specific surcharge for the opening petition was identified. The statewide first-petition fee is $435.

Sonoma's local forms focus largely on specialized probate proceedings; no separate mandatory county form for opening a routine decedent estate was identified. Use current Judicial Council forms plus Local Rules 6 and 17.

Sonoma County's practical checklist:

• Use Cleveland Avenue in person but Administration Drive for mail.
• E-file if represented, while physically delivering original wills and other excluded documents.
• Check examiner notes weeks ahead and file cures promptly.
• Obtain the tentative after 2:00 p.m. on the prior day.
• Follow the assigned courtroom's remote instructions, not another probate department's Zoom details.
• Use the correct emergency or five-day drop-off ex parte procedure.

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